The Button Update

Here is another 5 second section added on to the animation below, the switching on of the  UNBEATABLE computer. I really want to show a range of movement in this animation, fully use all the techniques I've never been able to do before. I think I've set it up nicely now that I can begin actually telling the story, the intro is over once the computer says "good evening".

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.

1st time using a Free camera on a track

This is the 1st piece of animation for my robot piece, its all static as I just wanted to set the scene 1st. I might infact make the beginning reflection section longer and same with the ending, when its just looking at the board. I like how all the reflections have come up on the chess pieces, along with the subtle reflection on the chess board. Took an hour though which is worrying.

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.