Grand Theft Eco

Time Frame: Hired 8/2022 - Present
Skills: 
- Filmmaking
- Design Research
- Virtual Production
- Modding
Tools: Game Image Manipulation Program, Premiere Pro, GTA V, & Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
Mods Used: Script Hook V, OpenIV, Codewalker, Menyoo, Natural Visions Evolved, & Scene Director

The Team:
Led by Professors Ursula K. Heise and Danny Snelson
Art Direction by Angel Tolentino
Virtual Production by Angel Tolentino, Brenna McConnell, Danny Snelson, & Elliot Bear Yu
Cinematography by Chase Niesner & Alexander Shassetz
Sound Design by Adam Wand
Technical Advising by Angel Tolentino & Elliot Bear Yu
Script by UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability LENS Affiliated Faculty: Ursula K. Heise, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, Jon Christensen, Comfort Uda, Spencer Robins, & Shouhei Tanaka 

Contributions

As Art Director & Virtual Producer, I lead the filming of the projet. I read the script, research design elements outside of the game, advise in the technical implementation of the elements in-game, create the sets and assets in the game, coordinate/direct the in-game scene, and record it.

Research

Inspired by neofuturism, solarpunk aeshetics and current LA River revitalization efforts, the vanilla map was modified with additional assets to set the film.

Environment Design

I reviewed the script and selected environments in GTA V to redesign using mods. 

Asset Design

Some scenes required the creation of specific assets. The methods used would be to create new game objects by using mods or to re-texture already embedded game objects by using GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP).

Filming

Filming was done using a mix of vanilla and modded software. Scene Director allowed me to coordinate scenes that involved heavy character choreography while I used Rockstar Editor to record. This footage was passed onto the editors.

Reflections
Documentation of Process

It wasn’t until portfolio building that I thought to document the intricacies of each process, but this was a highly important component that should not be missed. By doing this, I left behind records that will make any successor to the roles on this project much easier to navigate. A lot of the work on this was trial and error by going onto forums and talking to my boss Danny Snelson. I was able to streamline virtual production for the rest of the time by writing out guides, organizing the file storage into a simple system, and teaching the rest of the team through experiential learning.

Recommendations & Technical Advice

GTA V was meant to be run as a video game and NOT a film which meant that there was still many difficulties in designing and recording scenes. There were barriers such as software updates and mechanical restrictions that limited what could be made even with the modifications present because it is first and foremost a game. Portions of my job included biweekly meetings with the rest of the team to discuss the progress being made on different fronts and for myself I had to learn how to communicate these issues to members who were not as well-versed on modding or video games, and providing advice and recommendations on how to proceed. It was a very great skill to learn! 

Episode One Releasing Soon

Currently, episode one is still being edited but will be released soon. In the meantime, I have started virtual production for episode two by remodifying the game and building new sets. This page will be updated as the project moves forward.