[Short Film] - Project I.C.E [Celshaded Science Fiction Project]

[b00bie]

Position interested in: snd fx guy

Applications I use: mainly fl studio + vst instruments & cool edit

Why do I want to join this project? it sounds cool ^^

How much time can I devote per week: hmm.. ~ 5 h ?

What's my time zone / location? gmt +1, germany

[DogmaD]

Sounds like a very nice project! The story almost sounds a bit like Alien, and thats a good thing. I am already on Aegis, so i don't really have the time to join. But i really hope you guys succeed in your goals. So good luck, and i will check this thread everyone once in a while for updates and hopefully some mindblowing graphics. ;)

[Kid-Mesh]

b00bie - Hey welcome aboard, glad you decided to join :)

DogmaD - Thanks, Ageis is a really cool project and Im looking forward to seeing it completed. But if you ever get the time your always welcome to join.


Until we get some more concept artist on board Im currently working on a few character sketches myself, I should have something to post later on.

Cheers,

[Kid-Mesh]

As a secondary form of communcation with the pending team, I prefer mIRC which can be downloaded from here http://www.mirc.com/get.html

Server - efnet
Channel - #project-ice
*On irc I usually go by a_insomniac or KidMesh

Aside from myself I contacted several concept artists in hopes to peak their interest in this project. Concept artists are the main focus atm as to really help drive the vision, once we got some concept work posted the ball should roll faster.
Until then, I will work on the concept my art myself because I really want to see the project get done.

Cheers,

KidMesh

[Kid-Mesh]

Here is a quick sketch I just did of one of the soldiers in the film. I have some ideas for a few other styles and will post them as I create them.



http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/soldier_one.jpg


Cheers,

KidMesh

[Kid-Mesh]

Here is another quick sketch for a merc...

I will proably start some creature sketches as well just to mix it up for now.

http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/soldier_two.jpg

[sllink]

Looks like a good start KidMesh! Story sounds real interesting. If I had the time, unfotunately just like Dogma D Im on another project. (Shirowproject). Good luck and keep at it! You have completed the hardest part the story and thats saying something!:thumbsup:

[Kid-Mesh]

Slink - Thanks, Im hoping the story was the hard part :), but I guess time will tell.

Heres is an another update, I drew a quick dirty sketch of a lab creature in the story. This is possibly one of the creatures that the merc team may run into while trying to extract the alien technology. I only drew the head shot for now just to get some imagery in my head, not sure yet if the body will be human or some hybrid alien cross.


http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/lab_creature_one_head.jpg

[DarkSkills]

Kid Mesh, you can count me in. I've been a fan of celshade for a looong time and I've got a couple of animated clips under my belt as well. Here are a couple of samples. The first is a 10MB, 1 min contest entry (I took 7th place), the second is a 787KB 3 sec. clip from another project I'm working on.

http://www.celshadeartists.com/films/Plugged2.wmv
http://www.celshadeartists.com/films/plugged.jpg

http://www.celshadeartists.com/films/gam3.wmv
http://www.celshadeartists.com/films/gam.jpg

[Kid-Mesh]

Darkskills - It's about time man, glad you decided to come aboard. Since we last hooked up your celshading skills have grown expotentially :twisted: you know Im mad about that! But it's always good to have a player with good "celshade" eyes.


Ok, here is another creature concept :)


http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/lab_creature_two.jpg

[b00bie]

yes that are some cool concept arts!

@DarkSkills: hi ^^ very nice cel shading u made... with some cool animations this could be looking really powerful :)

i love anime style too xD

[Kid-Mesh]

Based off of the story line, this list will make more sense once someone actually reads the story :eek:.

This list although somewhat incomplete, demonstrates what is needed to help conceptualize the film and will serve as the foundation for 3D modeling later down the line.


[Environmental]



Okerian wasteland backdrops (night time desert scene)
Desert sky (Several moons in the distance?)
[Industrial / Mechanical]


Unmanned gun turrets (ground level and high tower enabled)
High tech outdoor security cameras
High Tech buildings that make up the compound
Main genetics laboratory
Sci-fi orbital ball that will emit a grappling hook.
High tech indoor security cameras
Manned security towers
Space age laptop computer
[Weapons / Gear]

1.Sci-fi type hand guns

2.Sci-fi type automatic machine guns

3.Field goggles

4.High tech Grenades

5.EMP bomb


[Transportation]

1.Main Drop ship


[Interior]

1.Main facility – stair well and hallway scene

2.Main laboratory – (floor plan)

3.Main laboratory – multiple angles

4.Guarded room inside the laboratory

5.Creature Cage designs

6.Cryo-tanks

7.Medical equipment, lights, operating tables, monitoring machines etc

[Characters]

1.Commander – merc

2.Terminal Hacker – merc

3.Demolitions – merc

4.Recon 1 – merc

5.Recon 2 – merc

6.Rescue 1 – merc

7.Rescue 2 – merc

8.Biotech Tower Guard

9.Laboratory Scientist (2)

10. Genetically altered attacking creature 1

11.Genetically altered attacking creature 2

12.Genetically altered attacking creature 3

13.Caged creatures (4)

14.Vial specimens (?)

15.Ground patrol Mecha Type 1

16.Ground patrol Mecha Type 2

17.Ground patrol Mecha Type 3


[2D misc.]

1.Overlay ideas for field goggles

2.Merc team insignias

3.Insignia for drop ship

4.Project ICE logo for intro credits


Cheers,
KidMesh

[Kid-Mesh]

For those of you that are interested in creating sound effects...have a go at the list below :twisted:

Again, this list although incomplete is based soley off of the story, but its surely enough for someone that's interested in sound effects to get started.

**For sounds to be accepted, please compress using .mp3 :)


[Explosions]





Grenade blast
EMP blast
C4 – charge
Bricks/ debris hitting ground


[Weapons]

1.Automatic Sci-fi machine guns firing

2.Automatic machine gun loading / reloading

3.Semi Automatic Sci-fi hand guns firing

4.Semi Automatic hand gun loading / reloading

5.Shotgun blast

6.Shotgun reloading

7.Small caliper hand gun firing

8.Small caliper hand gun loading / reloading

9.Big Turret Gun firing

10.Big Turret Gun spinning (out of bullets) whizzing

11.Laser firing

12.Gunship Machine gun

13.Mecha automatic weapons

14.Loading gun clips

15.Bullet shells hitting concrete

16.Grenade pin hitting ground

17.Grenade being ripped from Velcro

18.EMP charging up




[Mechanized]

1.Mechanized Servo (long)

2.Mechanized Servo (short)

3.Hydraulic shafts (contracting)

4.Air brakes

5.Drop ship bay doors



[Electrical]

1.Computer terminal

2.Small electronic devices

3.Keypad punch sequence


[Human]

1.Footsteps

2.Grunts and moans

3.Radio chatter

4.Breathing

5.Bodies hitting ground/floor


[Creatures]

1.Hissing

2.Footsteps

3.Sliding across floor

4.Growling

5.Howling

6.Shrieking

7.Spitting




[Misc.]



Metal Cage banging
Low electrical vibrating hums
Alarm sirens
Door opening
Metal clanks
Glass breaking
Wind gusts
Water dripping
Cheers,

KidMesh

[b00bie]

i made this google 2d thingie...

http://free.pages.at/jubei/overlay1.jpg


the left area is the space for any visual informations about enemies, buildings, ..wireframes u know? any ideas? :)

[Kid-Mesh]

Wow man! That is goggle concept is friggin awesome :thumbsup: very cool.

I'll talk to you more about it and the sound fx on IRC tommorow.

Cheers,

Kid Mesh

[misledtomisery]

Position interested in: concept work, preferably creatures

Applications you use: drawing media(pen pencil charcoal ink) and a little comp stuff( paint and ps. just started this stuff). watercolor.

Why do you want to join this project? seems interesting and i think it would be a good experience, especially when it is finished.

How much time can you devote per week: roughly 15 max. fulltime student.

What's your time zone / location? pst. west coast us.

http://misledtomisery.deviantart.com/ where some of my work can be seen.

a few digital things are posted on cgtalk, just look to my thread starts.

[Kid-Mesh]

misledtomisery - Hey welcome aboard and glad to have you. I took a look at some of your gallery pics :) very cool, you should do fine.

Do you have Mirc? If so login to the efnet server and join #project-ice. That way I can talk with you real-time about the project, If you dont have it installed I will pm you a link to download the story and we can talk about the creatures from that point.

Cheers, and again welcome.


KidMesh

[Kid-Mesh]

First of all, mechanical drawings were never my strong suite but I will bang out a quick sketch just to get a vision across.

