Visual mastery behind 'Prophet Joseph'

Modern technology has revolutionized the film industry, transforming what once were B-movie effects into stunning visual experiences.

The historical drama ‘Prophet Joseph’ is a prime example, pushing the boundaries by using advanced computer-generated imagery (CGI) and stereoscopic filming techniques to create an illusion of reality.

To gain a deeper appreciation for the visual production techniques that made ‘Prophet Joseph’ a game-changer, iFilm explores some of the key methods used to bring this epic story to life.

1. The Dream Sequence:

One of the first visual effects sequences depicts a dream of one of Prophet Joseph's companions.

The dream shows Joseph in a barren desert, riding a camel under a bank of clouds. As the camel moves, plants miraculously sprout in its wake.

This scene was made through a combination of four different shots. A 2D animated image created the illusion of the cloud moving independently without wind.

The desert background was enhanced with CGI to show shrubs and bushes emerging as the camel passed.

2. The Sanctuary of Feline Goddesses:

 Another key scene involved the creation of a sanctuary for worshipers of feline goddesses.

This sequence combined shots of an Egyptian temple with a seaside background, while clouds were added to enhance the atmosphere.

To further elevate the temple's grandeur, statues of Bastet, the Egyptian goddess, were placed on either side.

3. The Egyptian Pyramids:

The iconic pyramids of Egypt were seamlessly integrated into the background of a scene, showing three main pyramids, several smaller ones, and the Sphinx.

This visual effect added authenticity and historical depth to the setting.

4. The City of Thebes:

The ancient Egyptian city of Thebes underwent significant visual enhancements.

Boats were added to the sea, and the overall color palette of the scene was modified to reflect the grandeur and antiquity of the setting.

5. The Slave Market and Rotoscoping:

The slave market, where an angel descends upon Prophet Joseph, was brought to life using rotoscoping techniques.

This method was also employed in two additional scenes, one set above the palm trees and another in Joseph’s dreams, where Chroma key compositing was used to blend different visual elements seamlessly.

6. Zuleikha's Palace:

Chroma key compositing was further used in post-production to enhance the views from Zuleikha's palace.

This technique added the Nile River, mountains, pyramids, a cloudy sky, and various lighting conditions, such as daylight and night, to the palace scenes, enriching the visual narrative.

7. Morphing Technique:

Another advanced visual technique used in the series was morphing.

This technique was employed to show the physical transformation of Satan in two important scenes: one in the firebox and the other where Zuleikha tries to seduce Prophet Joseph.

These visual effects and production techniques played a crucial role in elevating ‘Prophet Joseph’ from a simple historical retelling to an immersive cinematic experience, showing how modern technology can bring ancient atmosphere vividly to life.

These impressive visual effects were crafted at Saba and Bahman Studio, under the expert leadership of Iman Karimian, who served as the head of visual effects for the project.

Karimian was supported by a talented team that included Hamid Soleimani, Shahram Karimi, Amir Rouzbahani, and Ali Nouri as his assistants.