Fixing things

Hi there!
Currently I'm polishing the film. Here's the new hedge I made today. Looks a lot better than the old one which was made of a single textured mesh only. Well, the render time has obviously increased (as predicted), however it is worth waiting.

More updates coming soon.

Stay tuned!

New voice!

 Hello folks!
Today I present final blocking version (as it was in v.3) but with new voice of Carl and Max added. After a short session in recording studio with voice actor and comedian James Harris (see his official website here) I present what I got so far.
Say no to boring moments in your animation - get a creative and funny voice actor!

Meanwhile I'm still in linear fixing up some things, however some parts of animation are done in linear->auto tangents which looks really nice and gives me some boost to work more.

Stay tuned!

Blocking v.3

Final blocking version!

Changelog:
- Tweaked some things
- RUBBER CHICKEN!
- Added flowers - tulips
- Carl doesn't turn off lawnmower - instead - goes to the backyard

Stay tuned!

Blocking v.2

The newest, almost final blocking version.

Changelog:
- add 'scared' reaction / attract attention in third shot
- more time for flying objects
- different height/place of flying objects
- add flowers in long shot
- breakdowns

To-do:
0:08 - move camera to the right
0:28 - push the mower - better animation
0:35 - head pop
0:40 - fix left hand
0:55 - better reaction
1:07 - fix left hand

change lamp to rubber chicken
better flowers near the ladder
Instead of turning off the lawnmower - Carl's head going to the back garden with sound fade out.

The next, final version coming in a matter of days.

Stay tuned!

Rubber chicken attack!

Created rubber chicken today. Probably I'm going to use it as one of the abstract objects flying in the background. If I come to that decision, I will texture and rig it.
Meanwhile, I've got almost ready the final blocking stage. Need to do some tweaks and put everything together.
I will publish it on Wednesday, 18th of July.


Stay tuned!

Blocking v.1

Here it is!
The first version of blocking stage!





After today's feedback session I've got small to-do list:

- add reaction / attract attention in third shot
- camera shots - work on them
- more time for flying objects - too fast?
- different height/place of flying objects
- add flowers in long shot
- breakdowns, we need more breakdowns!

Stay tuned!

Update

Been a while since I have posted here. Mostly because there was nothing really interesting to post.

All this time I have been modelling and blocking.
You will see the first results tomorrow - for the feedback session I will make first blocking version.

According to my schedule I should finish the blocking stage on Friday, 6th of July.
However, due to some delay caused by family duties (while being in Poland) I had to postpone linear stage until I'm happy with blocking stage (around one week or so).
Also, I've shot some more reference for:
- dragging/launching/pushing lawn mower - recorded with real lawn mower at home!
- getting on the lounger - two ways

As I mentioned before, I've modelled some stuff:

TV Antenna vs enormous satellite dish to show differences between the characters.
However, it is not visible in any camera shot, but I leave it if I change my mind.

And now my favourite - wishing well taken from Argos catalogue! On first meeting with my supervisor - Ellie - we discussed how to show his addiction to TV shops. Then, we browsed Argos catalogue and picked this well to put in Max's garden. There are still many things I could place there, but I don't want to distract the attention.

And destroyed garden after automower crash.
I will replace ground texture with some mud stains and of course add perfect grass stripes on the left.


Okay, that's it for now.
Stay tuned!

Speed modeling videos

Like in previous module, I present speed modeling videos of props and sets made for 'The Lazy Gardener'.
Have fun!















Stay tuned!

Storyboard

Final storyboard, yay!
After many, many changes here it is.
Clean and simple.

Stay tuned!

Final renders

Took some time but there it is!
Final renders of sets, objects and characters.

Stay tuned!

Turntables

Combined all turntables and put them into one, clear video with main music theme.
Enjoy!


Stay tuned!

Sheets

Stay tuned!

Animatic

So here is updated version of animatic.
Added loads of sounds. The timing is NOT correct. The final animation will be a lot longer leaving some more time for viewer to enjoy the fun.
And yes, the new sounds and totally random flying objects are working at makes me laugh every time!
Can't wait to animate.


Stay tuned!

Poster

Made a poster today!
I like it, because it already shows the conflict and what the film is going to be about.
My first plan was including full garden with the house estate in the background, but the lighting/rendering part is not finished (it will take time) and I'm running out of time.
However, I like it as it is.

Stay tuned!

Reference

We had reference shooting day on Friday, but today I had time to edit the best bits and put them together.
I'm missing some actions like Carl's waving/cheering, pressing the remote controller or laying down on the lunger, but that's okay. I can manage without it and if I wont - well, I can still book a green screen studio.

And here is uncut, raw material (not deleting it is a smart decision, trust me):




Stay tuned!

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!