This is a concept sketch of a possible Ground patrol Mecha Type 1

-- It will defintely look better in 3D :D

http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/groundpatrolmechatype1.jpg

[Kid-Mesh]

Here is another creature idea ...

http://www.madmotion.net/ice/project%20files/concept%20art/kidmesh/attackingcreature1.jpg

[b00bie]

here´s a weapon scetch:

http://free.pages.at/jubei/ionicweapon.jpg

[b00bie]

and a lil anime-like character concept:

http://free.pages.at/jubei/sniper.jpg

[DarkSkills]

Concepts are looking good!

[MrWaRrDoG]

Cool, I'll be following this
If I was better I would've offered to join, but your skills are to high for me

[Kid-Mesh]

MrWaRrDoG - Re-read my F.A.Q :) If you really find the project interesting and want to join but arent sure of your skills...its ok. My hopes is that you might learn something new or have a good reason to work at getting better, not to mention having fun while your doing it.

b00bie - Ha Ha, nice concept...like I said on mIRC, I didnt know you could create concept art. That pic of the female sniper is very cool and so is the weapon you created. Keep it up man

On another note, in my quest to remain organized I've been working on the website for the dev team and it should be completed sometime today. This wont be the actual site for the film per se, but mainly for us so we can have a place to put film assets etc,... I should have everyone's FTP accounts setup when Im done with the site. Afterwards, I will continue in creating concept art with the rest of you guys.


Later,

KidMesh

[Kid-Mesh]

Alright, this is about as good as it gets from me for a team site. Just something simple ...

Project Webby (http://www.madmotion.net/ice/)

As time progresses I will update the links, etc...but it was something I needed to get off my mental plate if you know what I mean.

Now its back to creating some concept art :thumbsup:



Cheers,

[J-Rod]

-removed double post-

[J-Rod]

Hey Anthony knows I am a n00b but I am willing to help in any way that I can. I consider myself more of a low poly kind of a guy, and horrible at anything related to a character. I can help out with some of the more mundane objects in the flick, stuff that usually doesn't get noticed but has to be there. Actually I am going to model a 1337 box with a fractal texture just to get my name in the credits. So there it is, this project is blessed with the presence of TEH RAWD. -JC

[b00bie]

how ya like this?

http://free.pages.at/jubei/smg.jpg
already made sounds for it :X

[b00bie]

bigger, better, assault rifle!

http://free.pages.at/jubei/assault.jpg

imagine the colours by lookin at the little brother :x

[b00bie]

red = aggressive = enemy = bad

http://free.pages.at/jubei/overlay2.jpg

[Kid-Mesh]

J-Rod - A little modest arent we :) But Im glad your aboard...and Im sure there are going to be some boxes some where in the film lol


boobie - Arent you supposed to be my sound effects guy? :D Wow man! you've been a diamond in the rough for me concept art-wise I cant tell you how much I appreciate it. Again you blow my socks off.
The weapon concepts are awesome and that new field vision overlay for the goggles is defintely on the right track man. Keep it up!

[J-Rod]

Yeah I must say those concept pics are pretty nice. Great style and attention to detail!

[misledtomisery]

misledtomisery - Hey welcome aboard and glad to have you. I took a look at some of your gallery pics :) very cool, you should do fine.

Do you have Mirc? If so login to the efnet server and join #project-ice. That way I can talk with you real-time about the project, If you dont have it installed I will pm you a link to download the story and we can talk about the creatures from that point.

Cheers, and again welcome.


KidMesh

i do not have mirc. also i am online very irregularly(not my service), so maybe the best way is through e-mail? i try to get online everynight to check my mail, but i cannot gaurantee i could sit for an hour and talk. so let me know. send me the story that would be killer along with any info on what you are thinking creature wise for concepts. i will have concepts in usually a day or two. hear from you soon. late.

my e-mail misledtomisery@hotmail.com

[Kid-Mesh]

misledtomisery - Sent you an email :)

[shari]

Hi, i would like to join this project.
I have been taking lessons of 3d studio max and rhino3d for 4 months and i think ill be good in making weapons and mabey more mechanical things.

My email is this sariissa@gmail.com

PLUS i know photoshop pretty good at it also I am good at Flash aswell as HTML..

[jfelrod1960]

Any special fx required for this project? Sounds very interesting.

[Kid-Mesh]

shari - If you like to give it a shot sure you can join, the only weapons we have at the moment are what b00bie has already developed. There will be more weapon concepts coming for sure.


jfelrod1960 - yeah, there's defintley going to be special fx involved. But all the effects are going to be celshaded. What software are you using?

[jfelrod1960]

I write code in C++/DirectX. I haven't wrote any plug-ins for modeling tools or any kind of scripting.

[Kid-Mesh]

jfelrod1960 - I was thinking more along the lines of using a 3D package to pull off the special fx such as Lightwave, it has a great array of tools suited for that sort of thing. Maybe I misunderstood your post and I apologize if thats so....Im not looking for anyone to do any scripting :)

[OVNI]

Position interested in: 2D artist

Applications you use: Photoshop, never used Painter. I also know how tu use Dreamweaver and Premiere. And a little Flash. Maybe they could be useful for other parts of the project.

Why do you want to join this project? I think it sounds like a cool sci-fi idea.

How much time can you devote per week: At least 5 hours, I think.

What's your time zone / location? gmt +0, spain

I've done a quick sketch of a merc and a basic proposal for the logo. You can view them here
logo (http://personales.ya.com/tsumi/ice.jpg) & merc (http://personales.ya.com/tsumi/merc.jpg)

[peterwoodsy]

Yeah,

Seems pretty groovey i'd like to have a go:)

I mainly use 3ds max
I can commit about 15 hrs a week
I'm in wales uk
I'd like to be an animator/modeller for ya

http://www.peterwoods.5gigs.com

Cheers:)

[Kid-Mesh]

OVNI - Nice intro sir :) ... I could defintely use your talents. Join our forums and private msg me there, at which time I will give you access to our team forums and we can go from there.Welcome aboard....


peterwoodsy - Hey Peter we spoke briefly yesterday on mIRC before you got disconnected. Same for you as well...Join our forums and message me, then I will get you access to the team forums and we can move from there.

[Killer Napkins]

Alright guys .. I am one of the concept artist :) Jason Spencer


here are some of my ideas...

ok so here we go...
http://www.renderosity.com/photos/ArtistArticle5866.jpg
The Ball Bot- its about 5 feet tall .. its unmanned and mainly used for recon. its equipped with radars, personnel sensors, live video feed (thermal, nightvision and regular) .. ok
http://www.renderosity.com/photos/ArtistArticle5240.jpg
Foot Bot- a single manned walking robot, about 14 feet tall, used for patrol duty mainly.. equipped with a small machine gun located on the tip.
http://www.renderosity.com/photos/ArtistArticle5239.jpg
Quad Bot- unmanned droid type bot.. about 10 feet tall
http://www.renderosity.com/photos/ArtistArticle6309.jpg
Crap Bot- radio controlled tank like fighting bot, about 7 feet tall... and equipped with plasma cannons..
and

a sci-fi robot building factory..
http://www.renderosity.com/photos/ArtistArticle6941.jpg

thats about it so far :)

[b00bie]

yummi ^^ i guess modelers can start now eh? =D

[Kid-Mesh]

yummi ^^ i guess modelers can start now eh? =D
There are a couple of things ready to go modeling wise but their is still alot of concept art yet to be created and to be decided on for the final look. So we will see :D...we will see.

[Gremlin]

Position interested in:
Mechanical modeler (and junior character modeler?)
Applications you use:
Maya 6.0
Why do you want to join this project?
Seems interesting, and is the sort of stuff I like--plus, I'd be interested in working with other people on a project, and strengthening my modeling skills. I also wouldn't mind giving one of the character's a shot too...I'm not too practiced in making the whole bodies...
samples of my character work:
here is a head that never got finished: The Fatman (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/fatman.jpg) (texture was unfinished)
here is a head that was deemed "pretty much finished": The Professor (http://obooboo.homestead.com/files/professor_11.jpg)
here are a few, from a character that never got finished: Wizard 1 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_wire01.jpg), 2 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_03.jpg), 3 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_03b.jpg), 4 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_04.jpg), 5 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_05.jpg), 6 (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/wizard_06.jpg).
my current WIP (mechanical):
reference image: tachikoma reference image (http://www.saturn.myftp.biz/mars/diary/image/img0402/sic/tachikoma.jpg)
my progress: tachikoma WIP image (http://www.gamingmouse.com/images/temporary/tachikoma2.jpg)
How much time can you devote per week:
7 hours or more ( school and work too :sad: )
What's your time zone / location?
GMT -08:00 (Pacific) - Oakland, CA, USA

plus, when the tachikoma is finished... perhaps, we can use it? (or maybe a modified version of it?) it is primarily nurbs, meaning texturing would probably be horrid. procedural probably wouldn't look too bad though, I have this theory that if I used dirtmap as an alpha channel for a layered shader... there could be the main shader, and a secondary shader (probably a scratched up shader) that would be revealed where the dirtmap would be, which is edges and where stuff touches etc... I have yet to test it out.

