Modeling time!

So, finally I could model some stuff!
Did this today. Rigging and texturing in coming week.


Ye olde lawn mower

Brand new 'Automower'

Lounger 3000

Stay tuned!

Final script

After many changes and consultations with tutors, classmates and Ed Hooks I present the final version of the script:





About Ed's feedback:
Ed gave me really great hints how to improve my script. Beside of really nice ideas, he showed me two things that are not working in my story:
1. Carl does not have any obstacles. He just mows his lawn and that's it.
2. The characters are not interacting. These are two separate stories going on at the same time.

I was really confused because I had no idea what to do. Changing the script to get rid of these weaknesses would complicate the story. But from the other hand, the script would be.. proper.
So, the next day I told about Ed's insights to tutors and classmates.
Everybody agreed to leave the script as it is, because it is working and people still are having fun.

Pheeew! Good!
Ed mentioned that my story reminds him of 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. I totally forgotten about that one!
The moral is the same - and it still works!

I've got the new storyboard (to be scanned) and currently working on animatic using.. Flash! Good old times.


Stay tuned!

Story - 22/05 version

So this is the storyboard and animatic based on the script version from 22/05. It was shown to the class and tutors to make final the final tweaks. New version of storyboard coming soon.

Stay tuned!

Concepts

Here are some concepts I drew a couple of days ago.


A bit outdated characters. Carl (too young) and Max (too tall, too skinny as for lazy person).

And props:

Stay tuned!

Characters

Based on feedback from Wednesday's classes and my updated concept arts (need to scan them) I've created the final characters.

Due to strange nature of UV's in Eleven Rig (stitch in exact centre of the body), I had to remap UV's with stitches like in a shirt. Therefore, if there is some mismatch in the texture - it is intended. Easy peasy.

Then, painted the textures and done!

Two notes:
1. I will redo the face texture by adding some wrinkles and making the skin much older
2. I will try to add some sleeves and other sticking out elements so it doesn't look so adherent.

Stay tuned!

House model

Created a cartoony house today.
It is in two versions.
Hi poly for main character's house, with beautiful ambient occlusion shadows on the walls and low poly for house estate background.
The hedge will be less 'solid' - going to add alpha maps for leaves and branches.

Stay tuned!

Mood boards

After gathering loads of reference images, I chosen the best ones and compiled them in moodboards including colour grading.

Enjoy!


Carl

Max

Old lawn mower

Automatic lawn mower

House

Garden

Lounger

Stay tuned!

Script evolution

It's fascinating to see how your idea is being developed during this module.
It seems like every week the script changes and I must say - it's better and better.

This was my original idea, not more than a month ago:

Sunday afternoon. The guy with the beer belly mows the lawn. Suddenly the mower jams. He's rying to launch it and nothing happens. Tries few more times and falls. Then, the mower runs itself and starts rushing straight into the wife's flower garden, destroying everything on it's way. His wife looks out the door in horror / shock. The guy gives up.

Then, after the first feedback:

1. Black screen. #1 opens garage doors and gets his old lawn mower.
2. Totally resigned, with a bit of trouble starts mowing his small lawn.
3. While he is close to the hedge, sees his neighbour (#2) lying on a lounger, while his wireless, brand new lawn mower does all the job.
4. #1 gets really jealous. Looks at his lawn mower then at his neighbour's. Then, suddenly he gets an idea.
5. He goes to the garage, gets the shovel and goes back.
6. #1 kneels on the sidewalk near the lawn of his neighbour and with a bit of turf he tries to lure the automatic mower. Behaving like he's luring a dog.
7. The mower follows the path (on the sidewalk) made of turf and starts mowing #1's lawn. #1 lays back and drinks a glass of lemonade.
8. Suddenly, #2 sees what happened. He comes to the #1 lawn and takes back his mower. #1 is sad again. Then, he gets a brilliant idea.
9. #1 is relaxing and drinking lemonade while the 'gloomy' sheep is eating the lawn.

However, the viewer couldn't empathize with our main character (#1) so I thought of:

There was still something wrong, like contrast not visible or Max being too nice - no reason why Carl can't help him.
So, I made a few changes:
1. Max saying rude things to Carl
2. Carl acting like Ned Flanders saying 'the old ways are the best'
3. Max smashing the mower rather than being scared
4. Carl offering to lend a mower for a tiny bit of salvaged garden - being mean.

But again, that was too complicated and confusing. So, the last, simpler version:


And this version was sent to tutors for some feedback.


Stay tuned!

The Lazy Gardener - It's official!

Hey kids!
Today I created the official website of my upcoming animated short film - 'the lazy gardener'.

http://rafalschubert.com/thelazygardener/

Below the logo you will find the progress bar made of grass and lawnmower. The more I do, the more lawnmower goes cutting the grass. It really does!

On the left you can find current stage I'm on with the to-do list.

To keep you informed, I've created a news feed displaying last 5 entries posted on this blog and tagged with 'tlg' - http://raffanimates.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/tlg.

Also, if you prefer reading news feed on your own reader or getting it on your e-mail - check out the feedburner for RSS/ATOM feed link and the subscription form:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/thelazygardener.

Stay tuned!

Student Reel

Made a student reel today.
Enjoy!