During the Unreal Engine Animation Fellowship in 2023, I mastered Unreal Engine 5.3 in just three weeks, quickly learning Sequencer, Control Rig, and MetaHuman to produce a polished short animation. This intensive program pushed me to rapidly adapt to real-time workflows, combining technical expertise with creative storytelling under tight deadlines. The result was a dynamic animation that showcased my ability to learn complex tools quickly and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
A custom control rig was designed to achieve fluid and expressive movement for the dragon character, allowing all animation to be done exclusively inside Unreal Engine. The rig included features such as IK/FK switches and dynamic controls, ensuring precise articulation and flexibility for lifelike wing and tail movements. Challenges such as achieving natural articulation were resolved through iterative testing and refinement, resulting in a rig that met the demands of cinematic animation and streamlined the production workflow.
The environment played a crucial role in establishing the mood and narrative of the animation. Carefully selected assets and an environment from the Unreal Marketplace provided the foundation, enhanced with lighting and composition adjustments to create a cohesive visual experience. The environment selected was The Elder Cave by Oleksandr Sychov. The dragon character was seamlessly integrated into this setting, with attention to scale, textures, and interaction to maximize immersion.
Sequencer was utilized to choreograph the animation, establishing timing, camera angles, and cinematic flow. The Curve Editor was employed to refine character movement, focusing on smooth transitions and intricate details such as subtle head tilts and tail flicks. These tools ensured the animation delivered a polished, dynamic performance, with every element working in harmony to support the storytelling.