Cheers,
:beer:

[Kid-Mesh]

Gremlin - Id love to have you join, your modeling skills are excellent. Join our forums so I can get you access to the team section. That way you can get up to speed on whats going on. My main 3D modeler is going to love you lol.... here is some of his work http://www.madkarma.com/fenchbaum/

Welcome aboard...

BTW - that tachikoma model...:twisted: I can find a place for it....trust me

[csc2h]

Position interested in: Character/ Cel Shading Modelling OR Mechanical Modelling

Applications you use: Maya 6.0, Photoshop, Combustion 3

Why do you want to join this project? It seems very interesting and there are a lot of talented people already working on this project. I have been impressed! :)

How much time can you devote per week: 5-10 hours

What's your time zone / location? USA -- Nashville, Tennessee


I have a "sort of" demo reel online...This is more of just a short video that I made of all my stuff, by no means is it an "official demo reel" of my work, but its the only thing I have online right now... http://members.tripod.com/harpethdrumline/DemoReel.WMV

[Kid-Mesh]

csc2h - had a hard time viewing your reel :sad: any other way I can see it?

[csc2h]

Sorry bout that, just copy and paste that link into a new window...the server it is on acts really strange a lot...

[Kid-Mesh]

Things are moving along very well with our project right now even though this thread seems a little dead. But its far from the reality you see here, trust me.

There a few more skilled positions that we need to have filled:

1. One more concept artist - Someone that is very good at creating (Human) Characters.

2. Texture Artist (non celshaded) - Someone that knows their way around UV's and posses at least intermediate painting skills.

3. Animators/Riggers - Anyone with animation skills using Lightwave, Messiah or Motion builder preferred.

Thanks!

[AJE]

Sorry, just subscribing to the thread...

I'm a concept artist/modeler/graphic designer who needs to check his schedule. It sounds like an interesting project, but I'm not going to commit if there's a risk that I'll have to back out before delivering what I agree to.

It would help if the story was available somewhere to read so that I can get a feel for the project. It might help me make some adjustments to my current commitments.

Cheers,
AJE

Lightwave/Maya/Photoshop
Pencil/Paper

[foop]

Hello,

I just came across this post so hopefully you guys are still looking for artists to work with. My name is Aron Kerr. I am a 3D modeler and I really enjoy working with mechanical objects like vehicles, machinery and weapons. My work has been featured in a couple commercials, games and websites mainly for small companies but some stuff you may have seen. Currently my site is down (forgot to renew my domain and somebody else bought it. Doh!) so if you would like to see some examples of my work please email me at fooplwg@earthlink.net or give me a call on my cell at 503.317.5217.

(hope whoeve posted with this formating doesn't mind me using it. Looks really clean and easy to read :)).

Position interested in:
Mechanical modeler Applications you use:
Lightwave 8 mainly but I am also skilled in a ton of other programs.

Why do you want to join this project?
The story seemed pretty intersting but mainly the concept art caught my attention. Very interesting artwork. I am looking for a good way to display my artwork in something different than the usual demo reel and this seems like a great way to do it. Plus working with a lot of talented artists on an animated short sounds like a blast.

How much time can you devote per week:
I think I can do about 10-14 hours a week. Possibly more. Really depends on how much work I am doing outside of the project during a given week.

What's your time zone / location?
GMT -08:00 (Pacific) - Portland, OR USA

Thank you for your time. I look forward to working on this poject.

Sincerely,
Aron Kerr
FoopCGI
503.317.5217 | fooplwg@earthlink.net

[Kid-Mesh]

foop: Nice to see another waver out there with interest :). Defintely join our forums and private message me on them when you do. We can then take it from there and believe me, we have plenty to do.

AJE: Would love to see what skills you have in the area of concept art especially human character creation. In regards to the story what I can do is post what we have internally and that is the back story. This will give you a generally Idea of what is going on regarding the universe that surrounds ICE. There are alot of things we have going on internally and are not prepared to release that information publically. I hope that the backstory will be enough :shrug:

[Kid-Mesh]

[ The Back Story ]

In the year 3041 A.D. on one of Saturn's distant moons, the Rashard Institute of Xenogenesis research and technology was rapidly advancing in the areas of Bio-warfare and hyper induced gene-therapy. For several decades the Rashard Institute had been secretly operating under the radar while receiving private funding to conduct advanced studies. Within its highly guarded confines the institute is no more than a collective of prudent experiments that serves the agenda set fourth by the governing body known as the Galactic Federation of Planets.
Since it's inception, every quarter a status submission is sent back to earth via an encrypted satellite signal programmed to keep the Federation updated on the latest project developments.

Just recently the GFP had become very perplexed and considerably nervous due to an abrupt stop of submissions within the last year. After careful speculation and deliberations the organization realized something might have gone terribly wrong, this lead to sending a space probe to survey the Saturn based moon.

Nearly six weeks after launching the space probe, and it reaching its destination, the probe began to transmit satellite images back to the database at Federation H.Q. The first images confirmed their greatest fears, the Rashard Institute had been seized, but by whom? Based on the photos from the survey probe an unknown race seemed to have taken over the entire operation, which meant that the institute was no longer under the control of the GFP. After a closer review the photos revealed that the institute had undergone several alien architectural alterations and was operating at full capacity. After further inspection of the satellite images there was visible evidence that the scientist were still alive, this led the GFP to believe that the majority of the staff was still intact.

Alarmed by the current findings of the satellite images the GFP quickly went into action. A member of their special operations task force referred to as SPOOK was being prepped to go and investigate. The operative's objective would be to go in disguised as a scientist returning from a routine transport and report the current situation from inside the institute. The main objective was observatory in nature only, by no means was the operative to engage the unknown occupants.

Six months of preparation and planning were now complete and the Federation was ready to initiate the operation. Everyone involved realized that this was more than likely going to be a one-way ticket, with a very low success rate. But every soldier that joins the SPOOK's are people that are no one, they are everywhere and nowhere. It is an honor to die serving the Federation and dishonorable to fail.
A cycle of two months has now passed since the operative was covertly put into place, yet still no transmissions were being received. Fearing the worst of it, the Federation began to reevaluate their options and then it happened, a transmission on a special frequency came through. The one and only transmission the spook was able to send read….” Unknown occupiers are using the Institute to create genetically altered creatures for what looks like a legion of genetic soldiers. The institute has been totally overrun and the majority of the scientists are already dead…. I fear that I may be next ”

Realizing that they had to act quickly the Federation assembled a highly adept and specialized SPOOK team to go and reclaim the institute. Their mission is to take back the Rashard Institute at all cost or destroy it as a last resort. The remaining scientists have been labeled expendable and the unknown occupiers are to be eliminated.


On the other side of the solar system a band of rogue space pirates known as the Octarian Marauders had been following the new occupants of the Rashard Institute. The new occupants of the Rashard Institute are known to the Marauders as the Warriors of Cartiera.
These Warriors are a nomadic race that triumphantly seizes and destroys everything in their wake raping it and leaving nothing of value. The Octarian Marauders on the other hand are ruthless speculators who sift through the destruction of planets left behind by the Cartierians.

Up until now this matrimony unknown to the Carterians had been a harmonious one for eon's, but at this stage of the their travels the Marauders find themselves running out of resources. Resources such as food, fuel and bartering items are now becoming increasingly sparse and is causing unrest amongst the crew.
After following the Cartierians into this solar system they have begun to grow impatient with the take over of this unknown moon.
Suspicious and near desperation the leader of the Marauders puts together a small scout team to recon the moon. What he later finds out is that the Warriors of Cartiera have uncharacteristically setup camp and have begun to harvest a special mineral that is indigenous to the newly claimed rock.
The Marauders are unaware of the actual activities which surrounds the newly found interest the Cartierians seem to have at this location. But what intrigues the leader is what the scout team returned during their recon session. One of the crew managed to gather a sample of crystals that are being harvested for objectives unknown..

The analysis proved to be a pleasant surprise as they found out that the very mineral used to power their technology back in Octaria was literally right within their grasp. This was the first time that the crew had every seen the mineral in its raw state, and the word of it spread throughout the ship like wildfire.
In the Octarian solar system, this mineral is referred to as ICE and is a very valuable commodity due to the almost impossible mining of it. Wars have been waged and civilizations have been purified in order to posses a mineral that controls the ebb and flow an entire species.
In typical buccaneer like fashion the leader of the Marauders realizes that this is a clandestine opportunity. If one were to own such a bounty that individual would be in a strong position to possibly control all of Octaria. The only thing that stands in their way seems to be the Warriors of Cartiera and as far as they are concerned the rewards out weigh the risks.
Now armed with a new purpose the Marauders devise a plan to strategically hi-jack all of the ICE transport routes that have been setup by the Carterians and take it all right from under their noses.


