Merman | L.A. Times Short Docs - 3D Character

I was tasked with creating a 3d character of the human-interest film's title lead, Andre Chambers, for several 3d animated shots in the film. In addition, I was tasked with recreating two of his outfits in the film based on reference using Marvelous Designer to match the live footage, as well as a few basic 3d environments.

I had a bit less than two weeks to create the character and animation, from likeness sculpting in Zbrush through garment creation in Marvelous Designer, texture detailing in Substance Painter, and finally creating hair/animating/rendering in Cinema 4d and Octane Render.

Merman unveils the unique life and struggles of André Chambers, a Black, queer man who grew up amidst societal clashes in a Southern California beach town. Through a mix of interviews, animation, and a quirky 1970’s blaxploitation motif, the film presents an intimate portrait of Chambers, focusing on his defiance of stereotypes, love for superhero culture, and his incredible journey through the turbulent 1960’s and 1970’s. Merman is a poignant testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of self-expression.