Pitch Project Work - A Slice from Everyone Involved

Release the Beast, our game concept for the pitch project and maybe to be carried through into the third year is now being complimented on a daily basis, it's really nice to have an idea that everyone believes can work. And I'm really proud so far of the team I've put together. The above drawings were done by Simon Acty, who I'm particularly proud of, he put a lot of time into getting these down and making them as amusing as the bullet points I had provided for the characters. I think they work fantastically and he's currently cleaning them up for the pitch. Myself and Matt Luxton did the composition above in Photoshop using Simon's art. It's been really nice being a kind of idea's generator, an organiser, quality control, and mediator between all parties involved. And I really feel like these guys are treating me as a team leader. And we're all working together fantastically. We've even had a request that if we take this into the third year. Roy Nottage would like to work on Animating the characters. So we're attracting a bit of attention with the idea.


This small piece of Artwork is a roughed up concept for a world called "Bananaland" as coined by Matt Butler, (All the names are subject to change) The piece above is by Emma Taylor, and the Map below is for the world in question done by Matt B. Matt B. has proven to be very enthusiastic throughout this project, throwing ideas in and around as he can and working hard to create environments based on his knowledge of video games and shoot'em ups. Emma has also taken the time to do some Character descriptions and naming which again will undergo some looking over and changes, but are again fantastic. Emma is a brilliant fantasy writer and her character descriptions represent that, We just tweak the comedy slightly.



This is a Mock up of the HUD (Heads up Display) Designed by myself and Simon, The Gun Model was done as a test by Matt just so we'd have something to throw down for the pitch. We're working quickly and efficiently and this is showing through the quality of the work we have, I feel myself getting better and better as a leader and know how I would want this to run were it used next year as a third year project. I'm at a half way point on belief in this project now, what with the compliments we've had. From my initial change of plan, to what me and my group have come up with. I'm really beginning to be quiet proud of what we have even to this point.

These are a few Gun Designs done by Matt L. as concepts. I believe they still require a bit of work, but they are absolutely fantastic. Matt is a wicked guy to work with, he puts so much time and effort into what he does and always comes back with things of fantastic quality.

All in all we're working away at making this the best fun we can make it, and it may be an option to make maybe a working level, or a concept trailer for the game next year for our FMP.

Tx

Big Update

Ok so recently. I got my self into gear. I should have some stuff to upload later.

BUT

seeing as I'm working on my Script at the moment, I can't really upload the full thing can I? Or Can I? If anyone is interested in reading through the first draft of my Script for "Bandits" then please give me a shout @ Tom.Dowler@gmail.com

So things are going well with the script. I've done a few bits and bobs drawing wise also. And found a few more things just recently I wanted to further, remembering I had a stash of stories that I'd never saved or used. Which I plan to further and develop maybe to pitch as work for next year. Maybe just to do as a Web Comic, or maybe just to keep my hand in the creative side of production.

Boom! ok!

Pitch project! Going ok! We had a massive turn around of idea, which now everyone seems pretty stoked to be a part of! We're going to be making a Team Fortress-esque/Street Fighter-ish, game (well not making it, but pitching it). We plan for it to be a bit of an adult aimed game maybe for plus 15's but with 5 people working on the project I have found myself taking the lead role again, which is good, because now I feel I don't have to back down no matter what these people say,. These guys have chosen to work with me, and they're all awesome in their own specific way. And to see that they acknowledge my skill aswell makes me feel so much better about myself. So I'm just gonna do my best to get them through and to have them do the best they can. I'm really happy with this, and am holding weekly meets as well as personal meets with each of my work mates. It's a really nice and personal way to make sure stuff is going ok. Now I want to make sure everyone knows what's going on in their own department and have something to talk about.

At the moment.

Character Designs - Simon Acty & Myself
Character Stories - Emma Taylor & Myself
Environments - Matt Butler
Weaponry - Matt Luxton
Interface and Playability - Me and the Teams input

I think this will work well. I just need to get everyone together to sort the pitch into something nice and flowy! And I have an awesome idea for a gimmick that'll make it rememberable. Keep your minds open! haha.

It's been far too long.

Well Woke up this morning and remembered this.

I feel really bad at the moment. I've been so busy with other bits and pieces, I've not put any time into my uni work, although the thoughts have been there. Like with Cherie's work. I feel so bad, I've literally not stopped doing Campus Tours, Ambassador and Mentor work for the University. And now I have my Job at WHSmiths, I just find myself having a hard enough time just trying to make enough money to stay alive as I do trying to get all the work done I have to do.

So I'll give it a shot to fill you in about over the holidays and what I'm up to now.

3rd Year Work

The third year work started out really well for me. I'd done all the modelling I was asked to do, and stayed over easter especially to do the work. I did the majority of things, asked too and a lot of it was new learning for me, and working in Cherie's environment was hard as referencing and files were quiet hard to get to even open with the correct things within them.

I feel kind of bad just because I haven't managed to get done all the things I said I would, in that case I'm a failure. And I feel terrible for not having it all done, but my skills. even when breaking what Cherie had done, or using the gravity and shatter effects in Maya,... It was all a mystery to me, I learnt so much about soft rigid bodies and active bodies and all sorts like this, in that sense it's really been a steep one for me.

I think the problems were that the group had no production meetings. Nor was everyone here all the time intended. Leadership and pushing of the group was somewhat lacking and I feel that had we all sat down together at points, the problems I'd had could have been solved between us. I feel if I'd have EVEN had a job animating on this project I could have done all that was asked of me, instead. I had a job that challenged me to a point of total disinterest and a lack of ability to save it with the time I had. Again I'm ever so sorry to Cherie for all of this. I missed the one production meeting when we got back due to having campus tours and mentor interviews.