---------------------------------------------

[grafikdon]

Wow! How come I missed this?

[Kid-Mesh]

grafikdon - Hey man, hows that celshade production of yours going? Thanks for dropping by though, we've been here :)

[grafikdon]

grafikdon - Hey man, hows that celshade production of yours going? Thanks for dropping by though, we've been here :)

What's up, man. The project is coming along at a slow but steady pace.

Kid. This I.C.E project is awesome! I am gonna throw in whatever I can in terms of concept and animation(LW) because it feels good to do something different and work with a group of people for a change. Will be uploading some concept art if it is not too late.

I was listening to the music at the website and I was completely 'blown apart'. Those sure were the right music for the project.

[Kid-Mesh]

Hey thats great, glad to hear it :)

[AJE]

How far is the script development? What stage are you at?

PS 'Lethal Evolution' is a phenomenal track... if you don't mind, it's going straight to the mp3 player.

PPS Got anymore like that?

[Atreidez]

Position interested in: Chracter concepting and maybe matte painting

Applications you use: PS

Why do you want to join this project? Gives me something to do after work.

How much time can you devote per week: 5-10 I guess

What's your time zone / location? Seoul, Korea



Here's a couple of concept illos I did last week, Hope you like them.

http://www.gazler.com/users/atreides//char1.jpg


http://www.gazler.com/users/atreides//char2.jpg

[Kid-Mesh]

Our development team is currently working on a "proof of concept" that will probably be around 2:30 minutes long, a script and story board is in the works for that as we speak. This "proof of concept" is in place to determine and provide several things:

1. Visually show the exact skill level of the individuals involved in the project.
2. Guarantee the vision of the final project from every aspect from characters and environment to sound.
3. Determine our weaknesses as a team early on before the actual production begins and strengthen those areas.
4. Develop the necessary communication protocols needed to go through all phases of the production pipeline.
5. Experience success early on as a team and use that as a jump off point to start the actual film production.
6. Gain the experience of what makes up our team and discover the key players within it.
7. Deliver to the public an example of what is to come when the final project is to be completed.


We have the necessary management structure internally on paper to do what we have set out to do, but naturally none of us have ever worked together so this is a feeling out process for sure. Along with my co-lead we have personally planned for as many contingencies as possible to ensure that the initial phases are successful ones. Relying from my own management experience I realize that it is important to develop projects in phases/steps and assess the skill sets of your staff along the way making changes where necessary.

Although a proof of concept may not seem like much to some I would be beg to differ, our asset list alone is over 130+ objects and growing. And it’s the perfect unit test to see if your working with the "right people", this is a internet collaboration which means a lot of unknowns and nothing can be assumed. Personally I am determined to see the project through to the end regardless and it is a reality that I understand all to well, a large portion of the individuals we start off with probably wont be there when development starts.

So for that reason alone this proof of concept is the only good faith, character assessment or work ethic litmus test I could come up with before I would ever a share a full blown script of mine with anyone or start the direct production phases of a film. If you cant make the walk with me to pull off a proof of concept then why should I believe you have the wherewithal to complete the film.

I hope that answers your question.


Note: All of the final assets that are being created for the proof of concept are part of the asset list for the actual film.




BTW: Yeah that Lethalevolution track is hot and there is more of that to come from b00bie for sure :twisted:

[The_Rogue]

hello
I would like to join the team
I can do mechanicle modeling mechs and posibly ships

[DarkSkills]

Been working on some celshade nodes. Here's a quick render test of a S.P.O.O.K. soldier. Once I'm happy with the nodes, I'll throw up an animation or two. Hopefully KidMesh will plug me on the ICE Website front page;)

http://www.celshadeartists.com/films/ice-1.jpg

[madkarma]

Darkskills indeed
Totaly awsome

I'm co lead to this project and like to thank you all for the intrest you have shown in ICE
and even efford putt in.

love the spook soldier btw
i know kidmesh will agree when i say welcome on board Darkskills.


Cheers
madkarma

[Kid-Mesh]

LOL, yeah more like welcome back :twisted:

This guy has been on the team since the beginning but I cant get him away from the lab to even say hi...too busy studying how to be the real celshade demi god I suppose.

Darkskills you have defintley lived up to your name today buddy, that S.P.O.O.K Soldier is spot on.

Gimme some more!

[Tallacus]

what kind of objects, like guns and security systems are still available?

[AJE]

Kid Mesh, please don't take offense to my questions, they aren't meant to question you, your team, or abilities. I have learned from previous experience to not give my time to people without first making sure that I am comfortable with the leadership, as well as the group.

As far as the script goes, I am a screenwriter as well as an artist, and my request wasn't to judge your abilities as a writer or storyteller so much as to get an overall feel of what's involved. Again, this relates directly to the scale of the project, and my wish to commit and follow through. That said, at this point I am only interested in working on commercial projects (which by the outline, this seems to be so far). I'd be interesting in knowing what makes this story unique.

I am a professional, and wouldn't expect to even see a script until it has been registered with the WGA and after I had given you a signed NDA.

At any rate, what I may be able to do is give you a commitment for phases (like you say, phases of development offer you a chance to see how the team meshes together). That way, I can fit the phases around my work schedule.

Again, my only hesitation comes from my own lack of time, and my willingness to make sure my other obligations to squeeze you and your team out.

Let me know what you're looking for in the way of creature designs, and character designs and I'll see what I can come up with over the next few days. Heck, you may think they suck, and tell me to take a hike! Like I said, I am a LW modeler too, so converting the sketches to 3D would be fairly easy for me.

Cheers,
AJE

[Kid-Mesh]

AJE - No offense was taken :blush: and Im sorry If I offended you possibly...thats the one thing I hate about text and the internet, you just cant emulate tones of voice. Not to mention I proably didnt do a good job of disconnecting you personally from my response. I just wanted to make sure that individuals who were looking on had a basic idea of what and why were doing what were doing.
In regards to creature and character designs, well we have on heck of a 2D creature designer at the moment and I mean very good. Not saying that you wouldnt be any better but we have more of a need in our 2D concept character design dept.
What would help is if you could join our mIRC channel and speak with madkarma...he is basically "man at arms" if you will regarding new team members.
There is just so much involved at the moment in the areas of planning and preparation that we have to split and delegate duties. So if you could pop in and speak with him that would be great...I actually thought I was running the project when it started :) but he has defintely kicked it into another level behind the scenes. But more than likely I will be there so and we can all discuss it then.
If that wont work for you because Im now remembering that you have a busy schedule then email me and we can start a three way email between yourself, madkarma and I.

Cheers,

I almost forgot, thanks for the compliment in regards to this coming off like a commercial project. I've been a professional for over 15 years and it just shows in everything I do. I guess over time it just becomes natural. At the moment its an internet collaboration....for now ;)

[Tallacus]

Hey KM,
My skills as a modeller are slowly building up, and I do have a design for the dropship, if its not already taken, and some other misc. props like the "space age laptop computer" and the indoor security camera, and I'm trying to come up with a design for the towers and the unmmaned turrets (that is if you dont already have on in mind).

Now, I'm still an amatuer, but I'm working on it, I would really like to see if I could help, I use maya 5 complete at my school, it would take me about a month working on the dropship for about two hours a day, cause of school, but I would like to see if I could pull it off and give you the best looking model i could create.

about the concept art, I'm not as good as everyone else is here, and unfortunately my scanner seems to be done, and i only have drew the space age laptop

[Tidy_Sammy]

Hey there, just read this thread, sadly the only program I have is Cinema 4D (free downloadable demo version) and I can't do all that much on it, if I was able to I would jump at the chance to.

So with that all I'll do is wish you all good luck as it looks promising, the work so far looks nice, keep it up!

[cg219]

Position interested in: Mechanical or Character/Creature Modeler

Applications you use: 3ds Max 7

Why do you want to join this project? It is a good oppurtunity to build up more for my portfolio. Some good experience. Also it looks like fun. :D

How much time can you devote per week: I'll say 8 Hrs.

What's your time zone / location? GMT -5/ N.Y. USA

[vectro]

Position interested in: 3d modeling, concept art (if still needed)

Applications you use: 3d studio max 6

Why do you want to join this project? I want to increase my knowleaddge in modeling alo get some experiance in teamwork

How much time can you devote per week: 4-6hours per day (28-42)

What's your location? Lithuania (a small basketball country :))

[Jensen]

I would like to take part in this project. Here's my info:


Position interested in: 3d modeling (both organic and mechanical)

Applications you use: 3d studio max/photoshop

Why do you want to join this project? to get experience working with a team and to expand my knowledge of creating digital media.

