ODYSSEY VIDEO FEATURE: Dermott Burns - Forest

Dermott Burns – Forest 

As part of our online graduate exhibition ‘Odyssey’, we opened our submissions to all art forms, including design and video. In this feature, we present to you the outstanding work of Dermott Burns. 

‘Forest’ is an experimental short film rendered using real-time graphics. Through contrasting a vibrant, virtual paradise with a dark reality, the film reflects upon humanity’s ignorance of their destructive nature on earth; the innocence of youth and the indifference of adulthood.

Using Real-time graphics engine Unreal Engine, This short was mage using both 3D and 2D elements. I used hand-painted brush stroke textures with 2D elements to convey an illustrative feeling to the blissful forest. With a contrast of 3D photo scanned elements and simulated cloth which reflects an exaggerated glimpse into a reality of overconsumption and natural decay.

The use of motion capture animation (man) and hand-animated characters (Boy/Dragonfly) creates a disconnect between worlds, with the forest seeming like an appealing simulation and the real world feeling real, harsh and cold.

I used these techniques to immerse the audience and convey a feeling of both tranquillity and discomfort.