The Last of Us Part I - Lifting Door Cinematic Lighting

This is a selection of shots where Joel, Tess and Ellie try to sneak into the museum building.
I am the Cinematic Lighting Artist for this real-time cutscene.
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Originally designed as an in-game session, we meticulously transformed this moment into a cutscene. Joel's flashlight was individually hand-animated on top of the pre-baked animation from his rig—a technique that gave me precise control over the light's movement, ensuring it was positioned perfectly for key moments.

The greatest technical challenge was managing the large number of infected characters and FX elements within this sequence. It was a continuous effort to find ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Despite these constraints, the process was thoroughly enjoyable. Everyone involved did a stellar job, not only in retaining all necessary elements but also in optimizing them for the engine. The outcome was incredibly gratifying.

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Level Lighting by Steve Cummings
Environment Art by Julian Elwood & Chad Russ
FX by Ethan Webb