Dumbo
Keyshot Artist
I was in charge of the sequence lighting setup Katana, Renderman and Nuke, managing 3D sequence assembly and developed advanced light rigs to ensure accurate plate matching and seamless CG integration. I designed the lighting templates for the sequence and shots. I followed up for supervisors notes per shot to update the setup according to this changes. I optimized rendering for efficiency and created lighting slap with advanced layering for look development. Additionally, I mentored new comers and junior artists, helping them integrate into the pipeline.
Breakdown
Nightmare Island Exterior
I designed three distinct light rigs for the exterior shots leading up to Dumbo’s entrance into Nightmare Island, tailoring each to match the evolving mood and setting. This involved painting HDRIs, fine-tuning the moonlight direction and intensity, and adding bounce lighting influenced by Dreamland’s environment. I also incorporated localized light sources such as torches to enhance realism and integrate Dumbo naturally into the scene.
Nightmare Island Interior
I designed the lighting setup for the interior of Nightmare Island, including seven tailored light rigs covering the main hallway where Dumbo enters and walks through, as well as each of the animal cages. Each setup was carefully built to establish mood and continuity across the sequence, while remaining flexible and production-ready. The shots were delivered in a way that allowed other artists to pick them up easily, with solid foundational rigs ready for refinement based on supervisors' notes and adaptable to any upstream updates from other departments.
Control Tower
In this shot, integrating the live-action plate of her legs interacting with Dumbo proved challenging. To solve this, I proposed using the lower half of the CG double, allowing for better control and a more seamless interaction. I handled the plate matching and built the necessary layering setup for compositing, ensuring the final result felt natural and cohesive.
