The Lake (2026)

For this project, I combined 3D composition in Unreal Engine 5 with media plates for several of the film’s characters. The characters were created using AI software, Nano Banana Pro to generate greenscreen-backed character images, and Kling AI to animate those stills. I then keyed the greenscreen footage in After Effects and imported the resulting PNG sequence into Unreal Engine.

I found this hybrid technique highly effective, adding a distinct visual layer that enriched the storytelling process.

Below is the finished film I submitted as my third project for the MA Filmmaking course. This piece builds on earlier experiments with virtual production and AI-assisted workflows, further developing my approach to integrating 3D environments, character design and post-production techniques within a cohesive narrative framework.

The Lake (2026) By Darren Anthony.