Modeling

Today, and most of this week for that matter, I have been meticulously modeling these characters. I really hope this goes faster this weekend so that I can finish it soon. My goal is to start animating by February 1 and if I don't keep hammering on the modeling I won't be able to push it through. Even in a cut-out project, the modeling is extremely demanding especially when you have to translate what you did in the front view of a character to the side, back, and three quarter views. I have finished all of the views of King Herod. Here they are...

Front Views Done

Here are the front views of my main characters. I had to do a great deal of problem solving to move them from after effects to maya and I believe this is only the beginning of the many challenges I will face with this pipeline. However, I believe it will pay off with the quality of the lighting, the movement of the camera, and the better performances of animation. I feel like I achieved something with these designs, especially of Herod. Finally, I can see the potential of these characters to perform the play and contribute something to the long heritage of Salome.

Digital Art

As I work on this project, I would like to identify some of the experiences of working in this medium. To those who see me sit all day in front of this blinding screen, it must be a mystery to them to understand how I can be making and experiencing art. Today I worked on the design of King Herod again, to make him more likable, and to finalize the design. My only references are in my head when I begin. I wish I had the time to sit outside and study a subject for each character. I wish I had the ability to render a face on to paper. Instead, I looked through art books for basic shapes and tried to create the character in my mind, concentrating on him during exercise to keep him in my head. I open up the software and ready my hand at the mouse. I always try to picture myself holding a pair of scissors as I start working. As I click points, I'm cutting shapes from the black paper. The computer is not immediate, but there are some aspects of the process that are very enjoyable and produce great results. In working with the roto-masks, I start with with the hard edged shape and place everything to try to complete the image I have in my head. As I close in on it, I change the points of the various masks to bezier curves and begin to shape each part of the cut out puppet. This is where the process becomes lively, instinctive, and fun. Sculpting the roto-masks and cutting holes in the paper produces the silhouettes and the style that I am pursuing for Salome. I never thought that clicking a mouse would allow you to get into the zone of creativity, but its happening for me. The important part is that I can use the textured paper and see the beautiful patterns to cut. I will continue to right about this experience but I'm not sure if I'm articulating it very well. Thanks for reading if you got through this.

Salome Animatic - Herod to the next power!

Salome Animatic, 2007

Early Production Setup, CG, Sand, and Paper

Here is an early sample of the what the film will look like in production. There is no lighting in this shot and there is a huge matte line on the horizon. I am happy though, that I incorporated the cg-cut out puppet with the layers of sand animation. to create the frame, I referenced a specific shot from the storyboard. Though the storyboard was time consuming, the details they contain guided the placement of the sand for the background.

Sound Design in Salome

For the soundtrack of Salome, I am working with Ludwig Goransson, a composer from the Thornton School of Music. Already, he has given me a temp track that captures the mood of the film and plays very well in the animatic. In terms of sound design, I would like to create it from original recordings as much as possible. I found the perfect day to record the bangs and clangs happening during the construction of the new Lucas building here at USC. One of the interesting things about this project is how much psychological and internal effects are need to allude to the emotions in the story. More to come...