A bit of neglected research

So, Cell Shading. Risky business, especially 3D cell shading, but I've got my heart set on it.
Just got to play around with the mapping techniques to get the perfect effect. I think Axl needs more of an Ink outline, just to add to the cartoon look.

Anyway, here's some images I'm drawing inspiration from:

Painting the background is an option, though I shall see how much time I have once I've finished all the keys, breakdowns and tweens. The Borderlans style of having an outline appeals to me, as it breaks away from the CGI realness. I find adding an outline is more a 2D hand drawn property, so I'm incorporating that into my film.

Here's one of the images I'm using as inspiration for the colour and tone of my backgrounds. Handy that there's a sofa and cabinet in this pic :)

Body language! I have 2 books on the subject; "Need to Know? Body Language" by Carolyn Boyes and "The Definitive Book of Body Language" by Allan and Barbare Pease. Hopefully they will aid me in achieving the correct and most effective way to convey body language visuals. Due to no dialogue, this is the major way of communicating to the audience so I better get it right!

I was put on the spot the other day and felt rather uncomfortable and it was pointed out that that's how my character should be. The poses I put in the animatic are very weak, I was intending on putting alot more effort into the actual animation themselves, but being put on the spot really did open my eyes. Stronger poses! My film is in danger of becoming generic! Noooooooooo! Must. Not. Be. Generic!

I Know I am, I'm Sure I am, I'm Bournemouth Till I Die!

Ah AFC Bournemouth :)

Talking of which, I have been in touch with the club to see if they could provide me with anything for my film. Old highlights/commentary that I could use, permission to use the players images in the background, anything they could privde me with. Bit of a long shot, but I thought it was worth a shot. Here's how the talks have been going (Copy and pasted from my Inbox):


>> Hello,

I am a third year animation student and was wondering whether it would be possible to obtain sme footage from you to use in my final film?
I have a football match playing in the background and need some commentary to use as part of the soundtrack. Being a Cherries fan, I thought it would be a nice touch to have them feature in my film.
I was wondering if there was anything you could provide me with?
I would be willing to pay to use any footage/audio you allow.

Will Van Dao

>> Will,

Thanks for your email to Mick Cunningham which he has read and passed to
me for response.

I'm Niall, AFC Bournemouth Press Officer and so ultimately control media
interest in the club.

Your project sounds very interesting and we may be able to help, although
first I would require a little more information as to the type of material
you need and exactly what this would be used for - could you give me a more
detailed break down please?

Thanks,
Niall


>> Niall,


Thank you for getting back to me, I am very grateful you have taken the time
to consider my project.
Thank you to Mick as well for passing the email on to you.

I am an animation student and am currently working on my final year film.
Basic breakdown of the story is that my character, an anthropomorphic lizard
Axl, simply wants to sit down and watch the game, however a troublesome egg
with a mind of it's own sabotages his plans. A Tom and Jerry-esque, cause
and effect, light hearted film.

The plan is to have video footage of a Bournemouth match playing on the TV
screen in the background and manipulating commentary audio of a Bournemouth
match to fit around what is happening in the main action of the film itself,
for example; when Axl dives to catch the egg from falling and misses, to use
audio of the commentator saying something along the lines of "He really
Also, if possible, I'd like to be able to use images of some of the players
to put in the background as posters.

If you have a moment to spare, I think this is the best way to illustrate
how I mean.

Here is a link to my animatic on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xax1jILHkRU

At the moment I used some commentary I found online from random matches as a
placeholder to what I have in mind.

Thank you for your time.

Will.


>> Will,

Apologies for the delay in responding.

Thanks for the link, I've watched your video and was impressed. I
understand better now how you intend to use the footage and we would
be happy to accommodate you at one of our Saturday games, please have
a look at our fixture list and let me know which one best works for
you - http://www.afcb.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10324,00.html

I must stress, that any material obtained from the club must not be
used for commercial gain. In addition, could you provide me with a
breakdown of the equipment that you will be using at the stadium. This
way I can ensure that you are positioned at a prime location in the
stadium.

Thanks,
Niall

____________________________________________________

So there you have it. I've got permission to go to the club and record a match, bit more than I was expecting. I have emailed asking if they have any archived footage I could use, but as of yet, Niall hasn't gotten back to me. Just thought I'd show off that I can film a match, duno about you, but I'm chuffed :D
So been in contact with the TV production lot and they've agreed to give me a hand.
Dean Court here I come! Up the Cherries! (What a fearsome nickname)

A Few Things

Hey hey everyone :)

*Tumbleweed...*
Right! Time for an update of everything I've been up to.
I admit I'm falling behind. Even though I'm working everyday morning till night and then some, just seems like I'm not making any progress. Bit annoying I haven't started animation yet. Sorry folks, here's hoping after the last couple of weeks, things will pick up from here :)

The whole rigging and skinning of Axl hasn't gone as smoothly as I would've liked, UV mapping problems, rigs breaking, skinning failing, max crashing..etc, but I have learnt alot from it. It was a pain staking process, but I think I am there.

