What happens when VR tools are used not just for spectacle, but to channel the spirit of one of history’s most haunted painters?
Emmy-winning filmmaker James A. Castillo (Madrid Noir) set out to do exactly that with his animated horror short The Quinta’s Ghost, which reimagines the last years of Francisco de Goya. Rather than adapting history, Castillo asked: What might Goya have seen when creating his infamous Black Paintings?
The result is an eerie, painterly work that premiered at Tribeca this summer, using a VR-fueled pipeline to bring to life a world of ghosts, illness, and memory. From translating visceral brushstrokes into 3D geometry with Quill to blending painterly textures with subtle animation, the project pushed boundaries while preserving the raw, emotional tone of Goya’s work.
At its heart, Castillo describes it as “a ghost story" but also about the creative process, the price artists pay when they face their darkest truths.”
You can read the full breakdown here: https://www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/the-quintas-ghost-short-vr-tools-255153.html
For those of you working in animation:
How do you balance experimental tools like VR with traditional workflows? With technology advancing so quickly, do you see VR becoming a larger part of independent animated storytelling in the years ahead?
FREE Stage 32 Webcast Event – Wednesday, October 8th!
FREE Stage 32 Webcast Event – Wednesday, October 8th at 11am PT!!
Register by clicking the link below!
When you’re crafting an indie film, the music you choose isn’t just background—it’s storytelling. The right score sets the tone, builds emotional depth, and can make your film unforgettable. But too often, filmmakers bring composers in too late or struggle to align visions, leaving powerful opportunities on the table.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our Stage 32 + Film-Raderie Webcast: Composer + Filmmaker Relationship: How to Make Your Indie Film Successful—a FREE live event designed to help you navigate this crucial collaboration.
This expert panel features:
Together, they’ll share real-world insights on:
This is your chance to learn how to use music as a storytelling superpower—and to build the creative partnerships that can elevate your indie film.
Click here to register, if you can't make it live you'll recieve the full recording on-demand: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-x-film-raderie-composer-filmmaker-collaboration-webcast
Let us know in the comments below- What’s a film where the music completely transformed the story for you?
Copy the link below to share this page:
17 people like this