Texan Dreamer to Russian Ballet: The VFX Magic Behind "Joika"
VFX Guild is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work of New Zealand's VFX industry in the recently released film "Joika." This groundbreaking production, the first official co-production between New Zealand and Poland, brings to life the true story of Joy Womack, one of the few Americans to penetrate the elite, punishing world of the Bolshoi Ballet.
"Joika" follows the journey of a fifteen-year-old aspiring ballerina from Texas who enters the competitive world of Russian ballet at the Moscow Bolshoi Academy. Under the guidance of legendary teacher Tatiyana Volkova, Joy Womack pushes her body, mind, and choices to the limit in her quest to become a Prima Ballerina. This powerful narrative demanded a high level of authenticity and visual impact, which the talented team at Department of Post delivered with stunning precision.
One of the key challenges was transforming Warsaw, Poland, into various Russian locations. The VFX team masterfully composited scenes to recreate Moscow's iconic landmarks, seamlessly integrating them into rooftop and train sequences. They also meticulously cleaned up buildings and signage across numerous scenes to maintain the authenticity of the setting.
"Bringing Moscow to life within the context of Warsaw was a fascinating challenge," said Matt Westbrooke, Lead VFX Artist. "We aimed to seamlessly blend these two worlds, ensuring that the audience would be fully immersed in Joy's journey."
Another significant aspect of the VFX work involved depicting the physical and emotional toll of ballet on Joy Womack. The team employed advanced techniques to manipulate Joy's body, particularly her face, to reflect the effects of anorexia during a dialogue-heavy scene. By combining human artistry with AI technology, they achieved a believable and impactful portrayal.
"Creating the subtle yet powerful visual effects for Joy's physical transformation was a delicate process," noted James Brooks, VFX Producer. "We wanted to ensure that every detail contributed to the authenticity of her story and the intensity of her experiences."
The VFX team also enhanced the depiction of Joy's injuries, adding swelling to her broken ankle as she performed pirouettes and other demanding ballet moves. Blood effects were added to leg and foot wounds, further emphasising the physical sacrifices made by dancers.
A particularly impressive feat was the creation of the Bolshoi Theatre. The team used digital matte paintings (DMP) and advanced tracking to replicate the interior design of the Bolshoi within a Polish theatre. They also built the exterior of the theatre using DMP. This intricate work is a testament to the VFX industry's ability to create realistic period settings, a technique often used in period dramas but not always recognized by audiences.
"From transforming locations to enhancing the physical aspects of Joy's journey, every effect was crafted to support the narrative and emotional impact of the film" said Luke Sharpe, Lead Vendor Producer.
The collaborative effort behind "Joika" exemplifies the incredible talent within New Zealand's VFX industry. This film not only showcases the dedication and skill of our artists but also highlights the importance of the Official Co-Production Treaties and the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate to support such ambitious projects.
This is best summarised by the film’s lead producer, Belindalee Hope, "Oftentimes the beauty of exceptional VFX work lies in its invisibility. When executed flawlessly, it blends so seamlessly into the fabric of the narrative. The audiences are unaware of its presence. In 'Joika,' for example, we filmed in a dance studio surrounded by mirrors reflecting everything, including our camera and crew. VFX was the unsung hero, meticulously removing these elements from the mirrors and ensuring that the audience felt entirely present in the dancer's world. Throughout 'Joika' there are many instances where brilliant VFX artistry provided that final, indispensable layer to realising the film's vision."
“Joika” is available for streaming on TV from the 17th of July 2024. Watch it Now!