- VFX Artist
Entry 4: Oct 18th, 2025
Over the weekend I tackled the armor stand model. It's one of the more important assets and I wanted to make sure the design reflected the themes/values of this fictional kingdom. I began with creating a style board, then created the reference sheet. Modeling took several days was completed via hard surface modeling techniques.
Furthermore, I've started considering scene lighting and decided on window placements within the throne room that will allow me to achieve the values/colors I want. The main window is located behind the throne, to backlight it and cast more light over the table than the candles would've emited alone.
Entry 3: October 8th, 2025
Today was the due date for Midterm progress; I have completed roughly 80% of the modeling and intend to have all models completed by the end of Fall Quarter (Nov 13th). ​​Assets completed recently include the candle chandeliers, throne, table, benches, rafters, and goblets. Most of these assets are relatively simple, as I plan to add the details and engravings via normals or displacement. (depending on how close to the camera the object is)
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A few days ago, I finalized the design for the throne, which is one of the more important assets. I wanted my design to radiate a sense of power and suggest to the viewer what this King and kingdom is like. The recurring design elements I saw in my references and used in the design include:
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Blocky, wooden legs and arm rests
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Animal or Warrior heads carved into the back support pillars
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Jagged spikes at the top of the seat
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Engravings of patterns or imagery into the throne legs and back
For my throne, I chose an owl as my animal carving to represent wisdom and elegance. Furthermore, owls are well adapted to thrive in cold and mountainous climates, which fits with the intended location of this kingdom. The engravings will include Gaelic designs and carvings of the mountains and fir trees as another nod to the biome and climate of the realm.
Entry 2: September 21st, 2025
With layout and blocking nailed down, I've began modeling of smaller assets, starting with the plateware and utensils.
Apart from the throne and armor stands (which I intended to design myself), I am using 1-2 designs/photos found online as references for all asset designs and dimensions. For example, the utensils were modeled off a medieval-inspired utensils set I discovered on Etsy.
Reference Photo
3D Models
Further progress has been made to the scene blocking. The plates and utensil models have also been referenced into the scene and arranged on the table.
Entry 1: September 14th, 2025
Environment Layout + Development
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After presenting the first draft of my storyboards in Class 1, the two biggest critiques I received were:
1. Make the room layout more interesting than a rectangle
2. Change the shot angles and use less camera pans
Knowing the room layout would affect my shots, I decided to focus on that first.
I researched dimensions for all the room's assets and calculated the estimated room size based on the furniture sizes and how wide I wanted open areas to be. Then, I re-blocked out my scene and made minor adjustments to the room and table size until I achieved a look I liked.
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Currently, I'm working on finalizing designs/references for all
furniture pieces so I can move forward with modeling this week.
