Detective Ramos Head Sculpt

Here is some modelling I have completed for the detective's head. Still a work in progress....

Some progress with "Jack Mason" character model.

I have made some progress in the modelling of the Jack Mason character. still at an early stage, My week 12 deadline requires some initial models.

Final Character Concepts

I have designed my second character concept, that of the detective. he is a Mexican detective and is an older guy wit  a lot of character to his face which will be quite a challenge to design. I am excited about creating some highly detailed faces in ZBrush for this project.

Alison had previously suggested i alter my design for the suspect character, possibly making him ore clean-cut. The idea being that the character in the original novel in innocent of the charge he is suspected of. However, in my own adaptation, I will not disclose the truth,  instead focusing more on the tension and emotion of the piece. This theme I think suits my original design and I hope to use this one.

Week 10 progress

Last week I researched a book which Alison recommended I take a look at. It is Killing Floor by Lee Child. we had previously discussed the idea of adapting a storyline from a book or film, so as I would have a good structure to build characters around.

Upon reading this novel, which I admit I found quite enjoyable, I started to draft a script for my animation which is an adaptation of the plot of the book. I have changed a lot of things from the book but it was an interesting exercise and also gave me the luxury of not having to come up with an original story. My main aim and challenges of the project are that of  3D modelling and animation. So this method served a great purpose and has given me a lot of confidence in how it will play out on screen.

Storyline

I have discussed the possibly of adapting a storyline from a book/film. Alison Suggested I read the book "Killing Floor" by Lee Child. It contains some good interrogation scenes which could act as a plot line for my animation.

I will compile some research on this book and hopefully adapt a storyline/screenplay from it. We can then review it in the week 9 meeting and see if it is a route worth taking.

I will also start modelling work on my characters with an aim to having some basic character modelling completed for the week 12 deadline....

First character concept art......

Today i have drawn up some concept art for one of the characters in the animation. It is the character who is being detained and interrogated.

I hope to have the other character designed by the weeks end and then start to model in Maya with an aim to have some primary models for the week 12 deadline.

I did not get to do any more research before this weeks meeting as the deadline for motion graphics (27th)  has been the focus of my time and attention. I decided to take today to get some concept art done.

Week 7

I havent got as much as i'd  of liked done this week due to a deadline for motion graphics, Tommorow i will be doing more research into films and gettin some concrete charatcer concept designs and bios complete. I will also try and keep writng to build up a large body of presetable research.

i the week 7 meeting we discussed the opossibilty of adapting a story from a film/book already that already exists.

I have conducted research on 3 films so far. I watched scenes of interrogation within the movies and focused on character, mood, cinematography, environment and sound

I have done some research into the visual style i am aiming for in my animation and complied a mood board to help with this:

I also started pre-production concept work on my characters. Hopefully i will be able to begin modelling work in Maya this week with these designs.

I will discuss this progress tomorrow in the week 7 meeting with Alison. It is now 5 weeks until the interim deliverable deadline

Objectives for next meeting

After my week 6 meeting with alison we decided to focus my research on some main points. I will choose4 /5 interrogation scenes from modern/classic cinema, and analyse them. I am looking for such things as camera angles, lighting, environment,  mood,  character demaeanour, role-play and more.

The purpose of this will be to gather a wide knowledge of this type of scene and see how the professionals do it. I will also research the visual style of my proposal design some mood boards to help with my character and environment design. with that i will begin some concept design for my models and a plot outline for me story. I hope to begin modelling this week also

Objectives for next week:

• compile body of more directed research of movie scenes
• research visual style more closely
• design mood boards for 
• character and environment concept design
• possibly start modelling work in Maya

Gantt Chart and plan for semester 1

Semester 1 GANTT chart

Interrogation techniques and the role it plays in cinema

I have began my research in the area of interrogation. Since, this being the plot theme of my film, i have started to study the classic interrogation scenes of films. So far i have taken in The usual suspects and the classic scene in Marathon Man starring Dustin Hoffman. While searching the web I came across the film title "The Interview". This is an Australian film that is centred entirley  around an interrogation, this being the case it could possibly be a great source of inspiration .


While researching the topic of interrogation in the real world i found an article written by a former detective from Nepal. he states "Interrogation is a kind of psychological warfare between interrogator and suspect. Only when an interrogator overpowers a suspect psychologically, he gets a confession or the fact of a case which is not possible otherwise." Narayan Chand Thakur


He goes on to explain the techniques involved in suspect interrogation and the do's and dont's of the art. A very interesting yet brief article that acts like a beginners guide to interrogation.

New project theme & direction.

Having had the week 4 contract meeting with Alison and Gregory it was clear that my original idea of building an interactive storytelling application was a bad route. I wasn't excited or motivated by the idea. It was decided i should stick with my gut feeling and go for a 3D animation project.

My story concept is that of a criminal interrogation, 2 characters, 1 environment. There will be a huge focus on camera angles and cinematography to try and make the scenes intense as possible. The main challenge in my idea is to create a darker, more gritty visual style than in most cartoon themed animations. For this I will have to study a wide range of films, artwork and games that have this theme in common.