How much time can you devote per week: around 2+ hours a day (around 14+ hours/week)

What's your time zone / location? pacific time (Seattle, Washington, USA)

AOL INSTANT MESSENGER: JVIikel
EMAIL: mikered (at) gmail (dot) com
^^Sorry for the email parsing. I just don't enjoy spam

[rhino23]

Position interested in: Animator, or any other way I can help
Applications you use: Maya, Photoshop, Flash, After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere, Final Cut
Why do you want to join this project? I really like the story and it looks like you guys really have your act together. I would like to gain experience by working with a team such as yours and to have something of this caliber to add to my reel.
How much time can you devote per week: 15-20 hours
What's your time zone / location? Eastern (Ohio)

I'm a jr animator(unfortunetely I don't have Lightwave, and I am just now picking up MB), but I also have skills in the above softwares so if there is anything I can help with, count me in. If not, best of luck anyways, it's looking great so far.

[Kid-Mesh]

It's been super busy :eek: but I've tried to reply to all via private messages. So if you posted in this thread requesting info about the project just check your private messages.

Cheers

[Ariyoshi]

Position Interested In: 2D (but can do some mech in 3D and conceptual art)

Applications: Modo, Lightwave, Photo Cs

Why do I want to join? I´m not currently in any project :)

How much time a week? About 6 / 12 Hours week

Time zone: GTM Paris, Madrid

[madkarma]

I'm sorry to inform everyone this project died a premature death.
Kidmesh is still posting on the CG forums just not on his own forum and
not responding to any emails.
A real pitty becouse we where making some cool progress.
I thought since the project is dead anyway i would share some art i did for it.

There is tons more to show but i would just be filling the pages for a dead project.
If anyone likes the art for his own project or has an other suguestion please contact me.






http://www.madkarma.com/ice/yusuke.jpg
http://www.madkarma.com/ice/ichiro.jpg
http://www.madkarma.com/ice/takakura.jpg
http://www.madkarma.com/ice/bat_wip_009.jpg
http://www.madkarma.com/ice/BoB_018.jpg

[grafikdon]

I'm sorry to inform everyone this project died a premature death.
Kidmesh is still posting on the CG forums just not on his own forum and
not responding to any emails.
A real pitty becouse we where making some cool progress.
I thought since the project is dead anyway i would share some art i did for it.

There is tons more to show but i would just be filling the pages for a dead project.
If anyone likes the art for his own project or has an other suguestion please contact me.



Dude, you're kidding, right? Gee... this was something I had my eyes on.

[madkarma]

I'm afraid im not kidding
This is just a small portion of my work and the other team members worked realy hard on all sorts of concepts, models and music aswell.

[DogmaD]

So, if he has really quit the project and you guys still want to continue with the project, why not just continue with the project? In what way is he vital and why can't he be replaced?

[rhino23]

It's his story/script and as far as I know he hasn't shown anyone in our group the whole thing, except maybe madkarma.

[AJE]

Well, since the people who developed the work own the work, all we need is a new story... and there just happens to be a new Screenwriting forum on CGTalk...


Maybe pitch it to someone there? It seems a shame that a lot of the work doesn't get used... if nothing else, a short should be relatively easy to do.

Maybe make a short film script into a CGTalk Challenge?

AJE

[madkarma]

I'm in the process of trying to vitalise this project.
And yes all the help is still welcome.

[Kid-Mesh]

I'm sorry to inform everyone this project died a premature death.
Kidmesh is still posting on the CG forums just not on his own forum and
not responding to any emails.
A real pitty becouse we where making some cool progress.
I thought since the project is dead anyway i would share some art i did for it.

There is tons more to show but i would just be filling the pages for a dead project.
If anyone likes the art for his own project or has an other suguestion please contact me.




First off all let's not get to premature here, "My project" never died nor is it dead. The attempt at doing an internet collaboration failed due to lack of participation, that's the bottom line. Although our team was big enough it lacked fundamental participation in some key areas that attributed to non growth.

Putting together a project like this required alot of pre ground work and basically 100% dedication on my part, if anyone that was apart of this project feels that I'm not being truthful then feel free to correct me...

1. I made sure that any information needed was made available.
2. I made sure that there was a constant flux of content being generated for people to work on within their "claimed" skill sets. Everyone had more than enough to work on
3. I was available always either on mIRC or Skype or email.
4. The dedication and hours I put into the initial foundation cant even begin to be measured. And I did it because I wanted to do it.
5. Even the people who lied to me saying that they had "X" skill and it proved that it looked like they just opened "X" 3D application for the first time, I still let it slide.

So lets clear up something, after about a good plus month or so realizing that people were just not going to create "anything" 3D wise and those who did lied about their skills which forced us to keep on looking for legit "CG" artist AGAIN. Not to mention trying to organize team meetings to keep the project on track failed miserably because no one was really as serious as I or Madkarma so for me it just became pointless. Now you see why I never released my completed script....

Special Note: The concept artist that I did have kept me and the "community" part of the project going. Without them It wouldnt have lasted as long as it did, so if you can get "B00bie" or "KillerNapkin" or "MisleadtoMisery" then you just picked up one helluva of a team mate. But this wasnt a 2D project and in the end, those guys time were being wasted as well. Madkarma was also a God-Send, the late nights I spent working things out with him wont be forgotten.


I will say this much though because I dont want to use a broad brush and paint a picture of the entire team not living up to what they claimed in either their emails or private messages. There were a few that stuck it out for me till the so called end:

1. B00bie
2. KillerNapkin
3. MisleadtoMisery
4. Madkarma
5. Darkskills

In the end I realized that it was a nice try and trying to do the community thing just didnt work out , I mean as the team grew the projects ambitions and goals grew as well. It grew to a point that we actually needed "A lot" of people. That in itself as I look back was a mistake, the project started off small enough for a small team. But feature creept got the best of myself and Madkarma. It was one thing to be lacking in talent in certain area's but what really hurt the attempt the most was again lack of "Dedication".

One could look and say that "I" should have remained dedicated but in the time it would take to find some "real" help for the type of project that we had behind close doors, I was better off alone with the original intent that was managable for "one person". Maybe if I were a college student, living at home with mom or filthy rich, then I could have waited a year or so but I dont have that kind of time to risk on people that are not motivated nor obligated to stick it out with me. Some will understand this and some wont...thats just how it is.

But dont for a minute go thinking that I just abandonded the project, now to me thats funny considering that I could have found something else better to do all those weeks that I spent prior and during the project setting everything up. I defintely could have spent more time with my wife and kids then getting up at odd hours of the night to talk with people half way across the world just to make sure they stayed updated.

So abandoned, naw but the community thing oh that will never happen for me again.Truthfully, its alot easier working on a project by yourself then trying to get internet strangers on the same page as you especially when they dont have the same drive and vision as you do. Everyone talks a good game but it doesnt last and really, its ok.

The truth about the whole project is in the private ICE forums, within those HTML walls are the written truths about what I have spoke of here. See, I could make that public so that everyone can see how many freakin times I had to plead with people to just do something and pleading with folks to at least show up to a scheduled meeting. Then it dawned on me that this sh!t was crazy and defintely not worthy my valuable time. Because the fact of the matter is, people on collaborative projects dont owe you jack sh!t, thats real and for the most part...that's what I got.

In the end Im not bitter nor am I mad, it was an experience that I expected and I dont regret it...why? Because I know that for me I put all that I had into it and it ended up what it was....and experience.

Cheers and good luck to the rest of you.


Kid Mesh

[madkarma]

So it is dead..
I would have appreciated getting an email or call upfront instead of reading that here.

[DarkSkills]

It's always a sad thing when these colabs go belly up. Coming from the Gamedev/Mod world I've seen too many 'deaths' in my time and I'm starting to get a bit jaded, but honestly, everything KidMesh stated is essentially what happened. Personally I think alot of interest wained when the decision was made in the Project I.C.E. forums to go realistic cg verses celshade. I know that sort of put me 'on-the-bench' so to speak and I sat and observed the project from the sideline. Here's what I noted,

1. It seemed to me that the vision/ambitiousness of the project was getting a bit out of hand considering the skillset of the team and what was actually being produced. Honestly, what was being produced outside of various concept artwork and nice head WIPs, was next to nothing.

2. It almost seemed as if KidMesh had to beg, plead, and coerce various team members to post anything at all, let alone something that could actually be used in the project. If I were running this project, that factor alone would have frustrated me to no-end. I understand people have other commitments and no one was getting paid, but come on, make something.

