The biggest names in men’s tennis star in this sweeping action-scifi-fantasy-Viking-adventure-tennis film helmed by directing duo Los Pérez with absolutely epic VFX handled by the team at Electric Theatre Collective.

Dean Robinson, CG Creative Director at ETC: “This job for Riyadh Season’s “Six Kings Slam” tournament was far bigger and broader than anything ETC has ever dealt with before. The film is created almost entirely in post, like a full CG feature or a Marvel film.

“The project also had a tight turnaround due to the players’ schedules, so we had to hit the ground running, working with Los Pérez to world-build eight distinct environments, each with its own VFX challenges.
 

“This job was far bigger and broader than anything ETC has ever dealt with before. The film is created almost entirely in post, like a full CG feature or a Marvel film.”

 
“Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and Jannick Sinner are each integrated into a bespoke VFX environment which mirrors their unique skill set. Djokovic, synonymous with mental strength, uses his power to stop a hurtling ball, whilst King-of-clay-courts Nadal shatters a gigantic clay effigy to take his shot.

“Fire torches, crumbling rocks, exploding waves, parting oceans, creature animation, flaming tennis courts, electric rackets, avalanches and other FX elements were crafted in Houdini, whilst traditional digital matte painting allowed for set extension and enhancement throughout.

“With a host of celebrity talent shot against green screens and set builds, we began concepting the scenes, gathering photographic references, utilizing Midjourney, and drafting concept art, whilst considering lighting and camera language and timing in pre-vis.

“Meanwhile, photogrammetry scans of sand dunes and cliffs helped to cement a huge scale 3D world, allowing for dynamic camera moves which are integral to the flow of the campaign.”

Watch the VFX breakdown:
 

 

 
Client: Riyadh Season
Chairman of GEA: His Excellency Turki Al Alshik

Agency: BigTime Creative Shop
CEO: Mohamed Sehly
CCO: Rayyan Aoun
Senior Producer: Inas Nagy

Director: Los Pérez

Production: Truffle Film
EP: Michel Abou Zeid, Cynthia Chammas
Head of Post production: Mary Bou Akl
Senior Producer: Maria Awika
Head of Research: Elissa Massaad

Production: Grayskull
EP: Dani Monedero, Jesús Álamo
International EP: Álvaro Priante
Producer: Àgata Bert
DOP: Pau Castejón
Production Designer: Jose Tirado
Costume Designer: Núria Durà
Editor: Ramón Morejón

VFX/post: Electric Theatre Collective
CD: Ryan Knowles, Dean Robinson
CG VFX Supervisor: Dorianne Fibleuil, Matteo La Motta, Gareth Bell, Beck Selmes, Will Medcalf, Jack Powell
2D VFX Supervisor: Scott Ryan, Taran Spear, David Filipe, James Belch, Alberto Pizzocchero, Constantin Von Zitzewitz, Alex Snookes
Animation Director: Fabrice Fiteni
Colorist: Luke Morrison
Executive Producer: Antonia Vlasto
Senior Producer: Joe Billington
Producer: Rosie Corbett

Titles: Electric Studios

Sound Design: 750mph
Music: 2WEI Music