First images, FINALLY.

Well, okay. This is a slow moving project. I started storyboarding it and then I watched Kill La Kill and realized quite a few elements were the same. I'm thinking of going the original route of the story again. When I first thought of Hahdko, it was more of a space story. A coworker got me into the Apollo missions somehow, so I'm exploring that as sort of an origin-you-never-get-to-see thing. But hey, I found her look for the most part! She's based off of a friend sorta:

  

I'm hoping the fact that she's absolutely not afraid to kick your ass comes through in her general body language, and I took her out of the 'tough' clothes she was wearing before because it felt too obvious I guess. What do I know. The armor is just concept right now. I laid it over the top of her base to get a feel for how it comes together and the pieces I want in it. I'm mostly happy my drawing skills haven't atrophied a ton like I thought, what with being a web designer and barely drawing at all.

But, yeah, this isn't going to be a film that's going to take more effort than its worth, if that makes sense. I'm not going to use a technique just because it's unique or innovative in this one–I'm going to use what I think will look the coolest and fit the theme. The theme that I DON'T HAVE. Storywriting tonight, yes! Honestly I have zero confidence I'll ever get to the animation phase unless I do what I did in high school and just jump in with both feet while hoping for the best. A step in the right direction might be not typing out long paragraphs of me blabbing so okay bye!

Hahdko

The name derives from the word 'Hardcore.' One of my friends has a bit of an accent and I kept making fun of her for it until it eventually became an actual word to me and wow I am a mean person. But it became a word of it's own, and then I went 'hey, what if there was a superhero named Hahdko? Nobody would understand unless they said it out loud!' Right now, it's an acronym. I only really have two words I know I want: Highly Advanced Heaven, Hella Defense, Dope Kernal Operator I also want there to be an ongoing joke where certain character (including the hero herself) will ask 'What does Hahdko mean, anyway?' only for the person who knows the answer to get cut off. The story is about a hero learning that real strength is in fighting for someone else. Cheesy as heck, but that's like a super simplified version of what I'm going for. I'm having trouble really finding something that'll grip the viewer. This is basically the film I've always wanted to make as a Tokusatsu fan, and I don't want to mess it up with a weak story. I'm not overly worried about the graphics, which will be a mix of 2/2.5/3D. Contemplating using Blender since I technically don't own Maya and the version I use will expire before I can finish. At the current point in time, I'm working on the girl's outfit still. I can't decide how I want her to represent herself to the world. I'm toying with the idea of giving her somewhat bright and pop punk clothing. I don't have a reason for her to dress that way though. I know for sure that I'm going to put things on her that I like though--for one, there's gonna be Zettai. So she's a superhero who fights vicious murderous bugs. I can't really delve too much into where her power came from becvause of the short time of the film and wow let's sotp here I'm sleepy.

It's been almost two years since my last post, and over a year since Mural was finished. Wow, time has flown. I'm frankly extremely proud of myself for making a film that, while not the best, is still pretty good. Here it is: I saw this blog on my Google account and decided to just put my new film's progress here. I mean, why not, right? I'll make my first official post about the project later!

oh

Three weeks left until school starts back and I'm a liiiittle behind. As it is, I have to rig both characters still. I mean, girl is ok, the boy hasn't even started. I'm thinking of just using the girl's skeleton and adjusting it to fit the boy instead of creating from scratch. Will probs do that actually. Yeah. ok. So basically, it'd take a day to get the character done and skinned. I could very well make it if I pushed really hard. Whoa exactly 21 days until school starts! this post is scrambled.

Did some texturing tests on the girl. She looks ok. Right now I am around 60-70% done with Senior 1. Just need to do texturing, some small modeling, some small UVing, and some small rigging stuff. That, plus putting things together like the sets and cameras and story poses. May also attempt to record some reference footage. Plan to start animating at the break, where I'll hopefully be able to finish at least 3 shots. that'll leave 12 for Senior 2...uh. Okay that SOUNDS scary but like three of the shots are really easy like one is literally just the camera looking around so I guess that leaves 9 for Senior 2. yeah ok it'll work out if I can animate one shot in senior 1 that'll be even BETTER. I think I'll have to develop a workflow where after I finish a shot, I start lighting/rendering/compositing it in order to not get too bogged down at the end? Esp. since I have to account for stupid hiccups that are bound to happen along the way.

