In May this year, Miloš Mihajlović, 3D Generalist at ILBE Studios, successfully completed the Unreal Fellowship: Storytelling, held at the Epic Games educational Space in Novi Sad. Miloš is the third artist from our studio to enroll in this five-week-long educational program dedicated to visual storytelling, organized by 3Lateral and coordinated by Materriya Talent Development.

This Unreal Fellowship program covers traditional animation disciplines such as storytelling, modeling, layout, lighting, rendering, and VFX, by utilizing Unreal Engine, MetaHuman Creator and MetaHuman Animator tools.

As a result of the program, Miloš produced a cinematic titled “Moment of Glory” which earned praise during its premiere at the Epic Games Community Summit, held on May 21^st.

The Sizzle Reel, which highlights the works of the entire group of Fellows, is now live on the official Unreal Engine channels, and is visible to the global creative community.

 We asked Miloš about his educational experience and the creative process behind his project.

Q&A with Miloš Mihajlović

Why did you decide to apply for the program?

Miloš: I applied for the program because I wanted to improve my skills in Unreal Engine. Additionally, I wanted to experience directing and storytelling for the first time, something I had not dared to try before.

How would you describe the experience of collaborating with the instructors, mentors, and other Fellows?

Miloš: Collaborating with the instructors and mentors was an exceptional experience. The instructors Milan Ličina, Darko Subotin and Nikola Šoškić, along with the mentors Nemanja Pavlović, Bojan Andrejek, Miloš Nikolić, and Luka Budiša, had vast knowledge and experience, and a remarkable ability to impart that knowledge effectively. They ensured that our final projects were of the highest quality. The mentors were incredibly supportive and always available to help us, no matter the time of day. They went above and beyond to assist us with solving problems, even in the middle of the night. Their dedication and willingness to support us made a significant impact on our learning experience. The group was composed of incredibly talented individuals from various industries. It was inspiring to see how everyone brought their unique perspectives and skills to the table. Despite each of us working on our own projects, there was a powerful sense of community and collaboration. We constantly helped each other out and shared knowledge openly, without any sense of ego, which resulted in truly breathtaking projects.

What aspects and elements does digital storytelling include?

Miloš: Digital storytelling includes various aspects and elements that work together to create an engaging experience. During the Unreal Fellowship: Storytelling, we went through the entire process of making a short film. We started with writing the script and synopsis, and then we worked on the storyboard and pre-vis to visualize the story before actual production. We used motion capture to animate the characters, which added a lot of realism and life to our stories. Setting up the shots, scenes, composition, lighting, and cameras were all key parts that we carefully adjusted to get the right atmosphere and emotional impact. All these elements come together to make digital storytelling a powerful way to tell stories that are both visually impressive and emotionally moving.

Did you have a chance to get more familiar with other professions like scriptwriting or editing?

Miloš: Absolutely, I had the chance to get acquainted with roles I never thought I would take on. Compositing, color grading, video editing, scriptwriting, 3D animation, and motion capture – all these experiences have helped me become better at what I do!

What was your experience working with the mocap actors?

Miloš: Honestly, I was a bit nervous at the beginning. However, thanks to Nikola Šoskić (Shosha), who gave me guidance on how to direct the actors to convey the emotion and movement needed in my film, I felt more confident. The actors Dunja and Nikola were very professional and easy to work with. They did not mind repeating a scene up to six times until it looked just right.

Tell us something about your cinematic. How did you decide on the theme, style, and message you want to convey? Are you happy with your final project?

Miloš: I named my film “Moment of Glory.” Even though it is set in a football context, the story could be relevant to any other profession or period.

The story follows a young football player, Ricardo, as he walks through the stadium tunnel. As he walks, we see flashbacks from the match where he was fouled, and the referee awarded a penalty. When he steps onto the field, the score is 1-1, the final match, with just one minute left – it’s all or nothing! As he prepares to take the shot, we flash back to his past where he is kicking a ball in the favelas while his father watches from the sidelines. Just as young Ricardo runs up to kick, the camera shifts back to the present where Ricardo, in front of a packed stadium, runs up to take the shot. We left the audience wondering if Ricardo scored or if the goalkeeper saved it. The message of the film is if you work hard and believe in your goals, your moment of glory will come one day!

What would you single out as the advantage of using Unreal Engine?

Miloš: Unreal Engine has become my main tool for work, and thanks to the Fellowship, I now have a clear understanding of what I want to invest my time in. My next project is already in progress, so stay tuned – you will see it soon!

How will this education help you in your future work? Would you advise your fellow colleagues to practice Unreal Engine and attend similar programs?

Miloš: Absolutely, I would highly recommend my fellow colleagues practice Unreal Engine and attend similar programs. The Fellowship has been incredibly beneficial, providing me with essential skills and knowledge. It opened new opportunities, allowed me to explore different roles and gave me the confidence to tackle new challenges. The collaborative environment and support from instructors and mentors were invaluable. If you want to improve your skills and broaden your horizons, programs like this are worth it.

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Congratulations to Miloš on the successful completion of the program! We also extend our gratitude to all the organizers, instructors, mentors, and partners on another exceptional learning opportunity.

Epic Games and 3Lateral continue to conduct a broad scope of educational programs for creative professionals. An overview of the upcoming programs is available on ArtStation. Also, the new program for our region, Unreal Fellowship: Animation will be held in October with applications now open. For more information, please read the OPEN CALL.