Breakdown 
Intro
Text conveys the main idea quickly and directly, while slow animation sets the stage before a shattering simulation transitions it into an intense action scene.
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Houdini
Houdini Plugins: Axiom Solver
Character
Night Echo and her ride, Ferrow, are made to be in perfect harmony with each other. “Echo” in Night Echo’s name reflects her deep connection to the past, while “Night” emphasizes that her vengeance strikes suddenly, like a cat out of nowhere. Ferrow is a unique name that blends three words: “Ferrum”, meaning iron in Latin; “Shadow”, as Night Echo’s bound companion; and “Arrow”, for its incredible speed.
Software: Character Creator, ZBrush, Houdini, Substance Painter
Houdini Plugins: Modeler for Houdini, Z for Houdini, Soft Booleans, Exorside Quad Remesher
Environment
The Arc de Triomphe is a giant monument that feels even larger with the camera set very low on the pavement. This makes the scene overwhelming, emphasizing danger by placing the character and the viewer in a position and under a pressure neither of them can control.
Software: Houdini, Substance Painter, HDREye, Adobe Photoshop
Houdini Plugins: Modeler for Houdini, Simple Tree Tools, COPStance, ODTools
Visual Effects
The explosion represents the consequences of Night Echo’s previous decisions. The barriers and puddles around the Arc react to the shockwave, carrying its force forward and bringing the danger straight to the viewer. The burning fire in the end marks the trail and results of the character’s deeds.
Software: Houdini
Houdini Solvers: FLIP, Ripple, RBD, Pyro
Rendering & Post Production
The action scene relies heavily on visual effects, so it was rendered with the offline engine “Karma”. which handles this reliably and offers high-quality explosion and fire materials. Rendering efficiency was improved by using the remote platform “GridMarkets” to keep render times low and resolution high.
Software: Houdini, Davinci Resolve
Houdini Plugins: Gridmarkets Envoy
Sound Effects
The soundtrack began as a piano tune before being arranged for orchestra. Cellos and thunder set a heavy, dramatic mood. Right after, strings, brass, and cymbals drive the explosion and effects, while drums heighten the tension of the character’s inner and outer conflict. Finally, the melody slows and shifts to guitar, carrying the listener into the credits with a sense of resolution.
Software: Steinberg Nuendo
Asset Libraries: Free Berlin Orchestra, Sam Free Orchestra
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Credits
Aleksey
Kirichenko
Aleksandr
Kirichenko
Eduard
Kirichenko
Intro
Text conveys the main idea quickly and directly, while slow animation sets the stage before a shattering simulation transitions it into an intense action scene.
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Houdini
Houdini Plugins: Axiom Solver
Character
Night Echo and her ride, Ferrow, are made to be in perfect harmony with each other. “Echo” in Night Echo’s name reflects her deep connection to the past, while “Night” emphasizes that her vengeance strikes suddenly, like a cat out of nowhere. Ferrow is a unique name that blends three words: “Ferrum”, meaning iron in Latin; “Shadow”, as Night Echo’s bound companion; and “Arrow”, for its incredible speed. speed.
Software: Character Creator, ZBrush, Houdini, Substance Painter
Houdini Plugins: Modeler for Houdini, Z for Houdini, Soft Booleans, Exorside Quad Remesher
Environment
The Arc de Triomphe is a giant monument that feels even larger with the camera set very low on the pavement. This makes the scene overwhelming, emphasizing danger by placing the character and the viewer in a position and under a pressure neither of them can control.
Software: Houdini, Substance Painter, HDREye, Adobe Photoshop
Houdini Plugins: Modeler for Houdini, Simple Tree Tools, COPStance, ODTools
Asset Libraries: Sketchfab, A23D, PolyHaven, BlenderKit, Megascans
Visual Effects
The explosion represents the consequences of Night Echo’s previous decisions. The barriers and puddles around the Arc react to the shockwave, carrying its force forward and bringing the danger straight to the viewer. The burning fire marks the trail and results of the character’s deeds.
Software: Houdini
Houdini Solvers: FLIP, Ripple, RBD, Pyro
Rendering & Post-Production
The initial soundtrack began as a simple piano tune before being arranged for orchestra. Cellos and thunder set a heavy, dramatic mood; in the middle, strings, brass, and cymbals drive the explosion, while drums emphasize the tension of both inner and outer conflict. Finally, the melody slows and shifts to guitar, carrying the listener into the credits with a sense of resolution.
Software used: Houdini, Davinci Resolve
Houdini Plugins: Gridmarkets Envoy
Sound Effects
The soundtrack began as a piano tune before being arranged for orchestra. Cellos and thunder set a heavy, dramatic mood. Right after, strings, brass, and cymbals drive the explosion and effects, while drums heighten the tension of the character’s inner and outer conflict. Finally, the melody slows and shifts to guitar, carrying the listener into the credits with a sense of resolution.
Software: Steinberg Nuendo
Houdini Plugins: Gridmarkets Envoy
Asset Libraries: Free Berlin Orchestra, Sam Free Orchestra
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