Zoic Studios Creates Reverse Explosion Effect for Simon Cowell & Fox’s The X Factor

Fox’s new show The X Factor had a dramatic introduction during the Super Bowl as thousands of Xs came together to form the show’s host Simon Cowell. The reverse explosion of Cowell was produced by Fox, Three (One) O, Park Village Productions in collaboration with effects powerhouse Zoic Studios.

Client: FOX Broadcasting Company
Joe Earley, President, Marketing & Communications
Michael Vamosy, SVP, Design
Brian Dollenmayer, SVP, On Air Promo Creative
Dean Norris, SVP, Marketing & Special Projects, Special Ops.
Barry Alexander, VP, On Air Promo Creative
Justin Owens, VP, Broadcast Design
Julio Cabral, Creative Director, On Air Promo Creative
Golareh Safarian, Director, Special Projects & Production, Special Ops.

Production Company (US): Three (ONE) O
Executive Producer: Elaine R. Sibert
Director: Norry Niven

Production Company (UK): Park Village Productions
Executive Producer: Nikki Chapman
Senior Producer: Kate Phillips
Line Producer: Mikey Levelle

Visual Effects: Zoic Studios
Creative Director: Andrew Orloff
VFX supervisor: Doug Ludwig
CG Supervisor: Andy Wilkoff
Executive Producer: Gina Fiore
Head of Production: Barbara Genicoff
VFX Producer: Erin Hicke
Compositing Supervisor/Flame compositor: Chris Irving
Lead Compositor: Jon Chesson
Compositor: Johnny Renzulli, Rodrigo Dorsch
3D team: Lochlon Johnston, Chris Barischoff, Eric Rosenthal
VFX coordinator: Andrew Gilson
Zoic Stage - Production manager: James Turek
Zoic Stage Special Effects Supervisor: John Stirber
Zoic Stage - Director of Photography: Barry Walton
Zoic Engineering and Render Support: Saker Klippsten, Mike Romey, Paul Ghezzo, An Dang, Jason Bueno, Ramzi Daouk and Marshall Huffman
3D scanning Company: 4Dmax
3D fracture software provided by Fracture-FX