31/03/2015

Today i wanted to stay in bed and rest and the advisement of the doctor.... however i didn't want to let the group down, beside from feeling like absolute garbage, i have made progress in terms of the edge flow and topology:

30/03/2015

Today was terrible for me as my sickness has worsened and i have had to take half the day off to go see a doctor.

28 - 29/03/2015

Over the weekend i have developed a viral infection possibly 'Mumps" which has impacted tremendously on my logical thinking and problem solving, this has caused me to take allot longer to achieved what i would have otherwise done in a lesser amount of time. I have however blocked out 'Tubbs' in maya aside from the poor topology:

27/03/2015

Today was a good day for progress of the layout which we actually finished all the blocking of each shots in all scenes, as a group we had made allot of achievements in terms of communication among each other and the directions of work we are headed. I will be starting on modelling 'Tubbs' this weekend for my next job.

26/03/2015

Today i had started with layout animation with Jonathan. Some progress had been made in terms of timing.

25/03/2015

Today (Yesterday) was a slow progression for the fact that we have had major miscommunication in the group which i think we have now resolved and are still working on pushing these pathetic problems aside for the greater good of the team. I had managed to produce a little bit of work despite the annoyance of the days problems ringing in my head consistently; however some work had been done:
Rough sketches and silhouettes for the cat:

24/03/2015

Today was a little uneventful due to the fact of the group having split opinions on what style we are leaning towards. The aesthetics of the story are much more clear now due to Gino's awesome work from lastnight, now we are experimenting with styles of textures and lighting for the proposal of style, in which hopfully we can decide on tomorrow.

 I had done a quick simulation of water interacting with geometry using nParticles converted into polygons for a demonstration to the group:

Just realized that the look frame we are doing will required more work then expected so will be posting progress as it comes daily.

23/03/2015: Start of group project; Saving the Day

Today we have had a few discussions over the continuity of the projects story with good results and still more to clarify. We did however come to conclusions of particular points in the story with a few aspects to sum up, mainly a key moment when the main character initiates himself unto the next key scene which is becoming disarrayed with multiple options we are able to do. Deciding on that key moment will be the groups focus today. Yesterday i had done a few thumbnail silhouettes for different kinds of trees, and also a rough sketch of an upshot for a tree.

21 - 22/03/2015: Weekend before submission

Over the weekend was crucial for last ditch attempts of touch ups for the Performance study, i had adjusted tangents in the graph editor and applied offsets to a few gestures with the success of a better performance.

My playblast at the start of the weekend:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSYy1YM2xrYzlFV0k&authuser=0

Rendered animation at the end of the weekend:

Link:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSb1d1MzVqNHFJSzg&authuser=0

Video:

20/03/2015

Last work day before submissions on monday, i have refined poses and gestures a bit more with the help of critique from other students and lecturers and have come to a good stand point. I still think there is alot i can do in the matter of smoothing, holding poses, weight balancing etc. here is the playblast of todays progress:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSSE14dEVZcFQ5bUE&authuser=0

19/03/2015

Yesterday i spent most of the night a the uni with great progress. The playblast i have done as more solidified postures and fluent movements, still has a bit to go to improve:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSTGNkekwycjNvXzg&authuser=0


I have come across the most inspiring CGI trailer i have ever pondered to imagine, this video gives me goosebumps every time i see it and is an aspiring target for any 3D CGI artist. Unbelievably realistic with breathtaking action, inspired by the possibility of the Leviathan existing somewhere in the realm of existence!!!

Video Link: The Leviathan - Teaser

18/03/2015

Today was more focused on the group project and getting some grounding with the teamates; i have made a playblast of what progress i had made to the Performance study animation:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSMXV0NDNoaG02Tkk&authuser=0

17/03/2015

Today (Yesterday), i had smoothed out the poses i already had and am now working on strong gestures for the appropriate look:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUST3JGRlNCSllScGM&authuser=0

Performance Study:

Over the weekend i had started work on my performance study in which i had blocked out the lip sync and tried out a few differenct gestures and poses, here is a playblast of my first attempt on sunday:

Test1: 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSRUVJZnZiWUUyTmM&authuser=0

16/03/2015

Today i had worked on the performance study some more and have attempted another gesture with the animation:

Test2:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSX2s0RlEtMWVTSlk&authuser=0

Today i have finished my PitchPack:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSRnhFVUZHWWxad00&authuser=0

Final day to complete PitchPack

11/03/2015

Last night i finished my storyboards and this morning i have managed to compile the rough animatic with suitable timing. Today i will be aiming to finish and compile together the Pitch pack.

