Air Force One, and other invisible effects in 'Pluribus'

Issue #59 of befores & afters magazine covers the visual effects of Pluribus.

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When creator Vince Gilligan unveiled Pluribus—now streaming on Apple TV—he delivered one of the most unusual science-fiction premises to arrive on television in years. Set in the aftermath of a mysterious global event known as ‘the Joining,’ the series follows Albuquerque, New Mexico novelist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), one of only a handful of people immune to some kind of extraterrestrial virus that has transformed the rest of humanity into a peaceful, interconnected collective consciousness. As Carol struggles to come to terms with a world mostly inhabited by the ‘Others’ that appears happier, calmer and more cooperative than ever before, she becomes determined to restore the individuality that has seemingly been lost.

Bringing such an unusual vision to the screen involved a mix of practical sets and photography, intermingled with a large range of supporting visual effects. These were overseen by visual effects supervisor Ara Khanikian from Rodeo FX, which crafted matte painted environments, aircraft (including Air Force One), empty spaces, and many other invisible effects for this unsettling new world.

Rodeo FX would ultimately deliver 510 visual effects shots over 102 sequences in Pluribus, with a team of around 100 crew members. Key contributors included on-set visual effects supervisor Keith Kolder, in particular for the Air Force One sequence, as well as DFX supervisor Mathieu Dupuis and compositing supervisor Jeremie Maheu. In this special issue of befores & afters magazine, Khanikian reveals how these nearly imperceptible effects became essential tools in making the series’ most important moments possible.