This is a breakdown the first piece of my 3D triptych, LA Tropic 1994. This is a personal worldbuilding project centered around the 1990s Los Angeles crime and bankrobbing scene. Inspired by films such as Heat and the original Point Break, this project allowed me to both create a story in my own voice while also drawing elements of films I love and taking my own spin on it. Created using Blender, Maya, Substance Painter, and Cycles.
As always, I start by collecting a lot of reference for each of my individual props.
At this stage I begin modeling my props for a high to low bakedown. I Started in Blender and ended in Maya as I like UVing in the latter better.
Once the texturing stage is complete I begin staging my props and building my scene.
When staging my scene I mess with my camera and see what I like best. For this particular piece I had a top down shot in my head from day 1. Ordinarily I wouldn’t go for something like that, but seeing as this is a cinematic project I envisioned it as being an opening scene slowly panning out giving the audience context. I might animate it in the future.
I also experiment with various environmental lighting setups and begin putting in my own lights. For this scene in particular I designed it to have a mix of cold and warm lighting and give an early morning feel. I try to keep in mind how much can be altered in post processing.
A lighting moodboard is also created for my final stage. While having a similar theme these two films are lit very differently and ultimately convey very different tones. Being mindful of this while ultimately remembering my ultimate personal vision and goal is important.
After postprocessing and color grading using techniques learned through concept art, this is the final result. I keep backups and variants so as to ensure the least destructive creation process.