Concept
3D Production
Motion Graphics
Direction

A short CGI animation sequence showcasing a Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper on guard duty. This project functions as an end-to-end production workflow study, utilising an interconnected software pipeline to bridge character preparation, full-scene layout, and cinematic post-production.

The initial base mesh for the Stormtrooper model was constructed in Autodesk Maya before being imported into Maxon Cinema 4D for further refinement and render preparation. Within Cinema 4D, the complete animation environment was engineered from the ground up, including the custom modelling of the character’s blaster rifle, character rigging, bespoke material look-development, and lighting design.

Final sequence frames were rendered using OTOY’s Octane engine, then brought into Adobe After Effects for final compositing, incorporating colour grading, particle FX, and post-render lens distortions to establish a gritty, atmospheric cinematic finish.

Once the character rig was finalized, the environment and hard-surface props such as the blaster rifle and background architectural elements were modelled directly in Cinema 4D to build a cohesive exterior scene.

Look-development focused heavily on contrasting the iconic, high-gloss white polymer plates of the Stormtrooper armour against a dark, moody background.

By positioning a cold, vertical neon light element to the right of the frame, the Octane render engine realistically captured sharp specular highlights and realistic lighting across the helmet and torso.

In the post-production stage, After Effects was utilized to apply a colour grade, layer subtle dust particles into the atmosphere, and add micro lens textures to give the final pre-rendered 3D frames the weight and texture of a physical, live-action film set.