Emmy Awards 2023: Visual Effects Editing of Andor Series
In the world of visual effects (VFX), the role of a Visual Effects Editor is crucial in integrating VFX seamlessly with the editorial workflow. One such individual who has excelled in this field is Liyana Mansor, who has been nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Special Visual Effects in A Season Or A Movie for her work as the Lead VFX Editor on the Star Wars series, Andor (Disney+).
Mansor, a Visual Effects Editor extraordinaire and a Boris FX user, utilised a range of Boris FX products such as Sapphire and Continuum throughout the production of Andor for various VFX compositing tasks. The scale and complexity of the visual effects in Andor presented challenges, including managing a high number of VFX shots, meeting the delivery schedule, and achieving a high level of realism over numerous intricate sequences.
One of the key aspects of Mansor's work was the meticulous attention to detail over a 22-month period to achieve the required realism in Andor's numerous VFX sequences. Boris FX products were instrumental in helping the visual effects team save time by expediting the process and providing tools for problem-solving and mocking up shots.
Common tasks and workflow using Boris FX products included shot marking and management, rotoscoping and paint effects, motion tracking and 3D camera solving, applying visual effects and filters, integration with editorial tools, and exporting data for collaboration.
For instance, using Avid in combination with Boris FX plug-ins (including Sapphire and Continuum), Mansor performed rotoscoping tasks and applied paint/animate effects. This was essential for preparing elements for VFX compositing or solving small shot issues directly in the editorial stage.
Sapphire and Continuum's vast libraries of effects were used creatively and technically to enhance footage. Sapphire excelled in high-quality glows, lens flares, lighting effects, and stylized looks that added cinematic polish. Continuum offered advanced transitions, keying, image restoration tools, and tracking-enabled effects that blended VFX with editorial demands.
Mansor also utilised Boris FX products like Sapphire's S_FogExponential for fog continuity in Aldhani, a location in Andor, and S_Laserbeam to animate lasers into the cut with specific characteristics like a red glow, hot white core, tapered "spear" shape, and various perspectives.
Continuum's Primatte Studio was utilised for removing blue screens and dropping in temp background plates. BCC Rain from Continuum was used for weather continuity for a scene in the opening episode of Andor. The use of Boris FX products helped the visual effects team remove distractions, such as painting out the crew and comping in elements, to enhance the viewing experience for the audience.
In conclusion, a Visual Effects Editor using Boris FX Sapphire and Continuum works at the intersection of editorial and VFX, performing detailed roto and paint work, applying sophisticated effects, handling motion tracking (via Mocha Pro), and managing complex shot workflows—all while enabling smooth collaboration in a fast-paced, VFX-heavy production like Andor.
[1] Boris FX. (n.d.). Avid Integration. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/avid/ [2] Boris FX. (n.d.). Mocha Pro. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/mocha/ [3] Boris FX. (n.d.). Sapphire. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/sapphire/ [4] Boris FX. (n.d.). Optics. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/optics/ [5] Boris FX. (n.d.). Continuum. Retrieved from https://www.borisfx.com/continuum/
Note: Boris FX offers a free trial of any of its products through the Boris FX Hub. For more information, visit https://www.borisfx.com/hub/.
Visual Effects Editor Liyana Mansor, who uses Boris FX products, seamlessly integrated data-and-cloud-computing tools with her VFX workflow during the production of Andor. Sapphire and Continuum from Boris FX were instrumental in helping the team save time and enhance footage with advanced transitions, keying, image restoration, and tracking-enabled effects. In addition to Sapphire and Continuum, Mansor also utilized other Boris FX tools like Mocha Pro for motion tracking and S_FogExponential for fog continuity. Her work in the field of visual effects, entertainment such as movies-and-tv, is a testament to the power of technology and artificial-intelligence in the industry. For those interested, Boris FX offers a free trial of any of its products through the Boris FX Hub.
