KYRILL

KYRILL Making Of: 1 — The Platforms

1

The Platforms

The platform set marks the starting point of Kyrill, introducing the devastated world with towering, rusted structures. Initially, the elements in the sea were envisioned as abstract organic shapes without a clear function. However, during storyboarding, the concept evolved into industrial structures reminiscent of oil rigs and abandoned metal temples—emphasizing the harshness and decay of the setting.

Each platform was modeled directly after thumbnail sketches, which were later refined into 3D assets. A rough top-down scribble served as the foundation for placement and shot composition. These platforms became the backbone of the first sequence, setting the tone for the entire short.

Timeline Highlights

October 2017: Initial models completed and integrated into Unreal Engine.
November 2017: Rewrote storyboards to ensure a smoother narrative and shot flow.
2018: Final rerendering and post-processing with adjustments to color dynamics and exposure.

1. Planning and Concept:

From Idea to Shape

The process began with abstract ideas, imagining silhouettes that could evoke a sense of industrial ruin and vastness. These initial concepts explored large structures that blend fragility and scale, leaning on modular pipework as the defining visual language.

2. Modelling the Vision

Refining the Silhouette

Silhouettes became the core focus, shaping the visual identity of each platform. Initial sketches explored proportions, density, and a sense of weightlessness balanced by intricate pipework.

3. Top-Down Planning

Optimizing for the Virtual Lens

With the core shapes established, the platforms were arranged using a top-down approach. This phase focused on positioning each structure to maximize the impact of virtual camera movements, ensuring dynamic compositions with minimal asset redundancy.

4. Finalizing the Platforms

TEMPLE I, II, and III

The scene composition of the platforms was refined through iterative adjustments, focusing on their spatial balance and dynamic interaction within the environment, ensuring the structures fit seamlessly into the scene’s visual narrative.

The THREE Platforms

PLATFORM I – THE NEST

With its woven lattice and towering central mast,

NEST evokes the precarious balance of a crow’s nest.

The platform was also designed with the intention of hosting the band Virtual on the top stage—a concept that was realized but ultimately abandoned during development.

Atmospheric Concept Render

A misty render captures the towering and precarious appearance of Platform I, evoking the ethereal feel of a crow’s nest overlooking the ocean.

PLATFORM II – STEPS

This tiered structure evokes the monumental architecture of ancient ziggurats while remaining an industrial ruin, embodying layered complexity.

A glimpse into the atmospheric world of Kyrill – where nature meets industrial remnants.

PLATFORM III – ARMS

Featuring expansive, outward-reaching extensions that resemble mechanical limbs, ARMS emphasizes scale and fragility in equal measure.

During the process

Workprint short clips:

Adding Life to Metal Structures

This clip demonstrates the use of ivy brush techniques to enhance the visual storytelling of a metallic structure. The gradual addition of ivy symbolizes the blend of nature and industry, reflecting Kyrill’s thematic contrasts.

KYRILL | Platforms Workprint: Classical Ambience Concept [2018]

This sequence is an early 2018 workprint from KYRILL, showcasing an alternative concept with classical music. Although it fits the atmosphere perfectly, it was ultimately replaced for the final music video. Perhaps it’s time for a remix or a director’s cut?