Sharkweek – The Shallows VFX Breakdowns

Ready for some more JAWSdropping shark action for Sharkweek? Well let’s DIVE straight into some more awesome fishy content with a two for one special!

Today we are looking at one of my favorite films of 2016, The Shallows. The film follows medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively), who travels to a secluded beach for some much-needed sun, solace and surfing. But she BITES off more than she can chew when a large and angry great white shark attacks her, leaving Nancy stranded on an outcrop of small rocks, no more than 200 yards from the shore. The film is a real thrill ride with some of the best Shark VFX i’ve ever seen in a film. So I wanted to share with you two videos that explore the VFX that made up the film. 

Still reeling from the loss of her mother, medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) travels to a secluded beach for some much-needed solace. Despite the danger of surfing alone, Nancy decides to soak up the sun and hit the waves. Suddenly, a great white shark attacks, forcing her to swim to a giant rock for safety. Left injured and stranded 200 yards from shore, the frightened young woman must fight for her life as the deadly predator circles her in its feeding ground.

Oblique FX were largely responsible for the green screen set replacements and grading, and they have a great break down off all the green/blue screen shots, and the how Blake Lively largely shot most of the film in a water tank at Village Roadshow Studios. 

Important Looking Pirates were responsible for the phenomenal work on the great white shark, and you can see all of the tests, shots and compositions that went into bringing this biggest of ‘big bads’ to life. 

You can also check out our review of The Shallows HERE.