Flying Duck Studio Lab has announced its commission by esteemed production house Candour Productions on the ground-breaking documentary project, The Push: Murder on the Cliff.
Commissioned by Candour Productions, Flying Duck Studio Lab was entrusted with crafting all visuals and title designs for the compelling two-episode documentary, which delves into a riveting murder trial spanning Edinburgh and Leeds. This ambitious project required meticulous attention to detail to develop a visually captivating narrative that conveyed the gravity, sensitivity, and complexity of the subject matter.
A highlight of the project was the development of AI-generated deep fake disguises for trial witnesses, presenting a significant challenge that required extensive testing and collaboration. Additionally, the dynamic nature of the trial footage called for painstaking tracking and rotoscoping efforts to seamlessly integrate the deep fake elements.
Throughout the production process, flexibility was key, with frequent edits mandated by the sensitive content and involvement of judicial authorities and affected families.
This is not the first time we have worked with production houses shooting very sensitive content that can change at any moment. We expect changes throughout production and prepare for it by creating templeatable structures within the animation. We implemented a systematic shot list and flexible production techniques to accommodate these changes, ensuring a smooth workflow.
Josephine Amalie von Bülow, Producer at Flying Duck Studio Lab
Utilising a blend of traditional and cutting-edge animation techniques, Flying Duck Studio Lab brought the documentary to life. Meticulously crafted graphics were enhanced with motion graphics and tracking techniques, while deep fake disguises underwent rigorous development using a combination of AI tools and traditional VFX workflows.
This to me was an exciting endeavour because of the possibility of integrating AI. I spent a lot of time testing and researching before starting to apply AI techniques to manual rotoscoping. Merging new and old technology is what Flying Duck is about, so this documentary and what Candour requested was a big opportunity we are grateful for.
Alixe Lobato, Creative Director at Flying Duck Studio Lab
The work between Flying Duck Studio Lab and Candour Productions has resulted in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant documentary that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. The innovative use of AI, deep fake, and traditional animation techniques has garnered critical acclaim and audience praise.
With The Push: Murder on the Cliff, Flying Duck Studio Lab shines a light on sensitive issues like domestic violence, reminding viewers of its prevalence in society and the need for continued support and advocacy for survivors. The studio encourages viewers to seek out available support and resources.
Read the case study on the Flying Duck website here and watch the episodes here.
