“What Did That Mistake Cost?”: Underseen Jim Carrey TV Show’s Time-Freeze Effect Unpacked By VFX Artists

Summary VFX artists analyze a time-freeze effect in Jim Carrey's Kidding season 1, impressed with meticulous details.

Most of the scene was created without CGI, requiring the editing out of physical elements that may have made production quite costly.

The show features a unique balance of tragedy and comedy, with Carrey's performance engaging viewers beyond the impressive effects.

VFX artists have examined an impressive time-freeze effect found in a scene of Jim Carrey's underseen TV show Kidding, examining how the moment was meticulously crafted. The comedy-drama follows Carry's Jeff Piccirillo - who portrays a kids TV host named Mr. Pickles - enduring the tragic loss of his son while trying to balance his work after the fact. The series was met with generally positive reviews, however it was canceled by Showtime after season 2 in 2020.

Now, Corridor Crew has examined a time-freeze effect found during the critically praised Kidding's season 1 finale, which sees Carrey wandering through a world of people now frozen.

Starting at 9:44, the VFX artists discussed how the scene utilized no CGI for small details and had to edit out a cameraperson from one shot, discussing how much money it must have cost to do so. However, they are still impressed with the details in the scene as a whole. Check out some of what the Crew had to say below:

We saw the marshmallows floating in the air there.... Isn't it way more work to take [the poles they're on] out [in post-production]? It's so much more work to remove the poles than to just to add in a bunch of CG marshmallows. On the left, you can see a guy on the ladder, and they paint him out.... What coverage could he possibly be getting? Also, I would have just left him in there. I want to know, with that kind of thing, how much did that cost just to remove that guy? Like, what did that mistake cost?

Why Kidding's Time-Freeze Sequence Is So Impressive

As Corridor Crew points out, one key reason the season 1 finale's time-freeze is so impressive is because of the level of detail ascribed to making the scene stand out. Not only did dozens of people have to stand still, with physical poles and dollies edited out afterwards, but also objects like the marshmallows, which were physically real despite the shortcuts that could have been taken. While some decisions like the cameraperson being edited out prove costly, it's clear from analysis that this sequence was an impressive feat for the underground show.

Despite not being as well known as Carrey's acclaimed movies, Kidding provides a mixture of tragedy and comedy in its tale that makes it engaging even beyond its impressive effects. While it's very different from the slapstick humor its lead actor is best known for, it invokes similar feelings as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with its serious approach to storytelling. The time-freeze scene adds to this, showcasing Jeff's inner psyche using a creative filming technique that helps define the show.

Related 10 Iconic Jim Carrey Characters, Ranked By Likability Jim Carrey has played characters ranging from lovable everymen like Truman Burbank to despicable villains like the Riddler and the Grinch.

Because of how standout its effects are, Kidding is a unique entry in Carrey's film career. The show also gives the actor a role that helps him tap into both his comedy and dramatic talents, balancing both to create a compelling protagonist going through insurmountable loss. With the effects in the show being a standout part of the series, it's clear how much effort went into making the series - and how much more impressive it would have been had it continued beyond season 2.

Kidding is not available on streaming, and can only be purchased on digital storefronts.

Source: Corridor Crew/YouTube