May 12, 2007
'Dave' finished with new Showreel
The film is complete, along with a new showreel.
For the time being, the film won't be uploaded for internet viewing.
The at the moment is on DVD with 2 slideshows showing original designs, drawings and various behind the scenes photos, also included is the new updated showreel.
With the DVD aswell are 5 photo quality stills
(pictures soon)
Posted by Matthew at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2007
Update and DVD Cover
Just under 2 weeks left to go until the deadline
The pressure is rising, much more is demanded off me everyday. I am trying to keep to a tight schedule, I have all the scenes left to do written out in order of how to do them. Things are going well. Looking at the film at the moment with the animatic filling in scenes not complete. It runs at 3min 20s, this is with titles and stuff, but now as I am filling in the blanks, the scenes last longer than the animatic.. Which is good as its not long enough to bore, just I didn't really time out the animatic properly. So the film at the moment runs at nearly 4mins!
I met with Paddy recently to work on Music, my original intention for the main theme has been abandoned for a more emotional piano piece. The music, although not complete is coming on quite nicely
Also I got other things on my mind to work on, like the DVD
Here are 2 concept images I am toying with for the cover:
Posted by Matthew at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2007
Modifications
Throughout filming, I have had to amend scenes for how I originally intended them to be.
Sometimes due to pointing the camera in a certain way gives a better shot, or in most cases due to making things easier.
In a scene I am doing now, I have had so many problems which has taken days to do, constantly re-shooting. But by pointing the camera elsewhere it adds emphasis to a point I am trying to make whilst also making the scene easier to film.
I am working on the climax of the film which is taking longer to do than I originally thought. My plan is to have it finished tomorrow morning so I can work on other shots that need completing on other sets.
Posted by Matthew at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2007
Garden: Before and After
since the last post, I have added more grass and discovered small flowers that my mum had for craft making. very handy
Posted by Matthew at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
Garden Concept
Today I received my final set, I have begun to set it up to see what needs working on and where I will put the camera.
This is a low quality shot of the set:
and this is a concept for what I want the final shot to look like
Just need to buy more flock for the grass, build a flowerbed, add some crawling vines to the wall, and the rest is done in post
Work in progress test shot:
This shot gives an idea for how this scene will look
Posted by Matthew at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
April 04, 2007
Dining Room Setup Test
Just a quick animation test, this was done mainly to see what does and is liable to move whilst animating.
Posted by Matthew at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2007
Setting Up
Currently working on my set up in my room to continue working.
I'm pretty much ready to film now. I have had a few problems with cameras in that my computer won't recognize them... slightly annoying, but I am still able to work around that... tis a long story. Nothing is going to stop me from finishing this film.
My set up:
2 Par 16 lights on microphone stands and a high res digital camera on a tripod with 2 spirit levels
Posted by Matthew at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
So Far...
The past few weeks have been quite busy.
my room is about 90% complete to being a studio to continue filming. I shall start filming again on Tuesday 27th March. In the meantime I have been doing some post production on the footage I have so far. I have had to submit a first cut of what I got so far, unfortunately it has very little post on the work I submitted. My new friend that I am using is Motion Tracking. It's helping me out with a few camera problems I had before.
In other news, my dissertation is done and out the way, glad to get that out of the way
Posted by Matthew at 10:29 PM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2007
Last Day In The Studio
As the title says, it's the last day in the studio for filming. With only about 30% done, it leaves alot of work to do now at home. I have learnt alot in the studio, I feel I can get my room to the same standards as working in the studio... just as soon as I get some Lights
Originally I had planned to do set up a new scene and film it in its entireity in the last day. But due to printer problems to get some props ready, I have changed that around and decided to reshoot one shot i'm not happy and see what else needs doing on the Kitchen Set
Today's work came out pretty well, had some camera problems towards the end with it going out of focus and the white balance playing up.. but i believe I can correct the few still shots in After Effects so I don't have to end up reshooting a days work
anyway... a still:
Posted by Matthew at 11:08 PM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2007
30 Percent
Yup, about 30% of filming done.. I was hoping for alot more to have been done by this time, but with things going wrong and having to reshoot scenes, i'm a bit behind.
