In Better Man, the film directed by Michael Gracey, we are presented with a rather unique visual and narrative challenge: transforming Robbie Williams into a kind of digital primate. At first glance, it might seem like a somewhat strange decision or even an excuse to do something flashy, but in reality, it has a much deeper purpose. The goal was to show Williams as he sees himself, rather than the public figure we all know. Instead of a human character or a caricature, what they sought was to give him a form that represented his internal struggles, something that spoke of his battles with fame, addiction, and mental health.
The Creative Approach Behind Digital Robbie
To make this possible, the team at Wētā FX, known for their work on major productions, was tasked with creating a digital Robbie, but not a completely strange primate. Although they based it on the figure of an ape, they avoided it becoming a caricature or something out of place. The goal was to maintain the character's humanity, while at the same time adding certain animalistic features to give it a "primal" touch. This didn't mean he would walk on all fours or behave like a monkey; instead, details like the shape of the mouth or nose were used to show his emotional struggle without losing the human touch.
Motion Capture Technology and Visual Effects
One of the most interesting parts of this process was how the team combined motion capture technology with visual effects. They not only recreated Robbie's movements, but at the same time, worked to make the character feel real within the context of extremely complex scenes, such as:
- Musical sequences with costume changes.
- Choreographies accompanied by hundreds of dancers.
- Lighting synchronized with innovative digital effects.
The team developed innovative technology to synchronize the set lights with the digital effects, ensuring everything fit together perfectly.
The Construction of a Realistic and Somber World
It wasn't just about creating an impressive digital character. The visual effects also played an essential role in building the world surrounding Robbie. Instead of the grandiose landscapes they normally create at Wētā FX, here they had to design a more realistic and somewhat somber environment. Typical British settings were recreated, such as:
- Roads full of litter.
- Abandoned mattresses and shopping carts.
These elements not only helped give context to the character but also contributed an atmosphere very different from what is normally seen in cinema.
Challenges in Integrating Practical and Digital Effects
One of the biggest challenges was that, even though a large part of the scenes involved computer-generated characters, the integration with the real world had to be perfect. There were practical elements like smoke and fire on set, which complicated things, but also provided a solid foundation upon which the digital effects could be built.
"In the end, the work done on the film goes far beyond what the eyes can see, because every element is carefully designed to immerse the viewer in a unique experience."
Conclusion
In summary, Better Man is not only a film that stands out for its visual achievements, but also demonstrates how special effects can serve to tell a much deeper and more emotional story. Through the creation of this digital Robbie