PLANET X FX | creative visual effects

For 'Storm Bound' (‘De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe’) all 3D and 2D elements needed to bring to life the 17th-century VOC-era were created by Planet X FX within four months. A full 3D replica of the VOC ship Nieuw-Hoorn was the basis for many shots showing the ship on an open stormy sea, shots which could not have been made on the set.

A photorealistic model was the aim, and the ship was built from scratch from the original drawings for the VOC ship De Batavia. All the movements and the way the ropes and sails behaved were created with special dynamic systems. It was the same for the turbulent waters, on which several stormy scenes unfold: specially for this project a 3D sea was created entirely in-house.

As for 2D and compositing, Planet X FX made a substantial contribution. Besides incorporating the entire 3D share, Planet X FX took care of the 2D process, which consisted of matte paintings, various removals, day-for-night shots and the addition of countless elements.

A greenscreen shot was set up for the post-production. Various actors climbed on constructions similar to rigging and masts so that later, keyed out of the background, the 3D scenes could be placed on the ship. In so doing, the boundary between live action and computer generation was blurred even further.

The media were particularly positive about the visual effects and the total look of the film: 

‘the special effects in which a huge storm is let loose on the screen are of an international quality.’—Sp!ts

‘But reality has its limits, although as a spectator you often do not notice that. The storms ravaging De Batavia look terrific, just like the drowning scenes.’ – De Telegraaf

 ‘With the help of impressive special effects, the ship Nieuw-Hoorn undergoes storms, scurvy, corporal punishment and fire on the way to the East Indies.’ – filmfocus.nl