THE GIANTS


Australia’s ancient forests
2023



Project Type
Sequences for a documentary film

Production
General Strike, Matchbox Pictures

Location
Tasmanian forests

3D forest scanning
Leonard Hambrecht & Arko Lucieer
Terraluma, University of Tasmania

Role
Point cloud optimization, visual production

Tools
Unreal EngineNotch, After Effect


In cinemas April 20, 2023
www.thegiantsfilm.com
Fall 2021, GENERAL STRIKE directors Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony contacted me about collaborating on their new film project "The Giants".



“THE GIANTS EXPLORES THE INTERWINED FATES OF TREES AND HUMAN IN THIS CINEMATIC PORTRAIT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FOLK HERO AND GAY ICON BOB BROWN WHO TOOK GREEN POLITICS TO THE CENTER OF POWER.

FROM SEEDLING TO FOREST ELDER, WITNESS THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF BOB BROWN INTERTWINED WITH THE STORY OF AUSTRALIA'S ANCIENT TREES.”



My participation in this project was to create multiple contemplative or informative sequences to illustrate different behaviors of trees (growth, communications, interconnections, protections, water circulations...). The sequences would then be inserted into the documentary among the real sequences in order to propose a new vision of the forest.


Official trailer: https://youtu.be/OOYYQgzVx70
Official behind the scene: https://vimeo.com/811122682

(more details on the process below)




EXCERPTS COMPILATION






captures







PROCESS


In collaboration with the directors we categorized the different sequences and I created visual scenarios for each behavior or concept to illustrate. We also thought about the atmosphere to give to each place to be consistent with the images captured on location.

In the end I exported about 85 sequences and variations in 4K resolution, to let the team choose the best framing during editing.

For the creation of the sequences, once the point clouds were processed and optimized, I used real-time creation tools like Notch and Unreal Engine. This way I could experiment visually much faster and keep spontaneity throughout the creation phase.

During the first stages of the conception, we exchanged a lot with Laurence Billiet to talk about the different places captured and their specificities.

I had the chance to work with the University of Tasmania to process the Lidar data captured from the ground or by drone. I also collaborated with the teams on site during the shooting phases to capture images to reconstruct models via photogrammetry.

A lot of experimentation, both technical and visual , processing on point clouds and exchanges with the directors to succeed in finding graphic treatments adapted to the behaviors and associated with the narrative of the film.




Process captures












Artificial visions


visual explorations



The cycle Artificial Visions, is a series of research and contemplative audiovisual experiences that propose a reflection on our environment and the way we perceive reality. These researches present nature through imaginary places and invite the audience to observe the process of analysis and reinterpretation of the natural environment through the use of technology.

The experiences propose smooth movements in imaginary landscapes formed by points and geometrical forms.

Using real-life 3D scans as raw material, the sequences alternate between scientific visualizations and abstract paintings inspired by nature.

On a more global level, the studies of this cycle use several techniques of capture ( Lidar 3D scanners, photography, video) with different types of processing (real-time or precalculated) and for several media (screen, immersive experiences, pen plotter printings..).

These researches are part of a long term project and are therefore destined to evolve.

Here are some projects exploring this approach: Horizon, New Land, Ingenuous, Woods Walk, Forest, Flame, On The Track.
Other experiments are also visible in my visual experimentation space.

Prints in differents formats are available to order here.













HORIZON


immersive experience
2021


Project Type
Immersive experience

Location
Oasis Immersion, Montreal, Canada

Role
Concept, Visual production

Duration
4’35

Tools
Notch, After Effect, Photography

Music
Jonathan Fitas

Photos
C. Pomerleau Gridspace Studio
Oasis Immersion


Video shooting
Jean-Philippe Dagenais
Horizon is an immersive audiovisual experience exploring the perception of reality and the representation of dreams and memories.

The experience is displayed at OASIS Immersion (oct 2021- september 2022), a new permanent immersive space located on the first floor of the Palais des congrès, Montréal, in a space of more than 2,000 m2. It features inspiring immersive exhibitions based on current trends, people and places, both locally and internationally.

“Between order and chaos, the movements of elementary particles compose different visions that flow and mix to form abstract landscapes and natural phenomena inspired by the sky and the sea.”















PROCESS









new land


immersive experience
2021


Project Type
Immersive experience

Location
Oasis Immersion, Montreal, Canada

Role
Concept, Visual production

Duration
5’45

3D scanning
scanSolution3D

Tools
Notch, Unreal Engine 4
Recap, Cloudcompare, Meshlab


Music
Jonathan Fitas

Photos
C. Pomerleau Gridspace Studio
Oasis Immersion


Video shooting
Jean-Philippe Dagenais

New Land, fragment of Artificial Visions cycle, is a contemplative audiovisual immersive experience  that propose a reflection on our environment and the way we perceive reality.


The visuals are a variation of the video clip INGENUOUS and the experience proposes smooth movements in imaginary landscapes formed by points and geometrical forms. A first darker part refers to scientific codes and illustrates the mathematical analysis of nature through trees.

In a second lighter part, we see the interpretation of the data and the presentation of imaginary places being reconstructed through the eye of the machine.


The experience was designed for video projection on large surfaces and was originally created for OASIS Immersion Montreal (oct 2021- april 2022), a permanent immersive space located on the first floor of the Palais des congrès, Montréal,a space of more than 2,000 m2. It features inspiring immersive exhibitions based on current trends, people and places, both locally and internationally.













captures








process












VAN GOGH

immersive experience
2022


Project Type
Immersive experience

Creative studio
NOHLAB

Location
Dublin RDS, Ireland

Role
Visual production

Tools
Notch, After Effect
In early 2022, I collaborated with the creative studio Nohlab to create original visuals for a new exhibition about the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh: VAN GOGH: AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY.

In this journey, Van Gogh’s artworks and life are transformed into an audiovisual storytelling in four parts, with digital interpretations and futuristic predictions.

The Turkish studio commissioned me to be in charge of the "Living painting" part. The team trusted me to create a landscape inspired by Van Gogh's paintings.


The exhibition is presented in Royal Dublin Society (RDS) from mai 2022 to august 2022, in a space over 2000m².











SEQUENCE EXCERPTS




Process











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