Here's the latest of Axl, all skinned and rigged now:

I guess I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere cos of the amount of circles I've been going in. It was pointed out that it didn't seem like I knew what I wanted, so I spent some time looking into what I wanted the film to be like.

I've made a few changes to the film. I've been playing around with the paint and ink maps in Max, creating a cell shaded look. After re-texturing and re-skinning (for the millionth time) Axl, I really like the new look. I find it captures the 2D-ness I wanted. I'm aware Cell shading is tacky, but I like the sketchy look, it breaks away from the clean 3D that everyone is doing nowadays.

I'm pretty proud of the eyes, I've managed to have working pupils adn eyelids so I shall make full use of those come animating. Seeing as there isn't dialogue and it is heavily body languaged based, I think this is a good outcome considering the amount of fails I've encountered so far. Also managed to get a working shine to them, so any light that hits the eye gives a little sparkle, adding a bit of life to the character. The one thing I really want to avoid are "dead" eyes. That and a crap film...

Here's the 3D version of Axl with snazzy eyes:

The scenery has taken a heavy makeover, the scene before wasn't to my liking, playing with cell shading techniques on here as well, adding textures on top, recreated the good old school backgrounds that I wanted. I guess my aim is to create something old school with new touches; recreating 2d in CGi. Ah, the world of postmodernism we live in.
I'm getting quite heavy influence from Tom and Jerry cartoons, still abit of work to be done on the set, but I'm Xref-ing the set into each scene I'm going to be working on, so I can update the set and it'll update all the scenes accordingly, saving me alot of time.

Cell Shade experiment:


The 3D eyes didn't work as well as I would've thought, So I cell shaded them as well, trying to maintain the sparkle, which I think I managed to do;



Here's Mr. Axl sat on the sofa (Mind whre you put your hand sir). The sofa needs an added layer of colour so it doesn't look so flat, so I'm on that now...And I'm aware that Axl's hand is going through his thigh. but this was just a test to see how things looked together.

In the previous picture he's got a stronger outline compared to this image. I think I prefer the stronger outline. Makes him stand out more and appear more cartoony. Into Max I go to fix that!
Here's hoping huge amounts of progress will be made from here :)

Updated Script

Considering the changes I have made since the first script was written, think it's about time there was a new one up with said changes made.

The Big Match Script by Will Dao

INT: FRONT ROOM
Open with a shot of the TV turning on, static at first.
*Click* Title Screen appears on the screen “The Big Match”
*Click* Channel flicks over to show a football match about to kick off.

Cut to side view to reveal Axl the Lizard, sat on the sofa tuning into the football.
Cut to front view showing Axl resting his feet on the table, getting comfortable as the match begins. He reaches behind him and whips out a can of beer, before taking a swig.

EXT: OUTDOORS (PARK)
Birds are seen flying in the blue sky between thick white clouds; a sunny day.
Camera tracks down to show some bushes.
An egg tentatively emerges from the bushes and rolls towards the edge of the hill.

INT: FRONT ROOM
Axl sits up as the football commentary starts to get more exciting.

EXT: OUTDOORS
The Egg begins to build up pace, we see the Egg’s destination; a single house.

INT: FRONT ROOM
Axl leans towards the TV spilling his drink, getting more excited as one of the teams gets closer to scoring.

EXT: OUTDOORS
The Egg is rolling at high speed down the hill; it hits a single stone in its path and flies into the air.
We see it heading towards the door of the house.

INT: FRONT ROOM
Axl jumps up just as the crowd on the TV begin to roar, the commentator can be heard shouting “HE GOES FOR IT!”
*DING DONG*
The door bell distracts Axl, he misses the goal. Axl’s eyes narrow, his pupils look towards his left.

EXT: DOOR
The door swings open, Axl standing in the doorway, annoyed; no one can be seen. He begins to shut the door, however stops when he hears movement. Axl looks down, an egg can be seen on the porch, jumping up and down. Axl looks shocked, but thinks it’s cool. He picks it up.
Door slams shut.

INT: FRONT ROOM
Axl puts the egg on the table and looks at it more closely. He suddenly leans back, thinking to himself.
Axl gives the Egg a can of beer. Axl and the Egg are seen sat on the sofa in awkward silence.
Axl thinks to himself again.

INT: KITCHEN
Axl is stood at the electric hobs, frying pan in hand, about to crack an egg open to fry.

