Concept Development & Animation Post 3

In this third post of Concept Development & Animation I will be showing the Logos Designs I have done so far, Web Banner and Merchandise and designs of my Merchandise and more sketches of my Cyborg Character.

Logo Designs

In the last Concept Development & Animation blog post I showed the Logo Research I have done. Now I have got basic designs Logos done based from this research. Before I show it I just want to say that these Logo Designs are hand drawn. Once the Work in Progress Presentation is finished I will then create my Logo on the Computer with the Program called Photoshop.

Now here are the Logo Designs:

The Film will be called Cyborg Revolution. So the Initials on the Logo Designs above are based on this.

This Logo Design I tried making the Logo by editing each letter and trying to make them related to my Cyborg Character. However I decided not to push on with this design because I thought it was a bit overcomplicated for a simple logo.

This Logo Design I put the Intials in it again (CR = Cyborg Revolution) but I also added the head of my Cyborg Character. I decided to abandon this design because again I thought it looked strange and bit overcomplicated for a simple Movie Logo.

  

I based this Logo Design off the Marvel Logo I included in my Logo Research (on Post 2!). I like this Design the most. I am going to remake this Drawn Logo on Photoshop. Doing the final Logo on Photoshop on the computer is good because it makes the Logo look nice and professional.

Web Banner Research

What I also have to do for Cyborg Revolution Movie is create a Web Banner for it. So before I started making the Web Banner I did research of Web Banners in certain other films.

Here is the Web Banner Research I have done:

I haven’t done a design of my Film Banner yet. However in the forth Blog post of Concept Development & Animation I should have a design done by then. I will show it in that Blog Post.

Merchandise Research

What I have also got to do for my Film is create Merchandise that is advertising my Film.

Before I did this I did some research on Popular merchandise on specific films.

Here is the Research:

T-Shirts

First off all I looked at T-Shirts that Advertise certain films:

Lunchboxes

I then researched Lunchboxes:

Cups/Glasses

I haven’t done any designs of Merchandise yet. However in the forth Blog post of Concept Development & Animation I should have the designs done by then. I will show it in that Blog Post.

Cyborg Sketches

Since the last Post of Concept Development & Animation I have done more sketches of my Cyborg Character.

Here are the latest sketches I have done:

Post Production and Visual Effects (Third Post)

In this third post of Post Production and Visual Effects, I will be showing my Project Proposal (Pitch Presentation) and my Pre-Production Pack.

Project Proposal

In this part I will show you my Project Proposal and the content that was in my Presentation.

Title of the Project

Title of my Project is called Search for the Artefact. The Project involves a Ninja and his adventure of searching for an ancient Artefact that is capable of giving an individual incredible power.

Story of the Project

The film starts with the Ninja walking past the Dojo on a rainy day. As the ninja is walking he finds a note on the floor. The note turns out to directions of where to find an ancient Artefact that is capable of giving someone incredible power. The note also says that the Artefact is located in the woods. Just when the Ninja is about is go he senses some danger lurching. So he quickly retreats to the woods using his smoke bomb. Once the Ninja arrives at the woods thunder starts to occur. The bolts of the thunder are aimed at the Ninja. The Ninja uses his skills to evade the bolts and finds the artefact. However the artefact turns out to be a fake and is actually a bomb. The Ninja quickly drops the bomb and runs away. As he is running the explosion occurs in the background.

Storyboard

Here is the 2 Pages that show the Storyboard of the Project:

Ninja drawings and Mood boards

Now I will explain to you the design of the Ninja. So before I started drawing the Ninja I did some Mood boards to help me in designing the concept of my Ninja. Here is the mood boards:

I researched Ninja ones get to see what clothing I can give the Ninja. Also wanted to give my Ninja a hood aswell which explains why I researched designs of Assassin’s creed characters.

Here are the rough of the Ninja I did based on these mood boards:

  

I think this drawing I did of the Ninja is how I want my Ninja to look in my film.

Actor and Filming setting

The person will be playing the Ninja will most probably be me. I will find other people to see if they want to be the Ninja in my film but as of now I shall be playing the Ninja.

