Behind the Magic: The Visual Effects of Warcraft - Bringing the Orcs to Life

A behind the scenes look at the largest performance capture volumes we have ever used and how we captured the nuanced performances of the actors with the highest fidelity to date.

Director of Photography / Editor - Chris Hawkinson

[Kalaha]

A very underrated movie in my opinion. Visual effects, sound editing and soundtracks are excellent and really elevates the somewhat weak script. Actor performances are also really good for the most part. A shame that this movie didnt get the attention it deserved.

[JYang]

Literally just that first frame of Durotan is what made me love the VFX for the film for how great it looked. Just that lighting and shadow, even the little light reflection off his eyes was incredible. It’s very much like those CG trailers of Warcraft games but how they looked in this movie was incredible

[musasizigodfreydixion]

Movie editors deserve a lot of credit.Just watched this movie but it's really a great movie.

[iagnesstoltz]

I just found out about this movie, like a month ago, when I was trying to find something to watch. It just happens that it was on at FX channel. I just loved it! Can’t stop watching it. The Orcs are so real and the story is really good! It’s the kind of movie I really enjoy. I wish they came up with a second one.

[berengerdietiker]

Without question the orcs are the stars of Warcraft. Motion capture was the only way to bring them to life. They are vastly superior to the orcs in "The Lord of the Rings, " and "The Hobbit."

[jorisweyen]

The orcs are such a gem in this movie. Such a shame that the actual humans were boring as hell...

[Destoyce_]

Toby Kebell did a fantastic job playing Durotan

[tabletoppainter]

Hope fore a second movie still w8ing for one

[Pellepelle]

That's some real good CG! Loved the detailes.

[discovery-dxry]

I have seen it twice. Just today second time. Love it. Will watch it again after some time.

[MMOLegend]

Loved this movie, very annoyed no sequel is in the works. Such an underrated movie. One of my all time favorite Fantasy movies

[hawtdawgsausage]

Durotan also played Kong from Skull island

[woodypwx]

Amazing work, good job guys! I like the movie a lot and it really brings back memories of my addiction to the World of Warcraft MMORPG

[garyhelms]

Excellent movie. Underrated. I've seen it several times. I'm a Sci-Fy / Horror buff. Hope to see Warcraft II !

[anasali]

One of my best movie i have ever watched❤

[kartheekroyal]

It is better than hulk CGI at the time of 2012

[hordebucket]

They need to make a sequel or a remake with the same designs or an extended version of the film.

[ejoshcoron]

The facial capture is great. The remaining thing that leaves a huge gap in believability is more subtle: It's that you have these supposed 7ft, likely 400 lb orc models whos motion is portrayed by regular 160 lb humans. The movement doesn't look right, it ends up making the orcs seem like they're full of air, not enough weight to their movements.

Even if it adds complexity, they likely should have hired bodybuilders, as tall and as heavy as they can find that are still fit and athletic, for the body motion tracking, and separately track the proper actors' facial performance onto them, merging the two

[alejandrog.g.]

Bravo! Bendiciones por su excelente obra!!😇

[saratchandramv]

Idk anything abt WoW, after seeing the movie though I want more about the orcs. A standalone horde movie would be awesome !