Join DNEG’s CG Supervisor Melaina Mace for an in-depth look at the creative and technical process behind bringing the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us to life through visual effects. Melaina discusses the VFX tools and techniques used to create the photorealistic environments for the show. From Austin to Boston to Salt Lake City and Jackson Hole – the DNEG team grew ivy, constructed skylines, built mountains and destroyed buildings. Go behind-the-scenes and discover the VFX work that made HBO’s The Last of Us a visual masterpiece.


00:00 Presentation
00:24 Introduction
00:50 Pipeline | Software
01:33 Overview
06:39 Quarantine Zone
07:58 Set Extensions
08:30 Set Dressing
10:23 DMZ
11:36 Vehicles & Buildings
17:54 Bomb This City
23:07 Tear It All Down
24:04 Digital Matte Painting
26:30 Balustrade Deck
27:22 Game VS Reality
32:49 Trees & Plants
36:24 State House
39:01 Ivy
42:11 Destruction
44:53 Q&A

Melaina Mace is a CG Supervisor at DNEG with more than a decade of experience in feature film and television VFX. With a background in digital matte painting and CG environments, Melaina is passionate about creating new worlds and enjoys the technical and creative process involved in visual storytelling. She has contributed to over 40 projects, from feature film blockbusters (Wonder Woman, Deadpool 2, The Matrix Resurrections), to award-winning films and television series (Blade Runner 2049, Game of Thrones, Foundation). As a CG Environment Generalist Supervisor on Foundation, Melaina received a VES Award nomination for Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial or Real-Time Project. Melaina was CG Supervisor on the HBO hit series The Last of Us.