DNEG Virtual Production Team Delivers Stunning Visuals for Ellie Goulding’s ‘Like a Saviour’

With a remarkable display of talent and skill, the DNEG Virtual Production team, led by Tim Doubleday and Richard Edwards, achieved a groundbreaking feat in delivering cutting-edge visual effects for Ellie Goulding‘s ‘Like a Saviour’ music video in a record time frame.

In an incredibly short span of time, the team at DNEG Virtual Production meticulously crafted a visually stunning desert environment using a combination of Unreal Engine, Megascan assets, and bespoke geometry to bring the set of ‘Like a Saviour’ to life in high fidelity.

Employing cutting-edge techniques, the team incorporated a dynamic weather system and a meticulously crafted 24-hour day-night cycle using Ultra Dynamic Sky, enhancing the realism of the virtual set. Additionally, a captivating star constellation with a particle system was designed in Touch Designer, adding a celestial touch to the production.

On the physical set, a raised platform covered in sand, complemented by a practical dune backdrop, seamlessly blended the practical with the virtual on a massive 6-meter-tall by 31-meter-wide LED wall. Noteworthy details included a specially designed rostrum with a hollow pit, offering a realistic dune experience.

During the shoot, a camera mounted on a substantial techno crane, tracked with a Vicon motion capture system, projected the camera’s view onto the LED wall, creating a mesmerizing sense of depth and 3D immersion that synchronized flawlessly with Ellie Goulding’s performance.