Soft Targets

Content Soft Targets aims to depict the invisible attacks on women’s autonomy and reproductive rights. The goal of the project is to visualize these attacks and communicate their uncomfortable and dangerous nature. This is achieved by representing the external threats as vines slowly growing, constricting, and invading a structure built out of colourful pillows. The progression happens in stages: first, the vines start growing along the structure. Then, they constrict it, and lastly, they grow thorns and begin ripping the fabric apart. At the end of the film, a final shot reveals that the pillows form a human uterus. Technical Realization The biggest technical challenge was creating a system that can grow vines which can then be used to influence a vellum simulation. The simulations needed were the growth of the vine, Pressure applied to the Pillows and the tearing of the cloth. The procedural setup made it possible to use the same masks created for the growth and thorns within Karma to create procedural materials. Team Rosemarie Haider: Concept, art direction, pre visualization, asset modelling, shading & lighting Alija Suljic: Technical art, animation, simulation, technical support and pipeline management Leon Leyendecker: Concept, art direction, animation, simulation, cut and compositing Florentine Gugler: Typography, concept Hanna Chucholowius: Cinematography Xaver Rath: Score, sound design