befores & afters Flock Behind The Scenes of The Sheep Detectives

How do you turn a flock of sheep into compelling, emotive lead characters without losing their natural charm?

In a recent episode of the befores & afters podcast, VFX Supervisor Graham Page and Second Unit Director (and Framestore CCO) Tim Webber sit down to unpack the creative and technical magic behind The Sheep Detectives.

Bringing these adorable CG characters to life required a seamless blend of artistry and innovation. From early creature concept designs developed by our Art Department and VisDev teams to on-set pre-visualization supported by FPS, the challenge was clear: craft animated performances that feel grounded, authentic, and emotionally expressive alongside their live-action co-stars.

During the episode, Graham and Tim dive deep into the specific hurdles of creature work—from simulating realistic wool and subtle animal behaviours to maintaining character performance across complex shot sequences.

"It was a kind of a journey because if you went too, too big with an expression, you know, it became too much of a cartoon. If you didn't have that there, then it was just a blank face," notes VFX Supervisor Graham Page. 

Whether you’re curious about the pipeline tech or just love seeing great character animation in action, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how our teams reframe what’s possible on screen.

Listen to the full podcast episode on befores & afters.