Disclaimer:

Before we begin, a quick note that the interview blog is an entirely fake interview with Dune’s CGI engineer. While the conversation itself is imagined, it is based on actual information about the film production. This playful approach is intended to give you a fun, easy-to-digest way of understanding how the CGI works in Dune.

The film Dune (2021) brought Frank Herbert’s desert planet to cinema and created an immersive world for the audience through the incredible use of technology. From the monstrous sandworms to the distinctive blue eyes of the Fremen, every detail is given by the result of technological advancements. In this interview with Paul Lambert, our Oscar-winning Visual Effects Supervisor of Dune, we dive into the creative and technical processes of how to make this film.

​​Question: We all know that sound design nowadays plays a crucial role in enhancing the realism and tension of a scene, especially in this film. How did the team approach creating the soundscape for such a visually stunning and immersive film? Any secret weapon？

Paul: It all started with a trip back to the desert. We venture out and capture the specific sound of the hissing sand that we often hear in desert environments. With our sound crew’s help, we brought that authentic desert sound to the film. We used high-quality microphones and remote-controlled recording devices to capture every nuance of sound that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise without these secret weapons. It’s all about creating a sensory experience for the audience.

Questions:  Have you heard that some film critics use Steven Shaviro’s discussion on post-cinematic effects to criticise massive technology use in Dune? CGI might create a sense of detachment from the physical world and this detachment can make films feel less grounded. What do you think about this?

I understand the concern, but I think Dune balances visual effects and narrative. The analogue is central in constructing the plot, while CGI was only used in areas where practical solutions were insufficient. For instance, we built massive cylinders to create collapsing sand dunes when the sandworms appeared, and as practical effects couldn’t realistically recreate the sandworms, we applied CGI effects to it. Every decision we made was made to give the audience the most realistic and authentic experience. It’s not about tech overshadowing the story but enriching it where necessary.

Reference:

Shaviro, S. (2016) ‘Post-Continuity: An introduction’, in Denson, S. and Leyda, J. (eds.) Post-Cinema: Theorizing 21st Century Film.

YouTube (2021) Dune (2021) Official Trailer, Warner Bros. Pictures, 22 July. Available at: https://youtu.be/7E6AcXUKSVA

YouTube (2022) Dune Scene: Fear Is the Mind-Killer, [uploader], Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNgMC9-cFHE 

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