Dwayne Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Hi all I was just wondering what you think of these backgrounds. If you notice, my web page is only set up to show the images at this time. I set up the images with one of the copies with a fog, to get the feeling of a misty coast line. Any critical comments are welcome also. I've always wanted to so some stories with these stylized backgrounds. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/ Quote
Dwayne Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 I love it! That was fast. You must have been waiting for me to send it! Quote
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted February 10, 2011 Hash Fellow Posted February 10, 2011 Those are lovely! Can you tell us more about how you do them? I presume there's post processing in a paint app for the soft focus effect? Quote
Dwayne Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 Those are lovely! Can you tell us more about how you do them? I presume there's post processing in a paint app for the soft focus effect? Ok thanks guys Yes the soft focus was put in later,in post. The reason being that I wanted parts of the area clear and and parts fogged in , so that a character can enter the fog and come out of it again, also it can be animated, no brush work. I would like to get some videos out 15 to 20 minutes in length before I give too much out. One of the reasons I have come here is that I have had this style for awhile and always seemed to get hung up when it comes to the animation. I see some really good animators and modelers, here, and was kind of hoping someone would like to partner with me on this. You know, to discuss stories and , animate, and for sound, and maybe for contacts, that could maybe pitch it to some company. I can spend almost full time to this, and would like someone that could almost do the same. To me the character is king, and is much more important than the background, also I would like to do this with no dialoge and only one main character. A kind of artsy film. Anyway, this was what I was thinking. I'm open to ideas. Quote
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted February 10, 2011 Hash Fellow Posted February 10, 2011 Collaborators are tough to come by. As hard to come by as money. But those backgrounds are beautiful! You should do a brief 30 second test that puts characters in maybe just two backgrounds and puts across some brief story segment. If that looks as good as I think it could and and your story is interesting you might get some interest. 15 minutes of video is A LOT though. That's a scary large amount of animation to get done. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 Collaborators are tough to come by. As hard to come by as money. But those backgrounds are beautiful! You should do a brief 30 second test that puts characters in maybe just two backgrounds and puts across some brief story segment. If that looks as good as I think it could and and your story is interesting you might get some interest. 15 minutes of video is A LOT though. That's a scary large amount of animation to get done. Yes I was wondering about that. The water really looks cool when it is animated. So I think your idea about a couple of small examples, is good. I do have a character set up and ready. I would really like to do this myself, but the animation scares me a little. Anyway I will give it a try, on a little short bit. Quote
John Bigboote Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 VERY COOL! and I was the 1st to use your comment PHP thingy... Quote
NancyGormezano Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Oooo...yummy, beautiful colors & style! Quote
Dwayne Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 VERY COOL! and I was the 1st to use your comment PHP thingy... Yes thanks John. I put up the site to show these pictures. So the rest of the site I haven't even looked at yet. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 Oooo...yummy, beautiful colors & style! Hi Nancy Thanks. I took a look at your site and animations, very unusual but very interesting. I really enjoyed them. Quote
NancyGormezano Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Oooo...yummy, beautiful colors & style! Hi Nancy Thanks. I took a look at your site and animations, very unusual but very interesting. I really enjoyed them. Thanks Dwayne! I appreciate the comment. (That is some very old stuff on my site. Hopefully, I've gotten better). Quote
Dwayne Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 nice images...very well done thank you nino Quote
Tore Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Beautiful images! Got a japanese watercolor feel to them! 3D and 2D elements blends seemlessly and works very well together! Looking forward to see more :-) Quote
Dwayne Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 Beautiful images! Got a japanese watercolor feel to them! 3D and 2D elements blends seemlessly and works very well together! Looking forward to see more :-) Thanks ToreB I did try to get a more 2d look to these, I've always been torn between 2d and 3d. Anyway, I'm going to work on the animation part of this now, and see what happens. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 Wow those are awesome. Thanks tbenefi33. It is encouraging that you guys like these. I have been doing realistic and painterly background before. In other programs. 2D and 3D. I will put some of those up on my site when I get the chance. But I always seem to come back to AM. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 I added some new images to my website. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/ Quote
