In this shot, composited by Pacific Ocean Post, the Destroyers are actually motion control models four feet in length. The special digital crew, created especially for ID4, created the earth element. As the Destroyers approach the earth, atmospheric distortions appear all over the world. Atmospheric distortion shots were created for motion control photography out of cotton fiber, along with cloud tank footage, and 2D and 3D animation. The AWAC spy plane sent by the President to fly into the cloud was shot in-camera with a miniature plane, a backdrop, and practical smoke and fog.
Atmospheric distortions appear over the California desert.
A Destroyer reveals itself above New York City. The shot utlizes both miniature and digital techniques. An enormous 12 foot model of a Destroyer, created by ID4's model shop, was implemented for many approach shots. The internal lighting on the huge ship was provided by 10,000 fiber optic strands. The Destroyers cast huge shadows over the land, creating strikingly disturbing shots of shadows creeping over American landmarks.