So what are my options now? I got 3days left of studio time, so I have to resort to filming the rest in my room. Which is fine, as I'm adding a mini studio in my room for these kinds of situations and for future projects. It's coming along nicely, I can completly black out my room, i got space to add a worktable to put the sets, got the setup sorted for cameras and recording. Just need lights now, which I shall be getting soon.
But I'm going to be having about 2weeks off from filming for the moment while I work on my dissertation and put my room together ready to continue filming
And heres a photo:
Posted by Matthew at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2007
A series of unfortunate events.. really
Filming has been ongoing for all of feburary now, but the past week everything has just gone wrong.
Starting with my car breaking down in the snow thus being towed home and missing a day in uni to do work, next day uni was closed due to snow again. After that I got lifts into uni which was great, but the next thing to go wrong was me forgetting to get the studio locked after i finished, therefore leaving the room open for someone to kindly walk in and steal the camera with my film on it.
So things have had to be reshot. I have lost alot of time with all this hassle and it has put me behind schedule with time running out. But things are going alright now, it's all coming together, just gotta put more hours in
Anyway... some photos:
Posted by Matthew at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
Final Day of Testing
This is it, tomorrow I begin working on Scene 1 of many more for the rest of the month.
The past few days of tests have been fun and worthwhile, getting to grips with the model and seeing how things look on camera. It's amazing how much you can get away with on camera.
So here's the tests from today compiled together
Posted by Matthew at 08:36 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2007
Test Footage
First two days of filming have been for tests with the model and basically a warm up for myself.
So yea.. the picture is the model about 90% complete. no hands, face or colouring on shoes. So these two days I have managed to have a play with it and see what I can do with it.
Thank you ever so much Steve, this model is incredible. I look forward to see it in it's complete state with the 2nd character aswell.
So yea.. here's a walk cycle:
Posted by Matthew at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)
January 31, 2007
Dave Test Shot
As posted on my Deviant Art account,
I have been working on the street set, and this photo is a test to see how it all looks on camera. This is an idea for what to expect with the actual film.. I photoshopped some of it with the street light sort of effect. This is basically a teaser for what is to come over the next few weeks as filming starts on Monday. With tomorrow and friday being 2 days of setting up and doing various tests
Posted by Matthew at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)
Remember!
Remember that I have a Deviant Art account
It contains drawings to do with the film, and various other random stuff
Clicky the link over on the right in the menu, or this lovely picture
Posted by Matthew at 02:43 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2007
Character Revamp
Been drawing the characters today, changed them about a bit and made them more interesting and similar to the plastercine designs I made a while back.
The wedding scene is one of many images that will appear in the film as photos on the wall
Posted by Matthew at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)
Armature Update
Only a few days to go and the Armature and Sets are nearing completion.
Unfortunatly due to a slight problem the armatures have been set back a day or 2, which is fine.
I went to have a look at how they are coming along. The desgin is pretty good with little restrictions.. well from what I know so far. They don't seem like they will cause me a problem at all.
Well here are some photos of the armature in development
Posted by Matthew at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2007
Dave: Origin
This is a concept design for how Dave is discovered. When the set is made, it will be lit as a night scene for when the father is coming home from work, originally Dave was going to be completly made by the father, but the story has changed so that the pieces are found in the rubbish, and the father sees and takes them home and assembles them into Dave.
Thats just the outline of the actions and sounds pretty crap, but with what I got in mind, it shouldn't come across like that.
Start filming soon, Feburary 1st.
The Sets, I have been told are coming on well, Just need some photos of them
Posted by Matthew at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2007
Dave Update
Ok, this is about what's going on with the film, what have I been doing, where is it going blah blah
Basically, I have been crapping myself since we broke up for christmas. Getting really stressed out and not being able to sleep with major doubts and regrets for doing this film. I nearly pulled the plug on it.
But thankfully things got worked out.
The script as you read this is being revised and amended to include new scenes and changes. The previous photos of the characters are no longer valid, Mr.Stevey Steve is sorting them out for me and making models. and Mr.Paddy Paddy is making the sets for me.
Hopefully in the next post I shall have photos of some of the above. I know Paddy has photos ready to give me soon and Steve is working on his design for the armatures.
