Paris Has Fallen

How Vine FX's brought the VFX action to Urban Myth Films hit series 'Paris Has Fallen'

Vine FX tackled its biggest project to date, with over 1,350 shots for Paris Has Fallen, including intricate environment extensions, dynamic driving sequences, and explosive action scenes.

The TV series, a spinoff from the Has Fallen blockbuster franchise, follows MI6 protection officer Vincent Taleb as he navigates a deadly terrorist plot to protect France’s Minister of Defence.

For Vine FX, the project posed significant challenges in scope and complexity. “This was one of our biggest projects,” says Laura Usaite, MD of Vine FX. “The team worked hard to ensure the effects seamlessly blend with the live action, creating stunning visuals that immerse viewers in the story.” From CG-enhanced practical sets to fully digital reconstructions, Vine FX brought Paris to life with a mix of 2D and 3D elements. Highlights included a fully CG helicopter sequence and a painstakingly recreated embassy courtyard to maintain continuity between green screen shots and on-location footage. DMP and 3D teams worked closely as well to create proxy geometry that could have textures painted on, ready for projections in compositing stages

The studio also developed an innovative solution for the show’s nearly 200 driving scenes, capturing 360-degree backplates across Paris on top of a moving car to integrate with green screen performances. This method allowed for flexibility in post-production and added realism to reflections and cityscapes.

“Every shot had to feel authentic,” says Usaite. “Recreating Paris digitally while grounding it in live action was a challenge, but our team’s artistry made it possible.” Paris Has Fallen showcases the dedication and expertise of the Vine FX team, blurring the line between reality and visual effects. It was a project that allowed the studio flex an array of creative muscles. The show had a successful release in Europe on Canal+, followed by a positive release in the UK with Amazon Prime, debuting at #1 in the UK, Hulu also distributed the show on its streaming platform over in the US.