The Excavator was the first vehicle i’ve modeled in my CG career. i was initially worried that i would struggle with the task, but then i chose to approach the excavator not as a vehicle, but as a character.

i spent a lot of time with the director brainstorming how evil we could make the excavator. a simple spike-filled claw wouldn’t cut it - the intimidation had to flow through the entire machine.

i wanted to emphasize verticality more than just making the excavator really big. the decreased horizontal surface area makes the excavator appear taller, especially with the massive arm that nearly towers over the trees. no matter where you are in the forest you will catch a glimpse of this mechanical beast.

my emphasis on real-world accuracy made the excavator even more distinct from the nature that surrounded it, an eyesore of overly complex shapes and edges that contrasts with the flowing and simplistic foliage below it.