Heweliusz – how to make a series that ‘cannot be made?’ – Production and VFX challenges 

“Heweliusz” to najnowszy polski serial oryginalny Netflixa, który na nowo definiuje skalę projektów audiowizualnych w naszym kraju. Realizacyjnie, technologicznie i kreatywnie — to przedsięwzięcie bez precedensu. Twórcy, sięgając po zaawansowane efekty specjalne, stworzyli widowisko o rozmachu, jakiego nie było od dekad. Projekt wymagał nie tylko imponującej pracy scenariuszowej i ogromnego wysiłku całej obsady na planie, ale także wyjątkowego planowania produkcji, precyzji realizacyjnej i technologicznej.    

„Heweliusz” is Netflix’s latest original Polish series, which redefines the scale of audiovisual projects in our country. In terms of production, technology and creativity, this is an unprecedented undertaking. Using advanced special effects, the creators have produced a spectacle on a scale not seen in decades. The project required not only impressive screenwriting and enormous effort from the entire cast on set, but also exceptional production planning, precision in execution and technology.    

Realising the creators’ entire artistic vision, including scenes of tragic events in the Baltic Sea with full emotional and visual realism, required careful planning and execution of complex shots on and in the water, the construction of complex and weather-resistant sets, in-depth training of the crew and actors, the use of pyrotechnic effects and advanced VFX, and much more. All this made it possible to convey the dramatic conditions of the storm and show the scenes of the ship sinking. During the panel, the creators will talk about the preparation, production and post-production process, including the creation of VFX and CGI effects – from the creative idea and visual concept, through work on set, to digital post-production. This meeting is for everyone who is fascinated by how art, technique and technology come together in storytelling – from the idea and first concept sketches, through the last take, to the final render.