 

 

As of at Lunch i had jsut finish a quick colour key for the Boss and am working on a model sheet at the moment.

 I have just completed the Modelsheet Turnaround for the Boss:

Because i have chosen the design for the Boss, i quickly  sculpted rough what i see him looking like, in Mudbox:

  

I put together reference images for Kassler:

As of at the end of the day 9:00pm i have completed everything i need too and am now working on the PitchPack

Storyboard/Animatic

10/03/2015

Late lastnight i finish my first page of my storyboard an just about finish page 2, hoping to have the complete storyboard done by today and finish animatic today too.

Animatic:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7P39Rgb_FUSVll0bU1BeE5TQ0k&authuser=0

Also done a really rough quick sketch of the open road scene lastnight...

By the end of today i have roughly finish the majority of storyboard pages and will be finish the last one soon. Although they are not 100% complete, i will be finessing them tonight as well as starting the (and hopfully finishing) the animatic :)

Finalizing Story Script: Draft Three

09/03/2015

Today i had spent all day trying to clarify my script in which i had to rewrite a few times with the help of the lecturers i managed to cut the story back to its bare minimum. I am happy with the way it turned out, however i do think it is well too short but we will see how i can elaborate on it during storyboarding. 

"Rotten"

(Draft Three)

By Sean Davies

21 Whitaker Place, Grafton, Auckland 1010

0278004787

Vala_purity@Hotamail.com

FADE IN:

EXT. POLICE CAR - DAY

Kassler and Boss are discussing job.

Boss: “Wait here while i sort this guy out”

Boss leaves car and heads towards the house with Kassler waiting in the car.

Kassler hears a gunshot.

The Boss gets back to the car in a hurry as he says:

Boss: “lets go”

Boss is driving while Kassler is feeling uncomfortable.

Kassler: “What happen in there Boss?”

The Boss begins to drive faster and faster, he peers out the window then glances from his seatbelt to Kassler.

Boss: “I know what your thinking, but its not what it looks like. ”

With the Boss driving at high speeds and heading towards an on coming truck.

Kassler: “Why are you doing this? ”

Kassler then dives out of the moving car just before it collides with the truck in a big explosion. .

EXT. ROAD SIDE – DAY

Kassler begins to regain consciousness only to see the wreck.

With Kassler confused and upset, he stumbles to run away.

The cocking of a guns hammer is heard.

A guns muzzle is pointed at his head.

Screen blacks out.

Loud gunshot.

END

With the majority of the previous weeks hard work i had put into sculpting and otherwise now irrelivent to the story, its time to start anew.  



I have just done a few rough silhouettes for the Boss character and will be doing more plus concepts as well as start the storyboard once i have a design i feel compliments the story.

 

 

I had also done another concept in mudbox for Kassler:

Today i had recored my dialogue for the performance study even though i cant upload the audio....

Weekend work, 07/03 - 08/03/2015

During this weekend i had caught a bad chest infection, here is what i had done during the weekend:

i finished a second draft of my story's script in which i will be getting critique from the lecturers today to further develop and clarify the story.

"Rotten"

(Draft Two)

By Sean Davies

21 Whitaker Place, Grafton, Auckland 1010

0278004787

Vala_purity@Hotamail.com

FADE IN:

INT. POLICESTATION, BOSS OFFICE – MORNING

Kassler is sitting at his Boss's desk eagerly awaiting his orders.

Boss leaning in towards Kassler with partial light from behind him casting heavy shadows in front.

