I got faster

next background in the progression.  Like my other backgrounds I've made it large enough to allow for plenty of pan and zoom freedom when composting (I've run into problems with that before).

second background I have mostly done:  I still need to blend a couple of harsh lines where the I tried to combine the prior background with this one.  I suppose I could avoid that  in the future by planning for it in advance.

one of the first backgrounds I have done for "Dat Quest."

-If I can make them all look this nice I'll be cool

start

Proposal

          For my project I plan to work together with Anthony Bell on the first full episode of his web series “Dat Quest.”  It’s a story about a couple of friend who get themselves trapped inside of a video game and have to battle their ways through it.  I remember when he first came up with the concept for it a couple of quarters back, I was impressed then and was basically waiting on an excuse to work on this project. 

          Since this is Anthony’s story idea/ concept (it’s his baby) he will take the lead as far as characters, plot, direction, and all of the primary animations.  I myself plan to take care of all the backgrounds, any texturing that may be needed, and also any supplemental animations (also just help Anthony get it done on time).  I have never really taken the back seat on a project like this, also I have not been that great at backgrounds and textures in the past so I would like to dedicate myself to that.  Since this is going to be a 2d production I will be designing the backgrounds by hand and painting them in Photoshop.  I might also add some 3d elements into backgrounds as well if I feel like it fits in with the rest of the environment.  Since these are basically video game stages I want to use some of my research time for finding ways and examples of environments imitating a videogame feel, and finding textures that can help me do that.  By the time that this is done I will have played the support role to get this done but, I will have also created, painted, and textured every background in the five minute episode.

Timeline (approx)

Week 5:  all background concepts rough sketched out, and any research complete.

Week 6:  25% complete all backgrounds

Week 7:  50% complete all backgrounds

Week 8:  75% complete all backgrounds

Week 9:  all backgrounds and supporting images finished

Week 10:  touch ups- and help Anthony with anything on his end

Week 11:  turn in    

Methods

            My main focus of this class is to focus my abilities toward doing background work and to do it well might I add.  As it turns out, I am also tasked to do backgrounds in another class (team project), so I am getting more practice than I bargained for.  Nonetheless I believe I have a pretty solid plan of attack to get this knocked out and help Anthony Bell finish his pilot.

            So far I have specifically designed some non-specific elements for Anthony's forest environment, so that I can have a variety of highly detailed assets to work with.  Aside from that and also absorbing as many tutorials as I can, the first thing I will need will be a sort of "soft" storyboard and a shot list from Anthony.  I don't need it to be detailed, or even near completion, I simply need it for the purpose of capturing the desired camera angles.  Once I have an idea of the camera angles he wants for each scene (even if it's just general ideas) I will lean on Maya (even though the majority of this will be 2d).  I fell that for 2d artist Maya is a solid tool (although often overlooked).  I can hastily come up with some shapes and representative models (of character and trees), place them where I need them and also set up my camera to the view Anthony want (per scene).  From there I render out a still image and take it to Photoshop where I will use said image as a guide (for perspective).  From there I can determine how the background compositions will be set, eye direction (viewers), and contrast (among other things). 

            Since this will probably be close to five minutes in length, I know I will have plenty of backgrounds to juggle with my other class.  I plan to set time limits for myself to establish a nice working time efficient work flow.  I have slightly adjusted my time table to adjust for missing class the prior week.

Timeline:

•        week five:  get storyboards and make perspective guides for all backgrounds (should be done by next week)

•        Week six:  all perspective guides completed and in place.  Start painting the scenes.  25% completion (of paintings) by start of next week.

•        Week seven:  25% complete.  Shoot for 50% completion by start of next week.

•        Week eight:  50% complete.  Shoot for 75% completion by start of next week.

•        Week nine:  75% complete.  Shoot for 100% completion by start of next week.

•        Week ten:  100% all backgrounds painted.  Work on touch ups and help Anthony tie up loose ends.

•        week eleven:  done

power point:

Special topics

 

Background Design

For

“Dat Quest”

Collaboration

I.Work with Anthony Bell:  It is his story

●

II.Get his input  and direction (what he has in mind

III.With what I have in mind:  Come up with a clean  background design that complements his ideals

Research

•Techniques for making new Photoshop brushes and creating textures for 2d.

•- Digital Tutors:  http://www.digitaltutors.com/tutorial/620-Using-Texture-to-Enhance-Digital-Paintings-in-Photoshop

•-YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmff8bBCYW4

Getting To Business

•Get storyboard from my partner

•

–Nothing to serious I mostly just need his camera angles

Block out

•With storyboards

–Make simplified models (representations)

–Plan out backgrounds in Maya

•Set camera angles

•Render out still image

•Use in Photoshop as perspective guide

Awesomeness

•Paint/ create all the backgrounds need for pilot

–With custom brushes and textures where necessary.