Emmy Awards 2025 Highlight: Stunning Visual Effects in Dune: Prophecy by Image Engine
In the captivating world of Dune: Prophecy, the VFX Supervisor, Martyn Culpitt of Image Engine, has been nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or Movie. Culpitt's exceptional work on the epic sci-fi/fantasy series has been widely acclaimed.
The Image Engine team handled over 208 shots for Dune: Prophecy, managing complex sequences by relying on procedural workflows and custom tools. One such tool, the Silhouette machine learning Retime ML Node, proved particularly useful in episodes 1 and 6, facilitating shot retime while minimising the need for painting out retime artifacts.
The Anirul world, representing family tree information from Dune houses, presented a unique challenge due to its intricate trees that turn on and off, move, illuminate, and create graphical elements. However, the tools provided the precision and flexibility needed for these shots, allowing the team to extract characters from blue screens with ease.
Silhouette and Mocha Pro played a crucial role in providing the Image Engine team with precise mattes needed for compositing, particularly in complex moments like the ice lake sequence in episode 6. The ice lake storm sequence was one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of the project, due to its complex compositing and dynamic effects.
The Arrakis sandworm, holotable, Mek robot, and the mindkiller sequences all presented unique challenges and opportunities for creativity. The biggest VFX challenge was delivering feature-film-quality VFX on a TV schedule with shorter timelines.
The new Silhouette machine learning Retime ML Node was instrumental in streamlining the VFX process, aiding in tasks such as tracking, rotoscoping, and frame-by-frame paint in the BG Prep department. The team's hard work and creativity shone through in various VFX, including fully CG environments, creature animation, complex FX simulations, and sequences like sandworm attacks, ice lake storm, holographic table, robot battle, and mindkiller sequence.
Notably, the episode "The Heir of Caladan" from Dune: Prophecy was highlighted by Image Engine as outstanding. As the VFX industry continues to evolve, the work done by Martyn Culpitt and the Image Engine team on Dune: Prophecy serves as a testament to the power of innovative tools and creative minds.