itsjustme Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 I added some new images to my website. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/ Great stuff, Dwayne! Quote
Dwayne Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 I added some new images to my website. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/ Great stuff, Dwayne! Thank you 'itsjustme'. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 13, 2011 Author Posted February 13, 2011 I'm just posting the camera shots, I really kind of liked the the canoe hunting party one. I have one side of the paddlers animated, just have to do the other side and the water. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/ Quote
Admin Rodney Posted February 14, 2011 Admin Posted February 14, 2011 Very nice Dwayne! Love your sense of style and color. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 14, 2011 Author Posted February 14, 2011 Very nice Dwayne! Love your sense of style and color. Thanks Rodney Quote
jakerupert Posted February 14, 2011 Posted February 14, 2011 Wow. great style, looking forward to see it move. Its interesting to see, theres some kind of trend around here at the moment to go for a somehow more stylized background. cheers Jake Quote
Dwayne Posted February 14, 2011 Author Posted February 14, 2011 Wow. great style, looking forward to see it move. Its interesting to see, theres some kind of trend around here at the moment to go for a somehow more stylized background. cheers Jake Thanks Jakerupert. Also for the comment on my site. Yes I'm working on the animation, I hope you guys are tough on me, for that. Because thats where I think I will need the suggestions. Anyway Thanks Jake Quote
Dwayne Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I did a opening sequence, with a little sound. Does this look interesting? This is just where he ( don't have a name yet) finds out he has been left behind, and decides to head out on his own in then fog. And of course gets lost and separated from his tribe. He has to survive on his own. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/videos/ Quote
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted February 23, 2011 Hash Fellow Posted February 23, 2011 I like the foggy shots best for their painterly look. I wonder if there's some way to light the interior shot so it keeps that same mood. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 I like the foggy shots best for their painterly look. I wonder if there's some way to light the interior shot so it keeps that same mood. OK , that's a good idea. I guess you mean a volume light, that would have 'smokey' look with the light rays, coming out from the door. That gives me an idea of 'playing' with this fog a little, more. And render it in a higher res. to get a better effect. Thanks robcat, Quote
NancyGormezano Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I think it looks beautiful! Love the soundtrack, sound effects. This has my interest hooked. I am surprised that the sound reminds me of Native American culture, yet I thought the imagery was reminiscent of China. Will this be a melding of cultures? fantasy culture? The abrupt cut from the running character to the character (same guy? new guy?) waving on the shore is a little confusing as to continuity, but perhaps the inevitable "more to come" will fill in the gaps eventually. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 I think it looks beautiful! Love the soundtrack, sound effects. This has my interest hooked. I am surprised that the sound reminds me of Native American culture, yet I thought the imagery was reminiscent of China. Will this be a melding of cultures? fantasy culture? The abrupt cut from the running character to the character (same guy? new guy?) waving on the shore is a little confusing as to continuity, but perhaps the inevitable "more to come" will fill in the gaps eventually. Hi Nancy Yes this is about the north west coast natives. I have seen pictures from China that have mountains that do look like the ones I did. Plus the water color sort of look. This is exactly the kind of comments I encourage. About the animation itself. I was wondering if the continuity was a problem with opening door and the final position of him waving. I did do an in-between for this but left it out. What this tells me, is not to cut corners or get lazy. Thanks Quote
NancyGormezano Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I was wondering if the continuity was a problem with opening door and the final position of him waving. I did do an in-between for this but left it out. What this tells me, is not to cut corners or get lazy. My feeling is that it is always good to have the viewer questioning "why" or "what" from the beginning, and even in the middle. It's a great way to get 'em hooked, and keep 'em hooked throughout the entire piece if they are always wondering "what happens next" or "why". They want to know the answer, so they will keep watching. Don't answer the questions too soon. It will work as long as the questions eventually get resolved, revealed, or are left for the viewer to easily interpret/guess (and feel smug). My comments in my previous post let you know the questions that I as a viewer was wondering as I watched this. My comments above were after watching 1 time, ie a first impression. After thinking about it now, and replaying it (a couple of times last night, would have to rewatch again) - I am guessing it is the same character, and that he is running out of his (someone's?) house? palace? to greet or wave goodbye to the canoers. At this point it is not obvious why I need to know about the house, other than it looks grand, large (adding more confusion about which culture had grand houses?) So, if in your piece, it becomes obvious later on as to what that room was and how it's related to the landscape, culture, story (and I expect it will), and it becomes obvious that the characters are the same (or not), then I wouldn't worry about it at this stage. You can always add a bridge scene later if it still turns out to need it. Or perhaps have a slower dissolve between the scenes (rather than abrupt cut) to connect them. