Fantasy Olympics - Burball

Tadaaa, it is finished, everything from the storyboard and sketches to the actual animation and music. It is currently just being uploaded to Vimeo, I have used four programs for this, LMMS, Photoshop, 3ds Max and the main one After Effects. The main task was to learn about After Effects and how to make 2d images look like they're in a 3d environment. I used the software mainly for they text as I feel that it is in this area it truly succeeds. I did make the 2d characters work in the 3d arena too, which I am very happy about, as I thought that was going to be the hardest challenge. Luckily once I got into it, I got the hang of it really quickly, I do like the idea of being able to animate with this software, and with me currently considering concept art and storyboarding as a career, this is a great software for storyboards.
Although I feel like the character animation section will eventual get better with practice, right now this is the best I feel I could produce, another year or so practice I will be able to make it look smother and as though it were part of the arena. That I feel is the only let down.
The idea for the sport was really good, so much so I'm considering to make it a free mini game online. I really thought out the characters best for the sport too, like their shape and qualities. At one point i nearly turned the advert into a documentary each with their won back stories, before realising the brief was just asking for an advert. I liked how it all came together, and the reason why I used 3ds max was because I couldnt get the right feel from After Effects and so i made a decision, I wanted to make a good advert and the mass majority of it is made up of After Effects animation the text and character sections anyway.
The ideas behind this advert are strong ones, even though the final outcome isnt as strong I got all my ideas across, in the advert i gave a good over view of what my sport was, the mood, and why it was being advertised. If i had more time I think i could have played around some more with the olympic logo, as over past day or so i came up with an idea to make it more intergalatic.
It may not be the strongest advert but the ideas definitly are, and ultimately that was my main goal. Its execution was just mainly about learning the program and what it was capable of, my main goal was to push my imagination and also start practicing character designs.
The task was to 'design a promotional advert for a fantasy olympic sport'. I think I achieved that.

Teaching Myself After Effects

So with little knowledge I had of After Effects I set out to make a scene that is going to be in my advert. For a first time it's not too bad, and I've tried to remember animation basics. Its actually really fiddly, but once you get it, you're sorted. I know it can be better and less basic cartoony but be gentle its my first time. I like it because once the giant velcro balls attach, Octi slows down and it looks heavey, exactly the feel I wanted.
Weaves in and out, collects the big black 100 then ends up collecting a load more and starts getting weighed down.

Gonna finsih the Slithering scene tonight and hopefully put it all together tomorrow, going to try adding a fast blur effect to the slithering scene.

Arena Animation

This is a quick over look of the arena, in the advert I'm going to show them floating up from the floor, gonna be awesome. My advert is I think all about the power and impact of it, its not very subtle.

Olympic Branding

Thinking about making my own brand for my fantasy olympics, which is to be held in 3024. I was just gaining inspiration from past designs and posters. Most important bit is the five rings. Branding is a major part in this advert and I think I derailed a bit going off into each story. I've come up with a more advert based idea, rather than an episode. Anyway here are some of the designs I'm being inspire by;

 Unfortunately the 2012 olympic poster didnt make it on here because I just don't like it. It's not a likable image, and I don't feel inspired or excited for the olympics when I see it. Also the simpson reference makes me dislike it further. Oh well tomorrow I will have my own design, I will make it to my preferences and see if I can portray the mood of hope and that feeling of togetherness, those are elements that I think are important elements for the olympics.
Wish me Luck.

Blinking Slithards

This is my first initial test for my blinking slithard was Just practicing with the layers and timing. Its only a rough little movie ,But you get the jist.

The Contestants

Here are the main 3 contestants I am going to have in my advert:

Slithards

These slithering creatures main strength in Burball is the fact they're so snake like and can just slide to the point balls it wants. It weaves in and out collecting as many points before the finish line.

Three times Gold champion in the past two decades, collecting a handful of silver and bronze medals along the way.

They're one to watch out for as a flick of they're tail can send a bunch of weighted balls your way.






