The VFX Process #65 Samster: The Last of Us Returns — In Unreal Engine!
Jun 6, 2025
Sam Denison, known as Samster, is a talented VFX artist and filmmaker who crafts CGI animated shorts using advanced motion capture technology. He shares insights from his fan-made film 'We Few Survivors,' set in 'The Last of Us' universe, revealing the challenges of using Vicon motion capture and Unreal Engine. Sam discusses the emotional and ethical dimensions of fan filmmaking, the importance of community support, and his personal journey through the digital arts during tough times, emphasizing resilience and the power of collaboration in storytelling.
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Sold Car To Rebuild Final Project
- After university data loss, Sam sold his car to buy a 3090 PC and re-made a lost final project in a month.
- That all-nighter pivot earned a solid grade and taught him commitment under pressure.
Use Affordable Tools, Learn Industry Ones
- Favor free or affordable tools (Blender, Unreal, Substance Painter) to sustain indie workflows post-uni.
- Learn industry tools like Nuke and DaVinci Resolve to increase job prospects and complete pipelines.
Real-Time Is A Storytelling Multiplier
- Real-time features in Unreal (Lumen, Nanite) let indie creators iterate rapidly and focus more on storytelling.
- Real-time viewing reduces render-time constraints and boosts creative decision speed.