myblog | Guanglin Lu | Activity

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 02:44:41 +0000

Final Project——Zero-zero.exe […] “Final Project——Zero-zero.exe”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:09:13 +0000

Personal Project —— Cleaning robot This was a short-term collaborative project with a classmate. By the time I joined, my partner had already completed the overall script concept and storyboard. I added some extra details to the story, such as including a scene where the robot scans a toy to bring some humor and give it a touch of “emotion.” I also introduced the use of different colored “X” marks to represent different processing methods, which served as a setup for the later conflict. In terms of responsibilities, I mainly worked on cinematography, compositing, editing, color grading, and sound design, while my teammate, Jin Ling’an, handled modeling, texturing, and animation. Compositing During compositing, one of the biggest challenges was the large number of shots combined with noticeable lighting changes during filming. Since the robot character had a metallic surface, it needed to accurately reflect the kitchen environment and lighting, which made maintaining color consistency across shots difficult. To make the footage appear more natural, I added subtle camera shake to simulate handheld shooting. In addition, I created several “robot vision” shots in After Effects, using the Form effect to overlay a texture that resembled an LED screen, further enhancing the technological feel of the film. Editing The main challenge in editing was the heavy reliance on sound effects to make the visuals feel realistic and alive. At the same time, I aimed to keep the atmosphere in the first half of the film lighthearted and energetic, so that it could create a stronger contrast leading up to the final conflict. Reflection The biggest strength of this collaboration was how well our skills complemented each other. My partner was strong in modeling, animation, and VFX, while I took care of shooting, compositing, and editing. Thanks to this combination, we were able to produce a short film with a complete storyline and decent quality within a limited timeframe. Technically, the compositing process itself didn’t present too many unsolvable problems. However, we underestimated the workload in the early stages, which resulted in a very tight schedule towards the end. This experience made me realize that accurate project planning and clearer communication are essential for efficient teamwork. Although our project management skills still have room for improvement, I truly felt the power of good collaboration and complementary strengths. Even under constraints, teamwork enabled us to achieve more than we could individually. Moving forward, I will carry this lesson into future collaborations, not only focusing on creativity and execution but also improving my planning and management abilities. F […] “Personal Project —— Cleaning robot”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:21:08 +0000

Group Project —— Label Storm […] “Group Project —— Label Storm”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:20:14 +0000

AI and Authorship: A Critical Study of Set Dressing in Virtual Production Why This Topic? Virtual production has reshaped how we design, visualize, and shoot film environments. As a VFX MA student at UAL, I’ve always been curious about where the line between art and automation lies. When AI joins the scene—not as a background tool, but as an active collaborator in creative decision-making—what does that mean for human artists? My critical research report explores the tension between automation and artistic agency in AI-assisted set dressing. While AI can speed up workflows, generate real-time environments, and even make aesthetic suggestions, it also challenges long-held ideas about authorship, originality, and creative control. Applications of AI in Virtual Set Dressing Functional ModuleTraditional WorkflowAI-Assisted WorkflowBenefitsPre-visualizationManually building models and storyboardsAI auto-generates concept sketches (e.g., Runway ML)Faster prototyping, quick iterationLighting LayoutManual lighting setups by techniciansAI adjusts lighting based on semantic contextHigher accuracy, real-time adaptabilitySpace & Prop PlacementManually arranged by art departmentAI generates spatial compositions via text promptsReduces labor, increases creative iterationScene StylizationConcept artists + 3D integrationAI applies stylized render presetsGreater flexibility across design aesthetics The Big Question My core question was this: Is AI helping artists, or replacing them? In practice, it’s not a simple binary. AI changes the nature of creative labour. Artists are no longer just makers; they become curators, directors, and supervisors of generative systems. This shift feels empowering on one hand—and precarious on the other. To understand the impact, I looked at: How AI tools like Unreal Engine, Runway ML, and systems like FilmAgent are used in set design The philosophical debate over whether AI can be “creative” The ethical dilemmas: originality, authorship, and bias Industry perspectives and academic theories Research Process The writing process started with a review of creativity theories—like Guilford’s divergent thinking and Amabile’s componential model—emphasizing that creativity involves emotion, intention, and experience, all of which AI lacks. From there, I explored current uses of AI in virtual production. Reports from IllusionXR, Voia, Raindance, and World Economic Forum showed how AI is already embedded in previsualization and set construction. I also read academic work like Xu et al.’s FilmAgent project, which uses large language models to simulate film crews. Finally, I examined the risks: deepfakes, lack of consent, and algorithmic bias. Who’s really in control of the visuals? And are we designing with ethics in mind? Table: Case Study Comparison – AI vs Artistic Control Case Study NameDegree of AutomationArtistic ControlOriginality ConcernsReference NoteFilmAgent (Xu et al., 2025)HighMediumYesLLM-driven full-scene generationVoia Virtual ToolMediumHighClearly ControlledHuman-directed, AI-supportedRunway ML + UE ComboHighLow–MediumPotential IssuesCriticized for lack of transparencyLED Volume SystemMediumHighProject-DependentIntegrates with director oversight Key Findings Creative ShiftAI moves artists toward high-level roles—less manual work, more conceptual thinking. That sounds great, but it also reduces tactile authorship and increases dependence on opaque systems. Control vs. CollaborationAI can assist with layout, lighting, and composition, but results aren’t always predictable. This “black box” nature makes it harder to maintain full creative agency. Ethical UncertaintyThe use of AI in storytelling raises difficult questions. If an AI reuses patterns from its training data, is it still original? Are we giving enough thought to authorship, bias, and consent? What This Means for Us as Artists This research reminded me that technological innovation doesn’t automatically equal artistic progress. We must stay critical. As artists, we need to ask: Am I using AI as a tool, or letting it shape my vision? Do I understand how the system works—and what it’s trained on? Am I protecting the ethics and integrity of my creative voice? Like animation or any visual form, virtual production isn’t neutral. It’s a site of power, choice, and representation. We must design with intention, not just convenience. Final Reflection AI is here to stay in filmmaking—but it doesn’t have to replace us. Instead, it can extend our capabilities if we stay mindful, informed, and creatively brave. My biggest takeaway? Creativity in the age of automati […] “AI and Authorship: A Critical Study of Set Dressing in Virtual Production”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:34:19 +0000

Final Project —— Anniversary […] “Final Project —— Anniversary”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:14:34 +0000

Daily Exercise Nuke Exercise Roto Running Man Shoting & Retime Exercise Maya Exercise

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:07:29 +0000

NUKE Balloon Festival Moodboa […] “NUKE Balloon Festival”

Guanglin Lu wrote a new post on the site Guanglin Lu(Liam)'s blog

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:18:42 +0000

UE5 Cabin Inspiration & […] “UE5 Cabin”