The Witcher: Behind the Scenes of the Aeschna Monster - Netflix Tudum

The Witcher
WatchExplore
Behind the VFX

How ‘The Witcher’ Brought the Aeschna Monster to Life

Join us as Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Tim Crosbie gives us all the glorious — and gory — insights into the aeschna monster attack on the chain ferry in The Witcher Season 3. See how the sequence evolved from concept art and pre-visualization to Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia) and Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla of Cintra) fighting crew members wearing blue-screen bodysuits — and armed with pool noodles, naturally — before the final visual effect touches were applied.

Believe it or not, this pivotal scene was also on the chopping block, as showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich told Tudum in April.

“I fought so hard… Because the boat obviously, was an entire set that had to be built. Every single scene has VFX in it. Even apart from the monster. There’s sky, there’s water, it’s on a back lot here for us. So it was an all hands on deck. We all had to join hands and say like, yes, this is what we’re investing in. And it’s so worth it because it’s a monster fight we’ve never seen. We’ve never watched something like that happen before.”

If you want to learn more about The Witcher Season 3, click here.

Additional reporting by Ariana Romero.

July 19, 2023
  • Video

Related Videos

  • The Continent has shifted, and Ciri’s at the center of it.
  • 9 shows and movies featuring epic sagas and historical dramas.
  • For starters, it's set 1200 years before The Witcher.
  • What exactly makes a Witcher's sword?
  • From ‘Shadow and Bone’ to ‘The Witcher’, escape into a different world.

All about The Witcher

  • Here’s your guide to Geralt, Yen, and Ciri’s unlikely allies and foes.
  • Where does the family at the center of our story stand?
  • Technically, we know more about the White Flame than his own daughter does.
  • Join Geralt of Rivia, Lara Croft, Master Chief, and more on their adventures.

Shop The Witcher

GO TO NETFLIX SHOP

Based on What You’ve Watched

  • These sexy AirCruz secrets are too good to miss.
  • “Well, then, looks like we’re gonna have to make history.”
  • The Duffer Brothers and the cast reflect on the making of the final season.
  • Plus: ONE PIECE stays on top, and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is very good.
  • The romantic comedy is here to heat up your summer — just don’t tell HR.
  • Get to know the actors returning to the show for its second run.
  • Meet the enigmatic leader of Birmingham’s deadliest street gang.  

Latest News

  • 11 Soccer Movies and Series to Inspire Every Kind of World Cup Fan
    México 86

Top Stories

  • Stream Voicemails for Isabelle, Office Romance, a new season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more.
  • Ladies First tops the film list; Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted debuts.
  • Everything you need to know about the friend group and their A-list connections.
  • “It’s crazy just how much everything changed.”