I will be filming the movie on the Leeds Beckett University Campus. I may look at another setting to film but at the moment I will be filming on the University Campus.

The Ninja will probably be dressed in all black (black jeans, shoes, hood, etc) or I will get a Ninja costume. Haven’t decided yet.

Dojo Mood boards and concepts

At the start of the film I plan for the Ninja to walk past a dojo at the start of the film. In order to do this I need use the visual effect called 3D Matte Painting which will allow me to create a dojo and place it on the still image of the Campus Field.

Before I drew the rough concept of the dojo I did some research on Mood boards. Here they are:

Here is the rough concept of the dojo I did based on these mood boards:

Here is the rough concept in colour:

Visual Effects

In my previous blog post of Post Production and Visual Effects I showed you my research on Visual Effects.

I came to a decision of what Visual Effects I want to use in my Project.

Here are the Visual Effects I decided to use:

Particle Simulation

Particle Simulation can be used to create a smoke simulation. This allows me to make the ninja do the smoke bomb technique. I will be using the program called Adobe After Effects to create this effect.

Fluid Simulation

Fluid Simulation is used for realistic animations. Explosions are a common animation used in this and this why I am using Fluid Simulation for the explosion at the end of the film.  I will also be using Adobe After Effects to create this effect.

3D Matte Painting

3D Matte Painting is good because it creates an illusion on the Leeds Beckett Field campus. This allows me to use 3D and create a Dojo and put in the picture. I will create the dojo on 3DS Max and then put the dojo into my film with 3D Matte Painting. I am going to create this effect in the program called Nuke.

Chroma Keying

Chroma Keying is good because it saves time. Saves me time waiting for rain and instead it allows me to edit rainfall and thunder into the film. I am going to be using the program called Nuke to edit rainfall and thunder into my project.

Colour Grading

Colour Grading is good. My film is going to be a serious film. So in that type of film I want a darker blend of colour. Colour Grading can do this for me. Also colour can reflect on the emotion of the film. I am going to using the program called Nuke to do Colour Grading.

Gantt Chart

Here is the Gantt Chart I created:

I created this Gantt Chart because it lists the tasks I need to do in order to make the film and it shows the duration of each task and it shows me what weeks I plan to get each task done.

Concept Development & Animation Post 2

In this second blog of Concept Development and Animation I am going to show the research I have done for my Cyborg and Logo research I have done. I am also going to show you my early sketches I have done of the Cyborg so far.

Cyborg Character Research

Here is the Moodboard for my Cyborg Character:

This Picture above is the basically the breakdown of a Robot. I used this Picture to help me make the Anatomy of my Cyborg.

The Picture above is basically the breakdown of the Human body. My Cyborg character is going to be part human and part robot. So the two pictures above (Human and Robot Anatomy) will be used for the purpose of giving a rough idea of how I will make my Cyborg looked part human and part robot.

This Picture I have used for my moodboard because it helps me see the difference between a Robot and a Human. Also the Cyborg I am going to be making is humanoid. This is part Human and part Robot. Also this Picture shows the Terminator which is a humanoid robotic character. So this Picture will help me in developing my Cyborg Character.

The two pictures above are the Cyborg character from DC Comics. Again like the previous Picture (Terminator) this character is part human and part robotic which is what I also aim to make my Cyborg become (part human and robotic). So these pictures will give a good and clear idea of how I am going to create my Cyborg Character.

This is another picture of a Robot from the Terminator. This picture will be used to help me find out I am going to design the Robotic parts of my Cyborg Character.

This is another picture of a Robot. I will use this picture to help me make my Cyborg look humanoid aswell as robotic.

This is a Picture of Robocop. Again like the previous pictures of the DC Cyborg and Terminator this character is part human and part robotic which is what I also aim to make my Cyborg become (part human and robotic). So like the previous pictures this  picture will give me a good and clear idea of how I am going to create my Cyborg Character.

This picture can be used to help me design the front view of my Cyborg Character.

Early Sketches of Cyborg Character

After doing this research I then moved on and started doing sketches of my Cyborg character. Now I will show you the early sketches of the Cyborg that I have done so far.

These are all the early sketches I have done of the Cyborgs. Each Post I will show the progress I am doing on the design of my Cyborg Character.