So things are coming together and i'm getting less stressed. While others are working on construction, I in the meantime am working on the script and storyboard so that in february I can walk in clear on what I am doing.
Also working out how much Post-Production is needed. I know there is a scene that will require alot of After Effects with a rain scene, but thanks to Calon, they saved my ass on that one and gave me a CD of effect plug ins to use.
All going along nicely at the moment
Posted by Matthew at 12:29 AM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2006
Update
So this is the "Dad" character so far with a shirt stitched on, hes not complete. I'm thinking of scraping this model to be replaced with a simple wire model with the helping hands of Steve.
Set Design is under discussion at the moment with myself and Paddy, should be starting soon.
Deadlines are over for now on this side of Christmas, It's nice to have a break and concentrate on working on my room and relax a little.
In January I got my work placement with Calon, i'm both excited and nervous about it. This placement should help me decide what I want to do after Uni for if I want to go into the industry or not, have to wait and see.
Btw Buy the Guillemots Album, Relaxing and Uplifting at the same time, wonderful stuff
Posted by Matthew at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2006
Frantic Day
Well, deadline is today, my plan was to arrive at uni way before 12
but at the last minute, my colour ink ran out, so I had to rush to the shop to get it refilled, so I'm now sat around waiting for this guy to phone me to say its ready.
These past few days have been manic, but its been good for me as it's got me working and loving my film again after going through a stage of hating it.
So now the ball is rolling, i don't intend to stop until christmas now.
First thing i'm going to do is finish decorating my room so I have a better working environment and sort out set building with paddy, and getting hold of a second armature
Posted by Matthew at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
Production Bible
I have started work on compiling together the Production Bible for this film. Basically been sifting through this blog, and looking at everything I have done so far for the film to put in here.
For presenting it, i'm thinking of having it with the covers made out of cardboard, just for the added effect
Posted by Matthew at 01:05 AM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2006
Animation Test 2
The original intention for this test was an interaction with Dave. The father sees him (out of shot), picks him up and brings him into shot and then play with him or something, but during the animating i felt it wasn't going so well, so to confirm it, i watched what i had filmed and decided to stop it there and then.
But i decided to keep it so i can look at what works and what went wrong
One of the main problems that I couldn't understand for a while was weight. For some reason there was extra weight on one side of the armature, causing it to lose balance. I later found out it was due to me forgetting to straighten up the armature after being in a crouched position, the bent spine was causing it to be unbalanced.
I think that could be the main reason why i was having so much trouble, but it felt bad as soon as i started animating, maybe due to the setup i had, being on the floor in an awkward position trying out new ways for set design with easy access to the magnet beneath the set. next time I animate i'l try another method to see which works best.
For the sets that will be in the final film. I have the layout of each set drawn and labelled. I'm getting the help from a friend (Paddy) with building these sets, so that's one load taken off my mind knowing that i'm getting some good help with the construction.
Posted by Matthew at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)
The Shape Of Things
Just having a moment of panic, which is good. As it gets me motivated to work as the deadline is approaching.
I find that I work much better under pressure, from todays panic attack I have made a list of all the things that need to have been done and sorted for this fridays deadline.
Need to compile the 'production folder' together (shouldn't take long), work on other bits and pieces and then continue to concentrate on these animated tests.
Apart from that I gotta work some more on this dissertation draft, with the deadline fast approaching I can work without any distractions, as I tend to find that the more time i seem to have, the more i waste it and get distracted. So now I'm focused and able to work
Expect to see more frequent updates on the film
Posted by Matthew at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2006
Animation test
First test using this armature
Apolagies for the low quality, I had to resort to using my webcam due to 'stop motion pro' deciding it doesn't want to use my mums video camera.
Hopefully I'll get a new video camera for xmas if not just after that 'stop motion pro' will like
Anyway, with the video, I'm happy with the armature with how it moves. The right arm is a bit loose, can't do much about that now, but its nothing to raise alarms. The movement in the video i'm really happy with, but afterwards realising that the final walk is a bit wrong
Posted by Matthew at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2006
Armature Update Cont...
Got a head sorted for now, this head isnt the final one, its just something to practice animating with and to get the scale right for this armature.