From where I sit, there is really no reason for bitterness or ill will. KidMesh, MadKarma or the others KidMesh pointed out made a valiant effort. Unfortunately, as any vet in the game will tell you, that is the nature of the beast. Oh well, back to my own projects;)

[madkarma]

Darkskills

In all fairness.
Im sure you are a nice guy and your heart is in the right place.
But you speak blagha blahh and every thing you said ticked me off.

The Skillset of the team.. where do come off discussing the skills of the team?
Boobie.. rocked insane
Killernapkins.. art to stun
misledtomisery.. art to stun
Rogue.. beginner with aditude
J-Rod.. beginner with aditude
JVI.. tight modeling dude
FoopCGI.. tight modeling dude
LampChair.. tight modeling dude
Gremlin.. tight modeling dude
Boywonder.. animator fabulosso

You are one of the "produced next to nothing" as you putt it mister on the bench.
Your skill set is the only that could be up for discussion.
An appology to these killer artists would be in place here.

The cellshading was never dropped for realistic.
We just thought we should experiment with shading techniques but always keep it manga.
At no time a choice was made to drop cellshading and certainly not for realistic.

Plenty was produced that you didnt see like robots and space ships.
Perhaps you didnt see becouse you dropped by 3x.

Yes, there where people that modeled like a beginner but they did model.
It's a fun project with people who join for fun.

i wasn't bitter or angry .. i was disappointed kidmesh quit becouse i was having fun..
and then you wrote all this nonsense and then i did get angry yes.. at you

[AJE]

Guys this doesn't have to become a pissing contest of who did what.

Essentially, people should be treating this like a job (it's good practice), and as with any job, some people just aren't good enough to do the work to the required level.

I know that I checked the ICE website a few times, and I didn't see much concept art to get me stoked enough to put my other stuff on hold.

Collab projects work, but it must be done quickly (like over the space of 3 months or less) with a core group of specialized people and have lots of kickass concept art to keep the momentum up.

I don't think this project is a write off by any means, and I definitely understand Kid Mesh's frustration... I still think it's a viable story. I'm still interested in working on it, but when I didn't get a response to my earlier post (about doing some artwork), I didn't push it because I figured you had it all covered.

Kid Mesh, if you're still interested in doing something about all this, PM me.

[rhino23]

Amen to madkarma and also AJE. Everyone needs to just go outside and kick something, (perhaps your neighbor's cat, or even your neighbor), and then come back in, take a chill pill and sort this crap out. Lay some defined ground rules for participation, sort out the communication problems, and let's get back to work.

[DarkSkills]

Whoa, hey, I simply stated my observation of what was going on with the project. Don't shoot the messenger because I speak the truth (Nothing I stated contradicted what Kid Mesh, the Project Lead said in his post.) but just so there's no confusion and no question about where I'm coming from, my main involvement with the project was to develop the celshaded look and as a celshader, I'll address the following statement by MadKarma and then forever hold my peace:

The cellshading was never dropped for realistic. We just thought we should experiment with shading techniques but always keep it manga. At no time a choice was made to drop cellshading and certainly not for realistic.

I'll simply refer to the Project ICE meeting minutes posted on the Official Project I.C.E. website by Kid Mesh in the 'Project-I.C.E.' forum under 'Production and Development' in the thread entitled 'Important Team Meeting Updated' on Sunday, January 9th at 4:47pm. A meeting whose attendees included
In Attendance
KidMesh
CyberHanz
J-Rod
Madkarma
Shari
b00bie
and I quote:
...Things have changed and we are now looking a something close to a film feature...With the talent level that wa have thus far in certain areas, we have decided that a celshaded project would not due the 3D models justice at all. We are going forward with a fullyl textured photoreal look...For now, the project is listed as a celshaded project publically and thats fine. When we actually start to post renders....the world will know something else has happend. http://madmotion.net/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif
Even after that post, I still continued to submit samples of the progress made on the nodes and animations I was working on, examples of which even made it to the front page of the Project I.C.E. website. However, I think it is plain to see why I considered myself to be 'on-the-bench' at that point.
To Kid Mesh and the rest of the I.C.E. Team members, Please excuse me for putting portions of private team minutes out in the public arena, but I felt it appropriate and neccessary in this instance to help alleviate any doubt cast on my observations or my character. Thanks.

[AJE]

From what I've seen (which is limited to this thread and the limited website thus far), I don't think there has been irreperable damage done here. I don't think anyone is pointing fingers, and people are allowed (as they should be) to vent a bit. Personal attacks aren't worth mentioning since nobody really has the right to whine about submitting work that they did for free, with no guarantees on anything.

This is an experiment. And having a relatively good idea, it could be an experiment that is well recieved. Whether the team members feel it or not, what's missing in all of this seems to be the communication factor, which can be attributed to many things. It is an easy thing to overcome.

The next problem, as I stated before, is the level of some of the work not being where it needs to be to keep people committed to the project. I would suggest running this as a real production, with a head production designer, producer, and director having the final word on what makes it, and what doesn't. If you are a contributor, and your work doesn't make it into the final line-up, don't feel bad because there may be elements of you design worked into something else that IS used. Think about the team working on Star Wars... there are warehouses of stuff that didn't get used.

The third thing is the percieved change to a more realistic style. I would tender that it's a bit ambitious for this project, and you run the risk of being the next in a growing chain of painful attempts (FF:TSW, Polar Ex). People will be distracted by that, and the story will be lost. I think a better approach would be more like Wonderful Days... it looked beautiful.
(Also, celshading the characters means texturing them is MUCH easier, and for a project with volunteers and high hopes, I would stick to your original plan.)

If some of you don't think this is worth working on, by all means step aside. KidMesh, I don't know where you're at with all of this, check your PM's and fire one back to me.

[DogmaD]

Ahhh, well. I guess i understand KidMeshes story. On Aegis we also have people coming and leaving and deadlines that go nowhere. :D But we just do it for the fun and try to learn something from the experience. Also, everyone on our time i think really likes to work with eachother, its for recreation, not work...

About setting your goals to high, this probably happens on about every CG project out there. The key is to just downscale it when you notice this is not going to happen within the current team. Thats what we have had a couple of times, but what we did was just keep creating content to work with and in the end sort out what we can do with the content we have.

Anyway, Kidmesh. If, as you say, you have a core of about 6 people that really works, then build your production around it. As we have it on Aegis:

Production Team Contributors Interested People

Some people just have a different amount of time they can spend on projects, but still do some work on the project and want to be a part of it. You can have it both ways. Just have a core production team who can spend over 20 hours a month on the project, and contributors who spend some time on the project. Concentrate the production around the production team and use the contributors to get some extra punch in there....

As for the quality of work...This one is pretty easy actually. Any new starting guy can be at a kick ass level in a couple of months with some guidance. Its one of those things a collab project gives back to the group. For you it might be more important to finish the project, but for some people it is not so much important to see a finished CG movie, but seeing their skillset go up in production. Knowing they come out of the project better at what they were doing before. For this you need to team up people, share work. Put multiple people on the same scene, and let them learn from eachother, when the group is working and communicating things should be ok. And don't spend hours talking on IRC or something with the entire group, this will probably lead to a chatclub instead of a workgroup. OR only invite production members, who actually produce.

Anyway, i do think you guys have a good core group, and like Aegis, you have hit a hard bump. If this bump is enough to cancel the entire collab is up to you. But a good core team is something you should not waste to fast. If you really have a group of people who don't produce anything, then don't make them part of the production team, just put them on the visitor list...And if there is just no skillset with your production team, and you think the vision you guys had is really not going to happen, well, then that would be a reason to quit, or start working really hard to learn the right skills.