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 I was wondering if the continuity was a problem with opening door and the final position of him waving. I did do an in-between for this but left it out. What this tells me, is not to cut corners or get lazy. My feeling is that it is always good to have the viewer questioning "why" or "what" from the beginning, and even in the middle. It's a great way to get 'em hooked, and keep 'em hooked throughout the entire piece if they are always wondering "what happens next" or "why". They want to know the answer, so they will keep watching. Don't answer the questions too soon. It will work as long as the questions eventually get resolved, revealed, or are left for the viewer to easily interpret/guess (and feel smug). My comments in my previous post let you know the questions that I as a viewer was wondering as I watched this. My comments above were after watching 1 time, ie a first impression. After thinking about it now, and replaying it (a couple of times last night, would have to rewatch again) - I am guessing it is the same character, and that he is running out of his (someone's?) house? palace? to greet or wave goodbye to the canoers. At this point it is not obvious why I need to know about the house, other than it looks grand, large (adding more confusion about which culture had grand houses?) So, if in your piece, it becomes obvious later on as to what that room was and how it's related to the landscape, culture, story (and I expect it will), and it becomes obvious that the characters are the same (or not), then I wouldn't worry about it at this stage. You can always add a bridge scene later if it still turns out to need it. Or perhaps have a slower dissolve between the scenes (rather than abrupt cut) to connect them. When it comes to backgrounds I do very realistic to painted backgrounds to this style with AM. ( this style can only be done in AM, they do not work in other 3d apps). They just flow out. But the animation part takes, discipline, and patience. anyway I'm working on that. The houses are called 'Long House" and sometimes many families lived in one of these structures. A fire was in the middle of the house and the people lived around the edges of them. The out sides were painted and carved to show their family crest. For example , the eagle cland, or bear, or killer whale , for example. Anyway , I am reworking this opening scene. Quote
Dwayne Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 Those are beautiful. Thanks Jason Quote
Dwayne Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 Just an update to the opening scene. I was trying to get a better quality, but keep the meg count low. I only have 20 meg on this site. This one is rendered in a mpg4, format. It's about 3.3 meg. (The original is 1080X720X24 fps. I am using Sony Vegas) Any suggestions for getting the best best quality, and the lowest file size, would be welcome. http://dwaynejensen.shawwebspace.ca/videos/ Quote
NancyGormezano Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 I really love how it's looking. Wonderful feel. How are you achieving that variegated misty look? Are you using Volumetric mist type or fog effects? or is it really the coloring/texturing. I will have to study it closer. I wish I had some good advice on compression - it's always a struggle to balance size/quality. h264 seems to be what most use. Perhaps skimp on audio quality as much as you can stand. Quote
Dwayne Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 I really love how it's looking. Wonderful feel. How are you achieving that variegated misty look? Are you using Volumetric mist type or fog effects? or is it really the coloring/texturing. I will have to study it closer. I wish I had some good advice on compression - it's always a struggle to balance size/quality. h264 seems to be what most use. Perhaps skimp on audio quality as much as you can stand. The misty look is really blurring ( defocus ) in spots or different areas on the image. The idea being that you have 'say 5 spots' where you want to blur the image. So the blurring is just in areas of the image instead of blurring the whole image. You can do that through actions in PS, So that you can do the same action for all the images in that shot. I think there are some plugins like soft focus , or blur's that give you that look though you have to select, where you want the blurring to occur. It's like looking at your scene through a wet window, where some areas are wet and some are dry. The great thing about this is they are post rendered. No real render times, just run them through your paint program or Video editor. I will try the h264 compression, and see how that works. I didn't see ( h264 ) format in Vegas. I tried h263 but I think I should be able to do better. Quote
NancyGormezano Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 The great thing about this is they are post rendered. No real render times, just run them through your paint program or Video editor. Ah yes. Wonderful! Lovely. Inspiring. A whole world opens up when one plays with these effects post rendering. Quote
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