Logo Research

Next I moved on doing research on different logos. I did this research to give me an idea of how I am going to design my Logo for my Cyborg Film.

Here is Logo Moodboard:

In my next blog post of Concept Development & Animation I should have some of my Logo designs. I will show them in Post 3.

Animation Part

In the Animation part of the Concept Development & Animation Assignment I have to make Ten short Animations of my Cyborg Character and then once I have done this I need to make a report and explain how the principles of Animation can applied to each Animation and how each Animation relates to my Cyborg Character.

So far I have created ten reference videos to help me make my ten animations for my Cyborg. That is all I have done so far in the Animation side of this Assignment. I would show the Ten reference videos here but I cannot post Video Files on WordPress.

Post Production and Visual Effects (Second Post) Visual Effects

In this second post of Post Production and Visual Effects I will be showing you my Visual Effects research.

At this moment in time I haven’t thought of a plan or story for my project. First thing I am going to be doing is researching Visual Effects that I can possibly use in my project.

Here is the research:

Particle Simulations

A Particle Simulation is a visual effect technique that is used in games physics and computer graphics. This technique uses a big amount of very small sprites to simulate certain kinds of phenomena.

Common examples of Phenomena that are replicated by using Particle Simulations are fire, explosions, and smoke, moving water, sparks, falling leaves, clouds, fog, snow, dust, meteor trails, stars and galaxies.

Cloud Simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGYORQU4FfI

Video example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPi6ZoAVj_4

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_system#Simulation_stage

Fluid Simulations

Fluid Simulation is a visual effect technique that is used in computer graphics for creating realistic animations. The animations that are normally simulated with this technique are water, smoke, explosions and other related objects.

Fire Fluid Simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgoDypGMV50

Smoke Fluid Simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Zq-JaBLug

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_simulation

3D Matte Painting

Matte Painting is a painted representation of a landscape set or distant location that enables the film makers to create an illusion environment that doesn’t exist in real life.

Example Video of 3D Matte Painting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87wgUqjl_IE

Info from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matte_painting

Digital Compositing

Digital Compositing is a visual effect technique that digitally assembles multiple images to make a final image, motion pictures or screen display.

Digital Composting example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QqUf–6f0U

Info from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_compositing#Software

Chroma Keying

Chroma Keying is a visual effects technique that is used for combining two frames or images by replacing a colour or a colour range in one frame with that from another frame.

Chroma Keying is mainly used in films to replace blue or green screen background with computer-generated scenes.  The advantage of Chromo Keying and why it is used so much is because it is cheaper to do this rather than shooting in expensive or inaccessible locations.

Chroma Keying Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a21_WMiTAVE

Info from: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/476/chroma-key

Roto-scoping/Masking

Roto-scoping (in animation) is a visual effects technique that enables you to make animation that mimics live action video.

A good example of this is a live actor may be filmed to do a series of actions and the animator would then have the digital character mimic the actions of the human actor for a realistic animated scene.

Info from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/rotoscoping.html

Video Example of Rotoscoping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bX3fCQPs5I

Multi Pass Compositing

Multi Pass Compositing is a visual effect technique that separates a rendered image into elements. Every element represents property of the rendered scene. So rendering into elements gives you the chance to modify these properties separately in compositing for faster combinations into the background plate.

These elements are often known as passes. This term comes from the times when each separated property of the rendering had to be rendered in a separate step (pass).

Info from: http://vfxpedia.com/index.php?title=FAQ/Combining_3D_Passes#Short_Multi-Pass_Formula

Video of Multi Pass Compositing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loYIhzGkzsk

Colour Grading

Colour Grading (also known as colour correction) is a visual effects technique that changes and enhances the colour of a motion picture, video image or still image either electronically, photo chemically or digitally.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_grading

Video of Colour Grading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS6Tw5UT-8s

 

3D Camera Projection

3D Camera Projection is a visual effects technique where you use a light to shine through a piece of footage and project the image onto any 3D layers in your scenes.