Octi

The mass point collector, spreading its 8 limbs out at the perfect moment accumulating as many points as possible betore the finish. Its light weight body keeping it from being to heavy to the touch the floor, enforcing the fact that it has never been desqualified.

Has never gotten less than 2nd place in the past two olympics, although if they get third its a gaunrantee you'll never see them again!

They maybe quiet, but they are quick calculators and may just beat you past the finish with all the points.




Gelatinous Blob

There has been a lot of controversy over the past few centuries with these guys, as they couldn't wear a uniform. They hadn't figured out a suit that could fit they're gluppy bodies. It wasn't till the past three olympics they were allowed to participate, as one of their leading scientists discovered a way to make the suit so elasticated it almost mimicked the structure of their own bodies.

There is an obvious natural talent that these guys posses, yet they can't seem to break into the silver medal league, always given bronze or even being disqualified. No one can forget the disqualifiction of 3016 olympic game, it was down to just one spec of blob that let the side down.

Anyway although they haven't won gold, they are considered one of the top three comptetors in the universe.


They each have a small profile as I am considering adding a small portion into my advert. Stuff like the year they were born and they're strengths and medals. Maybe I'm still 50/50, it just depends on how much time I have left over in my 30 second add. Anyway tomorrow i will upload the deasigns for the arena.

After Effects for the Chess player

Above: Good evening. Middle: ...White Please. Below: Black

So here is a the next section, the switching on of the Unbeatable computer, and the computer deciding which side to be. I did one for each as at the time I decided to that the evil computer will prefer black, it will also allow the robot hands to start first... This is where the frustrations begin!
I did it in After effects, which I'm very glad I've started using more as i can now use it as practice for my final olympics piece, which is after this project. I like the glow of the letters, and it again helps set the scene. Sorry not uploaded my sketches yet, completely forgot.

The beginning section of my music

For the past few days I have been working on creating a little sound track to accompany my robot animation. I think it gives the futuristic feel, although it may be a little too creepy. I've tweaked it a little since but just wanted to keep updated. I think I like it, not sure yet. I also have a new found respect for musicians who can successfully make their own music, very hard. Been at this for ages on a good programme LMMS. So glad I have it.

Lets Play

Here it is, animation combined with the opening!! I'm so happy, theres one flaw in it, but maybe it adds to it I dont know. Anyway I like it, it took a lot of faffing around and again 2.5hrs to render, but its starting to take shape. I'm starting to think about a sound track to go with it, and not forgetting sound effects, like the cracking of the knuckles. I really want my hands to have a Human personality its just trapped in Robot hands.

Opening Scene Extended

This is the extended version of the opening which i will be using. It sets the scene better I feel, as it shows the whole chessboard, the hands, and the computer. It also does justice to the reflections, and is a little longer so audience can digest it better. I prefer it, its now 15sec worth of video, and doesnt feel so rushed, and it opens nicely into my next scene: The hands waking up.

Metallic Material

So I just wanted to show my metallic material, the above shot is a reflection off of the left shoulder, I might have to use that shot as an opening in my animation. I like that its all metallic, suits the theme of the robot, but I think I need to lessen the reflection on the pieces and even the board. Although the board only has a reflection off of the black squares, really I want the board to be more see through, yet I'm worried that the black surface below will make the white bits seem black too. Guess I will have to keep playing, anyway the pieces have been modelled, had help from Andy on the horse but its still my design and I've tweaked it since. I'm actually quite impressed with it, it does give off a futuristic feel, and it does keep in with my robot arms. I've yet to finish the computer just add some more buttons and make the mini animation "Checkmate" for it. Then I can actually begin the film. Sorry I haven't added my sketches and storyboard yet, need to get my hands either a camera with batteries or a scanner that for some reason needs ink to scan to computer (flaws in the Kodak all in one printer).

Above is my overall scene, and the set up, getting the hands right I think is going to be fiddly as I dont want them to clash with other pieces. What I love about it is that its just grown, piece by piece, section by section. I wasnt quite sure what my overall scene would look like, I am actually thinking a wooden table but worried it would lose the theme. A lot of it is just playing around, and so far my playing has paid off.