'The Elephants'
Led by VFX Supervisor Mark Blackwood, Motionbox delivered 62 VFX shots to help recreate the thrilling and perilous world of the 1880s London boxing scene for seasons 1&2 of Disney Original series A Thousand Blows created by Steven Knight.
The show follows Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican immigrant navigating the violent 1880s London East End boxing scene. Hezekiah clashes with Sugar Goodson, a menacing, established boxer, while becoming involved with Mary Carr, leader of the all-female Forty Elephants crime syndicate.
Blood & Guts
As one of the VFX studios on the project, the team at Motionbox produced over 85 VFX shots across the two series. This included set extension work adding period buildings into numerous scenes, enhancing environments with rain and smoke FX. Alongside this we provided key blood and gore effects throughout the series. We also handled the production’s most intense gore sequences, including a graphic amputation scene where we digitally enhanced prosthetics and utilized Blender’s fluid systems to simulate realistic, blood effects. simulated with blender fluids.
Hidden FX
For the season one climax featuring Mary and the Elephants' daring raid, Motionbox ensured historical authenticity by replacing hundreds of modern light bulbs with period-accurate digital candles. To further heighten the atmosphere, we developed fast-rendering rain simulations, allowing for seamless integration and enhanced mood during the compositing stage.