One camera, one driver, 6 miles of data collected and reconstructed for high-speed chase scenes
Many of the biggest innovations are due to market demand, and most often, those markets come in the form of military and entertainment. While both of these industries willingly invest vastly superior amounts of money into finding better, faster, and safer ways to conduct ‘business,’ they are also always looking to find ways to invest wisely.
So, it’s no surprise that more and more VFX studios, directors, and builders of simulators are turning to technology typically used in the geospatial industry to decrease costs in both the data capture and the post-production stages of their projects.
One of the biggest challenges faced in entertainment is creating realistic visual effects (VFX), which can be both a time-consuming and expensive process. ‘The Instigators’, a high-stakes action film starring Matt Damon, demanded intricate and dynamic VFX sequences, including intense car chases through urban environments. For this, the production team sought a new, efficient way to capture large-scale environments that would provide the flexibility and quality needed for high-impact scenes.
Mark Russell, the film’s VFX supervisor, turned to Mosaic 360 Imaging Services, recognizing the technology’s potential to deliver photorealistic 3D models quickly and cost-effectively. This case study explores how our innovative approach reshaped the VFX workflow, offering a faster, more efficient way to capture essential data without the logistical and financial burdens of traditional methods.
Setting the Stage: Innovation in VFX Production
About Mark Russell
Mark Russell is a seasoned VFX Supervisor whose work spans across iconic films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, Django Unchained, and Hugo. Over two decades in the industry, Mark has worked with top studios like Framestore, MPC, and Rising Sun Pictures. His talent for integrating cutting-edge technology into VFX workflows and for bringing complex sequences to life has established him as a trusted name in the industry. Known for blending practical and digital effects seamlessly, Mark’s expertise ensures that each project he leads delivers quality and innovation.
About Mosaic
We at Mosaic are pioneers in high-resolution, 360-degree imaging technology initially designed for mapping, surveying, and infrastructure applications. However, as our cameras and imaging processes developed, we quickly realized their tremendous potential for visual effects in the film industry. By offering fast, cost-effective data capture with the ability to generate highly detailed 3D models, Mosaic’s technology has become a valuable asset for VFX teams seeking to replicate large-scale environments with precision and ease. Our solutions streamline production workflows, ensuring that intricate scenes can be captured accurately, enabling filmmakers to bring their visions to life.
The Movie: ‘The Instigators’
‘The Instigators’ is an action-packed film starring Matt Damon, focusing on a thrilling heist that spirals into a high-stakes chase across the city. The film demanded intricate and dynamic visual effects to bring its intense scenes to life, especially during high-speed car chases and complex urban sequences. To meet these challenges, the production team sought out advanced technology that could capture vast environments quickly and integrate seamlessly into the VFX pipeline. This is where Mark Russell and Mosaic joined forces, leveraging Mosaic’s 360-degree imaging solutions to revolutionize the way visual effects were created for the film.
The Challenge: Overcoming Traditional Limitations
Producing realistic VFX sequences traditionally requires extensive surveying and scanning. Mark Russell explained,
"In the past, I would have hired a TLS (terrestrial laser scanner) technician to complete the surveys of the requested locations. We still did that for a few specific areas, but with Mosaic, I was able to cover a much larger area {6 miles} in less time."
Several challenges faced the production team for ‘The Instigators’
Time Constraints:
The need to capture multiple locations efficiently without disrupting the film’s schedule was critical, especially for action sequences that required precise environmental replication.
Logistics and Cost:
Hiring TLS (terrestrial laser scanner) technicians and equipment would have involved securing expensive traffic permits, coordinating multiple team members, and closing down streets. These factors would significantly inflate the production budget.
Quality:
The data captured needed to be of high quality to serve as the foundation for realistic 3D environments. Traditional approaches could be limiting, especially in fast-moving scenes where dynamic elements require seamless integration.
The Solution: Mosaic’s 360º VFX Services
Mark Russell discovered Mosaic through LinkedIn posts by Jeffrey Martin, founder of Mosaic and a pioneer in high-resolution 360-degree imaging. Having been impressed by Mosaic’s previous work, including projects for films like The Gray Man, Mark decided to integrate their technology for ‘The Instigators’.
The solution centered around a streamlined, photogrammetric approach, utilizing Mosaic’s high-resolution 360-degree camera to capture large-scale environments with precision and speed.
The Final Results
Russel commented that the data quality in this scenario was really helpful for areas where they will need to recreate sections of the environment. All of the scanned data would need to be cleaned up more and then retextured, but having the base-level geometry simplified that process a great deal. It has really put him at ease knowing that he had all the data that he needed to recreate any part of a number of scenes using the data Mosaic captured.
Key benefits included:
Speed and Efficiency:
Our proprietary technology allowed the production team to capture vast areas in a fraction of the time. Mark noted,
"In 6 hours, Jeff was able to capture 6-7 different locations and the entire route for a 10-minute car chase. It would have been impossible for me to do this any other way."
