Superman: 4D Gaussian Splatting Holograms

Superman utilizes the latest advancements in radiance field technologies to create Holographic visual effects by capturing volumetric data of actor performances. The emerging technique was used for the first time ever in a feature film to create an unstable, holographic message from Superman's Kryptonian parents.

While the underlying technology has evolved significantly since production, Gaussian Splatting marked an industry milestone to depict actions as splats formed by model light and volume using millions of tiny, anisotropic shapes. The addition of moving actors required integrating 4D Gaussian Splatting into the visual effects pipeline to train 4,600 images per second, transforming a unique cloud of points into photorealistic performances.

Focusing primarily on the practical challenges of adopting an emerging toolset, CG Supervisor Kevin Sears will explore the goals and technical approach to this implementation in the film. A brief overview of how 4DGS was adapted for the production will be followed by a comprehensive timeline, from concept to final film, detailing the close collaboration with Infinite Realities and Framestore required to engineer this unique volumetric capture pipeline.

Meet the Speaker

Kevin Sears | CG Supervisor

Kevin Sears is a veteran CG Supervisor with nearly two decades of experience at the forefront of visual effects. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Kevin’s career is defined by a mastery of look development, lighting, and environment building. His technical leadership was recognized early on with a VES Award nomination for Outstanding Created Environment for his work in Tron: Legacy.

Throughout his career, Kevin has held senior leadership roles at industry-leading studios, including Digital Domain, Method Studios, and Framestore. His extensive credit list features some of the largest franchises in cinema history, including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek (2009), Thor: The Dark World, and Iron Man 3. Notably, he served as a CG Supervisor on the Marvel hits Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Vol. 3, where he managed global teams to bridge the gap between complex artistic vision and large-scale technical execution.

Following his pioneering work on Superman—where he spearheaded the first-ever integration of 4D Gaussian Splatting into a major feature film—he lent his expertise to the recently released Supergirl.