Concept & Layout • Concept development and shot planning • Camera layout and scene composition • Environment assembly FX • Groom and hair simulation • Grain simulations (sand and dust) • Water simulation with rock interaction • Whitewater generation Lookdev & Rendering • Wet and dry rock shader development • Lighting • Rendering in Karma • Color Grading
Overview Introduction This project began as a personal challenge to achieve a high level of realism and environmental integration, inspired by the live-action The Lion King (2019). My objective was to create a cinematic piece that combined multiple FX elements within a cohesive visual language, including groom, water, whitewater and grain simulations, while maintaining realism, atmosphere and physical credibility. Technical Approach The project was entirely self-directed, from concept development and shot planning to final lighting and rendering. I designed the camera layout and scene composition to support both storytelling and simulation readability. The workflow included full groom creation and hair simulation, sand and dust simulations using grains, and a water setup with detailed rock interaction and whitewater generation. Particular attention was given to environmental look development, including wet and dry shader transitions on the rocks to enhance the realism of water contact areas. Final renders were produced in Karma to achieve a natural and cinematic lighting result. Due to the complexity of running multiple simulations simultaneously, optimization became a crucial part of the process. Instead of simulating and rendering all effects together, I developed a layered workflow in which each major simulation was processed and rendered separately using matte passes. This approach allowed greater control, improved stability and provided flexibility during compositing.
Challenges One of the main challenges was balancing multiple simulations with detailed interaction while maintaining scene stability and visual coherence. Achieving believable water behavior against static geometry, integrating groom dynamics naturally with environmental forces, and ensuring consistency across multiple shots required extensive iteration and technical refinement. This project strengthened my understanding of simulation layering, optimization strategies and the role of lighting in grounding complex FX work within a believable environment.
