Responsibilities:
Created assets from concept art or optimize assets from art department.
Created highly detail environments that captured plot ambiance for virtual scouts and performance capture according to script needs with or without concept art.
Optimized detailed environments to run efficiently on stage at 60pfs+ for capture and 100fps+ for simulcam.
Worked with Production Designers to achieve desired aesthetic via appropriate use of lighting, composition, lens choice, character blocking, and understanding of Weta Digital’s proprietary software and tools to bring key concepts to life.
Utilized Weta’s real-time rendering program Gazebo to efficiently light environments to match key concept or script mood requirements which serves as blueprint for final render by Weta.
Created cameras and follow cams, and animated cameras, props or characters per scene necessity.
Followed rigorous guidelines to compile and optimize environment files for simulcam and allow files to be integrated and shot on the live-action stage in New Zealand.
Compiled and finessed final environment files for turnover to Weta to be used as blueprints for final renders. Sifted through motion and camera data from live-action takes, rectified any discrepancies and resolved additional dressing changes that might have occurred during performance capture
Provided support on set; troubleshot any problems on the environment and made immediate changes on the art direction to ensure the Director’s notes were met under extreme time constraints.
Programs used:
Maya
Motion Builder
Weta’s Gazebo Renderer and proprietary tools
Photoshop
Linux OS
Substance Painter
zBrush
For the past five years I had the opportunity to help build the world of Pandora at Lightstorm Entertainment. I started as an asset modeler creating exotic underwater corals and man-made vehicles to dressing virtual environments as an environment layout artist for the past couple of years. To date, I have set-dressed over 55 unique organic environments and over 10 hard-surface environments for Avatar.
Building the world of Avatar was a meticulous and hyper-detail-oriented job in which I got to set-dress, light, and create preliminary cameras. In this fast-paced environment, I learned to use the Weta pipeline and tools to create highly detailed and real-time ready sets that are sent to the soundstage to be scouted and shot for performance capture. I worked closely with Production Designer Dylan Cole to make sure the environments would complement the necessary mood and script needs while keeping the files optimized to run at the necessary fps.
After performance capture and cameras were shot, we then followed rigorous guidelines to compile and heavily optimize the environment files for simulcam to run at over 100pfs+. This process allow files to be integrated and shot on a physically built live action stage in New Zealand.
The final step in our pipeline is to turn over the environment files to Weta for final rendering. We compile and harvest camera data, performance capture data, rectify any discrepancies that might have occurred on stage during capture and resolve additional dressing changes per Production Designer or Director notes.
Throughout every step in the process, constant communication with the art department, asset team, sequence department, Weta’s lighting team and stage were needed to ensure the files were properly prepared. During capture, I would also be on set to provide stage support and troubleshoot any possible problems that may arise on the environment. Often, we would also need to address immediate requests given by the Director on the fly.
Some released concept arts for the Avatar sequels
In the #Avatar sequels, you won’t just return to Pandora — you’ll explore new parts of the world.
— Avatar (@officialavatar) January 7, 2020
Check out these brand new concept art pieces for a sneak peek at what’s to come. pic.twitter.com/bfZPWVa7XZ
We're celebrating #WorldOceansDay with some never before seen concept art from Avatar 2 👀 pic.twitter.com/AJlKKUH1xX
— Avatar (@officialavatar) June 8, 2021
Avatar 2 is scheduled to be released in December 2022.
The official trailer below is a peak at some of the environments I’ve worked on!