Independence Day: Resurgence, AI Orb hologram

During the post-production of "Independence Day: Resurgence" I was tasked with several VFX concept art tasks, including exploring shapes and forms for the hologram generated by the benign alien AI.

During the production phase there was a moment in which the director wanted to develop the idea of the AI sphere opening and unfolding to reveal a more complex aspect of itself inside. 
AI Orb, unfolding: 1 of 3

During the production phase there was a moment in which the director wanted to develop the idea of the AI sphere opening and unfolding to reveal a more complex aspect of itself inside.
AI Orb, unfolding: 1 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 2 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 2 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 3 of 3

AI Orb, unfolding: 3 of 3

Another example of VFX concept art on plate. The Area 51 hangar had to be extended to create an entrance and a space for the Moon Tug that carried the AI sphere.

Original Plate.

Another example of VFX concept art on plate. The Area 51 hangar had to be extended to create an entrance and a space for the Moon Tug that carried the AI sphere.

Original Plate.

Area 51 hangar set estension. 
Part 1 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 1 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension. 
Part 2 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 2 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension. 
Part 3 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 3 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension. 
Part 4 of 4

Area 51 hangar set estension.
Part 4 of 4

The container for the AI Orb, which gets ultimately cut in half by a laser beam.

The container for the AI Orb, which gets ultimately cut in half by a laser beam.

Storyboard for the AI narration in a way less abstract style. Here the story told is the destruction of the AI planet  by the evil aliens' mothership.

Storyboard for the AI narration in a way less abstract style. Here the story told is the destruction of the AI planet by the evil aliens' mothership.

AI Orb hologram, studies

AI Orb hologram, studies

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
1 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
1 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
2 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
2 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
3 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
3 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
4 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
4 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
5 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
5 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
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AI Orb hologram, permutations.
6 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
7 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
7 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
8 of 8

AI Orb hologram, permutations.
8 of 8

Early storyboard for the AI narration. 
The green light with a wasp-like pattern represent the evil aliens ships and the orderly light spheres with the blue trails represent the benign AI starships.

Early storyboard for the AI narration.
The green light with a wasp-like pattern represent the evil aliens ships and the orderly light spheres with the blue trails represent the benign AI starships.