INT: FRONT ROOM
Axl hands a plate of fried eggs to the Egg. The Egg recoils at the sight.

Axl is sat watching the match. In the background we see the Egg rolling on top of the cabinet, getting closer to the edge. Axl notices this and jumps out o his chair, trying to catch the Egg as it falls. Axl hits the floor, he looks up, holding out his arms. The Egg lands and bounces off his head. The commentator can be heard saying “Maybe he should’ve caught that”.
Axl looks at the Egg annoyed.

Axl lies down on the sofa to carry on watching the match. The Egg is seen rolling back into the scene, stopping in front of the TV. The Egg begins to bounce up and down. Axl sits up annoyed. He picks up the egg and throws it to one side as he leaves for the kitchen.

Axl comes back into the room holding a beer. He freezes in shock.
Camera zooms out to show the Egg on the table, jumping on the remote, changing the TV channels.
Axl narrows his eyes in annoyance, picks up the Egg and puts it outside.

Axl is sat on the sofa watching the match. The Egg slowly pops up over the back of the sofa. It starts jumping around Axl. Axl gets distracted from the TV and watches the Egg. The Egg jumps on Axl. The commentator can be heard celebrating a goal. Axl looks up in excitement. The Egg jumps on the TV remote, turning the TV off. Axl shouts at the TV, looks to his side and realises at that the Egg turned the TV off. He glares at the Egg. He then hits it away with the back of his hand. The Egg bounces off the arm rest of the sofa.
The Egg moves closer to Axl and nudges him, it then jumps up and dives down, much to the annoyance of Axl. His eye twitches.

Axl opens up a can of beer. The Egg rolls along the back of the sofa. Axl cowers this time, trying to keep his eyes on the match. The Egg falls off and lands on Axl’s can of beer, spilling it on him. The commentator celebrates a headed goal. Axl looks up at the TV in disbelief as the Egg bounces away.
Axl lunges and grabs the Egg, glaring at it.

Axl is sat at on his sofa, settling into the match again. The Egg can be seen in the corner of the room, bouncing between the cabinet and the wall, making an annoying thudding sound.
Axl puts his foot on the Egg, hands on his hips; a smug look on his face. The commentator celebrates a spectacular goal; Axl turns his head trying to catch the replay. The Egg rolls away from under his foot causing Axl to fall. He sits up bewildered and screams in frustration.
Axl picks up the Egg, glares at it and proceeds to dropkick it.
The Egg bounces around the room, its path leading to the TV.

Axl notices this and dives to stop the Egg, but fails and falls on the floor. The Egg bounces off the TV and falls to the floor. Axl watches the Egg fall in front of him. He glares at it, lifting himself up. He looks up and notices the TV falling. Axl grimaces as the TV lands on the Egg.

Axl looks at the sight in front of him in shock. He slowly lifts the TV. His eyes widen and he looks away. Axl then looks at his hands and buries his face into them, remorsing over what has happened. He buries his head in his hands and cowers into himself.

We hear a click. The TV turns on to static. Axl looks up as the TV tunes back into the football match. He looks at the TV confused, looks down to notice footprints on the carpet. He follows the footprints, which leads to reveal a Baby Lizard sat on the sofa, remote in hand.
The Baby whips out a can of beer and offers it to Axl, showing him the peace sign.

Axl and the newborn are seen sat on the sofa together watching the match. Both reach behind themselves and whip out a can of beer each, proceeding to drink it. The commentator celebrates a goal. Both Axl and the Baby celebrate.

FADE OUT
END

Overdue Post! Latest Animatic!

I have now updated almost every scene so far with the new background, using the stills I rendered from 3Ds Max. I animated as many as I thought was necessary to carry the story along using a mixture of Flash and cutting up existing storyboards in After Effects.
I made the changes I said I would and have added the new soundtrack with "Original Rags" played over the commentary.

Here it is!



I will be getting in contact with AFC Bournemouth to see if I can use their footage for my animation in the next week.

Overdue Post! The Set!

I wanted something that looked student like, nothing overly glamorous. The idea of a studio flat appealed, having the front room and kitchen together in one room seemed appropriate, that way the action can take place all in one set that is easily manageable. I also wanted to keep it simple and as uncluttered as possible as to not distract the viewer from what is happening in the main action. Therefore, I decided to keep furniture a bare minimum. Here are some quick plan drawings I drew out, keeping in mind camera angles, how the action would unfold if the room was laid out as in each plan, where the furniture should go and how the character would move about.

After some thinking, I decided that this would be the best layout. I like the layout for this plan because as I was thinking through the animation in my mind, using this layout, it flowed nicely and worked for the camera angles.

From this, I made a Hudson set to decide on the scale and plan out how things would appear in 3D. These are some still renders from 3Ds Max of the key camera shots that I would be using, judging from my animatic.

