SEAL TEAM
In the final season, the brothers of Bravo Team face one last challenge together. These elite warriors must navigate their professional lives as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous and complicated mission the USA can ask of them.
Cause and FX, led by VFX Supervisor Joshua Spivack and Post Producer Alex Schade, once again sprang into action for the seventh and final season of Seal Team. The team was thrilled to be part of the production, which provided and opportunity to enhance intense action sequences. This project was both fun and refreshing, featuring guns, gore, and explosions – the very elements the team love to get involved with – adding an extra layer of danger for the viewers.
The narrative heavily relies on weaponry, and from our on-set experience, we understand that maintaining consistent damage continuity is a challenge in the fast-paced filming environment. In our visual effects role, we ensure every bullet, rocket and explosion delivers impact on screen while respecting the ongoing damage narrative throughout the location’s lifespan.
SEAL TEAM
BREAKDOWN
“Kill THE BOAT, NOT OUR HERO”
A key sequence for Cause and FX in season seven was the destruction of the yacht.
Set against the tranquil backdrop of a marina and captured in slow motion, our mission was clear: “Protect our hero, destroy the boat.”
Using LiDAR scans of the vessel, we crafted a narrative of the explosion, illustrating its journey from the bridge down to the lower decks. We designed bulkheads, corridors and cabins to simulate multiple exit points for the blast allowing us to portray an explosion that expanded, destroyed and eventually broke from from the superstructure.
Debris soared into the air, blending with the plumes of devastation. The calm marina water became our canvas, illuminated by the dynamic light of the blazing ship as it lit up the night sky.
“Joshua Spivack came to Cause and FX with solid experience on this show, having supervised it many times before. He brought with him the vision and excitement that we know and love him for. We couldn’t wait to get started.“
CRANK UP THE JUICE!
The Cause and FX team just cracked open the door to destruction and chaos.
Josh excels at knowing when to ramp up the intensity. His task, add more danger without overly threatening our hero as he escapes the explosion. We brainstormed ways to heighten the stakes, and ultimately compromised the ships hull by creating a series of holes, allowing more fire to erupt from the sides. With our explosion procedurally simulated in Houdini, the FX department could seamlessly introduce these new portal for the flames.
Our comp department focused on integration, ensuring the scene’s coherence despite the absence of interactive lighting in the original footage and a challenging budget for digital water effects. Through expert improvisation, the team successfully harmonised all the elements. A standout addition was the effect of debris showering the water, bridging the explosion and the audience with a captivating visual dynamic.
The Cause and FX team played a crucial role in all episodes, handling tasks ranging from monitor compositions and cleanup to creating damage effects, bullet fire, explosions and all out destruction. Throughout the project, we established significant efficiencies through seamless collaboration between the CG, 2D, FX and UE teams. This strong teamwork created impressive results, continuing to maintain the clients trust and further strengthen the collaboration with Team Cause.
