2D Version

Here are some screen shots of the 2D version. It all I wanted it to be. Everything is ready to get it to move and talk. Blend shapes should be quite simple. however, rigging could be a problem.

Not be too glib but this part of the project hasn't posed me any problems. It wasn't that I knew just what to do, it was just that it was a very efficient way to work. I ended up doing this model twice, but not because it went horribly wrong the first time. In fact it was such a rewarding way to work that I re-created this model just for the experience.

However I feel that I might try and work with vectors next time as I feel they might give more pleasurable results.

How to Get A Head in This Business

After much sweat, blood, but no tears here is the finished head.

The process was fiarly simple, although lots of point pulling. However, it doesn't look as it should do.

Looking at this with hindsight I think that if I knew the programme a little better I might have approsched it in a completely different way. When I do this agin I will look for different ways to model a cartoon character.

The Body is Finished

After many hours I've completely finished the body. Most of the work was completed at home and then I Spent a long day at college finishing it off. The coat was incredibly hard and getting just right took a lot of refining.

I've enclosed a screen shot of it so it can be seen in all its glory.


Now I know what you're thinking, there's isn't anything there? Correct! Every file I worked upon at home works fine, but the files i worked on at college are empty. If you look in the outliner it shows all the componates but they are all missing. My layers have gone and so have my image planes. In short every file I worked upon in college is like this. They all saved ok but then opened empty. I've now tried them at college as well and the smae is true there. Who designed this package??

Below are examples of the stage I was at from my work at home.

A Hero Speaks

Blend shapes are not part of my initial aims, but this does seem a shame. On of my future aims will to get the heroes to talk to a sound over.

Rigging A Hero

For this part of the concept I won't be aiming to rig any of the models. However, they will have to be rigged either by me or someone else at a later date.

Building A Hero

Building the 2D version of Mr Space wasn't too hard and didn't throw up too many problem. However now this process is complete I feel it might have been better to try using vectors to achieve this effect. The UV texturing was incredibly simple and didn't give me any problems.

Building the 3D model has been a different matter. Obviously buiding the arms and legs have posed few problems and the introduction of creases within the joints has been a good addition. The hands or should I say gloves were half as bad as I thought they might be. the only issue with the gloves has been shaping them to a desired result. The biggest problem apart from the head has been the jacket. I can't quite tell if it's just a mental block but I couldn't work out how to achieve this, but I got there in the end. Maybe most unsurorisingly has been the challenges posed by the head.  I'm finding I don't always know what I am doing and sometimes I know what to do but i don't know why I'm doing it.

Anyway with all this said I got there in the end and without half the trauma I expected. In fact dare I say I quite enjoyed the experience, although I could have done with another week or so. This was not because I couldn't have got it done on time but because I found it quite an enjoyable exploration. In the context of learning it would have been great too experiment by rebuilding elements over again in an aim to realise this model.

Our Heroes New Roles

Our heroes now have new roles within the piece.

The show now revolves around 2 characters.

A New Direction (or should I say a rewrite?)

Scanning the channels I’ve discovered a similar format for a children’s programme (TIME WARP TRIO). After picking myself up from the floor and wanting to cry like a baby I’ve decided to rewrite the concept.

The new concept still includes the three heroes but in different roles.

Theme Tune Version 2

The theme is being rewritten, as the last version was aimed it a little on the young-side (although very catchy - a little embarrassing when caught humming it on the tube). This time around there is going to be more of a focus on the sound rather than the story, and the wording "space and time". The title 'Time Travellers in Trouble' Might well change at some point so this could make the sound track more useful to any revised version of the script idea.


Paul and Helen are doing a wonderful job and I have high hopes for this new version. It's quite good fun working with them, and I look forward to working with them on some of their projects.

Building the Characters

Building the characters isn't too bad, but after my visit to Pesky studios I've realised that each character will have to be built several times to give a 360 degree impression.

Faithful Side-kick???????

One consideration is whether or not our main hero (Mr. Eons - Junior) should have a side kick. Well here is my first idea, a disabled dog wog gets around by traveling in a purpose build vechile.

