Application of Virtual Production Technology to Create Surreal Scenes for Short Film

Abstract

This creative project demonstrates the application of virtual production technology in constructing surreal scenes representing a character’s subconscious for the short film "memories become the cocoon." The psychological state and growing pains of adolescence are portrayed through the motif of a nightmare. Psychoanalytic theory and surrealist cinematic concepts were integrated with modern production workflows to overcome the limitations of traditional filmmaking. The workflow began with script development designed to align with the film's core theme. During the pre-production phase, the focus shifted to creating high-resolution digital assets for use in a virtual production studio. This technology allowed actors and the director to directly perceive the virtual surroundings during filming, resulting in lighting and cinematography that are seamlessly blended with computer-generated elements. Regarding the narrative, Dream, a young woman undergoing therapy for a nightmare condition. However, during a therapy session conducted by her own mother, she unexpectedly encounters a "virus" within the dream, representing an unresolved trauma from her past. Based on the production process carried out throughout the project, it was concluded that this virtual production technique do not merely helps create surreal scenes based on the dream-work concept, but also result in a film that is comprehensive in both technical execution and narrative communication.