From Concept to Screen: Creating the Visual Feast of 'Tobey'

The long-anticipated music video for "Tobey" by Eminem feat. Big Sean & BabyTron is finally out.
Eminem has unveiled the music video for his newest single "Tobey," which features Big Sean and Babytron. Directed by Cole Bennett, the video is set in the trio's hometown of Detroit and features a unique visual approach, with the camera capturing multiple iterations of each rapper as they perform their verses.

This project was a labor of intense planning, patience, and persistence, showcasing the best of what modern video production can achieve. Shot entirely in Detroit, the video is a testament to what can be accomplished with creativity, dedication, and cutting-edge technology.

The production of "Tobey" lasted more than six weeks, with the team diving into the editing process right on set. This non-stop effort continued until just two hours before the video's release. Every aspect of the shoot was meticulously planned.

Cole Bennet aimed to create a video concept that felt like an evolution of the "100 Bars" video but with more intricate planning and preparation.
Particularly impressive are these stitched-together, one-take style videos. The post-production work on Toby required the combined efforts of a dedicated team of VFX artists.

The music video for "Tobey" by Eminem feat. Big Sean & BabyTron is not just a visual treat but also a technical marvel. Shot entirely on a blue screen, this project pushed the boundaries of what modern visual effects and 3D technology can achieve.

The entire video was shot on a blue screen, allowing for precise control over the visual effects and backgrounds. We utilized dialed-in lighting setups and static shots to maintain consistency and quality throughout the shoot.

Shooting on a blue screen provided the flexibility to design complex and varied backgrounds, enhancing the storytelling potential of the video. It allowed the VFX team to build entire worlds from scratch, ensuring that every element was perfectly aligned with the artistic vision. This technique also facilitated seamless integration of the artists with the virtual environments, creating a cohesive and immersive experience

3D modeling was the foundation of the video’s visual effects. The team at FRENDER created detailed 3D models of various elements, from futuristic cityscapes to abstract environments that reflected the song's themes. Each model was crafted with precision, ensuring high levels of detail and realism.

• Urban Landscapes: The creation of expansive urban landscapes required meticulous attention to architectural details, scale, and textures. The team used advanced modeling software to construct buildings, streets, and other infrastructure elements, giving the video a lifelike feel.
• Abstract Elements: Some scenes featured more abstract, surreal environments that symbolized different themes and emotions conveyed by the song. These required creative modeling techniques to achieve the desired aesthetic effects.

Compositing was a critical step in the post-production process, involving the seamless integration of live-action footage with the 3D elements. This process ensured that the artists interacted naturally with their virtual surroundings.

• Layering: Multiple layers of footage and effects were combined to create the final image. This involved careful alignment and blending to maintain continuity and realism.
• Color Grading: Consistent color grading across all elements helped unify the different components, enhancing the overall visual coherence.

Lighting played a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of the video. The VFX team used advanced lighting techniques to match the virtual lighting with the on-set lighting of the artists.

• Dynamic Lighting: Dynamic lighting effects were used to create depth and dimension, making the 3D environments feel more tangible and immersive.
• Light Matching: Precise matching of virtual light sources with real-world lighting conditions ensured that the artists were convincingly integrated into their 3D surroundings.

Rotoscoping and keying were essential for isolating the artists from the blue screen and integrating them into the 3D environments.

• Rotoscoping: This involved manually tracing the outlines of the artists frame by frame, ensuring accurate separation from the blue screen. This painstaking process was crucial for achieving clean edges and preventing any color spill or artifacts.
• Keying: Advanced keying techniques were used to remove the blue screen background, allowing the insertion of the 3D environments. This required precise adjustments to handle different lighting conditions and ensure a smooth, artifact-free result.

The workflow for "Tobey" was a streamlined process, starting from concept development and progressing through each stage of production with a clear focus on quality and detail.

1. Pre-Production: Detailed storyboards and concept art were created to outline the visual narrative and plan the VFX requirements.
2. Production: Filming on the blue screen with the artists, capturing the performances that would be integrated into the 3D environments.
3. Post-Production: The bulk of the work, including 3D modeling, compositing, lighting, rotoscoping, and keying, was executed during this stage. Each step was carefully coordinated to ensure a seamless final product.
4. Final Touches: Color grading, sound design, and final compositing were performed to polish the video and ensure it met the highest standards of visual and auditory quality.

The making of "Tobey" is a shining example of how modern technology and creative vision can come together to produce a captivating visual experience. The use of blue screen, combined with advanced 3D modeling, compositing, lighting, rotoscoping, and keying, allowed the team to create a video that is not only visually stunning but also rich in detail and storytelling.