Do you recognize this video?
I'm sure you do!
This advert was made by T-Mobile couple of years ago and with huge impact it could be seen around the world.
Needless to say, this brilliant video was so good, I've decided to make animated version of it in.. 2009. Yes, I was young and stupid animator who could barely use Maya, but with wild idea of making it.
The level of my animation was perfect for my mark - I got: D-.
So, I've deleted the animation from over the Internet and totally forgotten about it.
But, couple of days ago another wild idea appeared in my kinky mind - Why won't I try to do it again?
At first, I thought, I'm insane and I should not step the same river twice but then, with the lack of other ideas for DANCE TASK, I thought it might be a good idea.
So, brief scenario is:
1. Empty museum/library/quiet place. A guy with headphones walks around and looks at things.
2. Suddenly, track changes to 'Do you love me' by The Contours
3. Positively shocked, closes his eyes and start to do the T-Mobile dance:
4. As soon as choreography ends (around 40 seconds), he opens his eyes and see the guard staring at him like o_O
5. Shot on our dancer with stupid smile and CUT!
Now, fun part. From two days I'm trying to LEARN THE MOVES. Yes! You read correct.
I think I'm able to do this on Friday, when we will shoot our reference but.. I will see if I can make it.
Probably, I will just do it for fun (and to tell someday my grandchildren how grandpa's twisted mind is) so I already started animating body with reference shown above.
Yesterday, for TWO hours I was doing 6 seconds of animation - hips, knees and feet ONLY.
I think this is the hardest animation I had to do in my entire life (always too ambitious), but also, I can't wait for effects!
My only hope is not to end like on undergrad..
18.1.12
Today's TO-DO list
So today is Wednesday, which is SHOW n' TELL day.
I got good feedback from everybody and I'm not hesitating to use it.
LIP SYNC TASK
- Lower down UPs and DOWNs
- Lower down WIDEs
PRESENTER TASK
- Change the layout - Presenter centred - Nominated actors around him
I will be honest here. I don't like this idea. I've imagined my layout completely different - as in real Oscars ceremony. But.. I will do it and see how it looks like.
- Make eye contact with the audience
- Same as in lip sync task - lower down phonemes
One word about my exaggerated phonemes - I like to make my lip sync more dynamical, that's why I got so big 'wides' and 'downs'. But, as I'm not professional animator and I might be wrong, I will submissively change it.
Then, if I still got time, I will continue my DANCE task, which I'm going to briefly describe in my next post.
I got good feedback from everybody and I'm not hesitating to use it.
LIP SYNC TASK
- Lower down UPs and DOWNs
- Lower down WIDEs
PRESENTER TASK
- Change the layout - Presenter centred - Nominated actors around him
I will be honest here. I don't like this idea. I've imagined my layout completely different - as in real Oscars ceremony. But.. I will do it and see how it looks like.
- Make eye contact with the audience
- Same as in lip sync task - lower down phonemes
One word about my exaggerated phonemes - I like to make my lip sync more dynamical, that's why I got so big 'wides' and 'downs'. But, as I'm not professional animator and I might be wrong, I will submissively change it.
Then, if I still got time, I will continue my DANCE task, which I'm going to briefly describe in my next post.
Insomnia is Coming!
Couple of weeks ago, I have received an interesting e-mail, titled: 'Animator needed for FPS game'.
At first, I was sure it's a scam or another fake e-mail to subscribe something but.. further reading showed, that it is a real game developed by over 300 people from all over the world, including many artists from contests like Dominance War.
Then, I was sweetened by phrase 'which must be animated with such master like You.'
Yes! I know it's a template sent to hundreds, but still.. it's nice :-)
An interesting thing is, the team is driven by one man - Krzysztof 'Mr Game' Galus. Yes, he is Polish, which also amazes me (not many games are produced in Poland).
So, technically, this horror game is based on free game engine called FPSCreator.
At first, I was really concerned about that. Why won't they use something more professional like UDK or write their own engine but.. the point of the game is to prove, that no engine matters but script and graphics.
Here is technical demo created long time ago (so it's probably not actual at all):
The team has 50 members (+300 people, who donated game by their models) from countries like Italy, India, Iran, Korea, China, Australia, Russia or USA. Everybody works online, like SO/HO.
