How AI was used to create 'melty' VFX transitions in Here, the millennium spanning movie starring Tom Hanks

AI used on Here VFX; scenes from a film set
(Image credit: Image Courtesy of DNEG © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

DNEG’s work to explore the most dynamic cinematic techniques for the storytelling of Here, the movie starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis, has utilised AI to create environmental transitions that are seen throughout the film. It’s a subtle effect and one that required an intensive period of research and development.

This isn't the first use of AI we've reported on for Here's VFX. The use of AI to de-age Tom Hanks in the film has already impressed, and the approach to covering one scene over millions of years has resulted in some subtle yet spectacular VFX work from DNEG. (Read what VFX artists think of AI.)

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James Clarke
VFX journalist

James has written about movies and popular culture since 2001. His books include Blue Eyed Cool: Paul Newman, Bodies in Heroic Motion: The Cinema of James Cameron, The Virgin Film Guide: Animated Films and The Year of the Geek. In addition to his books, James has written for magazines including 3D World and Imagine FX.

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