The 9 Steps Behind Our Cutscene Images

Hey everyone, it has been quite a while since our last article. We apologize for that but we have been incredibly busy with Light Fall in the past months.

Today, we will talk about the process behind the creation of the game’s cutscene images. In a story-driven game such as Light Fall, cutscenes are a good way to share more of your story with the players. It’s important to have the visual back up the narration and contribute to this immersive feeling. Below are the 9 steps we follow to create our cutscene images.

1. Starting up from the animatic concepts

Every cutscene of Light Fall is, at first, divided into several animatic concepts. These concepts are mock-ups that provide a general idea of what is happening story-wise and of the elements we want into the real images. It’s at this point that we establish the different shots that will make it into the cutscene.

2. Establishing the background of the shot

We always start with the background elements of the image. In this case, we have a regular sky with some clouds. Every element is drawn separately to facilitate the final animation in After Effects.

3. Adding some depth and minor tweaking of the colors

Then, we create some depth by adding the moon, which is an iconic element of Light Fall, and adjust the colors to meet the current level’s theme.

4. Expanding on the background from layer to layer

It’s now time to expand on the background. As such, we integrate elements in a precise order; from the farthest to the nearest. In doing so, we add a depth of field that suggests a 3D perspective.

5. Drawing the main ground of the image

At this step, we draw the main ground of the image and link it with the background elements. In this case, it’s only natural to add grassy plains to fit with the big forest ahead.

6. Creating the magical scenery

From that point, we’re enhancing the depth between the layers of the image by adding scenery decors and effects. In doing so, we are creating the magical vibe ever-present in Light Fall.

7. Drawing the foreground of the shot

We are now working on the last remaining layer of the shot: the foreground. The foreground is the layer closest to the eye. The tricky part here is that it needs to be well-defined without stealing the spotlight of the shot.

8. Introducing the characters

Once we are satisfied with the image’s composition, we can finally introduce the characters into the image. It’s important to have them stand out from the rest of the elements, as they are the main point of interest for the viewer.

9. The ‘’final touch’’ of the shot

It’s time for the final touch… We’re almost done! Now that everything is set in place, we adjust the colors one last time. We also tweak the lighting and effects to enhance this magical vibe. Once it is done, the image is slightly animated in After Effects and we can move on to the next one!