Shirts, Shirts, Shirts

I'm not too sure about Mr Eons shirt so I will be trying a few different combinations. Maybe quite dark like thios painted sketch.

Previous Time Machines

Running Away

One idea for the title sequence is to have the time machine appear, then turn into a briefcase and then our heroes are chased by Henry the Eighth.

Type Face (early idea)

It seemed like a good idea at first!!

The Characters in Depth

The Time Machine Folds Away!

I'll be consulting Geoff Senior one of the orginal illustrators for 'Transformers'. I personally think it might be best to cheat this action, but Geoff might bring some ideas to the table.

Using A JCB To Make A Time Machine

Using an image of a JCB I've come up with a version of the machine.

The Engine

Every time there is a blue flash from behind a door or a tree we know that the trio have arrived.

The Time Machine part 1

As for the time machine I don't have any concrete ideas about how it should look.

One possiblity is that it could be a hot rod, or even a 'hover hot rod'

Whatever it is, it must fold into a brief case when Mr Eons pushes a button to set the alarm. Then pick it up, carry it away and off we go. For this part of the story I will be consulting Geoff Senior, one of the original artists who worked on 'Transformers'.

Mr Eons

Our 3 Heroes

Mr Eons is in the Building (at last)

It's taken some time but I've finally finished the design for Mr Eons. I was in a complete rut over his design and could seem to break free from previous designs but I've now got him.

The Theme Journey part 1

Although we have one version of the theme tune it is aimed a little too low. It would be great to add a little beat and a whole lota funk.

I've been racking my brain to try and think of the feel needed and this leads me nowhere fast. However, as I'm borrowing a favor from Shaun Escoffery (I get his voice - he gets an ice-cream), I checked out one of his tracks again. It's called 'Into the Blue'. The LP version is quite synthetic but the live version has the sound and depth I think we need. The intro is great, and low and behold he sings about '"time and space". It has the feel I want at this moment.

You can see this track on youtube there is a track by Shaun call into the blue (the live version) it has a great intro and at 1.23 min he sings "as I've travelled through space and time" It has a great feel to it.

"the world seems a million miles away" 2.19 min

"but these moment are lost in time' 1.52 min


Shaun Escoffery - Into The Blue (MTV Live)

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Theme Tune Version one

Here is the first version of the theme tune not quite what I wanted yet, but getting there.

Theme Tune Nuts and Bolts

Obviously a big part of the title sequence is the theme tune. For this I'm getting a professional composing team, Paul Higgs & Helen Yousaf to write and produce this for me. The finished version should be using the vocal talents of a singer named Shaun Esscoffery (he owes me a favour). See video enclosed.

PAUL HIGGS (about)

HELEN YOUSAF (about)

Title Sequence part 2

For the titles I'm looking for a animated piece lasting around 60 seconds. The sequence could tell a brief story of how our characters started their adventure, but then again I'm open to something more abstract.

It should be fast passed and punchy.

One consideration is whether or not the title of the programme will change.

More of Time Travellers in Trouble

Story Board 1

Two Influences

AICP

object width="425" height="355">

LE BUILDING

The Title Sequence

The title sequence will be quite fast paced as it unfolds the story of how this unlikely trio started their adventures in time. The use of a theme tune will introduce us to the animation. 

The look for our hero will be something like this.

The Context

The context for this programme is based around well known events in history. Our heroes will take us back in time to periods of general awareness within the national curriculum: Henry the Eighth, Egypt's rule, The building of the Great Wall of China, etc...

The First Look of our Characters

Synopsis

So it begins

So it begins.... I looking to create a children's programme  using History and space as a back drop. It should be the traditional 26 minutes long and leave space for a further 21 episodes. 

For the first part I'm creating the character designs fr the heroes and then animate a 60sec+ title sequence.

For the first part of this project I will be aiming to design the main characters and then build one character to start with. The difference here being is that I will not be aiming to rig the character but I will be aiming to build the character in 2 and 3D.  Although I will be building them both in Maya I might also attempt to build one in after effects.