In the intricate world of visual effects, collaboration is essential, and Dhiraj’s journey through “Poacher,” an Amazon Prime series, beautifully exemplifies this principle. As the CG Supervisor on the project, he worked closely with VFX Supervisor Jateen Thakkar and Emmy Award Winning Director Richie Mehta to transform ambitious concepts into breathtaking visuals that brought a diverse array of creatures to life.
In this insightful conversation, Dhiraj shares his journey through the Poacher project, highlighting standout moments, valuable learnings, and the creative and technical challenges encountered along the way. From replacing practical effects with stunning CGI to ensuring a consistent aesthetic across the series, Dhiraj reveals how the team pushed boundaries to create over 60 unique creatures and navigated complex sequences, such as the elephant trunk cut and python replacement.
Could you elucidate the scope of your role and the breadth of your responsibilities within the Poacher series, including the specific aspects of VFX oversight and execution you managed?
During the Poacher series, I had the opportunity to work closely with Jateen, the VFX Supervisor, to help bring the director’s vision to life. My role covered a wide range of creative and technical responsibilities. I worked together with leads and supervisors to set the artistic and technical direction for the project. A big part of my job involved identifying areas for R&D to push the boundaries of what we could achieve with visual effects.
I also managed day-to-day operations with the production team, making sure artist schedules were on track and timelines were realistic. Regular feedback sessions, whether through desk rounds or daily reviews were key to keeping everything aligned. Whenever technical issues came up, I met with the Leads to resolve them and improve workflow efficiency. Throughout the process, I participated in important briefings and reviews with the director’s team, ensuring we maintained the quality and vision of the project.
In what manner did you engage with cross-functional teams—such as directors, producers, and fellow VFX artists—to guarantee that the visual effects harmonized seamlessly with the overarching creative vision of the series?
Jateen Thakar, VFX Supervisor at MPC, worked closely with Executive Producer and Director Richie Mehta. I focused on strategic briefings and reviews with the director, ensuring that critical elements of the project aligned with the overall vision.
As the CG Supervisor, I was responsible for the daily production workflow, keeping the entire team aligned with our goals. I worked together with the Production Manager, supporting coordinators across departments to hit our weekly deadlines, while also giving senior management regular updates on our progress.
This collaborative approach ensured that the visual effects seamlessly integrated into the series’ creative vision, delivering a compelling and cohesive visual narrative.
What kind of feedback did you receive from the director, Richie, and other key team members concerning the creature VFX, and in what ways did you assimilate and address this feedback within the development process?
Director Richie Mehta gave us some incredibly positive and constructive feedback on the creature VFX. His clear vision and collaborative spirit turned our review sessions into truly inspiring experiences for the whole team.
One standout moment came when Richie asked us to replace a practical python with CGI in a key scene. With his confidence in our skills, we quickly made the adjustments, and he was thrilled with the results. His heartfelt message of appreciation to the team really lifted our spirits and strengthened our commitment to excellence.
Were there particular sequences or scenes involving the creatures that presented notable challenges or yielded significant professional satisfaction, and how did you navigate these aspects?
Working on the creature sequences presented several notable challenges, but also yielded tremendous professional satisfaction. Our team successfully created over 60 creatures for the 8-episode series, delivering 148 shots within a tight 7-month timeline.
Some of the most exciting tasks included extreme close-up shots of animals, the vulture’s gruesome feast, elephant herd shots capturing precise muscle movement, and animating emotions for the mother elephant discovering her calf’s skeleton. One particularly complex sequence was the elephant trunk cutting shot, demanding meticulous planning, precision, and artistry.
Another standout challenges we faced was replacing a practical python with CGI in a crucial scene. After a few revisions and discussions, we managed to exceed his expectations, which felt amazing. It was incredibly satisfying not just because of the technical achievement, but also because it strengthened the collaborative trust we built with the director.
Overcoming these challenges was incredibly satisfying, both technically and creatively. Richie’s positive feedback kept our team motivated throughout, and we take pride in having delivered high-quality work under tight deadlines
How did you ensure the preservation of a coherent and consistent visual aesthetic for the creature VFX across the entirety of the series, while accommodating the evolving demands of the narrative?
We gathered an incredibly talented group of artists to ensure smooth collaboration across all departments. This teamwork was key in creating a unified and stunning visual for the creature. Jateen and I also made it a priority to hold regular team reviews, bringing all supervisors together for open discussions. This not only helped us stay aligned with our aesthetic goals but also allowed us to quickly address any issues that popped up.
To keep everything running smoothly, we adopted a flexible and standardized workflow. This approach let us easily adapt to any narrative changes while maintaining the creature’s design consistency. Overall, it was all about working together and being adaptable to create something truly special!