My duties are Rigging (most of the characters are not rigged and as far as I know the team has only few of riggers) and Animating.
The first character I have to animate (fortunately not rig) is sweet named 'Mr Dead':
This post is an perfect example of how you should take care of your portfolio and make it looking good for potential employers.
At first, I was sure it's a scam or another fake e-mail to subscribe something but.. further reading showed, that it is a real game developed by over 300 people from all over the world, including many artists from contests like Dominance War.
Then, I was sweetened by phrase 'which must be animated with such master like You.'
Yes! I know it's a template sent to hundreds, but still.. it's nice :-)
An interesting thing is, the team is driven by one man - Krzysztof 'Mr Game' Galus. Yes, he is Polish, which also amazes me (not many games are produced in Poland).
So, technically, this horror game is based on free game engine called FPSCreator.
At first, I was really concerned about that. Why won't they use something more professional like UDK or write their own engine but.. the point of the game is to prove, that no engine matters but script and graphics.
Here is technical demo created long time ago (so it's probably not actual at all):
The team has 50 members (+300 people, who donated game by their models) from countries like Italy, India, Iran, Korea, China, Australia, Russia or USA. Everybody works online, like SO/HO.
My duties are Rigging (most of the characters are not rigged and as far as I know the team has only few of riggers) and Animating.
The first character I have to animate (fortunately not rig) is sweet named 'Mr Dead':
model by Kruku
I have to animate 24 frames cycles like:
- Getting of the meat (yes, meat) walls
- Reaction, when sees the player
- Run
- Attack
- Damage from player
- Death
I have got the model but.. it's in MAX format. Well, as I'm MAYA animator, I have to wait till somebody exports rig to fbx file.. which is okay with me, because now I have much things to do on uni.
Here is an example of previous work from our team:
This post is an perfect example of how you should take care of your portfolio and make it looking good for potential employers.
15.1.12
Maya CopyPasta!
Maya CopyPasta! v.1.0
Grab your stick and double click!
So, I was really tired of setting everything (settings, projects) up everyday. As our technicians are REALLY lazy and can't do their job.. I came up with a solution.
Couple of years ago, I used to be a programmer (rather my mathematician hobby). So.. I've written short batch file which will copy all my settings with one click!
Yes!
As I'm Good Guy Greg, I want to share it with you!
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.rafalschubert.com/Files/MayaCopyPasta.zip
Working on uni machines (Windows 7 x64).
PREPARATION
Copy everything from Maya settings folder:
C:\Users\USER_NAME\maya\2012-x64
Don't copy a folder, but folders inside (prefs, presets, scripts).
Then, paste it to your stick/external hard drive/student drive.
For example, student drive:
U:\settings
So in 'settings' folder we will find those three folders mentioned above.
Next, right click '!Maya CopyPasta! and open with notepad.
Set your student number and from patch (if it's different) and save the file.
DA JOB
Double click.
Check if patch and your student number is correct.
If it is, just press 'ANY' key.
YAY! Done :-)
Then just store this file on your drive (or student drive) and run when needed.
If intrested, I can make CopyPasta! for other software you use.
Grab your stick and double click!
So, I was really tired of setting everything (settings, projects) up everyday. As our technicians are REALLY lazy and can't do their job.. I came up with a solution.
Couple of years ago, I used to be a programmer (rather my mathematician hobby). So.. I've written short batch file which will copy all my settings with one click!
Yes!
As I'm Good Guy Greg, I want to share it with you!
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.rafalschubert.com/Files/MayaCopyPasta.zip
Working on uni machines (Windows 7 x64).
PREPARATION
Copy everything from Maya settings folder:
C:\Users\USER_NAME\maya\2012-x64
Don't copy a folder, but folders inside (prefs, presets, scripts).
Then, paste it to your stick/external hard drive/student drive.
For example, student drive:
U:\settings
So in 'settings' folder we will find those three folders mentioned above.
Next, right click '!Maya CopyPasta! and open with notepad.
Set your student number and from patch (if it's different) and save the file.
DA JOB
Double click.
Check if patch and your student number is correct.
If it is, just press 'ANY' key.
YAY! Done :-)
Then just store this file on your drive (or student drive) and run when needed.