BOSS: “Kassler, as you are aware, crime is at an all time high. I need your help in taking these criminals out”

EXT. POLICE CAR, OUTSIDE VICTIM HOUSE – DAY

Kassler is in the passenger seat mulling over the happenings of the case with the Boss.

KASSLER: “So Boss, what exactly has this criminal done for you to want him caught so badly?"

The Boss glances at Kassler with a look of distain and repugnance.

BOSS: “He is just someone that needs to be taken out”.

Double checking that they both have everything they need, they leave the car and head towards the house.

EXT. VICTIM HOUSE, OUTSIDE – DAY

The Boss sees a window open and indicates for Kassler to follow.

Hesitantly moving towards the window, Kassler looks at the front door for a moment in a questionable glance.

INT. VICTIM HOUSE, INSIDE – DAY

Once inside, the Boss goes ahead and inspects every inch of the house with Kassler following right behind him.

Kassler notices that this house is of an ordinary appearance with nothing giving any indication of anything sinister whatsoever.

As they both make there way towards the bedroom, Kassler sees a lot of things that have null importance to any sorts of crime, he then begins to look at his Boss with a dubious impression.

INT. VICTIM HOUSE, BEDROOM – DAY

Both officers barge through the door, the unwitting victim jumps out of bed with his hands as far up in the air as they go and a surprised look on his face.

BOSS: “Where's the drugs?” the Boss screams while taking small items out of his coat and tossing them on the floor in front of the victim. “What is this then?” As he takes out more paraphernalia off his person and throws them on the floor he asks in a sarcastic manner, “So this is what you have been hiding? I think we have what we need, take him away Kassler.”

KASSLER: “But sir didn't you just take those out of your...”

The Boss interrupts abruptly as Kassler is about to let the truth out.

BOSS: “Shut up Kassler, get this piece of shit out of my sight”.

Kassler then arrests the innocent victim and walks off towards the police car with a look of disagreement towards his Boss.

EXT. POLICE CAR, OUTSIDE VICTIM HOUSE – DAY

In the car, Kassler questions the victim about what had just happened. The victim then describes how he was woken up to them barging in and has never taken drugs in his life, he described himself as simple and loyal.

Kassler then having a realization (accompanied with flashbacks of key moments about the Boss's deception), stops the car, lets the victim out and then speeds off towards the police station with a vengeful look in his eyes, determined to confront the Boss about his discovery.

EXT. POLICE CAR, ON ROAD – AFTERNOON

As Kassler is just about at the station, he notices that someone has been following him for a while. The car that has been following him gradually catches up which then rams him with the force of a rhino. Kassler realizes that the person in the car is his Boss.

BOSS: “No one can know about this Kassler, I must get rid of you!!!”

KASSLER: “You used me Boss, People deserve to know the truth”

With the Boss steaming in anger about his employee discovery the truth behind his agenda and possibly destroying his career, he desperately shunts Kasslers car in a last minute effort to stop him.

Both cars spin wildly out of control, flipping and rolling multiple times until they come to a stop in a pile of crushed metal.

EXT. ROAD, CAR CRASH – NIGHT

Kassler is seen gradually making his way out of the car, covered in blood and badly injured.

As he stumbles away from the crash scene, he turns around for just a moment to sees his Boss torn apart, hanging halfway out of the front windscreen with his entrails around him.

Kassler sighs in releif.

INT. POLICESTATION, KASSLERS OFFICE – MORNING

Kassler is at his desk with his face in his hands, his mind aimlessly wondering as he continues to debate about what happened the night before.

As soon as he begins to remember why his Boss tried to kill him, he feels a tap on his shoulder followed by a small paper note with a message, gently falling in front of him.

Kassler instantly recognizes where he has seen those note from, with a flashback of the first scene of Kassler at his Boss's desk; the stack of small notes are clearly identifiable next to the boss.

Confused, he quickly turns around expecting to see his Boss, however he dose not see his Boss; instead his eyes are drawn to his Boss's offices door.

With tunnel vision he walks to his Boss's office as if something was pulling him in.

