'Enola Holmes 2' is the latest chapter in the adventures of the young Holmes sibling, played by the famous Millie Bobby Brown. This new Netflix sequel, directed by multi-award winner Harry Bradbeer, follows Enola on her first official case as a detective-for-hire. As she progresses in solving a missing person case, she soon finds herself caught in a massive conspiracy, crossing paths with both new and familiar faces, including the acclaimed Henry Cavill (as Sherlock Holmes), Helena Bonham Carter (as Eudoria Holmes), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (as Mira Troy), and Louis Partridge (as Viscount Tewkesbury), to name a few.
Far from the green hills of the first film, the story takes place in grimy and foggy Victorian London at the turn of the 20th century, presenting a whole new set of VFX challenges.
The Yard VFX worked alongside Spin VFX and Host VFX under the supervision of Michael Ellis to bring to life a darker, harsher, and dirtier side of London in 1884. According to the production VFX supervisor, the challenge was to maintain a cinematic feel while supporting the storyline in its confined and grimy locations. The Yard team worked for six months on 63 VFX shots that included the creation of digital crowds, around 50 assets, and set extensions, which proved to be complex due to the live shooting constraints and the need for a photorealistic look matching the period. The Yard’s work was rewarded with a Genie Award for Best Environment in 2023.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Yard developed concepts and mood boards using limited images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with muddy docksides and ramshackle streets, while also referencing images from around 1930 with caution due to increased industrialization. Production VFX supervisor Michael Ellis ensured historical accuracy by providing architectural details and window designs, drawing inspiration from themes like Jack the Ripper, polluted London, and the aesthetic of 'Peaky Blinders.'
The Yard team then faced one of the major VFX challenges: creating the interior and exterior of The Match Factory for the film.
The Match Factory is a particularly challenging location both on the inside and on the outside and I was keen to find a vendor who could concentrate on that group of scenes in their entirety. We had early discussions with Laurens Ehrmann at The Yard and really liked his approach to the work.
Overcoming Space Constraints: VFX Solutions for the Match Factory Interior
The interior of the Match Factory posed significant challenges as a shooting location due to its limited size. With these constraints, the scenes required 45 VFX shots to extend the environment and add more workers, making the setting both expansive and emotionally impactful. The small room used for the shooting was replicated to create the illusion of depth, with Compositing Supervisor Sebastien Fauchère devising a setup to efficiently craft each shot using Nuke, bypassing the need for CG rendering. This approach allowed for rapid development and seamless integration, crucial for the many 2D-centric shots within the factory.
Collaborative Crafting: Recreating Victorian Thames Docks through VFX Mastery
Crafting the exterior scenes alongside the bustling Victorian Thames demanded a collaborative effort between The Yard’s 2D and 3D teams.
The live shooting took place at Chatham Docks in Kent and a small set area was mticulously constructed for the match factory exterior. Challenges arose in portraying Bessie’s house, with its narrow alleyway and close buildings requiring precise shooting. From a high drone position, characters navigated muddy wooden planks within the set, while The Yard team replaced surrounding elements with intricate detail, including river features, boats, buildings, and atmospheric nuances.
Creating a seamless connection between the set and the river involved crafting a muddy run-off, simulating water flow from the elevated set. CG water facilitated blending, alongside morning mist effects for heightened realism. Additional elements, such as people and chimney smoke, were seamlessly integrated using simulation and greenscreen techniques.
A total of 18 VFX shots were dedicated to the match factory's exterior, with the most challenging being the establishing shot, demanding meticulous attention to detail in 3D modeling and parallax management to authentically depict old London's mood. Collaborative efforts between the 3D and 2D teams ensured a cohesive and immersive final product, where each member's contribution added to the overall energy and authenticity of the scene.
Additionally, The Yard team seamlessly integrated full CG environments with live action footage on the exterior of a Victorian manor.
Despite budget constraints, the team demonstrated a commitment to maintaining quality in period world building, recognizing the importance of immersive visual storytelling in captivating audiences. The tax rebates played a key role in facilitating the quantity and quality of shots required for the ambitious creative vision in ‘Enola Holmes 2’.
One of the best parts of the job is getting to work with talented people such as Laurens [...]. Collaboration was very straight forward with an easy flow of information and ideas.
