Are You There? : Creating A World With The Director

When I first arrived on set for the feature film, I already had an idea of what to expect in terms of VFX requirements. However, as the shoot unfolded, the conversations I had with the director started opening up exciting creative opportunities. One of the most memorable moments of this process was developing the doorway scene, which evolved from a simple transition into a visually rich, story-expanding moment.

Initial Concept – A Black Void

The doorway scene was originally conceived as a simple, stark transition. The lead actress was supposed to open a door, revealing a completely empty void, visually signifying that this sequence was taking place inside her mind. While this approach would have worked on a functional level, it felt like a missed opportunity.

On set, I spoke with the director about the deeper meaning of this moment and what the audience should feel when the door opened. We both agreed that, rather than leaving the void empty, we could use this moment to subtly expand the lore of the film. If this sequence was taking place in the protagonist’s mind, then the environment should reflect her memories, emotions, and past experiences hinting at the truth of the story in a way that wasn’t overt but still felt meaningful to the audience.

Developing the Visual Language of the Scene

Through our discussion, we decided to fill the void with abstract representations of her past, creating an eerie yet visually mesmerizing world. These included:

• A reflective black oil floor – representing her suppressed emotions and hidden trauma. The liquid surface allowed us to show ripples from her movements, making it feel like she was disturbing the stillness of her mind simply by being there.

• Fire elements – symbolizing a moment of destruction in her past, whether literal or metaphorical. These not only tied into the film’s themes but also introduced dynamic, flickering highlights that enhanced the surreal quality of the environment.

• A starry sky / galaxy backdrop – This addition was a major turning point. The director and I realized that, while the black void served the purpose of isolation and emptiness, it lacked depth and intrigue. By incorporating a cosmic, celestial element, we created a visual metaphor for the unknown, as if she were stepping into an infinite subconscious space.

  
  

Technical Execution – Bringing the Scene to Life

Once the creative direction was set, the technical execution became the next challenge. Since this was a full VFX-heavy shot, I needed to ensure that every element was integrated seamlessly into the footage.

1. On-Set Data Collection

To make the final composite feel as real as possible, I captured extensive on-set reference data, including:

• HDRi Bracketing – Capturing multiple exposure levels of the set’s lighting allowed for proper light integration in the final composite.

• 3D Scans of the Set – Scanning key elements ensured accurate reflections and lighting interactions with the CG environment.

• Color Reference Shots – Using a Macbeth color chart, I ensured that our color pipeline would be consistent across VFX, editing, and grading.

2. Working in ACES – Maintaining Color Accuracy

Because this scene was heavily dependent on fire elements and high-contrast lighting, working in ACEScg was critical. The wide color gamut allowed for smooth transitions between the bright flames and deep shadows, ensuring that no detail was lost in post-production. The starry sky, with its vibrant purples and blues, was able to retain its rich saturation without unwanted color shifts.

Additionally, ACES ensured that everyone saw the same image throughout the pipeline. The footage was shot on RED cameras, and by transforming it from RedWideGamutRGB to ACEScg, we maintained perfect consistency between:

• The original footage from set

• The VFX composites in Nuke

• The final color grade in DaVinci Resolve

This meant that when the editor, colorist, and I reviewed shots, we were always working with the exact same color information, avoiding last-minute surprises or inconsistencies.

3. Final Refinements – Making the Scene Feel Alive

With the compositing complete, the last step was fine-tuning the atmosphere to match the emotional tone of the film. Some key details that pushed the scene further:

• Subtle movements in the oil – As the actress stepped into the void, the surface rippled and distorted, creating an almost subconscious reaction in the audience.

• Faint echoes of her past – To reinforce the idea that this space represented her memories, I subtly integrated ghostly, blurred figures in the distance fragments of people and places from her past, just beyond reach.

• Dynamic lighting from the fire – By using AI-generated normal and depth passes, I was able to relight the fire elements dynamically, ensuring that they cast realistic highlights and shadows onto the actress.

  
  

Final Thoughts – A Creative & Technical Milestone

What started as a simple black void became one of the most visually and emotionally impactful moments in the film. By discussing the scene in depth with the director, we transformed it into an opportunity to expand the story’s lore and visually represent the protagonist’s internal struggles.

From a technical standpoint, this scene was a major milestone for me, solidifying my knowledge of:

• Using ACES for high-fidelity color workflows

• Integrating 3D scanning, HDRi, and AI-driven relighting

• Enhancing storytelling through visual effects

This project reaffirmed my belief that VFX isn’t just about technical execution it’s about being an active part of the storytelling process. By blending creative problem-solving with technical expertise, we were able to take this scene to a level beyond what was initially imagined, creating a moment that resonated both visually and narratively.