Sweet Tooth
Virtual Production
Client: Warner Bros / Netflix | 2021-2023 | Film & Broadcast
Sweet Tooth is a post-apocalyptic fantasy drama series based on Jeff Lemire’s DC/Vertigo comic of the same name. Set in a world decimated by a mysterious virus and populated by hybrid human-animal children, it follows a deer-boy named Gus and a gruff wanderer on a journey across a changed America in search of answers and hope.
Netflix’s Sweet Tooth marked a turning point for New Zealand’s film industry, proving how LED walls and real-time environments could revolutionises storytelling on set. This production paved the way for virtual production to flourish in Aotearoa, and our team lay that foundation.
Season 1
The first season included just 9 unique LED volumes built for purpose across the 10 episodes, for Season 2 it was 21, and by Season 3 that number was 42.
The LED walls was primarily used to recreate exterior environments for set builds while filming safely inside the studio. This allowed for total control over the lighting and enviroment whilst delivering realistic outdoor backdrops without leaving the stage.
The first season included just 9 unique LED volumes built for purpose across the 10 episodes, for Season 2 it was 21, and by Season 3 that number was 42.
The LED walls was primarily used to recreate exterior environments for set builds while filming safely inside the studio. This allowed for total control over the lighting and enviroment whilst delivering realistic outdoor backdrops without leaving the stage.
Season 2
Season 2 expanded the scope of virtual production, taking full advantage of the LED’s and shooting multiple set ups with vehicles to efficiently capture all scenes where the story demanded dialogue along the journey.
The scope increased in scale too, increasing the amount of LED panels available meant we could execute larger environments. Providing fantastic virtual enviroments in a 2D workflow.
The first season included just 9 unique LED volumes built for purpose across the 10 episodes, for Season 2 it was 21, and by Season 3 that number was 42.
The LED walls was primarily used to recreate exterior environments for set builds while filming safely inside the studio. This allowed for total control over the lighting and enviroment whilst delivering realistic outdoor backdrops without leaving the stage.
Season 3
Season 3 again expanded the scope of virtual production. With so many of the environments being in the snow, having precise colour workflows were key to our success in managing a seamless extension to our in studio environments.
Not only that but the season itself tended to the more fantastic, allowing our creative license to roam free and explore mind bending imagery to aid the story. Our dream sequence seen below was the ultimate crescendo to the series end.
The first season included just 9 unique LED volumes built for purpose across the 10 episodes, for Season 2 it was 21, and by Season 3 that number was 42.
The LED walls was primarily used to recreate exterior environments for set builds while filming safely inside the studio. This allowed for total control over the lighting and enviroment whilst delivering realistic outdoor backdrops without leaving the stage.
Mel Turner / Producer / Co-Executive Producer
“This considerable bet in new technology and process wouldn’t have been this successful without Olivier considerable talent and dedication to this emerging craft.”
Directors
Jim Mickle, Toa Fraser, Robyn Grace, Ciaran Foy, Carol Banker, Alexis Ostrander
Cinematographers
Aaron Morton, Dave Garbett, John Cavill, Rob Marsh, Andrew Stroud
Production Companies
Nightshade, Team Downey, Dc Entertainment, Warner Bros.
Network
Netflix
Release year
2021 - 2024
Local Production Company
Ground Control New Zealand