A5 - Final Version

Please note: This is a LOW quality version because of YouTube restrictions.

The Vimeo version of the video is higher quality.

The highest quality version is on the DVD provided to our instructor.

All versions have stereo sound and is best listened to with a pair of headphones.

Breakdown Guide

• Who wrote the script?  James Weaver
• Who drew the storyboard?  Long Nguyen
• Who created the planning sheet?  Team Awesome (collaboration of all members)
• Who made the shot list?  Team Awesome (collaboration of all members)
• Who were the performers?  Long Nguyen
• Who were responsible for markers?  Team Awesome (collaboration of all members)
• Who calibrated the system?  Team Awesome (collaboration of all members)
• Who captured performances?  John Quidilla, James Weaver, Brandon Yorke
• Who blended motions?
• Shot 01, 02, 03 - James Weaver
• Shot 04, 05 - John Quidilla
• Shot 06, 09 - Brandon Yorke
• Shot 07, 08 - Long Nguyen
• Who modeled the character?  John Quidilla
• Who rigged the character?  James Weaver & Brandon Yorke
• Who textured the character?  John Quidilla (with materials, no texture files used)
• Who modeled the environment?
• Junk robots - Long Nguyen & John Quidilla
• Other environment assets including Crusher - James Weaver
• Who textured the environment?  James Weaver (with materials, no texture files used)
• Who lighted the scenes?  James Weaver
• Who created/edited audio (sound effects, music, etc.)?  James Weaver
• Who rendered all the final frames?  Brandon Yorke
• Who edited the animation?
• Shot 01, 02, 03 - James Weaver
• Shot 04, 05 - John Quidilla
• Shot 06, 09 - Brandon Yorke
• Shot 07, 08 - Long Nguyen
• Who worked on the process book?  Everyone contributed at some point.
• And anything else your group needed to do for the project.
• Credit sequence - James Weaver
• Animated special effects - Long Nguyen & John Quidilla

Production Render with sound

Still a work in progress.  More passes (occlusion, glow boost, depth) need to be added, sound is not yet finalized, still trying to remove the jaggies in the shadows.

Render comparison

Here's a comparison of the production render compared to the production render with an ambient occlusion pass and a glow boost pass layered with it.

Draft Animation

No sound added just yet.  Render quality is low, and even lower for a couple of the shots.  This should give a good idea of how the animation will look, however.

Playblast for shots 01 to 03

Shoulder Joints Problem

I just caught an issue with the shoulder joints.  If you look at the chest mesh and how it connects with the ball joint at the shoulder, the jagged, broken part sticks through the ball joint and just looks off.  I went into the rigged model and fixed it by moving the ball joints forward some.  We should consider reimporting the new mesh into all shots before final render so that we can implement this update.

Note: This doesn't effect our work on shots right now, since we can always bring in a new version of the robot into our working files and everything will still work as intended.

Animatic Preview

Animatic of the first shot in draft quality with junk added.

Shot001 scene update

Here's what shot001 may look like with the junk populating the scene.

Fixed Rig

We've fixed the rig for the robot so that it doesn't break when he twists his torso or hips too much.  There may still be problems, but the major ones should now be fixed.  For an example, note the shoulder on the shots below (at the same frame).  In the original, the arm was popping out of the socket at the shoulder when he turns.  This has now been fixed.

Original

Fixed

Animatic (without sound)

Simple Textures

Test render

Production quality test render.

Shot 001 Test Render

Mocap Shot 001 Test render from Jim Weaver on Vimeo.

Update - 10/16

We have fixed the problems with the markers in IQ.  The rig has been updated, as has the mesh by adding more segmentation, to avoid pieces disconnecting from the mesh.  The scene has been built with lighting and materials have been experimented with, although some tweaking will likely still be needed.  Below is a render test with the new scene, lighting, the robot mesh, camera moves and mocap data for shot001.  This is rendered out in Mental Ray and HD720, but in draft quality and only every 20 frames to shorten render time, as this is just a test to have a better idea of how to turn our shots into a working animatic (as well as test lighting, materials, and reflections in action).

Problems: There are still a few problems with the rig and model that, while changed, were not changed in time to render out a playblast in time so I could put together an animatic.  Now that the problem is fixed, we should be able to finish the animatic next week.

Note: The video will be updated to the blog when it becomes available on Vimeo.  In the meantime, I can show the render from the video file in class.

Update - Models

turnaround of side character robot

Update

Updated the model to accommodate the bending of the chest. 