Anyway, good luck with the project, no matter in what incarnation it continues. :D

[sajeelshukla]

well i dont know whats going on here
btw

i am new to this fourm and would like to join in the project if you still have place availbale

personally i love to model so modeling any thing would be good for me but here is the format you asked for and could you please pm or give me your email add to get some more details

here is the details you asked for

Position interested in: Mechanical Modeler, Character/Creature Modeler

Applications you use: Maya 6.5 on Mac OSX

Why do you want to join this project? well i saw few concepts and i like the idea of the story plus never tired cell shading so hope fully i will learn a bit on the go and improve my skill set more

How much time can you devvote per week: i could give about 16-20 hours at the moment

What's your time zone/location? Currently I am student in UK and living near london but duing summer i am going back to India i.e from June

[csc2h]

OK KidMesh and Madkarma...I have high props to you for being ambitous and taking a project that is of an amazing calliber. I was modelling for the team, and received some good pointers from Madkarma...BUT, this project was a little too ambitous in my opinion? I mean, what do you expect - something from Pixar? AND, CGI takes a LONG time as everyone knows, and this project only lasted a few months I suppose if that long from what it seemed to me... This project could have happened, but without any deadlines (I never had any at all or saw or heard any) nothing was going to go anywhere, and well it really didnt seeing as how the project collapsed. Now KidMesh, with all respect - insulting other artists "skill level" is the same has you having no skill level at all. Yes, CGI is an ART, insulting someone's modelling technique or of the like is completely unprofessional. To quote you KidMesh, "Even the people who lied to me saying that they had "X" skill and it proved that it looked like they just opened "X" 3D application for the first time, I still let it slide."
-You know, more power to the people who did that! I commend them for trying to learn a program and perhaps get some help from some talented artists; accusing them of lying is just immature in my honest opinion. This was also a, let me emphasize this - NON PAYING project. YOU asked for help from everyone else, sorry it didnt go your way that quickly. And YES, it is YOUR project, if you want it to succeed, you will do more work probably 10 fold everyone else on the team, thats what a "leader" does. To quote KidMesh one last time,
-"Then it dawned on me that this sh!t was crazy and defintely not worthy my valuable time." Well, if its not worth your time, then its defintalely not going to be worth my time or anyone elses...... There is no hard feelings meant in this, just stating my comments on KidMeshes letter that sounds very unproffesional in my opinion....Thanks

[AJE]

At any rate, all is not lost. If this project is truely finished (as it seems to be since KidMesh has not responded to me at all), then those of you get to count it as a growth experience.

Everytime you push a mouse, you learn something new or get faster.

Darkskills, I gotta say, i really like the celshaded stuff (if that was you). It turned out great looking.

[b00bie]

sad..

yea..

bye

[AJE]

And b00bie, I still got L.E. on my MP3... it keeps me amped at work. Have you got a version without the I.C.E. sound FX that I can crank?

[b00bie]

crank? whats that? sry my poor english x) but.... thx :D glad u like it .. yea i´ll remix it and soon it will be on my personal homepage .. then i send u the info on pm

[AJE]

Sorry, I forget sometimes that the things we say over here may not make too much sense elsewhere.

'crank' = 'crank it up'... making it as loud as possible... put headphones on and turn the knob all the way up.:thumbsup:

Definitely let me know when it's uploaded!

[softdistortion]

Hey ICE team, heard about your plight from one of our team mates. I haven't read all the issues, but fact that you had so many talented artists join so quickly (and from the looks of it still more are requesting to join even with your setbacks) suggests that the collab spirit has really been growing in here...don't set it back with quibbling over who did/said what...reorganize and get back to it. ;)

[madkarma]

I could not have said it better then softdistortion.

And i was the one he talked to becouse i was thinking i might
hop on over to a long running project.

But i wont.. not while we are all still in battle mode.
Lets just see if we can come up with a story that fits our work in and move on with production.
I keep hearing about the quality of the work being to high or to low.
And that the ambition or quality are to high..

Ok.. lets create a 20 sec movie about a box that meets a ball and they have cute little cylinders.
And we need to cell shade it or it wont be manga.

I like it to be the best we can do and not something
that is easy or fits the skills of a beginner.
It was never ment to be a project for beginners wich doesnt
mean they can't join or participate.
But realisticly beginners should also forget about modeling the
main character or space ship, it's not gonna happen.
They are welcome to help design and develop it in every other way.

I dont know if you all remember the animation in killbill but that was anime aswell and no cellshading.
I like to do manga/anime (what ever bakes your cookies) but something a bit original.

[softdistortion]

That's the spirit! :thumbsup:

If I may offer a suggestion that works for us and might also work for you guys in your position>
As Madkarma suggests, create a story that works with what you already have done, then build that around whatever models your members actually finish and submit in the future.
For our project, whatever gets finished and submitted becomes part of the story. Instead of telling people do such and such a quality we say "do your best...the quality you achieve decides if the model is used in forground, mid or background".

We realized we had to do it this way to move ahead, so now anyone can model anything they want..If they finish, it gets written in...if it's a really good model, it gets written in as a featured character etc...It's unorthodox, but it works..... Also, this way you won't end up frustrated by trying to get things you already wrote into the story modelled...especially when you will get some who start and then don't finish things. ;)

[madkarma]

That is some advice i will take to heart
thank you for sharing that with us

[Kid-Mesh]

OK KidMesh and Madkarma...I have high props to you for being ambitous and taking a project that is of an amazing calliber. I was modelling for the team, and received some good pointers from Madkarma...BUT, this project was a little too ambitous in my opinion?


:shrug: The above comment makes absolutely no sense whatsoever; unfortunately when I'm done it will be obvious to some that you and most of the team that feels like you do were never on the same page as madkarma or myself.

I mean, what do you expect - something from Pixar? AND, CGI takes a LONG time as everyone knows, and this project only lasted a few months I suppose if that long from what it seemed to me... This project could have happened, but without any deadlines (I never had any at all or saw or heard any) nothing was going to go anywhere, and well it really didnt seeing as how the project collapsed.

:rolleyes: Again, another example of being on the wrong page. And if you weren’t aware of any deadlines again you never read the private forums, which is the sign of someone that is not totally vested in the cause. (sigh) I really don’t know why I’m responding to this.


Now KidMesh, with all respect - insulting other artists "skill level" is the same has you having no skill level at all.

I’m going to assume that I’m either misreading this or you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Maybe I will leave it alone but I know my modeling and animation skills aren’t coming into question here...you have no idea who I am or what I do, where is this even coming from. (sigh) Again...why am I even bothering.

Yes, CGI is an ART, insulting someone's modelling technique or of the like is completely unprofessional. To quote you KidMesh, "Even the people who lied to me saying that they had "X" skill and it proved that it looked like they just opened "X" 3D application for the first time, I still let it slide."

Listen kid, It's unfortunate that you don’t even begin to come close to understanding the nature behind managing a project nor seemingly having the foresight to read simple text. Nowhere is it stated by me in any manner that some artist skill is being insulted. It is what it is, we attracted a lot of beginner level artist and I was cool with that. What I didn’t like is being lied to as to gain a foot hold of entry to the project, yet again I let that slide. I for one am for growth of an individual in all aspects, lying is just something else. So as for that being unprofessional, it seems you may lack "real" world experience in the areas of resource assessment.


-You know, more power to the people who did that! I commend them for trying to learn a program and perhaps get some help from some talented artists; accusing them of lying is just immature in my honest opinion.

:rolleyes: I addressed this...


This was also a, let me emphasize this - NON PAYING project. YOU asked for help from everyone else, sorry it didnt go your way that quickly. And YES, it is YOUR project, if you want it to succeed, you will do more work probably 10 fold everyone else on the team, thats what a "leader" does.

At least you got part of that correct because I did do 10 fold and then some, but why you need to emphasis that this was a non-paying project is beyond comprehension at this point. Is there something you were trying to say here because really it got lost in translation for me?


To quote KidMesh one last time,
-"Then it dawned on me that this sh!t was crazy and defintely not worthy my valuable time." Well, if its not worth your time, then its defintalely not going to be worth my time or anyone elses...... There is no hard feelings meant in this, just stating my comments on KidMeshes letter that sounds very unproffesional in my opinion....Thanks

Let me see if we can get the context of that quote correct since you left out the why and what leading up to that comment.

I said...
The truth about the whole project is in the private ICE forums, within those HTML walls are the written truths about what I have spoke of here. See, I could make that public so that everyone can see how many freakin times I had to plead with people to just do something and pleading with folks to at least show up to a scheduled meeting. Then it dawned on me that this sh!t was crazy and defintely not worthy my valuable time.

But its ok, it's obvious to me what is going here...I think. I mean there are just some people that feel like they need to circle the wagon if you know what I mean and by all means circle it. But honestly it useless because I’m not in the wagon, yet I find it odd that someone who contributed basically nothing decided to come and attack me. As in life I have learned not to become too surprised by people or situations, that’s why we live and learn.

As a professional courtesy I feel that I need to come clean, I didn’t want to go here because I believe in keeping things in house (private). I also chose in the beginning to take the rap on the nose for the project and let the outside walk away with whatever perceived notion that they would. But it seems that the circling of the wagon will continue (sigh).

Some individuals that were involved on the team and some that were watching from the outside have hit on the same thing "The scale and ambitious nature of this project". Yes from the outside it would seem like a daunting and high level task to achieve. Yes it would seem like we bite off more than we could chew. But I wanted to save not really the team but myself the embarrassment of what I’m going to release now.

Project ICE was definitely growing into a "monster" albeit a controlled one though. Madkarma and I grew this monster and we knew exactly what we were doing. Believe it or not it was more under control than one may want to believe. From the management side, communication, realized goals and over all professional eiquette was never an issue.