He slowly opens the door of the dimly lit room, only to see his Boss's office completely untouched, except for his stack of small notes, pen and chair.

As Kassler makes his way closer to the desk, he sees the markings of blood on the desk and chair as if someone with a life threatening injury attempted to write a message.

Kassler glimps at the writing on the note;

The message on the note to Kassler from his Boss says:

“ If you tell anyone, I will kill you. I am everywhere

-Your Boss.”

Kassler drops the note; the door slams shut.

FADE OUT:

END

I had also done a quick rough concept of a the boss and will be further making concepts.

Finalizing Concepts1

06/03/2015

In the early hours of this morning i managed to complete a rough stylized concept.
I attempted to use hard sharp edges to emphasized certain features as well as hard shadows.

I feel that as I fine tune this style it could potentially become quite nice to look at.

Created another stylized concept using the skinny base model i created the other day, this time i use curved lines for the appeal of a softer, cunning disposition:

I have just come up with a couple of script ideas for the performance study:

Performance Study Script:

#1-

FADE IN:

INT. TABLE, CHAIR, CUP, COASTER

Character is impatiently sitting, tapping his fingers or fidgeting etc. waiting for something to happen.

Frustrated he then flips the table.

Character: “No, your out of order!”

END

#2-

FADE IN:

INT. TABLE, CHAIR, CUP, COASTER

Character is seen leaning in towards cup in an intimidating manner, he then slide the coaster towards the cup and says “So, are you going to tell me the truth?”.

Frustrated at the incompetence of the cup he flips the table over and pounces onto the cup screaming “Stop resisting”.

END

As at the end of today i have half finished a second draft of my story:

"Rotten"

(Draft Two)

By Sean Davies

21 Whitaker Place, Grafton, Auckland 1010

0278004787

Vala_purity@Hotamail.com

FADE IN:

INT. STATION, BOSS OFFICE – MORNING

Kassler sitting at boss's desk eagerly awaiting his orders.

Boss leaning in towards Kassler with partial light from behind him casting heavy shadows in front.

BOSS: “Kassler, as you are aware, crime is at an all time high. I need your help in taking these criminals out”

EXT. POLICE CAR, OUTSIDE HOUSE – DAY

Kassler is in the passenger seat mulling over the happenings of the case with the Boss.

KASSLER: “So Boss, what exactly has this criminal done for you to want him caught so badly?"

The Boss glances at Kassler with a look of distain and repugnance.

(# = Options + Number)

BOSS:#1 “.... some sick shit....”, #2 “He's in my way”

Double checking that they both have everything they need, they leave the car and head towards the house.

The Boss sees a window open and indicates for  Kassler to follow.

Hesitantly moving towards the window, Kassler looks at the front door for a moment in a questionable glance.

Once inside, the Boss goes ahead and inspects every inch of the house with Kassler following right behind him.

Kassler notices that this house is of an ordinary appearance with nothing giving any indication of anything sinister whatsoever.

As they both make there way towards the bedroom, Kassler sees a lot of things that have null importance to any sorts of crime, he then begins to look at his Boss with a dubious impression.

.............

Have also done one quick thumbnail of roughly how i invision the establishing shot to look.

Will be updating post after the weekend with my finished second draft and whatever else i end up doing. :)

Concepts

05/03/2015

This morning i have sourced a few images in conjunction with some concepts i will be doing for the boss:

Created another concept for Boss character:

I have just created a quick concept for Kassler:

Done a rough render to see what it would look like:

(I am not pleased with the way it turned out, 2d is not my strong point)

Story Script: Draft one

04/03/2015

 Today i finalized my first draft of my stories script and is as follows:

"Rotten"

By Sean Davies

21 Whitaker Place, Grafton, Auckland 1010

0278004787

Vala_purity@Hotamail.com

FADE IN:

INT. STATION, KASSLER OFFICE – DAY

Kassler looks over from his upper story office at the calm streets with a self embrace of pride and honor for his achievements as a law enforcer.

Street is full of peace and harmonious coexistence, with Kassler acknowledging this is all because of his work.

