The following contains spoilers for the franchise season 1 episode 2, “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer,” now streaming on Max
The franchise‘ Latest jab at Marvel Studios highlights a consistent controversy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe of the last decade. Effectively serving as a silly takedown of the current Hollywood system, The franchise is focused on the troubled production of a superhero film, Tecto. In two episodes, the show has already highlighted the incredible mental strain that these productions can put on filmmakers, as well as the huge financial cost that comes with every sequence or scene that is cut from the blockbusters.
The show’s second episode, “Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer,” draws attention to the problems surrounding special effects. Trick day on the set of Tecto is complicated by power plays, faulty tech and disagreements over the visuals that cause many problems for The franchiseS letters. However, the brunt of the pain is felt by one section that gets a brief (but memorable) moment in the episode. The throwaway hit actually speaks to one of the more vocally underappreciated corners of the film industry.and underline The franchises themes on exploring the human cost of blockbuster filmmaking.
The franchise highlights VFX problems in the MCU and big blockbusters
The franchises VFX supervisor Jamie needs a hug
The franchiseThe second episode highlights the tension superhero films can leave their VFX teams underRecall a controversy that haunted the MCU for years. in The franchiseThe conflict between the studio and the production of Tecto Keep simmering. The last blow is the dismissal of dozens of extras, which confuses crowd shots that the film director, Daniel Brühl’s Eric. Desperate to fix the problem, 1 ad Daniel was forced to turn to the VFX supervisor Jamie, who acknowledged they could make 80 moss people, but it would be expensive, look terrible and the extra work could actually kill him.
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The fact that Daniel responds positively to this highlights how underappreciated and overworked the special effects departments of big-budget film productions can be. Stretched between the ambitions of the filmmaker and the realities of filmmaking, Daniel is forced to push the struggle onto someone else. The fact that this is the first time audiences have seen Jamie, that he has quickly returned to work, and his generally defeated demeanor suggests that this is far from the first time he has been put through this casual workplace abuse. His comments about the shoddy VFX also speak to common criticisms of modern special effects.
The VFX controversies of the MCU, explained
The MCU’s VFX problems speak to an industry-wide concern
Working conditions for VFX artists have been tough across the entire film industry Recently, however, the problem is especially pronounced with the MCU. Many VFX artists who have worked for Marvel have spoken about the conditions at the blockbuster studio. As reported by outlets like The Guardian, VFX artists have claimed that Marvel Studios constantly imposes unreasonable deadlines, underpays the VFX houses they overwork, and generally pushes the employees to the breaking point. The results can be lost in the shuffle at best, and distracting at worst.
While other films like the DC Extended Universe’s The bottle Was panned for its VFX, Marvel Studios is infamous for this trend. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Received harsh criticism upon release for the character’s visuals. The franchise is specifically poking fun at the MCU with its skewering of modern HollywoodWhich in two episodes included many digs at the scope of the superhero franchise and the effect it had. However, given the harsh criticism that Marvel Studios has received for their treatment of VFX artists, The franchiseThe commentary on this matter takes on a more personal quality.
How the franchise approaches blockbuster conflict from a human perspective
The franchise Is breaking people without even really realizing it
One of the most affecting aspects of The franchise was the show’s approach to average workers who find themselves cogs in the studio machine. Although they may have passion for filmmaking, The state of the business can crush even the most ardent fans. This seems to be a subtle element of Daniel’s character. It is repeatedly referred to that he grew up a fan of the comic universe of Tecto, and he really wants to make a good movie. However, he is forced to become a taskmaster, conveying impossible demands of the studio executives, producers and directors who control production.
Screen Rant Also reported on the state of VFX in relation to Marvel Studios
The casual cutting of dozens of Moss People extras means that many people are suddenly out of work because of the whims of producers they never met. This, along with Jamie’s exhaustion, Highlights the tension that filmmaking can have on the underline workers who make blockbusters possible. It’s a tragic turn to see Jamie so detached and beaten down. The only emotion that comes across is horror at how much worse his job is about to become. The franchise is a harsh estimate of a VFX artist in Hollywood, but given reports about powerful studios, it’s not a completely inaccurate one.
Source: The Guardian, Screen Rant