DESCRIPTION
The Backlot IMAX project was a promotional video created to celebrate the grand opening of Blackpool’s premier IMAX cinema. The piece featured a virtual drone show, where hundreds of digital drones seamlessly transformed into cinema‑related shapes and forms. The result was a dynamic visual spectacle that captured the excitement and innovation of the new venue, serving as a key marketing asset for The Backlot’s launch.
ROLE
I was responsible for developing a Unity project that could realistically simulate drone swarm behaviour and formation flying. I built a system where groups of objects could dynamically transition between free‑flying states and organised formations based on target mesh shapes. My focus was on ensuring the drones exhibited natural, believable flight patterns during transitions, mimicking the organic movement of real swarms. In addition to the Unity work, I contributed to the video production pipeline by handling basic video tracking and processing. This allowed the Unity‑generated drone sequences to integrate seamlessly with backdrop footage, requiring me to quickly learn new post‑production workflows and manage proper export formats for Unity integration
CHALLENGES
The most demanding aspect of the project was acquiring motion tracking skills under an extremely tight deadline. With only general video editing experience and no prior exposure to tracking workflows, I had to learn the process in a single day and deliver integrated, production‑ready footage within two days total. Working on a two‑person team left no room for extended learning curves, so the pressure was intense. This experience reinforced the value of focused learning under deadlines and the importance of efficient workflow management when tackling unfamiliar technical challenges.
TECHNICAL
• Programming: Unity3D with C# scripting to create the drone formation system and flight behaviours.
• Video Integration: Used DaVinci Resolve for basic motion tracking and backdrop alignment, ensuring the Unity‑generated drones blended convincingly with real‑world footage.
• Workflow: Balanced rapid prototyping with visual polish, focusing on believable motion and seamless integration between digital and filmed elements
• Video Integration: Used DaVinci Resolve for basic motion tracking and backdrop alignment, ensuring the Unity‑generated drones blended convincingly with real‑world footage.
• Workflow: Balanced rapid prototyping with visual polish, focusing on believable motion and seamless integration between digital and filmed elements
VIDEO