KASSLER:

“Damn I do a good job at ridding the streets of crime”

BOSS:

“Kassler! Your in a big pile of shit, I need to see you now”

INT. STATION, BOSS'S OFFICE – DAY, DIMLY LIT

Boss is sitting at his desk with minimal light emanating from behind him.

His appearance is that of a fallacious disposition while still giving a meek impression.

Ordering Kassler to ensue his own desires without the direct approach of his real intentions.

BOSS:

“I need you to get the cartels back into the limelight so I can once and for all put them away for good”

Krassler then sets out to introduce crime back into the society for the cartels to believe the police have been slacking off and is now their time to take advantage.

EXT. STREET, FRONT OF HOUSE – DAY

Kassler places a large bag of drugs on doorstep, rings bell and then hides.

Dealer answers door, bewildered by what he is seeing, glances around every possible direction the quickly takes bag in side.

INT. PEDOPHILES HOUSE, FRONT DOOR – DAY

Knocking at the door, letter then slides under door in which a photo of a young child and an address resides.

EXT. STREET, SIDEWALK – AFTERNOON

Black individual walking along sidewalk, camera slowly panning with and catching up with said individual.

Objects are tossed towards Black individual from off screen in which he catches in a state of surprise.

Kassler is then seen tackling the individual and screaming charges of theft.

INT. STATION, KASSLER OFFICE – NIGHT

As Kassler watches the news to oversee the work he has done has played out the way he assumed it would, he is shocked to see the Boss in an article about the cartels being welcomed into the streets by him.

Confronted by the reality of what his boss has just made him do, he sets out to extinguish the anomaly and brazen his adversary's.

INT. STATION, BOSS'S OFFICE – NIGHT, GENTLE MOONLIGHT ENFOLDING ROOM

Kassler hesitantly approaches Boss's desk in-spite of his awaiting fate.

He hears something behind him, but before he can react, the muzzle of a gun is pushed against the side of his head.

ASSAILANT:

“Are you ready to face the backwash of crimes you committed?”

The sound of the guns hammer being cocked back is heard.

Screen turns black.

Gunshot echoes.

Possible Message of advocate about the real evils of money and the consummation one can be absolved in by money.

THE END

I am also in the process of conceptualizing for other characters as well as continuing to hone in the design of Kassler and the Boss.

I have just done one concept for the black individual and intend to create more variates:

Reference images for the negro are as follows:

This afternoon i managed to create one more concept for the negro using the previous concept as a base::

Also created first concept for the boss using the fat cop concept as a base:

Concepts and References

03/03/2015

Today i have sources images for references of style and composition towards my story. I found that styles like "A Scanner Darkly", "Borderlands", "The Wolf Among us" etc, are relative to what i am looking for in terms of style for my story. I think that this style can not only induce the audience into believing they are watching something of a fantasy like depiction, while still introducing life like aspects into it, which in turn can play a psychological game on the audience into thinking that something that they had just seen doesn't look realistic, however on the contradictory, will trick the mind into trying to distinguish what is and isn't actually "real" in this style and at the same time will either cause ones mind to fully accept it as all real or vise versa.

 As of at 12:00pm, i have created a vanilla base model in mudbox for which i can create a multitude of different concepts in a shorter time frame in comparison to concept designing on Photoshop.

My first rough concept from my base model:

For this one, i was thinking of an intimidating presence and how that would come across the medium. Having enlarged features such as the chin, trap, eyebrow etc. gives a dominating feel to the character. An obvious design for a corrupt cop, but one that fits the profile so well; will be posting more concepts as they come.

This is another concept i made with the same incentive behind the first one however i tried to imply it in an almost opposite way, with the features being almost undermining and deceptive in its slyness of appearance. What i like about this one is that the shape of his face is almost a give away but while still giving the impression of innocence.

My third concept today for my main character is of a obese looking officer, now obvious american cops love there doughnuts and the sorts, which is why i chose to do a stereotypical american cop, also there is also the stereotype of american police officers being of a "Hero Syndrome", hence the intention of any such design like this would almost be lost when attempting to ascertain the behavior of an officer of the law, with this it is immediately obvious of there intentions and almost the disposition.