Info from: http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/after-effects-3d-projection

Video of 3D Camera Projection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=121LECJZ2zg

Deep Data Compositing

Deep Data Compositing is a new way of compositing and rendering digital images. In addition to the usual colour and opacity channels a notion of depth is created. This enables multiple samples in the depth of the image to make up the final resulting colour. This technique has been producing really successful quality results.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_image_compositing

 

Camera Tracking

Camera Tracking is a visual effects technique that is mainly used in the film industry. Camera Tracking is used to allow the inserting of computer graphics into live action footage with correct position, scale, orientation and motion relative to the photographed objects in the shot.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_moving

Video example of Camera Tracking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3Jp27Vq0U

 

Digital Doubles

Digital Doubles is the creation/re-creation of a human being in image and voice using computer-generated imagery and sound that is often different from the real actor.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_actor

Video example of Digital Double: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX–qmabOqI

Camera Stabilisation

Camera Stabilisation is a device that is designed to hold the camera in a manner that prevents any unnecessary camera movements which is often known as camera shake.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_stabilizer

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKfscaT_8l4

3D Environment Development (First Post)

This is my first post of 3D Modelling.

In this post I will be explaining to you what my assignment is about and what I plan to get for the second post for 3D Modelling.

Assignment

In this Assignment we have to develop a 3D Interior Environment using 3D Modelling techniques. We have to create assets for our environment, which require modelling, textures and lighting. This will be supported by a development log and final rendered images of the environment.

Concept PDF

First thing we have to do is a Concept PDF. So basically before I can begin modelling my 3D interior environment I must prepare my concept. This research will justify my chosen theme and support the development of the interior.

This Concept PDF needs to include the following:

• Clear Outline of your theme
• Research on the theme
• Designs/Concepts Sketches
• At least four prototypes scene assets and test renders
• Project Plan

Plans for Second Post

The things I will show in my second post of 3D Modelling is the following:

• Theme Idea
• Research on my Theme Idea
• Some designs/sketches

Post Production and Visual Effects (First Post)

This is my first post for the Post Production and Visual Effects.

In this post I will be explaining what I have to do in the assignment and what I plan to have done by the second time I post for Post Production and Visual Effects.

Assignment

In this assignment we have to produce an original post production/visual effects sequence/shot of your choice using both 2D and 3D layers. Film has to be 30-60 seconds long.

The film must include Video, Still Image and a 3D/CGI Image sequence.

Pitch Presentation

First thing we have to do is make a Pitch Presentation. This Presentation needs to clearly outline the projects basis and implementation, along with relevant Gantt charts, moodboards, story boards and production plans.

So basically the pitch is just explaining your film idea, the visual effects you want to use in it and why. Also showing your time management and storyboards, etc.

We have to present this Pitch Presentation for the week commencing on the 13th of October 2014.

Plans for the 2nd Post

What I plan to show you in my second post of Post Production and Visual Effects is the following:

• My Project Idea
• Project Name
• Research on Visual Effects
• Explain which Visual Effects I plan to use in my film and explain why I’m putting them into my film.
• Moodboards
• Storyboards
• Time Management (Production Plans)

Concept Development & Animation Post 1

I am now into my second year at University.

This is my first Week of Concept Development and Animation. In this blog entry I will be explaining about the subject and what the assignment is about and also what I will do for Week 2.

The assignment for Concept Development & Animation is split into two parts. These are Preproduction Concept Package and Animation.

Preproduction Concept Package

In this part of the assignment I need to develop a preproduction concept package suitable for use in an industry level presentation pitch. This needs to include an illustrated original character design, and relevant branded promotional material.

I can choose to base my project around the movie, games or advertising industry. I will need to conduct in-depth research and development into the requirements of my chosen industry and suitable methods of communication my ideas to my target audience. I also should include a review of existing character concept design.

After 6 weeks (3rd November 2014) I need to present my concept and branding in an informal Class Presentation.

What I have to do is create a series of character concepts based on my research. As part of this development I need to consider the overall look of the character, including the anatomical structure. I should also consider the motion of the character and how the animation principles can be applied to it.

So basically in this presentation I will be presenting an early version of my development work to my tutor as a work in progress presentation.

My Plans

I plan to base my project around the Movie Industry. The character I plan to create is a humanoid Cyborg/Android.

