The VFX Process Podcast #60 | Charlie Driscoll (The Darkest Age) discusses why he thinks Unreal Engine is the #1 filmmaking tool, with Metahumans and Move AI revolutionising the industry.
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Is Unreal Engine 5 the #1 filmmaking tool? According to Charlie Driscoll, it just might be. As a cinematographer, Charlie first saw UE5 as a way to practice real-world filmmaking techniques—but it quickly became a game-changer for crafting professional-level cinematics. Through his YouTube channel, The Darkest Age, he’s pushing the limits of Metahumans, AI motion capture, and real-time rendering to create stunning short films and animation tests.
In this episode, we break down why UE5 is revolutionizing filmmaking, diving into Charlie’s fight scene cinematic, a masterclass in virtual action storytelling, and his zombie horde animation, where he brings large-scale crowds to life. We also discuss Move AI, a cutting-edge motion capture tool making high-quality animation more accessible than ever. With Unreal Engine 5, indie creators can now achieve high-quality cinematics and tell stories without a massive budget. Charlie also shares his belief that if you’re a good filmmaker in real life, you’ll be a good one in Unreal Engine too, emphasizing how the skills transfer seamlessly into the virtual world.
Charlie is also leveraging Unreal Engine to benefit his real-world filmmaking through previsualization (previs) for his production company, Northwood Revolution. By using UE5 for previs, he can visualise, plan, and streamline his projects, making the filmmaking process faster and more efficient.
If you’re passionate about the future of digital filmmaking, this episode is packed with insight. From crafting photo-realistic Metahumans to harnessing AI-driven animation, Charlie shares his process and why he believes Unreal Engine 5 is the most powerful tool for filmmakers today. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of virtual production!
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CONNECT WITH Charlie: https://discord.gg/thedarkestage
https://www.northwoodsrevolution.com/
@TheDarkestAgeUnreal
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⏰TIMECODES⏰
00:00 - INTRO TO CHARLIE
02:38 - WHY I CHOSE UNREAL ENGINE
05:34 - USING UNREAL ENGINE WITH A FILMMAKING BACKGROUND
09:08 - UE5 & MOVE AI FIGHT SCENE
15:24 - MOTION CAPTURE: AI VS SUITS
20:32 - BEST TOOLS FOR MOCAP IN UNREAL ENGINE
25:35 - CREATING A ZOMBIE HORDE WITH PARTICLE SIMS
28:47 - FILMMAKERS... DON'T BE SCARED OF UNREAL ENGINE
31:59 - ADVICE FOR STARTING IN UNREAL ENGINE
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MUSIC: Motion Array - https://motionarray.com/
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