kitbash secrets of luminara

Richard Leshone 2025

Submission for the Secrets of the Luminara Challenge

About the Project –

Creating these scenes was an incredibly fun and rewarding process. I focused on building a dynamic and visually engaging layout, combining hand-sculpted elements with high-quality kitbash assets. The cliffs were sculpted in Blender using dynamic topology to achieve natural erosion and sharp rock formations, while the kitbash models were carefully modified, optimized, and retextured to better integrate with the overall environment. I paid special attention to scale, composition, and spatial flow, ensuring each asset served the storytelling and action.

Blender was my primary tool for modeling, layout, rigging, animation, and lighting. I rigged the vehicle for animation, allowing for nuanced motion and interaction with the terrain—especially noticeable in the dust trails, which were simulated to enhance realism and movement.

Grading was handled in DaVinci Resolve, and the final compositing pass was done in After Effects to polish the look, add lens effects, and refine color balance for the social-first format.

Since this was designed specifically for a vertical (9:16) platform, I used an 80mm lens to retain a sense of cinematic depth while ensuring the action remains front and center within the limited vertical frame. It’s a subtle balance, but one that helps maintain both clarity and energy in the shot. While the aesthetic leans toward a stylized, almost video-game feel, I’m continually experimenting with how to adapt cinematic language to vertical formats—especially in fast-paced scenes like this.

I’m tempted to eventually do a 16:9 render with a 35mm lens for a more traditional cinematic version, but for now, I hope you enjoy this vertical slice of action.

Thanks for watching!