Work done by Week 2

The work I intend to be done before I blog again (next week in week 2) is the planning. Basically I plan to do plenty of research. This research will be researching pictures of Cyborgs and Androids is to help create and develop my character. I also plan to research different types of logos to help me with creating a Logo.

Once I feel I have done enough research for my character, I will do early sketches of my Character and show you them for Week 2.

So basically what I plan to do between now and Week 2 is lots of research.

Animation

Now I will discuss the Animation side of this Assignment.

The Animation part is the second part of the Assignment.

Basically after I done my character research on my Cyborg character, I then need to consider specific motion and how the principles of animation can be applied to my character.

I must show reference to real world human or animal motion. This should be developed into a full motion study for my character.

This needs to be submitted by the 9th of November 2014.

The Final Film

Once we finished the animating of the Werewolf we moved onto putting the werewolf into the film. First of all I’m going to explain about the animations

Animations

All these animations we did were done on 3DS Studio Max.

The animation we did was the Werewolf running (this animation is going in the bit when the actor is running away from the werewolf).

Here is the animation of the Werewolf running:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6_jUF3jZ4k

We also did one of the Werewolf breathing right in front of the actor. Here is the animation of the Werewolf breathing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osxV5wuKrRQ

We did another animation of the werewolf walking towards the actor when the actor was hiding by the building.

Putting the werewolf into the Film

After we completed the animations we put the Werewolf into the film. How we did this was quite simple. We edited the film in After Effects. So once we completed the animations on 3DS Max we rendered them and put them onto After Effects and we put the animations into the scenes they were going to appear in the film. Once we completed the editing we rendered the film and uploaded it onto Youtube.

Here is the film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX6VTTX155Y

I really enjoyed this Group project. It was very interesting. It was tough working in a group compared to working solo. In a group you have to do a lot more organising. Organising as in time management, splitting the work and being responsible for your part of the work in the group. However it was a good experience because in quite a few jobs these days you have to be able to work in a group.

Film with Sound effects and Music

Before we put the Werewolf into the film we had to find some sound effects and music to fit the mood of the film. As the film we were creating was going to be a horror we researched werewolf/wolf noises, scary sound effects and horror music.

The first sound effect we found was a Werewolf breathing. We wanted to put this sound effect at the start of the film when the actor was walking and the werewolf was watching the actor. As the camera at that point was the werewolf’s point of view we wanted to add the breathing sound effect to make it look like the werewolf was watching the actor.

The next sound effect we found was a Wolf howling. We wanted this sound effect in the film to make the actor take his headphones off which makes him investigate where the noise was coming from.

The last sound effect we researched was a Wolf attacking. We wanted to add this sound effect at the end of the film when the werewolf has found the actor and then starts to attack the actor.

After we researched sound effects we looked at what music we can add into the film. Obviously we researched horror music. The one we used was the intro music from the film called The Shining. We played this music throughout the whole film. We thought this was the best music to used because it sounded scary (as it is from a horror film) and it fits the mood of the film.

We have referenced the Music and Sound effects in a Word document.

Once we put in the sound effects and music into the film we then rendered the film and uploaded it to Youtube.

Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYllpAqIwws&feature=youtu.be

Werewolf Sculpt

We then moved on and started creating the sculpt for our Werewolf creature. We created the sculpt of our Werewolf creature on Sculptus. We created the Werewolf sculpt on Scultpus because in class we have had lessons on Sculptus and how to create a sculpt for a creature. We found this quite good to use so we decided to use the Scultptus program to create the sculpt of our Werewolf.

The Sculpt was very difficult to make. It was also very time consuming as it took us 2-3 weeks to get complete. One of the main reasons it took awhile for us to complete the Werewolf sculpt was because our file with the Werewolf sculpt got corrupted and we couldn’t open it. Luckily we had a back up of the Werewolf sculpt but it wasn’t the latest one. So it took us an extra week to get the sculpt finished. This has taught us a lesson that when we save our work we have to make sure we backup it up at the same time.

Here are some screenshots of the Final sculpt of the Werewolf for our film:

Once we finished the sculpt we opened it up on 3DS and we rigged it and then started to animate it for our film. I’ll explain the film editing in another blog post.