A Summery!

Where to start?

Firstly I will get Whack'd out of the way. In the first 2 weeks after my original pitch, I only had two members on my team, Tom and Mu. It was looking bad for 'Pirates' and, at that point it was highly likely that the film would fall through. Dan and Sam approached me and asked whether I would like to join the team, to help with animation. I knew deep down this was Sam and Dan doing me a favour. It was clear they wanted me to have somewhere to go if 'Pirates' failed. Naturally I said 'yes'. However, 'Pirates' lived to fight another day and so I was on two films. In the first terms I did a few concept drawings just for fun but nothing major. At this time I had acquired the music editing software known as Protools. As a little pet project I scored an Whack'd inspired song. After I completed it I showed it to the group on a whim just to see whether they thought it was any good. Dan and Sam really liked it so I became the composer for the film. I had no intention to be, but I was thrilled that they liked it. Over the next few months I produced three new tracks, 'Locked and Loaded', 'Out of the Frying Pan...' and 'Ninjutsu Blues'. Through all of it I drew influence from composers such as Harry Gregsom Williams, Steve Jablonsky, Tyler Bates and many more. I also drew influence other musicians such as surf guitar legend Dick Dale, Blues Virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan, hard rockers Motorhead, Flamenco Master Paco Pena and even horror punk and Country musicians like The Monsters.

Unfortunately with the workload increasing with 'Pirates' all of the time, my role as an animator diminished to just two shots. This was a shame as I really like the film and wanted to be a stronger part of it. However, Sam and Dan were very understanding. Overall the Whack'd team and film is fantastic.

'Pirates'. Where to begin. I never thought that my stupid little idea about Pirates in a supermarket would ever get picked. Just look at it! When you write it down on paper it just looks ridiculous. But for some reason, the class really loved it. As I've said, the first tow weeks were rocky but it evened out. There were many story problems in the beginning, many hours wasted on boards. We must have gone trough three different plot ideas before the film settled months later. In retrospect the film is much stronger now. So all of my moaning was just hot air. My role in the pirates film was overwhelming. I was Director, writer, character designer, organiser, modeller, texturer, rigger (blendshapes), renderer and compositer. Many of the positions I fell into and had to adapt.

The group has seen a little bit of a 'revolving door' membership. I am not going to name names, but I have to be honest. People have let me down this year, more than once. We have had disappearing members, I do not know how many texts I sent around chasing people up. I want these people to know, I do not feel any bitterness toward them, this pipeline is far to constricted time wise to wait around for people. With this kid of mentality, it fell upon the rest of the group to pick up the slack. I modelled, textured and created blendshapes when I was not originally supposed to. All of which were not my strong points and I had to learn as I went along. I had never textured on created blendshapes before so it was a new experience for me. However, the team really came together, we would all tweak each others work so it would look the best.

When time got a too hairy, I employed some of the second years to help out with the film. Fahran, Marios, Mel, Hayley, Carlos and Alex. I saw each of them improve with every piece of work they did, except for Fahran, who blew my mind the moment I met him. All of these second years were fast learners and their unyielding enthusiasm for a film which they had only just joined was inspiring.

So what do I think of the film? I knew we would not get the film completed for hand in. 70 shots, with for characters lip syncing with high octane action... it was impossible. However, Pirates will be finished.

Over this year I have learned so much. Mainly thanks to the pupils in my class. The Splay Polished Off crew raised the bar for what I could expect a student animation from this college to look like. With that as well, they shared their secrets with me and tried to teach me the best they could. Sarah and the little film that could. We both helped each other out with musicians and voice actors, and she has been fantastic. The Whack'd team has been a pleasure to work for, Dan's determination is truly inspiring and Josh's 2d artwork always keeps me on my toes (he's always one step ahead).

Finally Pirates. Overall my team is fantastic. Mu is my right hand man. Neil, my ever patient animator. Josh, the mood lightener. Ash and Dean, the cool cucumbers. J.B my technical guy. I would also like to give a special thanks to Tom. He is always patient, always enthusiastic and extremely skilled. Tom has worked like a horse this entire year, and never complained. He picked up most of the slack when team members disappeared and has risen to every challenge. Over the past fours years that I have known him he has improved so quickly it has truly amazed me. He is the star of the show!

In conclusion, the year has been extremely stressful, but I have learned more in this final year, than the two years previous.

Now that the submission is creeping up, It is time to cross our fingers. Who knows one day we might see a big blockbuster movie, with my name in the directors position...doubt it though!

Composite test

This is my after effects compositing test. I used a technique that Dan Edgley and Simon showed me. Basically, you make a copy of you layers (i.e. beauty etc), you then blur that layer and place it on top of your other layers. This softens the edges of the characters and also adds an extra dimension of colour. All in all it makes the piece look better!

Final Animatic

Here is the animatic. I've been trying to get it on here but it's been difficult. Hopefully this works!

This was a bit of a nightmare to compile last weekend but I pulled it off, (with the help of my team!)

My Original Guard model

I forgot to post my original model for the guard. It was the base for what tom would work from.I made it in an hour. I started it u, but Tom really was the master!

WHAT A SHINER!

Hey guys I did the beaten up texture for the guard! I gave a black eye and a few scratches on his face!

Some More Shots!

Blogger is being weird so here is just one of the shots. Mel did the original and i tweaked it, but I got so complicated that i just redid the whole shot again. It turned out OK.

Progress

Today was a long day. But I am pleased with the results. Mu and I (mainly Mu) sorted out some rendering problems. I textured a scene for Tom. Neil and Josh's animation tweaks are looking good. Ash's ship texture is looking pretty great too. J.B sent his storm clouds off to render, and Mu and I set up shot 30 for render!