Also I was gonna use ncloth but I was thinking of doing it the normal way with a wrap deformer :T I'm not sure how I want to do it yet, though. The girl's pants will def. be wrap deformers; that's all I know right now Her shirt will probably be ncloth, and the boy's whole wardrobe might be ncloth.

ok i can seriously type better than this but im just vomiting my plans out right now ok.

uh

Sup guys.

So, a month later. What do I have to show for myself? A lot.

Mostly finished modeling both characters (only small details here and there like eyebrows/clothing/placement issues are left), almost finished the assets (chair, football, and books left), and am beginning to think about starting UVing. UVing is a whole 'nother beast, though, so I definitely feel large amounts of trepidation going in to this. Need to read up on a few tutorials and muck around with that UV tool I found online at CreativeCrash. Not gonna bother thinking about rigging/blendshapes just yet, maybe in August depending on how UVing goes.

Aiming for at least character rigging done minus blendshapes, but we'll see how that goes I guess! I won't mess around too much with dynamics and the like until probably Senior 2, but there isn't that much dynamic work involved, anyway. Just ncloth and some hair things for the girl.

Okay enough here's a quick image I had saved out. Ignore the hair got a bit overeager in testing some things.

 

This is just the head, before adding nostrils. I may actually forgo nostrils, but the girl doesn't look quite right? Maybe I'll just make his smaller. But yeah this was just a little test for hair. It clashes right now but I'll work it out when I actually get to the texturing stage so.

There's a lot more I could show like basic ncloth tests and whatever, but I'm lazy right now. Until next month, maybe. Should post some stylistic things as inspiration.

Here we go.

Okay, production blog since I didn't make one for Concept class. Honestly, I was going to forgo this, but eh––I got bored.

Anyway:

Project Summary

Working Title: Mural

Format: 3D animation

Duration: 2 minutes

Theme: Art has the ability to form bonds between even the unlikeliest of people and can give more insight into a how a person really feels despite how they may look or act.

Objective: I want the short will drive home that there are more ways to express yourself than just
speaking, and that art can help us touch and understand each other on a deeper level
than words ever could. I also want the audience to understand that forming bonds and
going outside of your comfort zone is a choice that you as a person have to make, and
that no one else can make it for you.

Synopsis: A lonely, artistic shut-in manages to form an unlikely friendship without saying a single
word.

Producer & Director: Jeremy Samuel

Cast: Kira Buckland, Brittany Anne-Faith

Crew: Jeremy Samuel

Okay, I'm coming clean; I plan to do this whole film myself. Not because I don't want to collab; No, I know some people who could do the stuff I need and would gladly trade animation for modelling, rigging, etc.

It's mostly because that's always been the plan. From the time I applied to SCAD I was planning to make my entire film. I wanted to learn every part of the process and then use everything in my thesis. There are a multitude of reasons for this, one of them being that I want my film to fit in with Ringling's shorts (And beat them even :P), that I , and that I just enjoy learning and figuring things out.

The people I've told at SCAD have all raised their eyebrows in disbelief, but that's only like four people. I don't know, I've made a few films in my time, and though they weren't 3D, they were all a challenge and I managed to finish them myself. Maybe I'm overestimating this process? WHO KNOWS.

That's why I'm starting in the summer! I figure if I can get everything modeled and UV'd, I'll be on a good path. If I can get everything modeled, UV'd, and rigged (Which is only the character and chair), I'll be on a great path. If I can get everything modeled, UV'd, rigged, and textured, well, what's senior 1?

Right now, I have over half the objects modeled. However, the stuff that's left is mostly difficult :P Still have to model both characters, bed, dresser, other houses, books (loleasymode), newspaper (whyevenmentionsrsly), curtains, the set, and a sheet. Also the rolling chair, which is pretty darn important.


PROGRESS. My local library had an old copy of 'Stop Staring', so I'm thinking of reading that before I start in on modelling too much. Actually, I can start the body now. As soon as I finish icons for that game, I'll do that.

YEAH. As this is only the first week, I'm pretty pleased with how much I've gotten done so far. I think getting the set and houses down next week will really make me feel like I'm in a good place. Also need to start running some UVing tests and gathering textures. Ugh so much wtf.

TL;DR Aiming for HALF done with Senior 1 by the end of summer (All modeled/UV'd/rigged). Anything else is icing on the cake.

Okay okay that's it. Hopefully, the next update will include actual modeling images. Either that or I'll post some art direction stuff who knows. BYE.

The start of something amazing.