“Black Mirror” Season 7 concluded with a thrilling sequel to Season 4’s “USS Callister” titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” This 90-minute episode follows Nanette and her crew as they navigate life on the USS Callister, which takes a dark turn when angry game players confront the ship in a space battle.
The visual effects team, led by production VFX supervisor James MacLachlan, faced a daunting task with 669 shots of visual effects to bring the episode to life. The space battle scenes were meticulously crafted, drawing inspiration from classic works of science fiction like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.” References to gaming culture, such as “World of Warcraft’s” Leeroy Jenkins, were also incorporated to ground the space battle in a familiar context.
The hyperspace design in the episode was kept in line with the Callister brand, featuring purple and cyan beams that created a tunnel-like effect. MacLachlan drew inspiration from disco smoke machines to achieve the desired visual texture for the hyperspace scenes.
Teleporting and cloning were key elements of the episode, with MacLachlan and cinematographer Stephan Pehrsson using innovative techniques to capture the action. Handheld filming and motion control units were utilized to seamlessly blend shots of the characters and their clones, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for viewers.
Overall, “USS Callister: Into Infinity” is a standout episode that pays homage to classic science fiction while also incorporating fresh and innovative visual effects techniques. The attention to detail and dedication of the visual effects team shines through in every frame, creating a truly unforgettable viewing experience for fans of the series.
