Thursday, March 24, 2011

Production Pipeline: Environment WIP 01

Here's the environment for the two actors and the models so far. Working out the depth of field still and may add a few more elements, but so far so good. Lemme know what you think because there's plenty more that could be done to improve this. :3 [recall it's supposed to be somewhat 'stylized' so I am trying to have a somewhat saturated 'realism' to the 'cartoon' look].

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Production Pipeline: Mimic WIP

Well, Mimic has come a long way but he's finally making moves! He has a tongue now and the textures look SOOOO much better. In addition, I'm going to add the remaining front teeth (looks odd without them), two handles, and two back hinges. Then it's off to making the joints for the tongue and lid and maybe a little bit of particles for spit? I dunno yet but the more I dream the more I love this project. :3 Lemme know your thoughts too and I'll credit you in my blogs!

Till Next Time,
     Randy Mappus

Monday, March 21, 2011

Environment Design: Tutorials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsOc9xQiAc4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3WG5m1uAVc&feature=related

http://the-area.com/tutorials/deforming_geometry_with_fluids_in_maya

Production Pipeline - Week 03

I'm still working on the storyboard (to be finished tonight or tomorrow) but the animatic is somewhat on the back burner due to actual filming having started this Sunday! [see below for an example]. The storyboard is quite rough so I plan on fixing it up with some color and better illustration soon (and then screen captures of my models asap). The shot sheet will also be completed tonight or tomorrow with each asset and camera movement. All beginning of models is underway and some are built but lack their special effects. Scratch track is in the wings but is lacking the special effect sounds for now as I keep developing the storyboard/animatic. Lots of work yet to do for Wednesday...already feeling behind schedule. Regardless, the project is underway and at this point it's polishing, editing, and combining.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

EDW Ind: Week 03

I have been unable to review Final Cut Pro as of yet but it would appear that it may be unnecessary. Soundtrack Pro on the other hand is still necessary and has been reviewed. I attempted to find MatchMover but learned that the Gnomon disks do not cover that topic. I will be asking Shaun Foster for assistance in learning and understanding the program. I have watched a tutorial from 2010's Autodesk MatchMover but it was not very helpful. Furthermore, I plan on asking if it is possible to have a tutorial in EDW about MatchMover.
I was able to watch Aaron Powell's tutorial on Green Screening techniques and have begun filming. I will likely need to try to capture more film this week to ensure I have all that I need. Resources are gathered and displayed in previous posts.
This week will entail a continuation of filming if needed, creation of the 3D environment, completion of the 3D models, starting their rigging, and starting the particles for each creature. If time, try to match footage perspective and study lighting/shadows in Maya.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Production Pipeline - Mimic Progress 3

Hit a snag. :/ [Deep dark secret time!!!] I'm not an expert texture artist. :0 I know; huge shock. Anyway, trying to make the wood have a depth (displacement map) but still have that toon shader look. If anyone knows how to help fix this I'd be very grateful. (PS I'm aware of the one side on the top not being fixed but I rather wait to fix it until the whole texture is ready)


- Tex

Production Pipeline - Mimic Progress 2

My heart stopped when I saw this render. Whoa what an improvement fog and color makes! And the shadows! :0 Anyway, Mimic is well on its way. Now to study MatchMover. :3

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Production Pipeline - Mimic Progress

The general idea of what the Mimic will look like. Still considering the eyes...but considering I want to stay fairly true to the original I may just leave them alone...though I really want some light fog coming from the box and likely some glow from the eyes to give it a more eerie feel. Reference below.

Production Pipeline - Design Document


3-4 Paragraph Narrative:
The idea behind the animation is a simple narrative following a warrior and a dark mage (any spell caster that isn’t focused on healing but rather attacking) who encounter two enemies: a slime creature based on the Dragon Warrior game for the NES and a Mimic from Dragon Quest or even Final Fantasy. The battle system is based on Final Fantasy X and explains what the audience sees as opposed to what the two characters see.
The characters aren’t aware they’re a game; rather, the audience is to believe they are in control of the characters and are actively interacting with the game world. As the battle continues, the characters make increasingly intuitive choices as to distance the user from the role of ‘God’ and hopefully make the characters seem more personable to get the audience to sympathize and perhaps incorporate themselves into the characters. Thus, when a character is damaged, the audience should feel as though they were damaged too.
To achieve this, the camera will take on several different perspectives but towards the end it will seem more ‘first person’ as to achieve that connection I seek. The idea is to have the audience determine, “is this character me?” or “am I controlling this stage and all its players?” The real interesting part is to see what role they play: are they warriors who step into battle with the characters or are they mages who sit back and observe from afar? Ideally people will take one of the other sides but not both and, on that same note, hopefully the room will be split on its decision.
In the end, the characters are victorious in their battle and the audience should be joyous…until there is the twist of the treasure chest not being a prize, but rather a trick to the audience to test their sense of adventure: “be ready for anything/be prepared”. The Mimic is the surprise element to keep the audience engaged and reward them for paying attention. After the Mimic is defeated, the party rejoices (as should the audience) and the animation is through thereafter. Simple and short but with what I hope to be a somewhat profound and entertaining clip at Live Action Role Playing.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Production Pipeline: Design Document


