KYRILL
KYRILL Making Of: 4 — Forest
Forest
The fourth set of KYRILL takes us deeper — into a drifting, weightless kelp forest. Early sketches explored dense, vertical roots and leaves, hinting at the feeling of a quiet underwater expanse. These ideas were brought to life with sculpted organic shapes, textured vines, and floating debris.
To achieve the dreamlike atmosphere, real plants in aquariums were filmed as references and overlays, while glowing jellyfish and a suspended dreamer became the central focus. The result blends movement and stillness, as light filters through the foliage, evoking a space between reality and dream.
Visual Progression
Storyboard and Concept
The initial sketches captured the core idea: a vertical space filled with tangled roots where figures drift weightlessly. The focus was on lighting, depth, and balancing tranquility with unease.
Digital Sculpting
The roots were created using digital sculpting tools. The aim was to make them appear like oversized, otherworldly plants – organic, yet slightly unnatural.
Placing Plants
Underwater plants were manually placed on the main asset. Randomized scaling and orientation created a natural, organic look.
The entire scene consists of only three distinct 3D models for the plants, giving it a more graphical appearance, enhanced by the use of large shapes.
Previsualization Clip
This short previs clip explores the early lighting and mood for the underwater forest. Emphasis was placed on the bioluminescent jellies, bringing life to the shadowy depths while establishing a dreamlike, flowing atmosphere.
Aquarium Footage
To break up the flatness of pure 3D visuals, real underwater plants were filmed in an aquarium. This footage was overlaid in the final shots to bring natural movement and texture into the scene.
Lighting and Composition
To enhance the sense of depth, light shafts were added, piercing through the dense layers of roots. This created the impression of a calm, dreamlike underwater environment.
Discover the next posts in this series
In the next posts we dive deeper into the making-of each scene—from the platforms and forest to the dramatic final sequences. Explore how the environments, animations, and storytelling came together to create the world of Kyrill.
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