Andor's Visual Effects Editing Takes Center Stage at the 2023 Emmys
VFX Editor Liyana Mansor's Emmy-Nominated Work on "Andor"
Liyana Mansor, a Visual Effects Editor, has been nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Special Visual Effects in A Season Or A Movie for her work as Lead VFX Editor on "Andor" (Disney+). Mansor's role involved managing and organising visual effects elements during post-production, using tools such as Boris FX products to create temporary composites and ensure visual continuity.
Working on a high-VFX show like "Andor" presents numerous challenges. One of the main challenges is the scale and complexity of the visual effects. With hundreds of shots per episode, maintaining shot continuity and versions is crucial to avoid confusion. Mansor and her team tracked over 4000 Previs, Postvis, and VFX shots, handled over 8000 plates and elements, and QC'd over 16,000 iterations before each of the final 3843 VFX shots were delivered.
To create rough drafts or mockups for VFX artists and supervisors, Mansor often relies on temporary elements and uses concept art or reference photography as a guide before VFX assets are built. Boris FX tools, known for their compositing and visual effects capabilities, help VFX editors create these temporary composites with motion tracking, masking, color correction, and layering effects.
For temp VFX compositing on "Andor", Mansor used Boris FX products, specifically Sapphire and Continuum. Continuum's Primatte Studio was used for removing blue screens and dropping in temp background plates. Boris FX products were also utilized for animating lasers into the cut, achieving a specific red glow with a hot white core. A combination of BCC_Scanline, BCC Rays Textured, BCC Rays Radiant Spotlight, and S_Laserbeam were used to affect the images transmitted by holoprojectors.
Other common challenges in Mansor's role include communication with directors and VFX supervisors, stabilization and tracking, and color matching and grading. Ensuring temporary effects hold properly as the camera moves and adjusting temporary composites to blend seamlessly with plate footage are essential to maintain immersion.
Mansor's nomination is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of the entire team working on "Andor". The Visual Effects Editor acts as a bridge between the Editorial and VFX Production departments, using tools like Sapphire's S_FogExponential for fog continuity in Aldhani and BCC Rain for weather continuity in the opening episode. The Boris FX Hub offers a free trial of any of their products, making it easier for VFX Editors like Mansor to experiment and expedite the VFX process.
References: [1] Boris FX. (2022). Visual Effects Editing. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/resources/tutorials/vfx-editing/ [2] Mansor, L. (2022). Visual Effects Editing on "Andor". Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/visual-effects-editing-andor-liyana-mansor/
- Despite the challenges of working on a high-VFX show like "Andor," technology like Boris FX products aids VFX editors, such as Liyana Mansor, in temporarily compositing visual effects for greater continuity and maintenance of immersion.
- In her role, Liyana Mansor integrates technology like Boris FX's Sapphire and Continuum for tasks such as removing blue screens, animating lasers, and achieving specific color effects, showcasing the essential role of technology in the entertainment industry, including sports and sports-related productions.
