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Role: Unreal Previz Artist Unreal Based Animation for Arnold Schwarzenegger previz
Project Overview
For BMW's groundbreaking presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), our team created a digital pre-visualization of the entire stage show. My role focused on animating a digital stand-in for Arnold Schwarzenegger, a key element in ensuring the seamless integration of the physical and digital aspects of this high-profile event.
Technical Highlights
Custom Character Creation: Worked with a detailed skeletal mesh of Arnold Schwarzenegger created in Blender, importing and optimizing it for use in Unreal Engine.
Real-time Animation: Leveraged Unreal Engine's animation tools to create lifelike movements for the digital double, matching the planned choreography of the live event.
Skeletal Mesh Rigging: Fine-tuned the character rig within Unreal Engine to ensure smooth, realistic movements specific to Schwarzenegger's physique and mannerisms.
Environment Interaction: Ensured accurate interaction between the digital character and the virtual stage environment, crucial for precise planning of camera angles and lighting setups.
Role and Contributions
Animated the custom skeletal mesh stand-in of Arnold Schwarzenegger, meticulously matching planned movements and gestures to aid in event choreography and timing.
Collaborated closely with the event planning team to adjust animations based on script changes and stage direction.
Created a library of reusable animation assets for quick iterations and last-minute changes.
Optimized the character's performance to maintain high frame rates in real-time, ensuring smooth previsualization for the production team.
Unreal Engine Innovations
Developed a custom blend space system for smooth transitions between different poses and movements, allowing for rapid adjustments during pre-visualization sessions.
Implemented a real-time lighting system that mimicked the planned stage lighting, allowing directors to preview how lighting changes would affect the presenter's appearance.
Utilized Unreal's Sequencer to create a precise timeline of events, synchronizing the digital double's movements with other elements of the presentation.
Impact on Production
This pre-visualization work was instrumental in the success of BMW's CES presentation. By providing an accurate digital representation of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the virtual stage:
Event planners could fine-tune the show's pacing and visual impact before the physical stage was even built.
Camera operators received invaluable insight into optimal shooting angles and movements.
Lighting designers could pre-plan their setups, ensuring the celebrity presenter would be showcased effectively alongside the prototype vehicle.
The production team could identify and resolve potential issues well in advance, leading to a smoother, more polished final presentation.
This project exemplifies the power of Unreal Engine in event pre-visualization, demonstrating how custom digital doubles and real-time animation can significantly enhance the planning and execution of major corporate showcases.