Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Led by VFX Supervisor Henry Badgett, alongside CG Supervisor Dave Cook and 2d Supervisor Graham Day, BlueBolt delivered 138 VFX shots to help recreate 1930’s splendour for Focus Features’ much anticipated Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - Julian Fellowes’ cinematic conclusion to 14 years of drama, romance and intrigue with its iconic characters. 

The final Downton film follows Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) as she makes her way through London’s high society while Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabth McGovern) oversee the Yorkshire Country Estate.

Working closely with DOP Ben Smithard and Director Simon Curtis, BlueBolt recreated a buzzing 1930’s Piccadilly Circus for the stunning opening sequence, building a full CG environment and incorporating CG vehicles and crowd with the live action elements, as well as combining the two filming locations of Mortlake Studios car park and Richmond Theatre for a seamless transition as the camera moves into the theatre and right through to the stage.

The Bluebolt team were also challenged with recreating elements of Royal Ascot race day, filmed at Rippon Racecourse, including a CG grandstand and surrounding stands as well as seamless 2d and 3d crowd replication, adding to the jubilant atmosphere in which more of the Crawley family story unfolds.

Beyond Piccadilly, BlueBolt also enhanced several 1930s London environments including a matte painting of the view over the Mall towards Buckingham Palace, enhancing a difficult location for the lobby of an apartment block, adding views of South Kensington from the windows and modern clean up in London locations.