Negotiated Breif

for the negotiated brief I plan to write a script for my final year project. This is also going to be used for my pitch project.

My script is going to be based on some music and some videos I found on Racoons. I've seriously had ideas rattling around my head for a couple of months now and this will be really nice to get done, and quiet the contrast to what a lot of people are planning on doing for their final year project. I know for a fact that I can do as good a job as anyone else in creating something for the final year, but I think I'm the only person willing to go ahead and ask for help. A lot of people say they either don't want to work in groups, or flat out would HATE someone working on their final year project. To me, this somewhat kills the idea of what Animation is. I don't mind if no-one joins on my idea for my animation. Even if I think it's good doesn't mean everyone else has to think it is... I have a modeller lined up already for the characters and for environments and character turn arounds I have two 2D artists. So far my crew list for THIS YEAR goes like this. (Of course I will stay on within the crew for the full development and hopefully so will Matt.)

Tom Dowler - Producer/Director/Sound/Writer/Post-Production/Animation.
Matt Luxton - Character/Prop Modeling
Emma Taylor (Prov) - Environment Design
Gareth Sharples - Character Design and Turnarounds

I'd like to get as many people involved as I can. So If anyone likes my idea at pitch or at any stage and has read this, please get in touch. I'd really appreciate more animators and creatives to just give this a boost and help me in the final year.

So more than anything, My pitch project is to enable me to recruit more members of animation who would maybe like to work as a team.

Tx

Back on Track

After a chat with Derrick and a good long think, I'm back on track, I've e-mailed and spoken to all the teams I was producing and gotten back on with them all, this monday I've arranged production meetings and to see what they're all doing, and will join in and help them all out with whatever they need, I already have helped with the Tracking on Simon and Matt's peice.

I think my lack of confidence in myself as a producer due to one or two elements was a bit stupid now. I really want to do this, so why should I let anyone destroy my chances. I am going to get these projects finished, I'm determined, EVEN If I end up with 3 lots of work to help my groups accomplish what they want.

Roll on Monday. Tomorrow I'll find out where everyones at and set realistic deadlines around what we have to do!

Tx

Here are some quickies I've rendered up today, the final Pen with the Skull replacement, And I've done a few frames, some with Nails bent etc. There are a few more around.

Zee Third Year Projects

My Work for Today, Really enjoying the Burton-esque style of Cherie's Peice, I can really get on with it. And the little tidbits she's getting me to work on and design are quiet cool, even if they only play a small part in the peice!

Through the Hard times,....

Ok so... Producing has kind of gone down the pot.

I was working with Simon, Matt and Lee. Orla and Alex, Holly and Jess. I put together calenders for each of them and worked my way around stuff working as a contact point for the groups. Alex and Orla had some contact problems due to technical difficulties, and Jess was suffering with an ankle problem for a day or two and couldn't get in.

The hard part came pretty early on into the whole project, and as a result, I have thrown my producing onto a back rink to concentrate on doing my own project. I guess I feel kind of down heartened by it all. But it's been a hard ride. I guess I could lay blame,... but I don't see it as being the right thing to do. I kind of know now who I can and cannot work with. I'm going to continue helping Holly and Orla's groups. But I want to have something to show for this project, and I know I'm technically as well qualified to do something as awesome as everyone else. Admittedly with a lot less time than I scheduled my groups. But none the less that went out the window because no-one seemed to follow what I had set out for them and even when I pushed I found myself granted little to no respect in the way of my position. (Admittedly not with every group)

My main downfall came with the group I was working with within' my house. I know this may cause conflict, or even make it 'hard to live' but to be honest, It's far too hard for me to just house up emotion because others don't want 'dead air' that hasn't been caused by myself. 

Now I know I'm on the same course as everyone here, and I know that it's hard to have a leader if you don't do the whole authority thing, especially me being me, I've lost so many jobs because I refuse to be walked on, but at the same time, I still have RESPECT for everyone around me, and their given skills, I mean hell, everyone in Animation has some amazing talent, and I'm so lucky to be around the people I am, and recently I had even found that I had talent you know? I could organize people, I AM a good leader and I work well with people who share the same respect as me. This is why I tried my hardest to allocate jobs dependent on those skills while I was working as a producer. I even got told by a few people I did a great job. RESPECT is a reason that people act the way they do, but I had plenty of this when addressing my class mates and the people I was working with, if I had a problem I would address it with them directly, I would not go behind their backs to have words with anyone higher up. This is where my problems start. I have spoken about the issue to those that it matters to, and I hope that the person that lacked the respect for me in the role I had chosen gets treated better than I did when it comes their turn, Cause it's kinda hurtful. 

On that note, due to this, and my rota not being followed, groups have fallen behind, I know they can bring it back, but I don't feel that with the third year projects coming up and the focus on those, that I would like to be marked on my production of these projects, as a friend I will help anyone who asks it of me, as a want to be producer, I will help organise and track down anyone who needs to be tracked down, but I don't think I could claim responsibility for any of these things getting done. I don't feel as if this project has been handled in a professional mannerism, and maybe that's down to me,... but it also feels as if the work I had done and all I had tried to do had been undermined. 

Trying not to sound like myself in despair. No amounts of walking to Falmouth or getting out to take my mind of how I feel is helping. I'm hoping working with new people on the third year project will give me that breath of fresh air that I so crave. Plus maybe I'll even get to get a bit Tim Burton on everyone's ass! 

Tx

Ps. I know all of this could be written in an evaluation where only tutors could read it, but to be fair... That's not how I play. I will lay out and talk to ANYONE who has an issue with me, as I would expect with anyone else. I know everyone has their own personality and for some people it CAN be hard. But again,... it's all a part of respecting one another.