The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power S2

Project Overview

In the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will.

Building on season one’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity.

Outpost’s work on this season would cover a wide variety of visual effects, from building upon the forging of the rings in season 1, to vast environment enhancements, large FX simulations and enhancing the action in fight sequences.

One of the more creatively complex sequences the team undertook was the sandstorm sequence of episode 202. When confronted with a group of riders, The Stranger uses a staff to summon a gigantic sandstorm to drive them away. However, The Stranger loses control, leaving the storm to sweep Nori and Poppy away.

To create this, the team began by gathering reference of large-scale sandstorms sweeping across dusty or sandy environments to understand the behaviour of sand particles in these high, chaotic winds.

From here, the FX team created a range of simulations made of elements from miniscule dust particles to larger elements. These would then be layered to create the desired effect, with particular attention being paid to the speed and shape of the individual simulations. The 2D department then used 2D elements such as debris to further embed the sandstorm into the sequence.

Another key element to the team’s work on this season would be creating a tree that attempts to entrap The Stranger as he tries to snap off a branch he believes he’s seen in his visions. In some shots the tree was fully recreated in CG, in others, the actor would interact with an onset prop and the team would create additional CG elements such as branches or parts of the trunk to bring the tree to life.

The sequence required VFX to make it appear as though the tree was engulfing The Stranger. The behaviour of the CG elements would take cues from the actor’s performance to ensure the end result was truly believable.

Once again, visual effects would also play an important role in bringing the sprawling environments of Middle-earth to life. From barren wastelands to lush landscapes and riverside villages, the 2D and 3D teams would undertake numerous environment extensions in support of the narrative.

Further to the team’s involvement in visualizing the forging of the three Elven Rings in season 1, the team would also be on hand to help forge more rings this season: seven Rings for the Dwarf-lords and nine for Mortal Men. As they did last season, the team set about creating CG molten metal and pouring it through the elaborate bowls and channels.

Watch all episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 on Prime Video today!