Project Update

We have begun to add our motions to MotionBuilder, however we had some serious problems.  First off, the actor was bending in odd ways when we merged the skeleton and tried to play the animation.  And some of the shots have the hands posed in strange, inaccurate ways (see above).  Our range of motion is working just fine, and we know how to work with the MotionBuilder program, but our shots have odd errors.  We have spoken with Adam about it a couple days ago, and he suggested a fix, but it requires relabeling points in the Mocap lab for every shot, and we would like some guidance on this so we don't make another mistake.

The other problem we've had is that the skeleton for the model doesn't seem to fit the motion data properly.  As a result, we have had to go back and update the rig (Brandon), and then update the model (John).  This should be ready by classtime, and then we can work on the Mocap changes (with some help) so we can get caught up.

I have been working on sounds for the robot to give him some life.  I will post up my sound files later today or tomorrow morning, as I don't have them with me or in the proper format.

Progress on the scene and models are going smoothly.  We have problems with the proportions of the scene layout because the model is still being modified to fit the new rig proportions (based on motion data).  These will be ready midweek.

Robot Asset

Another junk robot asset to fill space.

Scene Setup Test Shots

another robot concept

Another design for a junk-type robot. Pieces of the robot will be placed throughout the conveyer belt.

Animatic with Sound

This is Long's animatic with sound added.  This is mostly for testing.  I will likely add to the ambiance and create more variety of robot sounds, particularly additions for emotive expressions.  Sounds are subject to change.

Robot Rigging Test 1 WIP

Vimeo Link (higher quality)

Main Robot WIP

Asset Screen shots WIP

Some robot parts that will be used as environmental assets.

All motions captured and cleaned

All motions for our project have been captured and cleaned, including the range-of-motion trial.  We have a total of 9 motions, some more complicated than others.  We are ready to bring them into Motion Builder.

Progress:

• Data Captured: 100%
• Data Cleaned: 100%
• Shot Planning: 100%
• Character Modeled: 25%
• Environment Modeled: 25%
• Character Rigged: 0%
• Mocap data bound to Actor (MB): 0%
• Scene Built: 50% (populated with blockouts)
• Scene Lit: 25% (placeholder lighting)

marker set

Color Scheme

The conveyer belt/crusher area
-white clean glowing at the edges, very clean, very tron like
-create dark areas for a more moody feel

The robot's color scheme 
-mostly white and the joints would be a dark shade of gray
-glow in areas where it is circular

 

The environment is mostly lit my overhead lighting, glow from the crevices of the walls, and bounce light from the glow and from the robot. There will be other robot debris scattered on the conveyer belt to populate the area.

crusher animatic

Story Sketches

Planning Sheet

Project name	Crushed (TBA)
Planning sheet submitted	09/11/2012
Rehearsal dates	__/__/_____ to __/__/_____ (TBA)
Capture dates	__/__/_____ to __/__/_____ (TBA)
No. of subjects to be captured	1
Type of subjects to be captured	male human
Names of subjects	Long Nguyen
Description of props	none
Marker sets	John's marker set
Volume descriptions/sizes	size of Mocap room, 11' x 19'
Descriptions/sizes of suits	small
Total no. of markers	35
Special equipment	none except for Mocap cameras and the like
Capture rate	120 frames per second
Final rate	29.5 frames per second
Skeletal considerations	nothing special
Other considerations	n/a

Character Design

Shot List

Shot List: Crushed

scene shot          shot name   Description

Scene1

          Shot 1       C0101         Robot sitting down

          Shot 2       C0102         Zoom out to reveal Crusher in distance and robot on conveyer belt moving towards it

          Shot 3       C0103         Robot tries to stand but bolted to ground and falls

          Shot 4       C0104         Robot struggles back to feet

          Shot 5       C0105         Closeup on legs, robot uses arm to pull legs free

          Shot 6       C0106         Blend to arm snapping off from force

          Shot 7       C0107         Robot starts running, towards camera, see crusher behind, Robot stumbles

          Shot 8       C0108         Side shot reveals robot's leg flies off, but keeps hopping desperately away

          Shot 9       C0109         Robot picks up leg from other robot and struggles to snap it back in place

          Shot 10     C0110         Robot, confident, takes another step but falls off on other leg

          Shot 11     C0111         Blend to closeup of Robot twisting and falling backwards, landing with thud

          Shot 12     C0112         Robot lying on back, looking up, shadow looming above

          Shot 13     C0113         Sickening crunch as Robot is crushed by Crusher and fades

Script

“Crushed”

FADE IN:

INTERIOR FACTORY – BRIGHTLY LIT WITH BLUE GLOWING LIGHT PANELS

A sitting ROBOT lazily becomes aware of his surroundings. A voice blares from an intercom.

ANNOUNCER

"You have been scheduled for termination. Please remain calm."

