THE LAST KING

Directed by Nils Gaup
(Paradox Film/Nordisk Film)

I was the Production Visual Effects Supervisor on the Norwegian movie "The Last King" (aka "Birkebeinerne"), directed by Nils Gaup, featuring Jakob Oftebro and Kristofer Hivju, known from the HBO series "Game Of Thrones". The digital visual effects were created by Windmill Lane VFX in Ireland and Varg Studios in Norway. The CG work was of the subtle type, like matte paintings, arrows, blood, snow in the air, etc. Not "in-your-face", but just as an important part of the storytelling, and faced its own set of challenges. The movie was a box office success in Norway when it opened in 2016, and was distributed in the US by Magnolia Pictures.

THE LAST KING – VFX BREAKDOWN REEL BY VARG STUDIOS

A selection of visual effects breakdowns by Vargs Studios. The shots varied from snow and fog effects to ski replacements and cleanup. In a lot of shots they had to 3D model proxy characters and environmental elements for the snow to interact with and to get proper depth.

THE LAST KING – TRAILER

In the year 1206, Norway is ravaged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, whom half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men – a story that changed the course of the country's history.