Fast X

Project Overview

After 10 instalments, it’s time to buckle up for the penultimate outing of the Fast Saga with Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and crew. Over the course of 21 years, we’ve watched crazy car chases in exotic locations around the world. In Fast X, we follow the Toretto family, as they find themselves targeted by the son of a drug kingpin.

Joining production in early 2023, Outpost’s team in the UK and Mumbai would spend the majority of their time working on complex environments and set extensions. This included transforming a blue screen studio into an iconic Fast ‘tuner party’ held on Rio de Janerio beach in Brazil.

“The project presented significant challenges in terms of the magnitude of the work. What made the experience truly enjoyable was the exceptional team we had,” said 2D Supervisor Reuben Montgomery.

Outpost’s 2D and 3D team would need to seamlessly replicate the iconic Rio seafront, before the shot transitions to a 360-degree pan to the skyline. While the environment work and set extensions would prove to be a big task, it was the sequence’s dynamic camera movement that proved to be most difficult.

“The camera’s movement didn’t make it easier, because next to the projected elements in these shots we also had a lot of 3D generated parts and extra crowds that needed to be added,” said Senior Compositor Gilles Collart.

Reference and location photography was vital so that the environment matched the real-world Rio. This included drone footage and location photography projected onto the LIDAR to recreate specific sections of the beachfront. Fireworks were also requested by the client, which would explode during the sequence before the start of a race in the next shot – a major focus for the 2D team.

Montgomery added: “Large set lights were strategically placed along the blue screens to simulate various coloured fireworks. Our goal was to integrate the added fireworks while mitigating the spill from the blue screens. This was crucial to maintain accurate colour representation in the characters, cars, and the party.

“By ensuring that the added fireworks interacted convincingly with the environment, we aimed to deliver a visually immersive experience that aligned with the vibrant atmosphere.”

Other work included heightening the fight scenes or car sequences through muzzle flashes, CG smoke or tire tracks, large set extensions including a London skyline and the streets of Rio, and a CG plane.

While it was no straightforward task, the team enjoyed being part of the iconic Fast franchise. Montgomery, who also worked on F9, added: “My experience working on the Fast & Furious has been a testament to the power of teamwork, professionalism, and a shared passion for delivering high-quality results. It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of such an enjoyable project.”

Watch Fast X now on Prime Video.