A Lion As A Scene Partner?: Bringing Roman Bloodsport to Life – Rise or Die Episode 2

Anyone familiar with visual effects in film and TV knows that most everything is added in post production, after filming the series with actors has wrapped. But what happens when you flip that on its head, and all the crowd scenes, sprawling backdrops and horse races need to be complete before filming can even start?

On Episode Two of Rise or Die, host Dana Schwartz (Noble Blood) explores the world of effects and virtual production that created some of the stunning stunts and visually beautiful moments in Those About To Die. She sat down with visual effects supervisor and action unit director Pete Travers to learn what went into creating some of the spectacular special effects throughout the series, and discuss a new technology the team used to film called an LED stage. This episode also features interviews with director and executive producer Roland Emmerich, actors Moe Hasheem and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, and director Marco Kreuspaintner. Check out Those About To Die after the episode, streaming only on Peacock.

Roland Emmerich’s new gladiator series, “Those About to Die” (starring Anthony Hopkins), is a brand new epic series that explores the Roman Empire in 79 CE.  Streaming on Peacock (NBC) and inspired by the same book as “Gladiator”, “Those About to Die” delves into the life of the Flavian Dynasty, the Gladiator, the Chariot Races, the Patricians, and the Underbelly. From Gladiator 2 gladiator and chariot race to chariot race we discover how the bloody arena fueled the Roman Empire and the introduction of the new Flavian Amphitheatre or as we know it today, the Colosseum. 

“Those About to Die” premieres July 18 on Peacock.

“Those About to Die” cast includes:
Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian
Iwan Rheon as Tenax
Jojo Macari as Domitian
Tom Hughes as Titus 
Gabriella Pession as Antonia
Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus
Sara Martins as Cala
Johannes Haukur Johannesson as Viggo
Moe Hashim – Kwame
Rupert Penry-Jones as Marsus

Presented by “Those About to Die”