Cost Savings:
By utilizing a single operator and avoiding the need for extensive on-location teams and equipment, we helped reduce the overall cost. This streamlined approach eliminated the need for traffic permits and minimized disruptions, further enhancing production efficiency.
Comprehensive, High-Quality Data:
Our in-house technology captured geo-referenced 3D meshes that served as the foundation for creating and extending environments. This capability allowed the VFX team to replicate any scene part, whether retexturing or reconstructing from scratch, ensuring seamless integration.
“Mosaic’s photogrammetric approach to our scanning for the car chase was a huge win for me because I was able to capture the entire planned route of the chase in a single day. I ended up with geometry for all the areas where we could potentially need to recreate or extend environments for roughly the same cost as a traditional survey that would have covered only a small fraction of the area.”
- Russell
How Mosaic’s Technology Delivered Results
Mark Russell emphasized the ease and flexibility Mosaic’s approach brought to the project:
"The process was pretty smooth. Jeff was able to do much of the scanning independently, which really helped because we were in the middle of a location shoot. The quality and resolution of the data were quite good. It's not final render quality, but it is providing a great start in the areas where we need to have 3D data."
Our ability to provide rapid, detailed data capture was a “huge win” for the VFX team, particularly for the car chase scenes. The photogrammetric approach enabled Mark and his team to capture the entire planned route in a single day, delivering
"10x more geometry to recreate or extend environments for roughly the same cost as traditional surveys."
Concrete Benefits Experienced by the Production Team
Time Savings:
With the Mosaic X camera system, a 360-degree mobile mapping device, the data capture process was completed in a single day, allowing the team to stay on schedule and avoid costly delays. Traditional methods would have taken multiple days, if not weeks, to achieve the same results.
Reduced Costs:
Eliminating the need for multiple technicians and equipment reduced labor and logistical costs. Mosaic’s technology also avoided the complications of acquiring traffic permits, as the data capture was conducted quickly without needing prolonged road closures.
High-Quality Output:
The detailed 3D models produced from Mosaic X’s scans served as a strong foundation for post-production work. While the data required further processing and retexturing, having comprehensive base-level geometry simplified this process significantly, enabling the VFX team to achieve realistic results.
"We had a great time working with Mark and his team. With our Mosaic X camera mounted on a rental car, we were able to fly in and out with just a couple of suitcases, and accomplish some very sophisticated scanning of streets, highways, and even tunnels, all without disrupting traffic or even getting any special permits. It was as if we weren’t even there! Compared to a team of people using terrestrial laser scanners, it literally took 1/10 the time, and the results speak for themselves. Honestly I don’t know why any VFX people still use terrestrial laser scanners when they can use our system in a fraction of the time and without the need for shutting down city streets."
- CEO of Mosaic, Jeffrey Martin
Check out the data collected with the Mosaic X during the preparation for The Instigators movie in Boston:
Mosaic’s Broader Impact: Previous Projects and Industry Leadership
Mosaic’s success with ‘The Instigators’ is not an isolated case. We have positioned ourselves as a leader in the VFX industry by providing efficient, high-resolution data capture solutions. Their proprietary technology has been used in other major film projects, including:
The Gray Man: We used our cameras to scan complex urban environments, enabling the Scanline VFX team to seamlessly integrate digital assets with real-world elements. The comprehensive data allowed for accurate recreation of settings, enhancing the film’s dynamic action scenes.
Ice Cream Man: By utilizing Mosaic’s efficient data capture techniques, the VFX team could recreate challenging environments, even in hard-to-reach locations. This led to a smoother production process, as teams could quickly gather data without worrying about accessibility issues.
(added 2024)
Industry Endorsements
Mark Russell wasn’t the only industry professional to recognize Mosaic’s capabilities. Bryan Grill, a veteran VFX supervisor known for Free Guy and The Gray Man, shared his thoughts:
“I think this will be the next big tech for VFX and gaming. It opens a lot of possibilities for innovative solutions in VFX.”
Todd Perry, another notable VFX supervisor, praised Mosaic for their ability to handle challenging environments:
“They were able to access areas with high foot traffic and low accessibility, otherwise impossible to capture. The resulting models were key to helping design visual effects shots, providing a solid foundation for final model work.”
Conclusion: Pioneering New Standards in VFX Production
Mosaic’s collaboration on ‘The Instigators’ showcases how their 360-degree imaging technology can transform the VFX production process. By delivering comprehensive, high-quality data at unprecedented speeds, Mosaic has helped redefine what is possible in visual effects. Their solutions offer film crews the flexibility, cost-efficiency, and quality necessary to bring even the most complex scenes to life. As Mosaic continues to innovate, their technology will likely become a staple in VFX and gaming industries, enabling creators to explore new possibilities and push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Contact us today to explore the possibilities of mobile data capture!
Find out more about applications of 360º mapping solutions in the VFX industry here 👈
