NBC's FORCES OF NATURE

Visual effects boutique RING OF FIRE (www.ringoffire.com) recently completed work on FORCES OF NATURE, an effects-heavy spot for NBC that promotes its coverage of the upcoming OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES.

The spot was directed by KENDALL BOWLIN of THE NBC AGENCY and features US Olympians performing in dramatic and mystical winter environments.

Among the athletes shot performing in front of a green screen were ice skater MICHELLE KWAN, the women’s hockey team, short track speed skater APOLO ANTON OHNO, and downhill skier DARON RAHLVES.

In each vignette, the athlete's environment changes -- an avalanche follows the hockey team, flames follow the speed skater and ice ring circle the figure skater -- all suggesting that these competitors have powers beyond that of mere mortals.

"Designing photo realistic computer generated weather effects and environments are always challenging tasks," says RING OF FIRE VFX/CG Supervisor GREG ANDERSON.

"In this case, our challenge was compounded by the fact that each athlete had to affect the environment in a completely stylized way that mimicked real world phenomena, but had a look that was completely unique for the world we created."

According to Anderson, MAYA, MENTAL RAY and REAL FLOW were used for the 3D effects, with all of the applications running on PCs.

PHOTOSHOP, AFTER EFFECTS, COMBUSTION and INFERNO were used for creating matte paintings and for compositing.

To see how it all came together, click here.

To view this visually stunning commercial, check out www.ringoffire.com. Click Portfolio, then click The Latest,
then select NBC Olympics.

To read more about how this spot was produced, check out this article from Post Magazine.

[UNITED AIRLINES is currently showing a behind the scenes of FORCES OF NATURE on its flights during the month of January. Check it out during your travels on UNITED this month.]