If intrested, I can make CopyPasta! for other software you use.
14.1.12
Animations in 2012
The Pirates!
Release date: 28 March
Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.
Ice Age: Continental Drift
Release date: 06 July
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Release date: 27 July
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
Brave
Release date: 17 August
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
ParaNorman
Release date: 14 September
A misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Frankenweenie
Release date: 05 October
Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.
Hotel Transylvania
Release date: 12 October
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Release date: 19 October
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo join a traveling circus in an effort to get back home to New York.
Rise of the Guardians
Release date: 30 November
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman band together to form a united front against the Bogeyman.
Source:
IMDB.com
Press releases
Release date: 28 March
Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.
Ice Age: Continental Drift
Release date: 06 July
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Release date: 27 July
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
Brave
Release date: 17 August
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
ParaNorman
Release date: 14 September
A misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Frankenweenie
Release date: 05 October
Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.
Hotel Transylvania
Release date: 12 October
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Release date: 19 October
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo join a traveling circus in an effort to get back home to New York.
Rise of the Guardians
Release date: 30 November
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman band together to form a united front against the Bogeyman.
Source:
IMDB.com
Press releases
[SFS] The Ark
Unknown virus decimates population. Those who survived, guided by one man, are travelling to the unpolluted lands.
Work on the film was completed in April 2007. The relevant stage of production took about fifteen months, but from the first concepts passed two years.
Ironically, it turned out that the work on eight minutes length film engulfed such a long period of time.
Image was created using an unconventional technique of animated films.
Everything is based on hand-made miniatures, which were photographed using a Nikon D70s. For moving shots used Motion Control system that allows you to repeat the same motion at the perfect preservation of its trajectory. Use of this system enabled the performance of individual shots in several different variants of lighting. With such a solution, natural stage lighting could be simulated on a computer.
Thus, to the obtained 'photographed' material were added characters and items using 3D software for digital mock-ups. Creating a detailed computer scenery would be very complicated, laborious and in some cases perhaps even impossible.
More than this, lighting and rendering such detailed scenes would require enormous computing power. Using this technique allowed to avoid this problem. On the other hand, manual work for the implementation of such mock-ups was the break (and relaxation) from several hours daily spent at the computer - says Marcin Kobylecki, producer.
'The Ark' was created mainly using Softimage XSI. Also were used programs such as 3DS Max, LightWave or Modo, while the composition was made using After Effects and Digital Fusion.
Ironically, it turned out that the work on eight minutes length film engulfed such a long period of time.
Image was created using an unconventional technique of animated films.
Everything is based on hand-made miniatures, which were photographed using a Nikon D70s. For moving shots used Motion Control system that allows you to repeat the same motion at the perfect preservation of its trajectory. Use of this system enabled the performance of individual shots in several different variants of lighting. With such a solution, natural stage lighting could be simulated on a computer.
More than this, lighting and rendering such detailed scenes would require enormous computing power. Using this technique allowed to avoid this problem. On the other hand, manual work for the implementation of such mock-ups was the break (and relaxation) from several hours daily spent at the computer - says Marcin Kobylecki, producer.
'The Ark' was created mainly using Softimage XSI. Also were used programs such as 3DS Max, LightWave or Modo, while the composition was made using After Effects and Digital Fusion.
My commentary
I saw that short three years ago, when it appeared with a big boom on Polish sites about 3D graphics, but recently (this is probably a reason for shame), I got to know the details of the production. At a last year's meeting with Grzegorz Jonkajtys in Warsaw, I had the pleasure to see it once again. It amazed me. Although, Platige Image studio 'a little' helped in the production, their style (previously seen for example in 'The Catherdal' or 'Fallen Art') was clearly adapted by Grzegorz Jonkajtys after leaving their team.
Read more:
http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/the_ark_-_short_film
Source: Press release
13.1.12
[WIP] Presenter task v.3.0
And here I am again after feedback from Penny.
Now, with a lot nicer phonemes.
Lowered down all mouth moves and now, it is more smoother and believable.
That's why I love feedback! <3
Now, with a lot nicer phonemes.
Lowered down all mouth moves and now, it is more smoother and believable.
That's why I love feedback! <3
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