Hotspring launch machine-learning powered VFX tool Slapshot

Visual Effects (VFX) network Hotspring has launched Slapshot, a new machine learning powered tool which creates high-quality rotoscoping work in progress (WIPs) of anything at any resolution, in seconds.

Fully integrated into Hotspring’s platform as a free add-on, Slapshot was custom-built in house by the company to tackle a traditional frustration in the creation of commercial, Film and TV VFX work. It eliminates the need to wait for rotoscoping WIPs and speeds up creative collaboration providing clients with a fast, high quality, version of any roto task.

The ability of Slapshot to create rotoscoping WIPs of anything, at any resolution for live VFX pipelines is unique in the industry. The breakthrough was made possible by the acceleration of machine learning technology combined with Hotspring’s specialism in rotoscoping.

Hotspring worked with a number of leading VFX studios to test the product and hear real world feedback from VFX artists including: Electric Theatre Collective (ETC), Herne Hill Media and Untold Studios who have all tested the Slapshot product to elevate and speed up the creative solution.

Alfie Vaughan, VFX Lead says: “Just tested this out on a shot. It looks great! I’ve tried a few of these ML roto tools from various companies  in the last few months and they’ve been pretty hit and miss. Slapshot is much better than anything else I’ve tried.”

Hotspring’s globally located network of artists and teams continue to meticulously create final versions, with access to faster WIP in the meantime accelerating the creative process and unlocking earlier opportunities for tests, comps and presentations across TV, Feature  Film, Commercials, Music Videos and Direct To Brand projects.

Some of Hotspring’s recent work highlights include: Commercials – Coca Cola ‘Masterpiece’ and Ladbrokes ‘Rocky’, Feature Films ‘Maestro’ and ‘The First Omen’, Direct To Brand ‘Burberry x Minecraft’ collab and Arsenal ‘CALM’, as well as Music Videos Ed Sheeran’s ‘2Step’ (Feat Lil Baby) and Coldplay’s Korean BTS collab amongst others.

Hotspring’s Co-Founder and CEO Jon Mason said: “This isn’t the first attempt to solve this problem. People have come at it from the tech side and dabbled in it from the VFX side, but no one has been able to bridge the gap between what the technology can do and what live VFX pipelines demand.  Our expertise in software combined with in-depth knowledge of rotoscoping meant that we found ourselves in a unique position to create something of real value to our clients and industry.”

Hotspring’s Managing Director Ben Stallard added: “We all have years of experience in commercials, TV and Film VFX work and understand the deadlines and frustrations of VFX. The scope of our rotoscoping work to date has been very comprehensive and we’ve invested heavily in creating a product which is built to meet the demands of the industry. We’re proud and excited to see it out there in the wild.”