MITRE & FA CUP | ULTIMAX PRO
Unleashing the full power of the Ultimax Pro…
The Berry team had a ‘smashing’ time creating a viral sensation for Mitre Sports. This viral VFX stunt showcased the power of their new 'Ultimax Pro' ball, which made its debut at the Emirates FA Cup final this bank holiday weekend!
Of course, as you probably guessed, it’s not real – just some classic Berry VFX and CGI magic! When it comes to realism, The Berry haven’t just raised the bar, they’ve completely smashed it…
The film received an overwhelmingly positive response online, exciting and shocking fans worldwide, sparking a debate in the comments about its authenticity. The video garnered over 2 million views in less than 48 hours and was cross-posted across both Mitre Sports and Emirates FA Cup social channels.
This viral film utilised an array of clever visual effects techniques on set. To represent the width of the goal, VFX marker stands were used. Separate takes were shot to capture the ball bouncing off a crossbar of a stand-in goal post, and 360 HDRI images were taken to ensure the CGI goal was correctly lit in post-production.
Original footage
Ball, VFX markers and building removal
Ball replacement
CGI net simulation
Ball & net simulation
Final composite
The initial post-processing stage involved extensive clean-up work, such as removing the real ball the player kicked, eliminating VFX markers, and, impressively, removing a building under construction in the distance that obstructed the view of the Wembley Arch. Once the ball was replaced, a CGI-simulated goal destruction was created in Houdini and tracked into the footage.