ZOOM OUT to reveal the CRUSHER in the distance and the ROBOT on a conveyer belt moving towards it. The “factory” now reveals as a long hallway with high walls and a conveyer belt running between them. Robot parts are scattered about the conveyer belt. The CRUSHER at the end of the belt smashes robot parts and whole robots to bits without discrimination or mercy.

ROBOT tries to stand but bolted to the belt and begins to fall forward, flat on his face.

ZOOM IN to behind the back shot, as ROBOT falls out of shot. Hear struggling as ROBOT labors back onto feet using arms, and back into shot.

CLOSEUP on ROBOT legs as ROBOT starts to tries in desperation to pull his legs free from the belt.

PAN UP to ROBOT face to show him looking up and over shoulder to CRUSHER.

PAN OVER to CRUSHER in distance as its snapping maw looms ever closer.

PAN BACK to ROBOT as it redoubles efforts to pull legs free. Gets left leg but when trying to pull up right leg, right arm breaks off from the stress and falls uselessly to the belt.

ZOOM OUT to front view of ROBOT running towards camera with CRUSHER behind. ROBOT glances back over shoulder occasionally to see CRUSHER getting closer, and tries to run faster. ROBOT starts to stumble...

PAN BACK and OVER to side shot to reveal ROBOT's right leg snapping off. ROBOT manages to balance on one foot and keep hopping away from the impending doom that awaits it.

ZOOM IN to over-the-shoulder shot of ROBOT. ROBOT bends down during hopping to pick up a spare leg from another robot. And, while hopping, struggles valiantly to snap it into his own empty leg socket. With much effort, ROBOT succeeds and happily starts running again...

PAN OVER to front view of ROBOT as it takes a step on the other leg and it twists sickeningly to the side. ROBOT begins to fall in slow motion, knowing this is the end.

PAN OVER to overhead shot (still ZOOMED IN) of ROBOT twisting and falling in slow motion. ROBOT lands with a loud thud. During landing, ROBOT's other leg snaps off and flies towards CRUSHER.

ZOOM OUT to side shot to see CRUSHER effortlessly crush the leg as it falls into his waiting jaws.

ZOOM IN to resume overhead closeup shot of ROBOT as it moves under the CRUSHER. A shadow, that of the CRUSHER, looms ominously over the ROBOT, casting it in darkness. ROBOT starts to be obscured by what can only be the CRUSHER descending upon it.

FADE TO BLACK and hear a sickening crunch as the inevitable finally happens.

Character Sheet

• Name -  Model 15
• Age - 10 cycles
• Gender - humanoid 
• Height -  6 foot
• Weight- 120 pounds
• Built - humanoid robotic
• Physical handicaps - rust has begun to break down his body piece by piece
• Birth place - The new glow robot facility
• Cultural/ethnical backgrounds
• Family (parents, siblings, spouse, parterner, children, etc.)
• Friends - those who he serves are whom he has been programmed to feel affection for.
• Enemies - the enemy of all robot, malfunction.
• Habits - his owner noticed that his right arm had a hitch in it that clinked whenever he extended it. He was also known to stay in a room after he had already finished the work there.

• IQ - limitless

• Career - programmed to do whatever job the customer needs, this unit was mostly used for domestic help. 
• Education - The unit was programmed for its duties  and is constantly updated wirelessly
• Financial status - His financial worth is based on his ability to do the job he was designed for. That being said he is currently flat broke.
• Social status - he would be considered part odf the servant class, right between the blender and a human waiter.
• Clothes - all clothing is built into his metal frame, or rather the impression of clothing to make him seem more human.
• Favorite books - Robotics laws are the only reading material he has on hand.
• Favorite movies - 
• Favorite food - he has always been interested in humans affinity for pizza.
• Addiction - addicted to electricity, he needs a small amount per day to survive a most electronics do.
• Sense of humor - his old owner was attempting to teach him about jokes but found that he didn't possess much “sense of humor.”
• Religion and philosophy- Robots do not possess their own religion but he sometimes wonders what the purpose of religion is for humans.
• Self esteem and self doubt - he is confident in his prowess as a robot but still fears being turned into scrap for performing poorly. He doesnt begin to doubt himself until he opens his eyes to crusher before him.
• Sexual orientation - He has no orientation but sometimes finds himself looking at what might be considered pretty females to humans. He has no idea that he posses this inclination.
• Fears -Being redundant and having to be sent back for reprocessing.
• Hopes and dreams - He dreams of doing the job he was created and programmed to do
• Values - Being put to work and serving a purpose. He hopes to be put to good use.
• Moments (events) that s/he remembers for the rest of her/his life.The moments that he remembers are the moment he was created at the facility and when he returned to the facility for a “tuneup.”