Melbourne visual artist Alex Popescu, nudges the boundaries of filmmaking forward crafting this enigmatic music video for Seattle artist LEViT∆TE using realtime 3D rendering technology.

Alex Popescu: “Using Unreal Engine for short form filmmaking is at a turning point that is making this an incredible tool for filmmakers. It allowed me to iterate incredibly fast and focus on directing.

“My first goal was to create a believable CG set and then practice camera work and editing, taking full advantage of the realtime rendering technology.

“The fact that you can edit live CG camera work, compared to the overhead of creating a camera, rendering, then editing is absolutely fantastic.
 

“I based my sets on landscape photogrammetry scans from https://dronemapping.fr/, available under a creative commons licence on sketchfab.com. This allowed me to focus on creating a mood, focusing on lighting and atmosphere.

“Once the stage was set, I started playing with some fantastic character photogrammetry scans from www.codame.com. The idea of a music video came naturally, by exploring the connection of the characters to their environment, and using the music as a backdrop and to set the rhythm.

“The moment I listened to BLACK MASS from LEViT∆TE, I just knew the images I was creating could fit. After I put together a rough edit, I contacted LEViT∆TE to ask for permission to use the song. He loved the result, so I was able to move forward with refining my work.
 

“I was trying to keep this project realistic in terms of its complexity, so I decided to work around the idea of static characters, and create the story using the interaction with their environment.

“To add a bit of a punch to the project, I pushed everything towards a surreal universe, where the characters inhabiting it are able to control the world around them. So it became more of an experience, following these strange characters in their journey.

Creating this short video was an incredible experience, from using Unreal as a production tool, to experiencing the freedom of realtime rendering production and the excitement of being able to share a finished product.”
 

Director/editor: Alex Popescu
Music: LEViT∆TE Black Mass (feat. Fuse 808 Mafia)
Landscape Scans: Matthieu Lea
Character Scans: https://sketchfab.com/codame / www.codame.com