Ogiva - Digital Destruction & Environmental VFX - São Paulo Cityscape
Role: Digital Matte Painter | Client: Pipoca e Nanquim - Monolito Produções
The Goal
For this landmark project in Brazilian independent cinema, the objective was to transform the iconic São Paulo landscape into a high-stakes scene of urban devastation. The challenge was to integrate large-scale destruction, fire, and smoke while maintaining the recognizable architecture and atmosphere of the city.
The Workflow
I began by preparing the original plate of the São Paulo skyline as the foundational base. I meticulously sculpted structural damage and debris into the buildings, ensuring the destruction felt physically grounded. To elevate the cinematic scale, I layered atmospheric fire and smoke element. I delivered these high-fidelity assets to ensure a seamless integration with the film's gritty, comic-book-inspired aesthetic.
The Real Challenges
Architectural Authenticity: Destroying a recognizable city requires a balance between chaos and realism. I had to ensure that the structural damage followed the logic of the existing architecture so the city remained identifiable even under siege.
Dynamic FX Integration: Integrating fire and smoke into a static matte painting is a delicate process. I focused on matching the lighting and atmospheric haze of the original plate, ensuring the fire and smoke blended naturally with the environment's color temperature.
Tools Used
Adobe Photoshop
Watch the trailer
