Project Overview
Lost Angels is a generative AI and Unreal Engine 5-powered short film that explores a dystopian future through a visually captivating narrative. Combining traditional animation techniques with innovative AI-generated assets, this project showcases my ability to merge creative storytelling with cutting-edge technology.
• My Role: Lead Artist and Director.
• Purpose: Created to demonstrate the power of generative AI in filmmaking and animation, exploring new tools for character design, environment building, and animation.
• Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi, exploring themes of survival and technology.
• Technologies Used: Unreal Engine 5, DALL-E 3 (Generative AI), Character Creator 4, iClone 8, and Metahuman Animator.
Key Features
This short film is built on innovative techniques that blend AI-generated assets with real-time rendered 3D environments, bringing the narrative to life in an immersive way.
Generative AI Integration:
• FLUX PRO used to create post-apocalyptic visuals and subway ads.
• AI-generated voice acting and facial animation for the main and secondary characters using Eleven Labs and Metahuman Animator.
• Generative AI also used for extra characters like raiders on rooftops and environmental assets like graffiti and dynamic textures.
Character Creation:
• Photorealistic characters made using Metahuman Identity Face Scans and Character Creator 4 with custom body morphing.
• Custom Metahuman head and body meshes created using Maya and Metapipe plugin.
Environment Design:
• Post-apocalyptic cityscapes created in Unreal Engine 5 using PCG (Procedural Content Generation).
• Subway scene enhanced with custom assets from Sketchfab, damage plugins, and AI-generated textures.
Animation & Mocap:
• Motion capture used for character animation, including Wonder Dynamic Studio for finger/hand animation and Sony Mocopi for full- body mocap.
• Metahuman Animator used for accurate facial expressions and lip-sync.
Media Gallery
Technical Details
This section highlights the key tools and techniques used to bring Lost Angels to life, pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted filmmaking.
Tools Used:
• Unreal Engine 5: Environment design, real-time rendering, animation, and physics.
• Character Creator 4, iClone 8, and Daz3D: For character modeling, rigging, and animation.
• FLUX PRO: AI-generated visuals for assets like subway ads and background scenes.
• Metahuman Animator: For accurate facial animation and lip-syncing.
• Sony Mocopi & Wonder Dynamic Studio: For motion capture, including finger and full-body animation.
• Marvelous Designer & Metatailor: For rigging dynamic clothing assets.
Optimization for Unreal Engine 5:
• Textures: Optimized using Photoshop and generative AI for realistic materials and efficient rendering in UE5.
• Poly Count: Carefully managed to ensure high-quality visuals while maintaining performance in real-time rendering.
Outcomes & Feedback
Lost Angels has received positive feedback for its innovative use of AI and immersive storytelling. The combination of AI-generated assets and real-time rendered environments demonstrates the potential of these tools in future film production.
Bullet Points:
"The integration of AI and Unreal Engine in a short film format received positive reviews for creativity and technical execution."
"Showcased at [Event/Festival] where it was praised for its novel approach to filmmaking and real-time animation."
"Feedback on character design and environment realism highlighted the effectiveness of generative AI in production."
