wwoelbel

Frank - Man! That is way cooler than my "modern art" bedroom. Some of the photon mapping renders gone awry are really outstanding. Bill

Hi Sharky; Thats not your average animation topic and it seems pretty tough to me. I think that overall it works well. I did have a couple of comments though. For me, the flare of the candle was much too strong. The room is well lit and the candle does not seem to be the source of the light yet it flickers like the light is from the candle. Have you considered giving him a hakama? Perhaps a wooden practice sword neatly in front of him? I think that you are trying to enforce that this is a student of Aikido (O-Sensei, Akido banner) and perhaps showing more of the distinctive elements of the Way could enhance the image. I also think that the "inner mind" sequences need to be punched up perhaps by literally zooming the camera into the character before displaying "the vision". I didn't catch that they were visions/dream/inner-mind until I watched the clip a third time. Of course, I miss really big things all the time One other thing that *I* would do is speed up the double clap after meditation. It doesn't look sharp enough. Of course, I am old, fat, and have not even talked about akido in 15 years.... (and did plenty little 15 years ago) Bill

Hey Daniel; I just jumped back onto your room topic (here). From the last image you posted - camera 2 - I really really like the detail on the door. That is fantastic. The brass lever type door handle is done very well. I cheated and used a round knob type handle on my door. In that same image I found something that struck me funny. I cant quite figure out what has caught my eye but the table next to the chair seems "funny". Sorry that I cant even be remotely constructive. :-( Bill

Congratulations Zach! Outstanding work. Bill

From the teaser you posted, I can se that you have a talented team. In my own little opinion, I felt that something was missing. It may have to do with the target audience and the story. I gathered that the story has to do with exploration of space. I know that there are astronauts involved. Beyond that I don't know very much. Me, the anime fanatic, want to meet your hero, the sidekick, and the nemesis. I want to know if there is going to be action and blood, love and kisses, monsters (both cute and with tentacles). Really! I do want to know. Youve teased me but left me with too many unanswered questions. If the DVD was released tomorrow, I would have to wait until somebody else bought it and let me borrow it. I am not cracking on your work in any way, shape, or form. I just thought that you should know that the teaser didn't tease me like you may have hoped to. Bill p.s. Your narrator has a very cool voice - smooth and interesting.

Yves; The thing that "I" am seeing is a weird stripe thing. Look at the green candle in the second image. Notice the much darker stripe vertical on the front left (as you face it)? My question would be - are you using any decals? The edges look like decal wrap. Bill

I know that its an unfinished WIP. I was actually trying to make a compliment. Suspence is important. I was trying to get across that the music was key for me. I *knew* that something was coming up. Without the music I think that it would have suffered.

Hey Shaun; I saw the image that you posted and was rather unimpressed. "hmm pretty scanty for a terrain flythrough". The mountain really didn't do much for me. I did have the feeling as the music has progressing that something was going to happen. You caught me completely off guard when the balrog unwrapped itself. I did not expect that to happen. I am impressed. I thought that the movement was excellent and the theme was well choreographed. The balrog is very sharp (Kudos to the creator) but the usage is excellent. I enjoyed it very much! Bill