Sirena- An animated short

To know more about our project and the making of the film please follow our blog on our website: https://www.etc.cmu.edu/projects/sirena
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Work delivered: Character simulation (hair), VFX, Environment design, composition, team management, producing
Tool: Maya, Houdini, After effects
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The film will be an adaptation of the “Sirena of Guam” myth. Through a traditional animated format, we hope to present the dazzling legend of a young girl as she transforms into a beautiful mermaid. 

Here is our complete film:

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Hair simulation:

Hair initial sketches.
Decided to choose straight hair since there are more documentation and tutorials in terms of straight hair interacting with water/ fluid.

Create hair in Maya.
Utilize XGen to style and groom the hair and apply Arnold aistandardhair shader.
In total there are 5 layers of modifiers, with different clumping, cut, noise effects.

Attach Xgen back to nHair dynamics in order to simulate the movement. After adjusting different parameter of hairsystem and nucleus, attach the hairsystem back to Xgen guides. 

Initial hair simulation result for underwater

Some Thoughts:
The animation has to be finalized in order to have a more efficient hair simulation. In order to simulate underwater floating hair, the gravity has to be opposite and the wind direction has to be adjust accordingly. Batch render is needed for rendering hair animation in maya. Every time the render result might differ.

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Composition/ Environment design:

Character with animation 

Gradient blue underwater background layer

Caustics effects of reflection of fractal noise in after effects, with proper rays

Particle and fog effects in after effects, with bubble simulation rendered and made in Houdini