Video: The 2D-to-3D Animation Pipeline for G-Force 3-D

Rob Engle, 3-D Visual Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, explains how the team fused 2D plates with 3D assets

Rob Engle, 3-D Visual Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Los Angeles, served as visual effects supervisor for the 3D version of the 2009 animated Disney film G-Force. Engle recently was awarded Studio's Screen Genius Award for his contribution in bringing anamorphic guinea pigs to life in the film, specifically for his skill in synthesizing 3D in post and streamlining 2D and 3D production as a result. A team of 300 artists and four effects facilities took on the gargantuan task of synthesizing a 3D environment using 2D plate photography and 3D assets, says Engle. The resulting animation and effects pipeline let the on-set team shoot comfortably with standard 2D rigs, a much more fluid choice—especially when compared to bulkier stereo rigs—for shooting scenes that range in scale from pint-sized close-ups to full-scale action scenes. Watch below to see how they did it.