25.12.02 – Emmy nominated boutique visual effects studio Rocket Science VFX RSVFX delivered 200+ heroic battle shots in the Jason Momoa starring historical drama miniseries CHIEF OF WAR (Apple TV+).
“The team at Rocket Science completely knocked it out of the park. They brought great ideas to the table, explored creative options and executed with precision through intricate fight scenes,” says Chris Scollard, Production VFX Supervisor.
Co-created by Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, CHIEF OF WAR unfolds in the early 19th century, as the Hawaiian Islands were caught between war and the dream of unification to save them from the threat of colonization. Ka’iana (Momoa), a noble returns home and becomes drawn into Kamehameha I’s campaign to unite islands.
Guided by VFX Supervisor, Adam Jewett and VFX Producer Kayden Anderson, the RSVFX team helped bring this world to life through a blend of environment building and large-scale battle visual effects that grounded the story’s spectacle in realism.
The epic battle sequences take place on a mirage of volcanic rock which plays a pivotal role in honoring the story.
“The volcanic ground, captured on location in Hawai’i, presented unique characteristics as a result of volcanic events reshaping the rock over millions of years. While certain angles show lava rock that is thousands of years old, other angles showcase the newer rock. For continuity, we crafted these sequences using a mix of digital matte paintings with placed CG rock assets, and per shot custom ground sculpts to extend the volcanic landscapes,“ says Jewett.
As the volcanic environments set the stage, the choreography of combat demanded just as much attention—especially the role that blood played in shaping the sequence. Blood was central to the tone and choreography of the battle. The team approached it with a hybrid 2D/3D workflow—using CG blood for bespoke effects paired with 2D elements for weapon hits and impacts.
“We had to treat the blood as its own characteristic,” says Jewett. “This sequence in particular needed to feel more gory than the rest, we needed to ramp up the action.”
The blood became part of the visual storytelling—used to emphasize movement, impact, and emotion. Each shot required careful tracking to match the camera and actor’s choreography, with the team relying on speed-ramping and plate adjustments to maintain continuity and rhythm between cuts.
The layered 2D/3D approach helped shape the emotional flow of the fight, turning each burst of blood into part of the scene’s movement and energy.
“We had to customize nearly every shot to match what appeared in the plate and the actors’ choreography,” says Jewett. “Many of the weapons involved extensions as well as adjustments in frame to get them to work with the stunt performances, bringing them close enough for contact.”
These sequences demanded intricate compositing and close collaboration between departments to ensure every impact aligned with the narrative’s intensity.
“It was a pleasure to work with Chris (Scollard) and Bill (Halliday), on this momentous show. Thank you for the trust and collaboration. The team was energized with your leadership and creativity,” says Christa Tazzeo, Executive VFX Producer.