Looks pretty good so far, the armature is strong, the magnets work. I'm pleased so far. But the true test comes when I do some animating with it. Just got to make some hands next then I can begin with the animating
heres some more pics:
Posted by Matthew at 05:46 PM | Comments (0)
Armature Update
It's getting there, i had to go back and tighten up some of the screws as thankfully Steve pointed out how loose the model was. so this photo is an example of how tight the joints are now and is able to stand on one leg without anysign of falling over.. using magnets of course, its not that good that it can stand on its own
Just need to stich the arms, attach the hands and the final head.. and then its working out clothing. But before I do the clothing, il be doing some animation tests
Posted by Matthew at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2006
Armature Development
Putting the dissertation aside for a while, i have gone back to the film and continued work on the armature.
Using a method from the stopmotionanimation.com handbook, i have begun padding up the armature using wadding from a cushion and then using a pair of tights to cover it up.
So far it's looking pretty good, still got alot more to do, but heres a pic of it so far:
Posted by Matthew at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2006
Room Test
Thought that I would work out the scale of the sets, so this is the hallway at the front of the house.
This was printed on 3 A4 sheets of paper and attached to a cardboard base. The door surprised me as to how much it doesn't look like an image
Posted by Matthew at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
Grass
Ok so i'm getting myself back on track now
Playing with grass now as an important set to be used in the film is a garden, so im just seeing what this grass looks like from GamesWorkshop
I quite like it, next to make some plants
Posted by Matthew at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2006
Armature Kit Cont..
and its built! nearly..
seems that their are 2 screws missing, whether they forgot to give them to me or i lost them, they are not to be found. So once i buy the 2 screws i need, i shall start padding it up.
I'll definatly buy another one of these in the future, easy to assemble, can take a few hours depending on how fast you work. The main thing that is time consuming is cutting the pieces to length and filing
Posted by Matthew at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2006
Armature Kit
From Animation Supplies.net I bought the tools and kit for building an armature.
Although I have Steve helping with armature building, we decided to check out one of the armature kits on sale and give them a go.
This is what I got altogether
and this is what it will hopefully look like Clicky
Posted by Matthew at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2006
Animatic
Ok so the animatic for the current script is finished and got a better than expected reaction at the crit today.
Still stuck in the same situation it seems with that I need to give the animatic some form of commentary.. some form of meaning. It seems I need to tell a little bit more to make this film work. There is something missing...
Anyway, I am talking with some tutors about it to try and work out this missing piece.
In the meantime here are some pics from the animatic
Posted by Matthew at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2006
Model & Animatic
Ok new model update for the Mother/Wife. Feeling a bit happier with her now especially with the hair, it seems to look more like hair
Currently working on an animatic for the current script I have. This version of the script hasnt been approved yet, but with a deadline for the animatic only a few days away. I need to get something done for then. So the animatic im doing is in on the new unapproved script. If it still doesnt get approved afterwards. It's no problem at least I would've have some possible stock images to use for another animatic to throw together
Posted by Matthew at 09:48 PM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2006
script and model update
Ok so the script is being reworked and its kinda telling the same story yet not at the same time. I like where it is going.
What I don't like is the design for Mrs.T its just going so wrong, It's like i'm missing one defining feature of the face that once found will make it all work. It's always close, but never spot on.
The chracters are looking to be built properly soon, I can go ahead and build the bodies (with the kind help of steve) without the heads as the armature is to be built so that the heads can be taken off with ease
Posted by Matthew at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2006
Even Newer Ideas
Went for a tutorial where I was able to discuss my film with Leonie. Here I was able to look through my film and work it out properly, things are getting scrapped and other things are being swapped about. Basically this tutorial has made me think alot more about the film and to maybe approach it at a different angle. This is good as I was worried about my original script being too long.. too much that says nothing, so this tutorial helped to narrow things down and get me working on whats important in telling the story.
Now to rewrite the script whilst sorting out these characters
Posted by Matthew at 11:11 PM | Comments (0)
New Ideas
Yesterday's seminar went really well. I went along with only photos of the models and the script to see what help I was able to get. Only a small handful of people turned up which made it easier to share ideas in a small group.
