The visual effects team of "Wicked: For Good" faces a big challenge in adding more animals to the 'No Place Like Home' scene.

In Wicked: For Good, before Dorothy journeys down the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City, the animals of Oz, under threat from the Wizard, uproot a section of the colorful path to access a tunnel leading to the mysterious Land Beyond Oz. Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba cannot escape; her mission to protect the creatures compels her to urge them to stay and defend their home. As her new song, composed by Stephen Schwartz, proclaims, there truly is "No Place Like Home."

Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman described the sequence as a deeply emotional moment. "It reveals Elphabas soul," he explained. "She almost convinces the animals, but then her past resurfaces with the Lion's arrival."

The seven-minute scene posed significant challenges, as Erivo had to perform alongside creatures not present on set. Helman emphasized, "Ensuring the actor is comfortable is crucial so that performances remain authentic. Visual effects must enhance that truth."

Creating the scene required extensive preparation. Helman, alongside cinematographer Alice Brooks, production designer Nathan Crowley, editor Myron Kerstein, and director Jon M. Chu, mapped out the scenes scope, taking precise photos, measuring lighting, and planning set layouts and character positions. This meticulous groundwork guided the visual effects team during postproduction.

The perspective alternated between Elphaba and the animals, mostly at eye level. Wide lenses captured the set extensively, with visual effects filling in additional details such as trees, plants, and countless animals to add depth and scale. Helman explained that the team initially added 1015 animals but gradually increased their number to convey the sense of a widespread exodus throughout Oz.

To aid Erivos interactions, a 15-member animal crew acted out the creatures roles. "A person in place of an animal is far more expressive than a tennis ball," Helman noted. This approach was particularly vital for Dulcibear, who shares a tender moment with Elphaba. A tall actor wearing padding helped Erivo physically engage with what would later become the fully rendered creature.

The animals themselves were reimagined from the first film. Unlike their well-groomed earlier appearances, they now carry belongings, appear disheveled, and express worry as they leave their home.

Helman highlighted the emotional weight of the scene: "Its not just about the location; its about the memories and feelings tied to it. Visual effects exist to support that story and amplify the audience's connection."

Helman oversaw a massive global team of over 1,000 artists who crafted the movies visual effects, completing more than 1,800 shots. Almost every frame of the film contains some level of visual effects, seamlessly blending into the narrative to bring Wicked: For Good to life.

Author: Lucas Grant