Ferrari Gala NYC

Role: Unreal Engine Previz Artist Unreal Based Cinematic Animation and Rendering

Project Overview

For the prestigious Ferrari NYC Gala, I was tasked with creating a mesmerizing pre-visualization of a prototype Ferrari model. The goal was to craft a series of abstract, reflective camera movements that would highlight the vehicle's sleek exterior finish, setting the stage for an unforgettable reveal at this high-profile event.

Technical Highlights

• Unreal Engine 5 Rendering: Leveraged UE5's advanced rendering capabilities to achieve photorealistic results in real-time.

• Lumen Global Illumination: Utilized Unreal's Lumen technology for dynamic, high-quality global illumination, enhancing the car's reflective surfaces with true-to-life lighting.

• Path Tracing: Employed UE5's path tracing capabilities for ultra-realistic reflections and shadows, crucial for showcasing the Ferrari's glossy exterior.

• Cinematic Camera Work: Crafted sophisticated camera movements using Unreal's Sequencer, creating fluid, abstract shots that accentuated the car's curves and finish.

Role and Contributions

• Designed and implemented a series of abstract, reflective camera movements to showcase the prototype Ferrari's exterior in a visually stunning manner.

• Fine-tuned material properties to accurately represent the unique finish of the prototype vehicle, ensuring it responded realistically to various lighting conditions.

• Optimized rendering settings to achieve the highest visual quality while maintaining performance for real-time previews.

• Collaborated with the event planning team to ensure the visual narrative aligned with the gala's overall aesthetic and Ferrari's brand identity.

Unreal Engine Innovations

• Developed a custom post-process material to enhance the reflective qualities of the car's surface, creating a unique visual signature for the reveal.

• Implemented a dynamic environment system that subtly changed lighting and reflections throughout the sequence, adding depth and interest to the abstract shots.

• Created a bespoke auto-exposure system to handle the challenging lighting scenarios, ensuring the car remained the focal point despite varying brightness levels.

Technical Deep Dive

• Lumen Setup: Configured Lumen settings to achieve the perfect balance between accuracy and performance, paying special attention to indirect lighting bounces to capture the nuanced reflections on the car's surface.

• Path Tracing Optimization: Fine-tuned path tracing parameters to achieve film-quality reflections and shadows while keeping render times manageable for iterative workflow.

• Material Mastery: Crafted complex, layered materials in Unreal's Material Editor to accurately represent the prototype's unique paint job, including subtle flake and clear coat effects.

Impact on Event

The pre-visualization played a crucial role in the Ferrari NYC Gala:

• Provided event organizers with a clear vision for the prototype reveal, informing decisions on stage design and lighting setups.

• Allowed for precise planning of the reveal sequence, ensuring maximum visual impact during the live event.

• Served as a reference for the video production team, guiding their approach to filming the actual vehicle during the gala.

• Created buzz and anticipation among Ferrari executives and VIP guests, setting the stage for an unforgettable unveiling.

This project showcases the power of Unreal Engine 5 in creating high-end automotive visualizations, demonstrating how cutting-edge real-time rendering can elevate prestigious events and product reveals.