Week 3 - Steady progress: Can I keep this up?

This week has been very productive for me in comparison to the last two. I finally feel as though i'm getting my schedule sorted. Moreover, this week felt more like a test run for the workload I set for myself in the schedule. I was able to follow what I planned except for not being able to complete 1 shot out of the 3. Since its a test run, I wouldn't want to be so hard on myself. Below are the things I've accomplished within the week.

SHOT 1 - Hands

Below are the requirements for the shot that needed to be done.

ACT 1

Shot 1 - HANDS - in scope

(animation) Hands turning around

no background elements - spotlight lighting

Can render on laptop

I was able to accomplish this as it is an easy shot. I did a couple of animation preview tests and got them approved after feedback from my advisor. Below is the first preview animation.

Hands_1

As you can see, the animation for the hand movements seem very stiff. The feedback I received was to smoothen the fingers and curve them a little. I have to open them as the hand faces the front and the back.

Hands_2

This video shows the difference in the smoothing in one hand with the stiff animations in the other. I can see the effect is massive and definitely much more visually pleasing.

Hands_3 - Approved

This shot was approved and immediately put to render. I left the the file to render overnight for 11 hours. Below is a screenshot of the renders. i need to convert these and test them out in After Effects, but I will put them on hold until I'm done with the other two shots.

Render tests

Below are my attempts at some render tests with various lighting changes, specular changes and compositioning.

SHOT 2 - Neck

Shot 2 animations were done but I'm yet to receive a final approval on it. I still need to fix the anticipation part in the animations. This is what was required of the shot:

Shot 2 - NECK - in scope

Animation of stroking his neck and seeing the scar fade away

will have to animate the texture (video tutorial below)

(AggrorTutorialsOld, 2009)

no background elements - spotlight lighting

Can render on laptop

Below are the animation previews I worked on. I still have to finalize the anticipation.

Neck_1

Neck_2

Neck_3

Small fixes to the overall file is also needed. I will work on these by Sunday of the upcoming week. Below are some render tests I worked on as well.

Render tests

In overall, I worked on these two shots for the week although I needed to complete 3. I am in progress with the 3rd shot, but it was challenging because I had to go back to the character file and fix up some issues with skinning and linking. This made my progress slow as I needed to redo the work a couple of times.

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Booking Time slot at SAE

Below are some screenshots of my communication with the academic administrator to Book a slot for me every Thursday at SAE for rendering. I was able to book a slot, although this week I rendered my shots at home. Starting next week, I will go to campus to submit my files for rendering after approvals during my consultation sessions.

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ART DIRECTOR responsibilities

As the date for our Just A Dream shoot is nearing, the art director in me has now risen from the slums. I have been tasked to work on some propaganda posters for the protest scene, and buy a couple of props as assets for the shoot.

I need to organize and get these things sorted out for the shoot. So far, I've bought the art supplies that i will need for the posters and have discussed the necessary graphic design elements I'd need with Naya.

I've also bought the items needed from online and they will be delivered tomorrow.

I'm super excited to get my hands dirty with paints again to work on the posters! Naya is currently working on the digital drafts so that i could just copy the work after feedback and approvals on the charts. I figured it would be a waste if I went into the thing without any thought and planning. This is why I thought it would be best to consult with the graphic designers in our team (as we have a department for it).

Some other requirements i need from collaborators involve a drawing of Malcom X and an HDRI sky which will be done by Mai from the other team. She has sent me updates and will be finalizing the work by tomorrow.

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Group Issues

From the last few months of working with the team, we never had such an intense argument like we did on Friday. I do believe that these quarrels are meant to happen at some point in a working relationship. However, I guess the stress of the entire project started growing on many of us and has interfered with our rationality. Some things were done hastily without approvals from the ones in charge. For example, Rai Han posted a lyric video on the Instagram feed without approval from any of us. It was very impulsive. And it ruined the visual language of the feed that Naya was wholeheartedly working on. Secondly, we were meant to meet this week as a team and do a short Instagram live to connect with our fans after the release of our first single LOCKED IN which came out on the 16th. But Rai Han cancelled last minute despite confirming on this weeks in advance. It really pissed me off because I had been clearing my schedule for this - because I love my team and I made time for them. If I am not being respected, I don't know how to feel.

We have currently put this plan of "meeting the team" on pause because none of us seem to be free in the next few weeks. Oh well! We didn’t have a team meeting as well and it really bummed me out because this week (of all weeks) I had a lot of updates for the team. It was a buzz kill, honestly...

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Progress Update

Below are the project management chart I am keeping tabs on for myself. They are pretty self explanatory.

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At the end of this week, I feel good about my progress. My health issues seem to be a bit more steady right now and I am trying my best to balance work and rest for my mind and body (which is a little difficult honestly). I am hoping to continue like-so for the upcoming weeks.

As for the team, I think the stress of the workload has gotten to most of us. And like Naya said, this won't "be a major project if there wasn't some major work!" Until next week...

References:

AggrorTutorialsOld (2009, Apr 8). 3d Max tutorial: Creating animated textures [video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka2LChUzBiA