The Family, a Brooklyn-based production company, has leveraged several Blackmagic Design tools to bring the world of “Molli and Max in the Future” to life. The sci-fi romantic comedy, starring Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari, premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film and TV Festival. Directed by Michael Lukk Litwak with cinematography and VFX supervision by Zach Stoltzfus, the film is set across multiple planets and dimensions.
Virtual Production Workflow
The Family’s Creative Director Steve Dabal led the virtual production process, collaborating closely with Litwak and Stoltzfus. “Michael had a strong vision for the world he wanted to build,” said Dabal, “which fit well with our technology-driven storytelling approach.” The team used a 50 ft. by 12 ft. LED wall as part of their virtual production setup.
Blackmagic Design Products
The color pipeline was constructed using DaVinci Resolve Studio for editing, grading, VFX, and audio post-production. An ATEM Mini switcher handled live production, while a DeckLink 8K Pro card managed capture and playback. The SmartScope Duo monitor ensured accurate color grading.
On-Set Integration
The team aimed to achieve the final look in camera, minimizing post-production VFX work. DaVinci Resolve Studio played a crucial role by creating a LUT that could be applied on-set for real-time color correction. “For the in-camera VFX scenes, we strove for final pixel,” explained Dabal.
Camera Testing and Collaboration
The Family tested extensively with Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 cameras throughout preproduction, refining the visual look of the film. “Virtual production’s secret sauce is always R&D,” Dabal noted.
Remote Collaboration
During remote prep days, Litwak received live feeds from the URSA Mini Pros via an ATEM Mini connected to Zoom. This allowed him to provide feedback even when not physically present on set.
Innovative Use of Technology
The extensive use of practical and digital effects in “Molli and Max in the Future” is notable for a genre film. Dabal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to push boundaries with technology, stating, “This project is a great example of how you can elevate a romantic comedy using virtual production.”
“Our goal is to partner closely with our filmmakers,” concluded Dabal, “and no project exemplifies that more than ‘Molli and Max in the Future.’”