Over the Christmas Holidays, I concentrated on getting the set done to the point where I can start animating, so getting the furniture in, textures, lighting and camera angles all sorted and tested.
This is a screen shot of the set in 3Ds Max:

I searched Turbosquid for some furniture to save some time on modeling them myself; however, I changed the textures on them so that they would blend together on my set. These are some still renders from 3Ds Max of camera angles which I will be using for my film.

All that is needed now is to accessorise the room, for instance, fill the cabinet with books, trophies, DVDs, CDs, etc, as well as putting some posters on the walls, maybe have some photo frames dotted about. I plan to have these football related to get the idea across that my main character is pretty obsessed with football, thus reiterating the fact, he really just wants to sit down and watch the match. As of now, however, I believe my scene is ready to animate in, the last of the furnishings shouldn’t get in the way of the animation. I plan to just decorate the scene abit so that it is less bland. The main furniture is all set as well as the cameras and lighting.

I plan to Xref my set into each scene, so that in saves on RAM when I am animating. The main advantage to why I am using this approach is that this allows me to edit things in the original set, for example add in a lamp, and for it to be updated in every scene, saving me time from having to go in and add a lamp into every scene. This shall be used when I have time to fill out the set with CDs, books, DVDs, etc. It will also be useful if I wanted to change colour schemes or textures later on during production.

Overdue Post! Soundtrack!

Soundtrack wise, I found some commentary for the Liverpool vs Chelsea Champions league final highlights and the Argentina vs Serbia World Cup match highlights. I cut these up in Premier and placed them into my animatic, adding some commentary to the story. I tried to have the commentary mirror what was happening in the main action itself, even if it was vague, I like the effect. If possible, I will get in contact with AFC Bournemouth and ask to see if I can use some of their past match highlights to cut up and use.

Having just commentary made me feel like something was missing. I watched some old school Tom and Jerry episodes and noticed how it had light hearted music playing in the background, but dropped to a low volume when something was being said that was of significance.

Tom and Jerry:


I made a search for some light hearted piano music, because I felt piano music would convey light heartedness in the most effective way as compared to a guitar or synths. Also, old black and white movies’ soundtracks were done live on piano as the film was playing, so wanted to have that feeling come across someway; a Laurel and Hardy/Charlie Chaplin-esque way.

Laurel and Hardy:


Charlie Chaplin:


I came across a piece of music by Scott Joplin called “Original Rags” (1899). I put it into my animatic to see how it would work and it seems to tie in nicely with the action, the commentary can be heard just above it when needed so fits well there. I like the pace and light heartedness it adds to the film. The piano piece itself is rather playful in nature which is a bonus.

"Original Rags" by Scott Joplin:

Overdue Post! New Story Boards

As before, I said I felt that the film seemed abit slow paced and dragged in places, therefore I went through and cut out scenes I didn’t deem overly necessary and cut down air time on certain shots.

With the extra time made available from this, I drew some quick storyboards of some scenes of Axl trying to save the egg from falling, Axl being distracted by the Egg and the Egg spilling Axl’s beer. Each time one of these occurs, a goal is scored which Axl misses due to being distracted by the Egg. I also changed the ending, having the Egg bouncing around and being noisey, Axl stops the Egg and it trips him up, this being the final straw.

Here are the new storyboards:

I think that this is clearer having him losing his cool after all these things happening, rather than the channel changing; after being shown in the rushes a couple of times, I don’t believe that idea came across strong enough.

Progress Update

A progress update!
After looking at the previous animatic, I felt that it dragged abit and so much more could happen. Some of the secenes could be cut down or out in order to up the pace abit; felt it lagged abit. So! I've added in extra scenes and changed the ending abit, for instance, giving Axl and the Kid more screen time at the end.

At the moment, I'm touching up the new scenes in the animatic, they are still in rough storyboard format, so going to redraw them so it fits in to the rest of the film.
I have both characters and the scene modelled. Will spend some time putting the finishing touches on them after I have finished working on the animatic, which should be completed soon. Then all that will be left (hopefully) will be blocking out all the scenes.

Currently thinking of having a commentator to be constantly commentating on the football match, however having the commentary will also reflect what is happening in the film, so for instance, things like "He's running circles around him!", "He slips past his marker!", "He just can't handle him today" etc. Will find some audio to cut up and place into the animatic to see how it well it will work. I still don't know about having music playing in the background, something in the style of Tom and Jerry soundtracks, light hearted music that depicts the tempo of the film. May be an idea to combine the two; have music playing when there isn't commentary and have the music quieten down when the commentator is speaking, so that it isn't monotonous. Will have to see how this pans out!

New post due soon!