T
ruth Detector follows the journey of a high school science teacher with a penchant for exploring quirky technology at weekend yard sales. One day, he stumbles upon a peculiar device that possesses the remarkable ability to distinguish between true and false statements. The inspiration for “The Truth Detector” struck when I encountered memes on Facebook. Recognizing the potential for a compelling story, I decided to expand upon these humorous snippets. As an avid meme collector and animator always up for a challenge, I began recording the actors in late February 2023. Despite the initial recording, actual animation work commenced in early September 2023.
The first frame was rendered in late September, prompting the realization that to enter the film festival circuit, I needed a finished product by mid-November. Motivated and prepared for the task at hand, I undertook the extensive process of creating environments, characters, and scenes, including camera blocking and lighting. Additionally, I rigged and animated all four characters featured in the film. The complexity continued as I progressed to rendering, editing, color correction, sound design, and final output for each shot—all undertaken independently. Production concluded in late October 2023, culminating in what I hope will be an enjoyable result. It was a rewarding journey, and I look forward to sharing the final product with you.
Biography
William Reliford is an award-winning visual effects artist and 3D animator. Growing up in Indiana with creative siblings, he began his artistic journey early, expressing his vivid imagination through pencil drawings. Immersed in sci-fi novels, he saw each word as a frame of a film projected in his mind. Influential authors like Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Philip K. Dick significantly shaped his creative outlook. His passion was further fueled by cinema. Trips to the movies with his older brothers revealed a world where imagination blended seamlessly with reality. He loved sci-fi universes such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica.
At eight, William began experimenting with his father's 8mm camera, building model spaceships, and creating stop-motion characters. This early interest naturally led him to study film in college. After years in video production, William found his true calling in computer animation and visual effects, where he could merge imagination and reality. As a freelancer, he developed expertise in visual storytelling, composition, lighting, editing, and other essential skills. These disciplines transitioned smoothly into visual effects and 3D animation.
Beyond his technical skills, William is a natural problem solver, as reflected in his love for chess. His strategic thinking and analytical acumen guide both his client work and personal projects. With a deep interest in the intersection of computers, art, and film, he has carved a niche in the industry. He creates stunning visuals for a diverse clientele, including indie filmmakers, engineering firms, law firms, and corporations. His portfolio includes demonstrative evidence and forensic animation for law firms, educational animations, visual effects for indie films, promotional animations, and architectural animations. William is the principal artist at Real Images Visual Effects, his creative venture.