Studio: Framestore
Participation:
The Little Mermaid
My first task on this film was on Ariel’s grotto—the secret space where she stores all the gadgets and trinkets she collects from the human world.
Since Ariel swims through the grotto multiple times throughout the movie, we designed both a general layout for wide shots and highly detailed sections for close-ups.
To bring it to life, I used ZBrush for the organic modelling and Houdini to efficiently handle texturing.
Modelling - Layout - Shaders
The goal was to match every decorative element precisely to the concept art, while adding just the right amount of vegetation to make the environment feel natural—without drawing attention away from Ariel or her actions.
Modelling - Layout - Shaders
Additionally, we created destruction-ready assets for the sequences where King Triton discovers Ariel’s secret stash. It was a complex process that involved modelling various rock parts, optimizing them for different scenarios, and ensuring that each shot included the appropriate version.
Modelling - Layout - Shaders
The film required an extensive amount of layout work. After using proprietary tools to create hundreds of unique coral assets, we carefully arranged them to build visually rich and immersive environments.
One of the key challenges was ensuring the corals didn’t appear threatening or harsh. To achieve the right tone, we paid close attention to their color palettes and spatial composition, keeping the overall look friendly and inviting.