Unreal Engine Reels

Aerolune

A world above the winds

Real-Time Environment & Atmospheric FX Study in Unreal Engine 5

A stylized fantasy world created in Unreal Engine 5, set within a whimsical floating-islands environment inspired by gentle, storybook-driven fantasy and atmospheric worlds such as Studio Ghibli.

This project explores mood, wonder, and environmental storytelling through aerial compositions, waterfalls, floating bridges, volumetric fog, animated creatures, and large-scale worldbuilding.

My primary focus was applying cinematic techniques in a real-time environment, including Sequencer workflows, camera composition, lighting, atmospheric effects, and movement-driven storytelling.

Alongside the cinematic development, I also began building gameplay foundations through blueprint systems, collisions, traversal, and walkable world design, with the long-term goal of expanding the environment into a playable real-time experience.

1
The World Above the Clouds
Establishing aerial shot exploring atmosphere, scale, and environmental storytelling through layered composition, fog, lighting, and movement. Sculpted the floating-island environment in Unreal Engine 5 and developed environmental effects, creature animation integration, shaders, and lighting treatments to support the whimsical fantasy tone.

2
Dragon Flight Sequence
Cinematic traversal sequence featuring animated dragons, floating architecture, and movement-driven composition created using Sequencer and rig rail workflows. Niagara-based atmospheric VFX were integrated throughout the scene, alongside custom dragon textures and material development to support the world’s stylized visual language.

Tools & Workflow

Unreal Engine 5
Niagara
Sequencer
Blueprinting
Landscape Sculpting
Materials & Shaders
Lighting & Atmospherics

Contributions

Sculpted and dressed a stylized floating-island environment in Unreal Engine 5
Developed custom materials, shaders, and environmental surface treatments
Implemented atmospheric fog, lighting passes, and environmental FX to support mood and scale
Created cinematic camera sequences using Sequencer and rig rail workflows
Integrated animated creatures, dragons, livestock, and hot air balloons to enhance world movement and storytelling
Built foundational gameplay systems using blueprints, collisions, and interactive scene logic
Designed the environment as a fully walkable and scalable real-time experience

2019 - Present

Walt Disney Imagineering

Glendale, California

2018 - 2019

Role: Imagineer, Technical Animator, Animatronics Programmer

Organization: Walt Disney Imagineering

Programmed audio-animatronics for attractions in Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai DS.

Rigged and animated characters utilizing Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder.

Automated pipelines by developing tools to maximize efficiency using Python.

Role: Graduate Teaching Assistant

Organization: Carnegie Mellon University

Instructed over eighty students over the semester in Maya, Unity, and Adobe Creative Cloud for game development purposes.