Epic Bootcamp Animation 2023 - Europe

In July-August I had a really fascinating opportunity to take part in Epic Bootcamp Animation 2023 - Europe, given by Epic Games, UT-HUB, INCAS, Prometheus Lab, Game Ready, ObjectIF3D. I was very excited as the main topic was animation and for me it is still an area to explore.

During 4 weeks we had very intensive learning sessions and lectures, which covered a major part of Unreal Engine production. I was happy to learn more about animation, lighting and post-processing in Unreal Engine. 

This was a very valuable experience for me and I would like to tell more about my project.

Week 1

I started to create a story, which should be a sacrifice and restoration, but later I changed the idea to a finish of a long adventure. My original idea focused on the restoring the ancient temple by a hero. The palette should be dark, grey, blue, cold. The light should emphasise on the heart of the temple. So I used such games as Senua's Sacrifice, Dark Souls and Elden Ring.

Planning a composition, I created a set of frames in order to organize the shrine and character in it. The main feature of my work was a restoring bridge and gates, which I created in Houdini and exported to Unreal as VAT.

Here is the plan of the bridge and gates in Houdini exported to Unreal and set up in Blueprints for creating an effect of restoration. As it's seen, I planned a path, which is rebuilt by magic and a hero crosses it.

However I changed my idea and focuses only on the gates.

I imagined a general idea of the cinematic in several frames, which should show a character's path, power and sacrifice. 

However later I changed the main idea of my project.

Week 2

During the second week I started creating a cinematic. This was new to me, because I've never did it before. So I learned more about Sequencer. I created a composition using assets from the epic store: Fantasy Cave Environment Set, Paragon Sparrow, Witch Animset, Gothic Megapack and then Fantasy Mushrooms Collection, Corals.

 

In the first scene I focused on how the gates are restored. The original idea was that the hero is a mage, who casted a powerful spell.

In the second scene a hero sees a sword and tries to grab it, but the magic does not allow her to do it. I also used Houdini particles for the sword aura and added some particles to the hero as I planned to make her dissolving. 

Week 3

However in the third week, I decided to change the main idea of my scenario, because my hero is an adventurer, not a wizard. So I changed the animation in order to show an astinishment of the explorerer before the powerful magic. 

I focused on the impression of happening something mysterious and significant before a character. Also I learned about cameras and reorganised them in a more cinematic way. I thought about environment and populated this cave with giant mushrooms, which enlight the dungeon with warm colors. 

Week 4

Finally, during the week 4 I finished my work with adding more magic and mystery in the enviroment. 

I added some simple effects, such as magic particles and fog for showing an atmosphere of the old cave, where only mushrooms can survive. Something like dungeon cities of Faerun, but warmer and less hostile, though still mysterious. Also I added some corals, because I think they do look like something alien, though at the same time realistic. I can imagine these organisms in the cave, even not underwater. 

I wanted to make this particle effect connected to mushrooms. This way I can imagine magic spores produced by giant fungi. 

Final video 

And here is the final cinematic. A story of a brave explorer, who achieved a goddess’ secret shrine. An ancient magic restored ruins of the gates and one is welcomed one to receive the goddess’ gift. 

I am very grateful to Epic Games, UT-HUB and INCAS for giving this unique opportunity! I did enjoy this experience and looking forward to continue my journey in Unreal Engine.