#developmentproject

Finally with all the other objects created, such as the bar, the sofas and other miscellaneous items the last thing to do is display them within the scene. Having the blocking for this project was really helpful, as I more or less had an idea on where everything would go beforehand. So I just had to substitute those white boxes for finished pieces.

Sadly I didn't have the time to create my own plants - I should really create a few and have them readily available for future projects - so I had to take them from Quixel's Megascans. The most fun thing I had was setting every asset and thinking how they could improve the general composition of the scenery without implying more hours of work creating new ones. That is how I re-used the windows for the building that can be seen in the distance, on top of it. I also tried to create realistic glass bottles, but I couldn't nail the material, so it will have to wait for now.

The objective is to present this scene for the Search for a Star competition from Grads in Games, so I will have time to improve it and create a proper documentation.

The focus of this project as we mentioned would be the Projector. This object was made for a previous scene but is very well integrated within the scene. I recycled the discs and set them around the scene to make for a more crowded look.

On the other hand the Gramophone was also integrated. This is a shorter blog post due to just these two being the main assets reimported from previous projects so I will take the chance to talk about how the background was set.

Being an underwater scene, the fog occludes most of the things that are in the distance, so simple cubes would suffice. I would have liked to have had the time to include some neon signs around in the background, that will be done when further expanding the project.

Red vs Blue - Post 1

Introduction

For my Development Project 1, Red vs Blue, the initial stage focused on extensive visual research to define the environment, characters, combat language, and symbolic elements of the cinematic. Since the project relies entirely on visual storytelling without dialogue, references were essential in shaping mood, composition, and narrative clarity.

The collected references are inspired by traditional Japanese settings, samurai cinema, and symbolic design principles.

Environment & Location References

The environment references are primarily based on Japanese shrines, torii gates, forest paths, and temple courtyards. These locations are commonly associated with samurai narratives and often symbolise:

Honour and discipline

Spiritual transition

Destiny and confrontation

Key elements taken from these references include:

Stone staircases guiding the viewer’s eye

Wooden shrine structures with minimal detailing

Dense forests to create isolation

Fog and mist to add depth and atmosphere

The natural setting allows the duel to feel grounded while keeping the focus on the characters.

Mood, Lighting & Atmosphere

Lighting plays a major role in establishing the tone of Red vs Blue. The references show a strong use of:

Soft daylight filtered through the trees

Fog and smoke to soften silhouettes

Falling leaves as a visual motif to represent motion, time, and tension

These elements help build tension and create a calm yet ominous atmosphere. The subdued environment also allows strong color accents (red and blue) to stand out clearly during the cinematic.

Character Poses & Body Language

Character pose references focus on stillness and intention rather than constant action. The poses studied include:

Kneeling or grounded stances representing honour and reflection

Ready stances showing discipline and control

Raised sword poses suggesting decisive intent

These references influenced the decision to design a fight that is:

Short and precise

Emotionally driven

Focused on anticipation and timing

The body language of each samurai is intended to visually express their personality without dialogue.

Combat Style & Cinematic Motion

The combat references show a realistic samurai fighting approach:

Minimal swings

Strong emphasis on timing

Lethal efficiency

Slow motion, water splashes, and environmental interaction are used to amplify impact rather than extend the fight. This approach aligns with the goal of making every movement feel deliberate and meaningful.

Application in My Project

From this combined reference study, I plan to:

Build a minimal shrine-based environment

Use fog and cinematic lighting to enhance mood

Animate controlled and grounded samurai movements

Apply symbolic flags subtly within the scene

Every reference supports the central idea of creating a silent, symbolic cinematic duel.

Conclusion

This visual research phase established a strong foundation for Red vs Blue. By combining environmental references, character poses, combat styles, and symbolic elements into a single cohesive vision, the project is guided toward a cinematic experience that communicates emotion, conflict, and meaning purely through visuals.

References

Perfect for a residential complex, real estate development, or property management brand. Clear, location-friendly, and easy to promote.

Today I just set up some cameras and messed around with the sequencer to get some static and action shots of my scene, really trying to capture the essence of scene and show off all the angles that the scene has to offer. I began with the main hero shot of it down the middle, as well as a few angled to the left and to the right.  I wanted to make sure that I had got the right composition, using the leading lines towards the end of the alleyway looking towards the purple neon light at the back to really display the lights well and showcase the reflections and how every prop has its place in the scene and display its quality.

After messing around with the cameras settings make sure I got the correct focal lengths and composition, I made sure not to do too much with the colour grading as I wanted it the environment to look as real to what the scene actually is as possible, I wanted it to be as genuine as possible so I didn’t really touch those settings, with all this done, I captured the images and everything from now was completed!