Final Horizon
Role: Co-Director · FX Artist · Look Development
Tools Used: Houdini · Solaris · Karma XPU · USD Workflow · Maya
Tools Used: Houdini · Solaris · Karma XPU · USD Workflow · Maya
Project Summary:
Final Horizon is a cinematic VFX short film set in a post-apocalyptic cityscape, exploring the aftermath of an unknown catastrophe. Created as a final portfolio project at Vancouver Film School, the film presents a hauntingly beautiful environment where natural forces and urban decay interact in silence. The narrative emerges without characters or dialogue through procedural FX and high-fidelity lighting, relying solely on atmosphere and motion.
Final Horizon is a cinematic VFX short film set in a post-apocalyptic cityscape, exploring the aftermath of an unknown catastrophe. Created as a final portfolio project at Vancouver Film School, the film presents a hauntingly beautiful environment where natural forces and urban decay interact in silence. The narrative emerges without characters or dialogue through procedural FX and high-fidelity lighting, relying solely on atmosphere and motion.
As Co-Director, I contributed to the concept development, visual direction, and shot planning. I also worked on all FX simulations and look development, focusing on environmental storytelling and technical execution.
Technical Contributions:
FX Simulation (Houdini):
I created destruction and environmental simulations, including collapsing structures, debris fields, wind-driven particles, and atmospheric effects. These simulations were crafted procedurally to maintain consistency and scalability across shots.
I created destruction and environmental simulations, including collapsing structures, debris fields, wind-driven particles, and atmospheric effects. These simulations were crafted procedurally to maintain consistency and scalability across shots.
Look Development (Solaris + Karma XPU):
I developed materials and lighting setups using Solaris within Houdini. The project used a USD-based pipeline to manage complex scenes, and renders were completed using Karma XPU to take advantage of GPU acceleration and rapid iteration.
I developed materials and lighting setups using Solaris within Houdini. The project used a USD-based pipeline to manage complex scenes, and renders were completed using Karma XPU to take advantage of GPU acceleration and rapid iteration.
Art Direction & Storytelling:
As co-director, I helped shape the tone and pacing of the film, working on camera layout, shot rhythm, and visual composition. The storytelling focuses on evoking emotion through scale, decay, and environmental shifts.
As co-director, I helped shape the tone and pacing of the film, working on camera layout, shot rhythm, and visual composition. The storytelling focuses on evoking emotion through scale, decay, and environmental shifts.
Collaboration & Workflow:
The project was completed in a small team setting, following a studio-like workflow. I collaborated closely with the lighting artist and contributed to asset integration, layout planning, and ensuring consistency across the pipeline.
The project was completed in a small team setting, following a studio-like workflow. I collaborated closely with the lighting artist and contributed to asset integration, layout planning, and ensuring consistency across the pipeline.
Creative Concept:
Final Horizon reflects on the tension between technological legacy and nature's resilience. The absence of human presence emphasizes silence, memory, and slow transformation. The film functions both as a VFX showcase and a contemplative visual piece.
Final Horizon reflects on the tension between technological legacy and nature's resilience. The absence of human presence emphasizes silence, memory, and slow transformation. The film functions both as a VFX showcase and a contemplative visual piece.
