Claustrophobia (2021)
When a young game developer struggling with creative block gets trapped within the four walls during lockdown, his mind starts playing a dangerous trick on him.
Claustrophobia is a VFX short film created by 3 Ringgit Productions for our Final Year Project (FYP). The story explores how the Movement Control Order (MCO) has affected the mental health of Malaysians.
Claustrophobia is a VFX short film created by 3 Ringgit Productions for our Final Year Project (FYP). The story explores how the Movement Control Order (MCO) has affected the mental health of Malaysians.
Pre-production
As I was a student that focused on Character Animation, I have less impressive skills in the Visual Effects department. Thus, during this stage is where I contributed the most. I created the storyboard and did the animatic. I also designed our character, Baskara, and modelled them as well.
Production
This is definitely the most difficult part for us, especially for the filming. Due to the MCO, we couldn't enter our university, thus not having access to the green screen studio. Shooting the scenes that did not require any VFX was easy enough. We rented an Airbnb as the setting for our main character's house. As for the scenes that required green screen, we had to improvise.
We went to one of our groupmate's apartment, where there is a large space and adequate lighting for us to work with. It was also the only accessible and affordable place for us. We set up a greenscreen that we bought online and made our very own studio. We also used lighting borrowed from one of our lecturers.
We went to one of our groupmate's apartment, where there is a large space and adequate lighting for us to work with. It was also the only accessible and affordable place for us. We set up a greenscreen that we bought online and made our very own studio. We also used lighting borrowed from one of our lecturers.
Big kudos to my groupmates, Juvenah Washti and Mohd Izham for managing to key out those scenes nicely despite our uneven green screen and lack of lighting.
Post-Production
Once we were done with filming, it is time to move on to the technical stuff. My groupmates did the keying and composition while I worked on the animation for the walls and the character. Once we're done, it is time for the longest step, rendering.
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After days of rendering, it's time for the final stretch, video editing and sound design. I can say for sure that we all contributed equally here. Juvenah edited and stitched the scenes so together. She also made the title sequence. Izham shortened the film, got rid of any unnecessary scenes and searched for music and foley. I made sure the cut version had flow and continuity and also handled the sound design of the final cut.
And thus, we have reached the end of our journey. Thank you for reading until the end and make sure to watch our short film 'Claustrophobia'.
And thus, we have reached the end of our journey. Thank you for reading until the end and make sure to watch our short film 'Claustrophobia'.