2017 Oculus Launch Pad Project
Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple
Virtual Reality
Teaser Poster by Kathryn Hicks
The Problem
In Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple, a VR animated film, the challenge was to create a pilot for an immersive series centered around a royal Sasquatch who uncovers an ancient evil that threatens his homeland. The goal was seamlessly integrate a 2D aesthetic into a 3D immersive world. This Oculus Launch Pad project demanded navigating a steep learning curve in project direction and art direction and building a rich world with captivating characters and experiences for an immersive story.
The Solution
During that time in immersive storytelling, many VR and 360° experiences were passive and frequently moved the camera in uncomfortable ways for casual audiences. To address this, I placed the audience at the center of the experience, allowing events to unfold around them. My crafted story offered an exciting glimpse into a vast cryptozoological world, complete with profound lore, language, and world-building. The pilot set the stage for a more extensive immersive series, providing a solid foundation for future episodes. Despite the project remaining unfinished, I take pride in the work accomplished, the team's efforts, and the progress made in exploring new directions in storytelling.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Directing, Art Direction, Immersive Storytelling / World Building, Character Design, 3D Character Art, Previsualization, Conceptualization
SOFTWARE USED
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Headus UV Layout, Topogun
Blog
The Process
The creative process for Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple began with extensive research and exploration of various VR, 360°, and immersive experiences, including theme parks, which were a significant inspiration. Theme parks are the perfect reference for VR storytelling because they are immersive environments where you can see people interact with the world and be a part of the experience.
I built upon a previous undergraduate project, The Tall Tales of California, to create an intricate cryptozoological world with rich lore, history, and character development. Focusing on the story of Zannis, the protagonist and royal Sasquatch, and the Kaga, the ancient alien antagonist, I designed a unique written language and a detailed backstory that connected historical elements with the creatures' world.
As a director and art director, I provided clear and concise guidance to the team, offering comprehensive style guides, environment information, and character backgrounds. I also created 3D animatics, built characters, and directed the collaboration between the 2D and 3D teams, ensuring a high-quality experience capturing the story's essence.
Although the project was halted during pre-production and early production stages, the accomplishments made during this time showcased my ability to lead a team and create a compelling, immersive world. As a result, I am hopeful that the project will be revisited in the future. If you want to learn more about the development process, I've attached a link to the development blog.
Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple
Director & Art Director
// Mar 2016 — Apr 2018
Art Direction & Hieroglyphics: Kathryn Hicks // Lead Environment Artist: Kane Tyler // Environment Artist: Jonathan North // Statues: Jonathan Gilboa // Concept Artist: Sarah Von Rose
Texturing style guide for environment artist - page 5 art by Sarah Von Rose // page 4 & 6 art reference Scott Wills
Early storyboard image still featuring early Chayton design
Image still from video previsualization featuring Zannis
Image 1 & 2 - Kaga Thumbnail Designs by Kathryn Hicks
Image 3 - Aerona Statue Turnaround by Sarah Von Rose
Image 4 - Chayton Turnaround by Kathryn Hicks
Image 5 - Chupacabra Statue Design by Kathryn Hicks
Image 6 - Loch Ness Monster Statue Design Feedback by Kathryn Hicks