Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. introduced the Ghost Rider in this season and tried to keep the character in sync with reality. The comics world has tried several innovations on the Ghost Rider but the general elements have always been the same- the fire and blazing skull.
Visual effects supervisor, Mark Kolpack explains the design elements that went into creating a new look for the classic Marvel anti-hero. From conception, filming to finished effect on the new Ghost Rider, Kolpack explains the mo-cap creation of the actor Gabriel Luna.
It features actor Gabriel Luna in a motion-capture hood with lights to simulate a flaming glow on his leather jacket. A makeshift hood adorned with LED lights was used to give the glow effect. These lights are designed to adjust to different colour temperatures, allowing the yellow hues to better correspond with lighting of actual fire.
The sequence when the actor’s face transforms into the skull of fire has been crafted neatly showing the burning of the flesh and the flames of fire emerging steadily.
Kolpack and the team wanted to create a unique Ghost Rider that audiences could emotionally connect to. Therefore they minutely worked on every detail to keep the effects as close to reality as possible.