Working with Huge Assets in Blender to Promote Borderlands for Entertainment Weekly
Sep 6, 2024
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Wyatt Winborne from Studio Khimaira, along with Nick Pitts and Ben Johnson from Wolverine VFX, share their journey of creating a stunning motion magazine cover for Entertainment Weekly promoting Borderlands. They delve into the transition from print to engaging animation, highlighting teamwork and the unique capabilities of Blender. The trio discusses overcoming creative collaboration challenges, utilizing innovative cloud solutions for workflow, and the open-source community's impact on their projects. Tune in for an inspiring look at professional visual effects!
The podcast highlights the collaborative efforts and innovative strategies employed by various studios to create a dynamic digital magazine cover using high-detail Blender assets.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of each team member's diverse background and passion for Blender, showcasing how their collective experience contributed to overcoming unique creative challenges in the project.
Deep dives
Creation of the Entertainment Weekly Cover
A digital video cover for Entertainment Weekly was produced using Blender, showcasing the film 'Borderlands'. The project was a collaborative effort between different studios, with the team leveraging assets provided from the film. This marked the third cover for the magazine that involved 3D animation, evolving from previous print covers to motion graphics for promotion. The creative direction was driven by the desire to enhance the visual appeal while maintaining the essence of the brand.
Team Background and Blender Usage
The team members shared their personal journeys with Blender, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and extensive experience with the software. One member began using Blender at just nine years old to create a Harry Potter-inspired effect, while others discussed their transitions from traditional filmmaking to 3D animation within Blender. This passion for the software was a common thread, as they emphasized the importance of Blender’s user-friendly interface and its capacity for detailed work. Their collective knowledge allowed them to wear multiple hats throughout the project, from animation to compositing.
Asset Management and Workflows
The production involved significant management of assets, particularly high-detail models like Claptrap from the Borderlands franchise. The team faced challenges due to the complexity of the model, which required meticulous handling within Blender. They utilized several workflows, linking different elements while navigating the limitations of traditional pipelines within their small team. A collaborative environment was fostered through tools like Lucidlink for file sharing and Discord for real-time communication, ensuring effective collaboration despite their remote locations.
Creative Challenges and Solutions
The project presented numerous creative challenges, especially in integrating characters from different backgrounds into a coherent scene. The team utilized clever solutions, such as using existing footage with green screens and strategically adding elements to enhance realism. In one instance, they creatively incorporated Kevin Hart's legs into the scene using a digital double, showcasing their innovative approach to problem-solving. This process emphasized their ability to adapt and work within the constraints of the assets provided, ultimately leading to a visually engaging final product.
Blender was used to produce a motion magazine cover for Entertainment Weekly as part of their promoting the new Borderlands movie. Guest host Jason van Gumster speaks with Wyatt Winborne from Studio Khimaira along with Nick Pitts and Ben Johnson from Wolverine VFX about how they made it happen.