Universal Pixels lends VFX expertise to Good Omens 2

Universal Pixels (UP) has supplied in-camera VFX expertise, crew and technical equipment to Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens 2.

Created and written by Neil Gaiman, the series stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen in the fantasy comedy based on Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novel of the same name.

Set in 2018, the plot follows demon Crowley (Tennant) and angel Aziraphale (Sheen), unlikely friends who settle into life on Earth. When news of an imminent Armageddon arrives, they team up to derail the antichrist and prevent the end of the world as we know it.

The six-part sci-fi phenomenon is a welcome addition to Universal Pixels’ growing roster of high-profile ICVFX credits. Led by HOD Dan Edmonds, the team joined the second season at Glasgow’s Wardpark Studios, to provide in-vehicle driving sequences and rear projection for the production’s crucial vehicle shots.

Charged with bringing viewers right into the hi-speed action, Edmonds worked closely with cinematographer Gavin Finney BSC. He specified a technical package for the interior vehicle footage; four Roe 2.6mm LED screens were chosen for curving capabilities and high pixel pitch, and for control, disguise GX 2c media servers were utilised for a faultless execution.

These tools allowed the team to manage playback, and manipulate the 10bit plate content with ease, while Stage Smart Power distribution ensured the highest level of safety and protection for both crew and equipment.

Driving Plates, the 360° driving background production services specialist, supplied 360-degree plates to the shoot,

Edmonds commented: “We’ve worked with both Gavin Finney and Driving Plates on previous shoots and it was great to team up with them again. Gavin placed his trust in our team knowing that we’d achieve the exact visual aesthetic needed for these scenes.

“Our technical film and TV crew is very experienced with this equipment, which gives an invaluable level of trust to the project, and working with series director Douglas Mackinnon made Good Omens 2 a great piece of TV to make.”

Universal Pixel’s crew was completed by media server operator Anthony Condon, and LED techs Connor Canwell, Chris Jackson, Chris Wood, Matt Saunders and Rodger Nelson.

Produced by Amazon Studios, BBC Studios Productions, Narrativia and The Blank Corporation, all episodes are available to stream now via Prime Video.