It was really helpful for now I have new idea's for the film like:
-Scraping the narration and making it driven by the music and the characters performance.
-a new origin for Dave. I now have 4 possible ways to bring Dave into the story now
Posted by Matthew at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2006
New Head for Mrs.T
Mrs T. was annoying me so I redone her. Took a few attempts until I reached something I am pleased with for now.
She looks alot younger that her former version. The design is getting close to something suitable, just needs more tweaking
Posted by Matthew at 09:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2006
First Animation Test
Ok so I thought I would have a go at animating the faces. The main thing that is new to me here is that I have never animated a clay face before.
For the short period I did this for (Camera battery died) I really enjoyed it. So once the camera is fully charged, I'll give it a better go. The main problem I had was that I had no onion skin, so the model kept going out of place when I would take the head off to work on the mouth. So in the meantime I'll setup the models better so that they stay still
This is what I managed to get before the camera died
I'm not really pleased with the outcome as I know I can animate much better than that... oh well, it was only a quick test to play with the face, see what happens next time
Posted by Matthew at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2006
Happy Family
The new eyes make a hell of a difference. Makes the characters seem that bit more alive.
As you can see I have added a new character, Mrs.Tumbleswick. She was originally an attempt at copying the drawing but she also looked stupid so I played with it a bit more and got this.
The new design has helped with something I can try with the story aswell
Posted by Matthew at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
Facial Expressions
I'm liking this guy alot now, I think i'm gonna keep him to replace Mr.Tumbleswick now. Just gonna play with his eyes next
Posted by Matthew at 02:38 PM | Comments (0)
Model Making Tests
Working out what is the best method to make these models. so here is the head of Mr.Tumbleswick made out of plasticine.
My thoughts on this so far are with the mouth, unless i have duplicate heads to swap with different facial expressions, i'm going to have to adjust the mouth with some small sculpting tools... should be interesting.
This is not the final look, for one I don't like the eyes. I'm happy with the colour of the plasticine head and how its come out, so I may well keep the head but sculpted onto a Milliput ball
The first image is based on the drawings. But after some playing about I made this dude:
He was only just a way to see if I could model a head or not, then the more I looked at him the more I fell in love with him. So I posed him with Dave
I think that if I make him look a bit younger it will work better as he looks a bit too old now for the character I have written im as
Posted by Matthew at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2006
Tradegy
Posted by Matthew at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 08, 2006
Some Sketchies
Posted by Matthew at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 03, 2006
Film Influences
In uni I had to present my film idea, basically selling it.
I seemed to have got a good reaction without giving too much away of the story.
In my presentation I put in various films and books I am influenced by. So i'm posting links to some of the film's I referenced here for all to view
Harvie Krumpet (atom films)
The Periwig-Maker (atom films)
Butterfly (Official Site - trailer)
Posted by Matthew at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
Dave
Drawn with pencil then scanned into photoshop. The image was touched up slightly to look bolder, then the cardboard look was added. God bless photoshop
Posted by Matthew at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2006
Family Developed
The parents for the film have been developed again. The father is pretty much how I want him to be. The mother on the other hand is close, the face I think needs working a bit. But I'm happy with them both for now as it's not going to be a 2d animated film. This is a basis to how it will look in 3D, something to work with.
Got the colours sorted now to what I want and a basis for how the characters should look..
Posted by Matthew at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2006
Script to Storyboard
Got a storyboard up now dominating my wall (redecorating room by the way)
Posted by Matthew at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)
Oh Script Goodness
So ok, I sat down and spent a few hours writing out the script for the film. The film is going to be narrated and said in a kind of poetic way (Think Tim Burton's Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy).
So since writing the script, it has been proof read and amended into the second draft. It will prob be changed again and again. But for now I have the basic idea down and will develop as the animatic is being put together
Here's a sneek peak at what the script looks like. Look its got drawings on it! (not gonna post the actual thing to read)
Posted by Matthew at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2006
Family Portrait
Starting to show what I got in mind for my Final Film in Uni. I have had this image and many more drawn for a long time now from when I began to think of this idea. So now I decided to scan an image in and colour to get an idea what the characters may look like
Posted by Matthew at 08:12 PM | Comments (0)