 I intend to use these three body structures as guides for more concepts as they are all different in their own rights and can all impose their own unique traits.


 Environment scenery i felt would work well as reference with my story's atmosphere.

Story Development and concepts:

02/03/2015

 Although the majority of the day was taken up by lectures, i did manage to experiment with a few concepts based on shape design. They are rough and crude however i just wanted to get the basic idea of my character onto paper with the guides of shapes to direct the personality across, e.g. using circle shapes (soft edges, curves), creates the feeling of a placid and almost innocent disposition; using triangles and squares for the sharp, acute and almost dangerous appeal can either detract from the desired look or either enhance the feeling one would get from a character. These are the rough sketches i had done:

 Note   (My drawing style is of a realistic, anatomically correct purpose so i find it extremely difficult and uncomfortable to be experimenting with stylized/ cartoonist designs, however, i am excited and determine to sharpen up my drawing skills and develop my own stylized style from an ultra-realistic form)

Weekend before Submissions part one:

28/02 -01/03/2015

 This weekend i had spent a bit of time divulging on the possible directions i could be taking my chosen idea, here is what i had come up with:

 These are phrases for the possible title of the story i had come up with when i was thinking of the personality of the main character, to be direct in identifying his niches however without exposing too much of the entire cause and effect behind the story, this is what i came up with so far:

Title brainstorm:

*Criminal in Uniform     *Rotten     *Deceptive Authority     *Off Bacon    *Law Breaker
*Aggravated Arrest    *Criminal Enforcement     *False Flagging     *Crime Catcher  

 So far what stands out to me the most is "Law Breaker", because what i think of when i hear these words is an obvious discourse of an individual breaking rules or guidelines unto which are suppose to keep the everyday person at ease and safe, at the same time i think that it doesn't identify too much of what, who and why an individual will be doing such a thing. I can use this to my advantage because it isn't exactly immediately obvious who the law breaker is.

Ideas for script:

 Performance Study:

Ideas for the performance study short animation in which we are required to interact with a minimal amount of props in order to clearly distinguish the personality of our character:

*  Character sits intently waiting for something to happen, eyes dart back and forth from glass to other; impatiently jumps onto cup and says "Stop resisting".

* Intense moment of Character watching dew slide down the side of the cup, the moment the drop touches the coaster/ table, the character firmly implies for the cup to places his hands behind his back.

* Intimidating position of Character sitting down leaning towards cup, "So, are you going to tell me the truth?"

* Sitting in front of cup eagerly waiting for something to happen, gets up, tips table over and screams "No, your out of order!".

* Stare down of cup and Character, Pov of cup, Character slides coaster towards cup and asks in an intimidating tone, (One of the following ideas) 1* "Can you tell me what this is?", 2* "I know, that you know what this is", 3* "What are you hiding?".

 Story Ideas:

Over the weekend i was bouncing ideas around my head in which to create a solid and easily read foundation, the following is just a summary of the majority of ideas that had stuck:

 Cop reminisces through previous weeks newspapers about his excellent work, recent newspaper arrives on table as he is reading with a headline along the lines of "Crime is now extinct?", another article on the same page indicating Cops outstanding work and the fact that the result of his enforcement is the result of this. Inciting moment of genius, (Sees calm crime-less street out the window of his workstation), *Scenes to elaborate on and create more ideas for... 1* (Cop plants evidence on someone, runs around the block only to tackle the person he had just framed and arrests them), 2* (Scene of someone robbing a shop, cop saves day, takes criminal to cop car, cop then tells the criminal where the next shop is and drops him off around the corner only to arrest him again), 3* (Scene of black person walking down the street, camera panning with them, all of a sudden objects are tossed his way in which the black individual catches them, is then spear tackled with the cop screaming charges of theft), 4* (Cop is trying to sneak evidence into elderly womans purse while being super cautious, acts like nothings happening by whistling when she turns around and notices something, elderly lady slowly walking away, cop adamant for this arrest tackles her and tries to force the evidence on her person).