Into Infinity’ Used 669 VFX Shots and Was Insipred by ‘Top Gun’

“Black Mirror” Season 7 concluded with a thrilling sequel to Season 4’s fan-favorite episode “USS Callister.” Titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity,” the 90-minute episode takes viewers on a captivating journey filled with hyperspace, a space battle, and cloning, all while paying homage to classic science fiction works.

The story follows Nanette (Cristin Milioti) and her crew, which includes clones of her colleagues Karl (Billy Magnussen), Nate (Osy Ikhile), Elena (Milanka Brooks), and Kabir (Paul G. Raymond). Set a few months after the events of “USS Callister,” life on the USS Callister turns grim as angry game players confront the ship, leading to an intense space battle.

Production VFX supervisor James MacLachlan faced the daunting task of overseeing 669 visual effects shots for the episode, a significant number for a single installment. To bring the space battle to life, MacLachlan’s team took a back-to-basics approach, using paper darts and capturing the action on an iPhone to visualize the sequence. Drawing inspiration from iconic works like “Star Wars” and “Top Gun,” as well as gaming references like “World of Warcraft’s” Leeroy Jenkins, the team crafted a thrilling and visually stunning space battle sequence.

In the hyperspace scenes, MacLachlan stuck to the Callister brand’s signature purple and cyan color scheme for the beams, creating a tunnel-like effect to enhance the sense of movement. Drawing inspiration from disco smoke machines, MacLachlan incorporated a green, smoky texture to add depth to the hyperspace visuals.

The teleporting and cloning sequences were meticulously crafted, with MacLachlan and cinematographer Stephan Pehrsson using iPhones to map out angles and movements. By utilizing motion control units and body doubles, they were able to seamlessly blend shots of the characters transitioning through teleporters and interacting with their clones.

Overall, “USS Callister: Into Infinity” is a visually stunning and thematically rich episode that continues to push the boundaries of storytelling in the “Black Mirror” universe. With its blend of classic science fiction influences and modern gaming references, the episode offers a thrilling and immersive viewing experience for fans of the series.