One Sentence Concept:
“A 30 second short animated parody of the classic RPG genre utilizing live film, 2D and 3D animation compositing.

One Paragraph Specific Description:
“The short will portray two actors; a warrior and a mage who battle a 3D ‘slime’ monster modeled after the Nintendo Entertainment System’s Role Playing Game: Dragon Warrior. The piece as a whole should have the same look and feel as classic turn-based RPG’s such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior and Dragon Quest, and Suikoden. The ‘slime’ is created using Maya’s Mental Ray rendering software to create such effects as caustics, a rigged face for animating, possibly particle effects to show a dripping/oozing effect or simple a separation of part of the slime, and finally realistic gelatinous textures with proper lighting. In addition to the ‘slime’, there is a chance for a 3D environment utilizing paint effects for a realistic grass effect that should animate as if there is a wind. Finally, the last elements to the piece are the live film actors utilizing green screen and interesting HDR camera movements as well as integrating the 2D dialogue boxes to toggle commands as any classic RPG would portray. These elements will all come together in After Effects with H264 compression.”

Weapon Concepts:




Fire Concepts:
Battle Screen Concepts:
Additional Monster Concept:

EDW: Independent Study Syllabus


-        Project week 1-5: green screen capture for RPG [2 live actors in a green screen composited with a 3D environment, a 3D weapon/particle fire and smoke, a 3D animated ‘slime’, and 2D motion graphics for ‘menu’ tabs]

Week 1: Decide what the project(s) will be and what undertaking will be used (AfterEffects, Watchout, Soundtrack Pro, MatchMover, [possibly MotionBuilder?], Final Cut Pro) and creating basic itinerary/outline for projects.

- Project 1 will utilize AfterEffects for compositing and Soundtrack Pro for all sounds/music. Final Cut Pro will be used to correct all footage for Green Screening and all footage will be passed through MatchMover due to complex camera moves.
- Project 2 will utilize MotionBuilder for capturing all motion, AfterEffects for compositing, Watchout for displaying the project, and a simple camera for the photograph. Soundtrack pro for music editing.

Week 2: Exploration of different Green Screen techniques and integration in AfterEffects (Aaron’s Tutorial). Exploration of MatchMover and how to integrate HD camera footage [rent out and watch Gnomon Disks]. Review Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro integrated with HD camera footage. Start shooting for Green Screen. [Begin production of assets – Production Pipeline] Gather references/inspiration.

Checking out the Gnomon this week for viewing MatchMover techniques. Meeting with group for work on Green Screening (find actress ASAP and work with Nick Nicely (Warrior)) Reviewing Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro. Inspiration attached.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKogQf9ooR8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obpGWK-1jAc&feature=related

'Slime'

This is the completed slime thus far. I have developed the texture procedurally inside Maya and hope to have a general rig for him done this week. The rig will allow his point to wiggle, his mouth to crease/open/close, and his eyes to blink. I'm also looking into adding an emitter from within his body to emit particles to symbolize bubbles. To finish him up I plan to add a jiggle deformer so he feels a little like 'Jell-o'. Otherwise, he's well on his way. Next up, weapons! :3

- Tex

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Production Pipeline - Week 01

The production has started! It's very exciting to have a rough idea of what the project will entail. So far the project will have two actors (one male and female): a warrior and a mage. These characters will be filmed in front of a green screen (learning that this week) and then integrated into a 3D environment (modeled by Nick Nicely). The warriors take on a classic RPG style as they battle a slime in a turn based manner. The slime is already nearing completion and will be rigged for animation this week. The next 3D items to be made are the bamboo pole (or maybe a club) and any sort of particles that will be added such as the mage's fireball.
This weeks agenda: create 'slime', finish storyboard, begin to film live actors (Nick Nicely and possibly Ciara O'Neill), review the 3D environment with Nick Nicely, create bamboo pole (or club), do any film editing of the green screen capture, learn Match Mover.

- Tex