Udesh Chetty on the power of visual storytelling and independent digital filmmaking
Udesh Chetty is a Creative Director, VFX Artist, and Visual Storyteller with a dynamic career blending design, animation, and high-end visual effects. Originally from South Africa, he began his journey in Cape Town before joining The Mill, where he worked on major campaigns including global product launches for Samsung.
Now at Parliament, he leads creative work for top-tier clients such as the NBA, Levi’s, Salesforce, Pepsi, Amazon, MLB, and the NFL. His Emmy-winning VFX work on the Super Bowl LVII spot Run With It stands as a testament to his craft and vision.
Beyond commercial work, Udesh Chetty is an award-winning filmmaker. His independent CGI sci-fi short film Red Gaia has been recognized across the festival circuit, showcasing his ability to merge technology and storytelling. Whether leading large-scale campaigns or developing original narratives, Udesh continues to push the boundaries of digital filmmaking.
As a visual storyteller, how do you perceive the interplay between art and technology? In your work, does one take precedence over the other, or do you view them as inherently intertwined?
I definitely see art and technology as deeply intertwined in the realm of animation. In crafting ‘Red Gaia,’ I leveraged 3D digital animation, influenced by the accessible tools from my career in motion design and visual effects.
Historically, creators might have used puppetry or 2D cell animation, while looking ahead, AI-generated imagery could redefine our approach. This evolution doesn’t prioritize one over the other but rather showcases how each technological advancement contributes to and shapes our artistic expressions.
Red Gaia is an incredible 12 minute CGI sci-fi short film you crafted and released into the world. Given that Red Gaia was largely a solo endeavor, what challenges did you face in overseeing every aspect of the production, and how did this hands-on approach shape your creative process?
Crafting the visuals posed considerable challenges, especially due to the time-intensive nature of 3D animation. The majority of my efforts were concentrated on the visual components—creating intricate world-building elements like architecture, set dressing, and prop design to ensure the world felt logical and cohesive.
This meticulous focus on visuals meant that less time was available for refining the narrative, a balance I found challenging. In retrospect, I wish I could have devoted more resources to storytelling. Fortunately, I was supported by a talented team of fellow South African friends: Dan Mitchell, who edited the film; Natasha Loring, who lent her voice to the android; and James Matthes with his team at Pressure Cooker Studios, who crafted the audio landscape.
This collaboration deepened my appreciation for the various roles in production and enhanced my understanding of how to coordinate commercial productions effectively. You can find out more about the team through our socials:
UDESH CHETTY – WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER + DESIGN & ANIMATION
https://www.instagram.com/pepelekool/
DANIEL MITCHELL – EDITOR
https://www.instagram.com/danmitchy/
JAMES MATTHES – MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN
https://www.instagram.com/jamesmatthes/
NATASHA LORING – VOICE ACTING
https://www.instagram.com/natashaloring/
What were the initial inspirations behind Red Gaia, and how did the concept evolve throughout its creation?
The film stemmed from my intrigue with the interplay between science, religion, and philosophy. Originally, the film centered around a lone AI android surviving on a post-apocalyptic Mars. As the concept evolved, I delved into how this android, amidst the remnants of human civilization, would perceive and be influenced by the deep-seated cultural beliefs and philosophical practices that have shaped humanity.
This reflection highlighted not only the stark contrasts but also the intricate connections between empirical science and spiritual beliefs. The narrative expanded to explore these themes, emphasizing that spiritual elements often persist in areas where current science hasn’t yet offered explanations, suggesting a complex intertwining rather than a straightforward opposition.
One striking feature of Red Gaia is its multilingual dialogue, incorporating Sanskrit and Tibetan. Could you explain how this element came about, and how it enhances the story’s thematic depth?
The android resonates with preserved ancient texts—Sanskrit scriptures and Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts—after decades of exploring human artefacts on Mars. The choice of Sanskrit, inspired by its algorithmic, almost computational nature, seemed fitting for an AI’s spoken language, reflecting its deep immersion in human culture.
This linguistic choice emerged serendipitously during the film’s early development. While discussing the project with a friend who is a fine art professor, I expressed my desire to include Sanskrit but was unsure how to proceed due to its rarity in modern use. Fortuitously, he introduced me to his friend, a USC professor who specialized in Eastern languages.
This professor not only assisted with the Sanskrit but also connected me with another expert in Tibetan and Eastern religious studies. Their collaboration was instrumental, enriching the dialogue and deeply weaving the spiritual and philosophical themes into the narrative fabric of the film.
The film draws from a rich tapestry of philosophical and spiritual traditions, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Tibetan Bardo Thodol. How did you integrate these profound influences into both the narrative structure and visual language of the film?
The narrative of the short film is bookended and deeply enriched by verses from the Bardo Thodol and the Bhagavad Gita. It begins with a verse from the Bardo Thodol, recited by the android in dream-like chant, setting the film’s tone and guiding the android’s journey of spiritual awakening—mirroring the stages of life, death, and rebirth.
This thematic foundation is visually represented through the ethereal and desolate Martian landscapes, echoing the transitional states described in the Bardo. The film culminates with a transformative verse from the Bhagavad Gita beside the android’s bedside, inspiring a final act of self-sacrifice that encapsulates the film’s exploration of existential themes and the cycle of life and death.
Red Gaia has garnered significant acclaim on the festival circuit. What do you believe resonates most with audiences, and what piece of feedback has had the greatest impact on you?
I believe that the film garnered attention on the festival circuit primarily due to the high level of craftsmanship in the visuals and the depth of the world-building, which resonates with a broad audience. However, I’ve also received emails from individuals expressing their appreciation for the film’s introspective nature.
They enjoyed the inclusion of religious, spiritual, and philosophical themes—niche aspects that appeal to a smaller, yet deeply engaged audience. These interactions have been particularly rewarding, highlighting the film’s ability to connect on various levels.
Through your work at The Mill and Parliament, you’ve played a pivotal role in advancing visual effects in high-profile campaigns. How have technological advancements shaped your approach to VFX, and how do you adapt these innovations in both commercial and narrative-driven contexts?
Technological advancements in VFX have primarily been focused on refining the digital tools at our disposal, allowing artists to work more efficiently and with greater precision. However, the core of our craft remains the innate talent and creativity of the artists themselves.
Despite the tremendous advancements in tools, the process remains labor-intensive, demanding a high level of skill and dedication. Looking forward, the emergence of AI-generated video and associated AI tools, poses new questions about the future of our industry. This innovation could potentially reshape our workflows and creative processes entirely.
From your perspective, what is the most exciting frontier in digital artistry and visual effects today, and how do you see your work contributing to that evolution?
AI undoubtedly represents the most exciting frontier in digital artistry and visual effects.. However, its integration into high-end production has been relatively minimal so far. Current AI technology still struggles to refine and craft the specificities demanded by most production briefs.
It also lacks the capability for nuanced iteration and adjustment, which are critical in our field. As we move forward, I am eager to see how these tools evolve to better serve creative visions, ensuring that AI supports and enhances our artistic processes without replacing the human touch.
All images courtesy of Udesh Chetty
Udesh Chetty: Website / Instagram
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