Pandora Hires Sculpts

 My plans for bringing another episode out before the end of January may be interrupted. Well, they are interrupted. I'm just getting back from visiting family for the holidays AND I am preparing to move this week. So, just getting back up and running will be delayed. On another note my laptop is giving me a little trouble off and on. Things are lagging that shouldn't be and I'm getting a lot more frozen moments than I would like to admit. I'm delicately troubleshooting the issues, but as you may already know, it's very time consuming. Now I do also use a pc "frankensteined" wannabe workstation, but I reserve it for rendering really. It's really what it's good for. I'll need to tweak and update hardware and software to really have it perform as a workstation. So, to sum this up there will be delays. I will keep them as short as possible.

 As I continue through the pipeline for the project and deal with other issues I ran across a 3D sculpt I had created for the original Pandora idea. Back then I was allowing myself to put Pandora together as if I was a multi-million dollar studio with an army of clones to handle the workload. The design was for one of the main characters of what is now the Prologue. The character is quite different now, but I wanted to share this image of a hires sculpt and concept. Interesting enough, I am also working with a experimental process that may allow me to kick out some higher detailed animation (really excited about that).

Hires 3D sculpt and concept

  Thanks for reading and for your support I am offering the hires image in JPEG and PSD. You can support me here - https://www.patreon.com/outlawhue

 Of course if you are already my Patron thank you very much!! Download the hires file whenever you please.

Pandora Wonky Prologue Process

 Alrighty then!

 Finally I can look back on the full completion of the Prologue for Pandora web series. I am happy with the knowledge I gained from tackling this project, BUT I have to admit I am not so warm and cozy with the final look. However, it came to a point that I needed to get something out there! Get it all started. There are people who would say don't be afraid to stop and start over if necessary. I agree somewhat with that. However, I think of  cartoon series that started out "not fully realized" (Simpsons and Family Guy come to mind). In time the process was enhanced and the product became what it is now. So now was the time to get things started for me.

 Oh ya, if you haven't viewed the Pandora prologue yet you can follow these links:

 Prologue part 1
https://youtu.be/kOiANq0FtC4

 Prologue part 2 and 3
https://youtu.be/7OfuEgthTUw

 Thanks for checking them out!

 Like I mentioned, the learning process was good and is what made it all worthwhile. I'm already into the pre-production for the first chapter of Pandora. Lots of methods have changed up to make sure this gets out there quickly and the story and my vision is intact. Right now, I'm a one artist studio handling all the different task to bring this together. My process has to be customized for this to work. From what I learned, going into pre production, production and post separately will not work well. For now Pandora remains a part time project. So unless I want to bring out an episode every two years. I need to handle aspects of each of these phases together. I also need to tighten estimated time budgets for each task.

Support Pandora on Patreon

    So stay tuned to see how that process looks. I'll post updates as much as I can. Another big change is the format for Chapter 1. The chapter will be in the form of a motion comic. There will be animation in certain spots but the motion comic will provide a good template for illustrating the information of the first chapter. Also, I don't have voice talents and  lipsynch animation is too much to take on right now. 

  Here is a look on how I handled the prologue:

Preproduction

- I created the script and continually refined it as preproduction went on. Major issue came when I had to either keep dialogue in the script or revise to show no dialogue. I chose to revise with no dialogue. I am REALLY impressed now with creators who don't use dialogue and need to convey the story with gestures, mood lighting, and camera angles (etc). Didn't come out like I wanted. Here is a look at some of my pre production steps

- I sketched and scribbled out rough concepts and storyboards. Also revised the script based on visual ideas. Many ideas where brought to a full concept and unfortunately not used. 

roughsketch of refugee spaceship

 

rough sketch of chanting shaman

rough storyboards

- I created a very crude (I'm talking croood) animatic. Then I created the hires 3D models of all characters, props, vehicles, and environments. This step is where I spent most of the preproduction time.

- I created low res models with all maps and rigs for production. I made a lot of mistakes here especially with hair and referencing the models. Learned A LOT with all the mistakes. It was painful needing to update maps and finding out they didn't render properly. I learned to get the maps RIGHT or pay dearly later. My rendering limitation kept me from using displacement maps or textures with too many layers.

Maps I created for one character

 This gives you a little insight to all that went into my one man pre production. Next was what I consider prodiction. I won't bore you with the production and post (If you are interested send me a message). So busy and so much to do but this time it will be smoother and more manageable for a one part time artist to handle.

  

Pandora Into Chaos Prologue Revising

 I wasn't totally happy with some choices I made creating the prologue. So, I decided to change certin parts here and there to get closer to what I want. The final part of the prologue will be available soon. Keep tabs on my blog here to get the latest updates.