LINKIN PARK
THE EMPTINESS MACHINE
Performing as particles.
Few opportunities are as exciting as contributing to the return of one of the most influential bands of the last two decades. Invited by the outstanding team at CNTRL Studio, we joined the production of Linkin Park's The Emptiness Machine, directed by the band's own Joe Hahn, a filmmaker whose visual language has helped define Linkin Park's identity for years.
More than a music video, the piece marked a new chapter for the band, and being trusted to help shape how that moment looked on screen was both an honor and a responsibility. From the outset it was clear this would be a project where technique and emotion had to move together, with every visual decision serving the weight of the performances at its center.
Our role was focused on developing the particle FX that transformed the band’s performances into living point clouds or what we called “volumetric pixels”. Built within a hybrid production pipeline combining live action, LiDAR scanning, AI-assisted motion capture, and traditional CG techniques, the effect needed to preserve the energy, rhythm, and emotion of every performance while constantly dissolving, drifting, and reconstructing throughout the film. The challenge was finding the balance between abstraction and recognizability, allowing each musician to remain present even as their physical form continuously evolved.
Working closely with CNTRL’s creative direction, we developed a flexible particle system that integrated seamlessly into the wider VFX pipeline and supported the project’s distinctive visual language. The video was later nominated for Best Rock at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. It was an incredible experience collaborating with such a talented team on a project that marked a new chapter for Linkin Park, and a reminder of how thoughtful visual effects can amplify music without ever competing with it.
Credits
Client: Linkin Park | Director: Joe Hahn
Project Creative Director / VFX Supervisor: Jeff Lichtfuss
Lead VFX & Design: CNTRL Studio | Particle FX: Bleed