EDW Week 4: Green Screen and Motion Capture

Nothing much to add here. All filming was performed in advance and I'm still working through production pipeline to add all the elements for rendering. I'm currently working with Nick Nicely to create a giant wall of green screening or possibly just a floor for the current green screen sweep. In addition, I hope to use the remaining paint that we bought to create a wall for my own apartment where I can film in my own home! Exciting things happening with green screening under Marla Schweppe's guidance. In addition, I hope to have a camera for this coming weekend to test the paint color and the wall or floor. Depends on our availability when the wall or floor will be done but pictures of our progress will be posted shortly.
Starting this week: Motion Capture. I'll be asking Halbstein for assistance in this if I can't reach Kirk Lansman.
Concept: Take a photograph of my clean kitchen and model a cereal box and jug/bottle/carton of milk. Capture motion of two actors moving around and attach motion to the models as they dance on the counter top. Matching perspective and applying lighting/shadows is the challenge here. Interest is not on tracking motion, but rather capturing motion and applying it to a model.

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].

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

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.

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.

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