Environment Artist: The Story Teller
When the Lord of the Rings films were being made, the village of Hobbiton was built very early in the project. This was to give the area time to mature – for the grass to grow back, for the flowers to bloom, for the manufactured things to age a little.
This helped with the believability of the film, and that’s why I agree so much with a new article by Adam Bromell, Environment Artist: The Story Teller.
Why was that fire hydrant made? Will it just lay on the side of a road passed by the player or is there something else I could do with it, or suggest for it, that will tell a different story? Maybe it’s missing one of its outlet caps and is dripping from a week feed? Even though thats a small suggestion, its step forward from your standard, boring, hydrant. These little additions will help in the long run.
Don’t just build a building. Leave lights on, break some windows, smash some potted plants on the outside sidewalk, etc.