Featured Work - Ultra Lotus

This animated short film was created using a custom virtual production pipeline that I developed to streamline the entire process—from modeling to final compositing.

The project began in Blender, where I modeled the characters and assets. I then used OptiTrack motion capture to record live performances, with MotionBuilder handling the retargeting to custom rigs. All animated elements were brought into a fully built environment in Unreal Engine 5, where I added real-time visual effects, lighting, and virtual cinematography using UE’s camera tools to capture the final shots.

Character Design

Motion Capture

For this project, we used a 3-person motion capture setup with OptiTrack suits and cameras to record full-body performances. The actors wore motion capture suits and performed simultaneously in a calibrated space, allowing us to capture dynamic group interactions and authentic character movement.

The raw mocap data was then imported into MotionBuilder, where I handled retargeting to custom rigs and performed cleanup to refine the animations. This step ensured the motion was both accurate and stylized to match the characters and story needs

The cleaned motion data was then imported into Unreal Engine 5, where it was synced with camera shots and visual effects for the final animation.

Production Handbook – Turning the Pipeline into a Teaching Resource

Throughout the production of this animated short film, I carefully documented the entire workflow—from initial concept and modeling to motion capture, animation, and final compositing. The result is a comprehensive teaching book that breaks down each step of the process in a clear, accessible way.

The book covers my custom pipeline, including:

3D modeling in Blender
Retargeting and cleanup in MotionBuilder
Scene building, FX, and virtual cinematography in Unreal Engine 5
Final editing and compositing in After Effects

This handbook is designed for artists and students interested in virtual production and independent filmmaking, offering practical insights and real-world examples from a fully executed short film project. It reflects my passion for both creating and sharing knowledge, bridging the gap between professional workflows and creative education. Check out this PDF Book, with a very detailed step by step process from the beginning to the end of how to quickly make an super stunning animation.

Shoot me an Email zl4860@nyu.edu

Lotus Suit – Practical Costume Design Inspired by Tokusatsu

To honor and evolve the traditional tokusatsu (Japanese live-action special effects) filmmaking style, I created a full-body practical suit for my original character, Ultra Lotus.

The suit design was based on my 3D model, which I optimized for real-world fabrication. The helmet was 3D printed, capturing the detailed shapes and forms of the digital sculpt with high fidelity. For the body, I used composite neoprene materials, similar to those found in wetsuits, to construct flexible and form-fitting panels.

The iconic lotus flower patterns were carefully restored onto the suit by projecting the design directly onto the pattern-cutting files, ensuring accurate placement and visual consistency with the digital version.

This suit not only pays tribute to classic tokusatsu heroes but also integrates modern tools and workflows—from digital modeling to physical crafting—bridging the gap between virtual design and real-world performance.