As a new episode of ‘Halo – Season 2’ streams today on Paramount+, delve deep into the creative overhaul and vision behind the evolution of the series.
Following the release of its first episodes, ‘Halo – Season 2‘ has been highly acclaimed by audiences and the press worldwide, elevating the franchise to new heights. Collider’s Steve Weintraub recently interviewed executive producer Kiki Wolfkill, showrunner David Wiener, and lead actor Pablo Schreiber. They shared their aspirations for Season 2 and reflected on the new creative approach. Explore the evolution of Paramount+’s hit series !
Shifting the tone and creative vision for a more immersive experience
In the interview with Collider, executive producer and video game developer Kiki Wolfkill explained that Season 1 primarily focused on the process of ‘finding [their] footing’ within the expansive universe of rich lore. With showrunner David Wiener joining Season 2, there was a notable shift towards prioritizing the emotional resonance of the narrative. Wiener’s vision for the series appears to have significantly advanced the overall progression of the show.
Revisiting the roots of ‘Halo,’ particularly the ferocity of The Covenant, David Wiener explained that he aimed to create gritty realism and immerse the audience in the fight. He drew parallels between this experience and playing Halo, highlighting the thin boundary between action and horror. The imposing nature of the Covenant Elite and the fog of war suggest fear, as the enemy’s presence can only be perceived when they’re upon you. By infusing the sequences with a darker tone, they aim to enhance the anxiety of battle.
Teasing a big action oner, enhanced by VFX
In the same interview with Collider, David Wiener teased episode 4, entitled ‘Reach’ as a big action oner.
[...] There is a sequence of oners through the majority of that episode — it's a journey — until we get to where they're going, which required a lot of filmmaking excellence on the part of our crew and our director on that one, Craig Zisk.
In his interview discussing episode 4, lead actor Shreiber highlights a notable sequence involving a fight with an unknown foe. He details the shooting process, explaining that the combat involves close-quarters combat with a Covenant member, necessitating the involvement of stunt performers and VFX team. Shreiber particularly praises the VFX team’s work in seamlessly stitching together the shots, expressing admiration for their efficiency. He notes that the entire fight sequence was shot in a single day, with the VFX team able to present the completed sequence by the end of the night. Overall, Shreiber believes that the VFX in the new season are significantly improved, enhancing the effectiveness of the shooting process.
Episode 4 : Reach
A covenant assault threatens humanity’s most important stronghold; John, Perez and Silver Team fight an overwhelming enemy; Adm. Keyes rallies the UNSC forces to make a stand; Halsey and Soren must work together to escape captivity. (Source : Rotten Tomatoes)