Year
2023
Client
Category
Product Duration
6 - 8 Weeks (8 days of render time)
Inspired by the scale and mysticism of Dune, this in-house experimental piece was created to explore cinematic world-building through VFX — all produced locally in Puerto Rico. Shot on location near the beach at Balneario de Vega Baja, the goal was to imagine a moment of first contact: a massive spacecraft emerging from the ocean in an otherwise quiet landscape.
The aesthetic leans into sandy tones, desaturation, and atmospheric tension. The serene coastline is disrupted by the slow, otherworldly rise of a sci-fi ship — evoking wonder, awe, and a sense of scale. This tension between stillness and spectacle defines the visual rhythm of the short.
A full 3D ocean simulation was built and integrated with a custom-designed spacecraft model. The most intense section — a 7-second water-emergence shot — required 8 continuous days of rendering. The VFX pipeline included 3D modeling, dynamic simulations, compositing, color grading, and final sound design. Everything was handled by El Arenero’s team using tools like Houdini and Nuke.
More than just a technical demo, this piece serves as a visual manifesto: proof that large-scale, high-concept VFX storytelling can be achieved on the island. It showcases El Arenero’s ability to bridge art and technology to make the impossible feel real — even on a local beach.
