VFX Supervisor Jason Smith goes behind the breathtaking worlds and creatures of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 2 as he talks about an unprecedented VFX challenge — over 6,000 shots across eight episodes.
As The Rings of Power Season 2 heads into Emmy contention for its groundbreaking visual effects, overall VFX Supervisor Jason Smith gave The Hollywood Reporter an exclusive look behind the curtain of Middle-earth’s latest evolution.
From orcs, ents, and goblins to shape-shifting Sauron and the mighty Balrog, the VFX teams faced the daunting task of bringing Tolkien’s vast imagination to the screen while balancing authenticity with modern cinematic flair. With thousands of effects woven seamlessly into every scene, Smith describes the process as “a watch factory that explodes in reverse, and at the very end, everything comes together.”
One of the biggest challenges? Scale. From dwarves to giants, every frame required meticulous planning to ensure believability, often using different techniques from shot to shot to keep the illusion alive.
At The Yard, we were especially proud to contribute to the worldbuilding of the Dwarven realm, solving complex scale integration while crafting immersive environments.
(Re)Discover how our team brought this unique universe to life :
Discover more about the artistry, challenges, and triumphs behind The Rings of Power in Jason Smith’s full interview with The Hollywood Reporter here.