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3D Animation
3D Animation
Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm
Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm
Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm
/// Overview
/// Overview
For the PBS documentary Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm, we created 3D visual explanations based on expert analysis and survivor accounts. The simulations show how modern wildfires behave differently from historical fires and why suburban homes are now so vulnerable.
For the PBS documentary Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm, we created 3D visual explanations based on expert analysis and survivor accounts. The simulations show how modern wildfires behave differently from historical fires and why suburban homes are now so vulnerable.
// General Information
Role
VFX Lead, Fire & Embers Simulation Artist & Look Developer
Duration
2025
Software
Blender, EmberGen, Cinema 4D, Redshift Render
Credits
Studio: Lafinka.tvThanks to: Andrés Gomez Isaza (Project leader), Alejandra Morales (Creative Producer), Alejandro Bolaños (Lead Project), Alejandro Londoño (3D Animator)Client: PBSProduction Company: Balance MediaDirector & Series Producer: Trip JenningsHost: Maiya MayExecutives in Charge (PBS): Adam Dylewski, Diana El-Osta, Maribel LopezPresented by: PBS SoCal
/// The Challenge
/// The Challenge
The fire behavior had to be scientifically accurate and still dramatic, on tight broadcast deadlines. We needed control over ember dynamics, ignition and how fire interacts with houses and vegetation. The simulations also had to support dramatic camera work and blend with live-action plates.
The fire behavior had to be scientifically accurate and still dramatic, on tight broadcast deadlines. We needed control over ember dynamics, ignition and how fire interacts with houses and vegetation. The simulations also had to support dramatic camera work and blend with live-action plates.
The fire behavior had to be scientifically accurate and still dramatic, on tight broadcast deadlines. We needed control over ember dynamics, ignition and how fire interacts with houses and vegetation. The simulations also had to support dramatic camera work and blend with live-action plates.
/// The Solution
/// The Solution
We built a simulation pipeline around EmberGen, using colliders and force fields set up in Cinema 4D and Blender to drive ember transport, leaf ignition and structural burning. Octane handled materials, atmosphere and volumetric fire lighting, and custom VFX passes blended the simulations with the documentary footage.
We built a simulation pipeline around EmberGen, using colliders and force fields set up in Cinema 4D and Blender to drive ember transport, leaf ignition and structural burning. Octane handled materials, atmosphere and volumetric fire lighting, and custom VFX passes blended the simulations with the documentary footage.
We built a simulation pipeline around EmberGen, using colliders and force fields set up in Cinema 4D and Blender to drive ember transport, leaf ignition and structural burning. Octane handled materials, atmosphere and volumetric fire lighting, and custom VFX passes blended the simulations with the documentary footage.
/// The Process
/// The Process
We started with reference analysis of the 2025 LA fires to get the fire behavior right. Two collaborating artists modeled the houses, vegetation and suburban environments in Blender, which we brought into Cinema 4D for scene setup. All fire and ember simulations ran in EmberGen with colliders and wind forces, and we iterated on ignition timing, ember paths and structural destruction. Final look development and rendering were done in Octane, followed by compositing for broadcast delivery.
We started with reference analysis of the 2025 LA fires to get the fire behavior right. Two collaborating artists modeled the houses, vegetation and suburban environments in Blender, which we brought into Cinema 4D for scene setup. All fire and ember simulations ran in EmberGen with colliders and wind forces, and we iterated on ignition timing, ember paths and structural destruction. Final look development and rendering were done in Octane, followed by compositing for broadcast delivery.
We started with reference analysis of the 2025 LA fires to get the fire behavior right. Two collaborating artists modeled the houses, vegetation and suburban environments in Blender, which we brought into Cinema 4D for scene setup. All fire and ember simulations ran in EmberGen with colliders and wind forces, and we iterated on ignition timing, ember paths and structural destruction. Final look development and rendering were done in Octane, followed by compositing for broadcast delivery.