Yet the task at hand was two fold, herein lies the issue and cause of dismal on my part. The first task (the embarrassing part) was to create a small "proof of concept" demo. A quick under 2 minutes demonstration of the CG talent that the assembled team had, for the team it would serve as a guide post of the look and feel for the final film let alone an indicator of missing or lacking resources. On the management side Madkarma and I were preparing to pitch our contacts that we both have for funding. What isn't known is the business side that took up alot of time as well, getting the ground work in place that was needed to successfully pitch the project to the sources we were in contact with.

With the help of past clients and collagues Madkarma and I were able to line up potential investors. See the funny thing is, when you join a project you have no idea who the person is on the other side or who they know. My goal was to see if I could find some talent here along with good work ethics that we could send a NDA to in the near future. So all the proof of concept was was merely a undisclosed talent search. In hindsight this proably was the wrong approach because for me valuable time has been wasted already.

We purposely decided not to release this information because I myself wanted to see the true nature of the individuals involved. I didn’t want to find out later the downside of their work ethics and habits after money has changed hands. As far as Madkaram and I was concerned, if you couldnt attend online meetings, post WIP shots of the stuff we assigned you and overall general interest then we had no desire to pursue that person professionally.


Now before you begin to jump to conclusions whatever they maybe just keep this in the back of your head. All I ever asked was that we complete a proof of concept, and all it consisted of was this:


1-char ( 3D )
1-weapon ( 3D )
1-monster ( 3D )
1-robot ( 3D )
1-interior ( room ) ( 3D )
1-extrior ( entrance ) ( 3D )

Now, that listed above was the so called "Ambitous Project" ...what is embarrassing for me is that I couldnt get enough production from the people involved to pull that off. That was friggin it, I now that most of the people here could model that entire list in a few weeks by yourself or less if your that good. But that list took our team all of a few months? No, it took no time because it never happened.

Look, there wasnt shit being created modeling wise outside of what Madkarma created. Madkaram also started modeling because we lacked participation so we hoped that would spark some. Dont get me wrong we had a couple of modelers we were high on because they defintely had the skills but the maturity level just wasnt there. But for the most part we still had alot of beginner talent, I even express to Madkarma that we keet these guys on because it would be good experience for them and hopefully their skills would catch up. Anyway, my frustration drew from the time that was being wasted. Between Madkarma and I we could have modeled / animated and released the entire proof of concept ourselves but that wasn’t the goal here. We were looking for talent to meet the needs required for the larger project once we set up funding but we didn’t even come close to creating a proof of concept with this "public collab" attempt.

All in all it was just sad in a pathetic way to me, so to answer the questions that have been posted about starting it up again...I cant afford to waste more time. I tried it and it didn’t work, I have interested parties on my end still waiting for a proof of concept, I cannot afford to burn bridges that I worked hard to build. At this point I am regrouping and buying a little more time, not to mention considering paying for talent in other areas to cement to CG the ideas I've pitched in script form.

No one has my script, all you have is an idea. If people want to continue with the "idea" I cant stop that and it's fine. The artwork is there if the respecitive concept artist allow you to use it. I've lost almost six months and I really need to make that up....but for those of you that are interested in what will come of "Project ICE"....you have a web browser, use it from time to time. :twisted:

Oh before I forget....

What prompted this response was the fact that my insulting other artist came into question. Everyone starts at the beginning, some evolve faster than others while some just never truly get there at all. Im not a CG "god", but Im not a beginner either. Although my expectations were for high level people I realized that I might end up with more beginner / intermediate talent. With that being said Madkarma should be able to vouch for the fact that I usually fought with him to keep people on the team that in reality I knew we should have cut anyway to acheive our goal.

So csc2h think before you speak and dont assume anything...you dont know me.

Cheers,

KidMesh

[madkarma]

Thank you anthony.. thats the email i was waiting for
In betwean all the negative energy this is costing all of us i came up with a killer idea..
And i also had a breaktrough business wise so i would appreciate it if you would contact me.
Plus i like to see if we can stil salvage something here.

[Kirt]

Hello everyone ... I recieved a message from someone concerned that the end of this project may be causing a rift between members. Reading through some of the past comments I'm a little surprised that such bitterness is being displayed here.

Yeah, it's tough when a community project comes to an end (regardless of the reasons) ... but I think pointing fingers and making accusations is the least professional way of dealing with the problem. Let's try to remain professionals and avoid the petty bickering, please.

Kid Mesh started this project and he has the right to terminate it for whatever reason he wishes. Please, look at your work here as an experience. You may have contributed 2D or 3D resources for the project. That's a learned experience ... not a waste of your time.

Collab projects have many factors working against them even before the first post shows up here at CGTalk. The success rate is very low ... almost to the point of "why bother?" However, those that do get completed shine as an example for those who have the desire to start their own collab projects.

So, why bother? Because each new project helps us develop our skills. Because we learn to work together as a team. Because we all have the desire to be successful. Because sooner or later there will be that one particular project that has all the right elements, the right team, the right motivations and the drive to complete.

Yes, it can happen ... please, lets respect Kid Mesh's decision to terminate or put this project on hold. Let's move on to something new. And more importantly, let's treat everyone with the respect and admiration deserving of professionals.

We may be pros, we may be students or we may be hobbiests dinking around on a personal computer at home barely capable of running our applications of choice. But in the end we are all members of CGTalk who share a common interest in digital arts.

Thank you. :thumbsup:

[csc2h]

KidMesh - I figured you would be ticked by my message...thats okay, no offense is taken and I hope I didnt offend you...Just sharing my comments like everyone else, not trying to change anything, etc.... just one last thing and its nothing new.... "it seems you may lack "real" world experience in the areas of resource assessment." - KidMesh, you dont know me either...:) And I havent assumed anything.

[BOY1DA]

This is like reality television up in here !!
I'm sure you can get a few TV deals if you put the members of this thread
on their own TV show. I'd watch it :p ;)

[AJE]

... My goal was to see if I could find some talent here along with good work ethics that we could send a NDA to in the near future....

I know I asked for an NDA a while ago. If you want serious people, it's usually best to have those ready in the beginning.


...As far as Madkaram and I was concerned, if you couldnt attend online meetings, post WIP shots of the stuff we assigned you and overall general interest then we had no desire to pursue that person professionally.

And it cost you some talented people.


1-char ( 3D )
1-weapon ( 3D )
1-monster ( 3D )
1-robot ( 3D )
1-interior ( room ) ( 3D )
1-extrior ( entrance ) ( 3D )


Had I seen this list in the beginning, I would have known immediately what was expected of me. This would have been a breeze for me, but as I've stated before, communication wasn't where it needed to be to get me involved. You say your time is valuable, well I guarantee you that my time is more valuable to me than it is to you.

KidMesh, I respect your decision, and I totally understand your frustration. I was considering going ahead and working on something different with this crew if it was true that you had pulled the project (as it seems you have) but to be honest, I'm not sure I want a major role in an online project anymore. As a previous post says "Why bother?"... I have too many friends in the industry that will help me to be inviting people that I don't know into the fold.

At any rate, I'm tired of this whole thread.
I honestly wish you the best of luck with ICE KidMesh.

c'est la vie...

[viper550]

I am watching this project since the first time it began.It teally makes me sad to see such collaboration projects die in such a way.I am not going to take anyones side here because this is pointless.I don't know any details about it only what is shown in public so i can't comment on who is right or wrong.

I am totally new to collaboration projects.Probably most of you have more experience than me in CG.Before i started my project i had absolutely no idea what i was going to get myself into.I had no experience,no plans,nothing.I only had a story and the will to make it into a movie.As the time passed by i learned many things and i realisized that it was far more difficult than what i originally expected.Most of the problems you say you had in this project i had also.There were a few moments that i also said "why bother?...".I was very close in stopping too.But i thought that there is no point in sitting and blaming who is in fault.I am very stubborn in my life and i don't give up easily.

I think that the best thing you can do if you want of course is to gather the members that have the will to continue with a project,create a small story that you will be able to complete and make something that you will all be proud of.It doesn't matter if it is good or not.It will be something that is yours.If it's good fine but if it's not it's ok.At least you tried and it didn't work.Don't give up.As someone else said think of it as an experience.You have probably learned a few things.I have certainly learned a lot with my project and if it has the same fate(i hope it wont)i will still be happy because i have learned a few things about how to organise a team and how things should work in such an environment.

And please stop blaming each other.I know there is a disappointment of how things turned out but you only make things worse this way.Anyway this is my opinion.I wish good luck to all the members with what you will decide to do from now on.

[madkarma]

I WILL SCREAM IT BECOUSE EVERY ONE MISSED IT THE PAST 3X
LETS CONTINUE WITH THE ARTWORK ALREADY DONE
WE CAN INTERGRATE IT IN OUR NEW STORY
KIDMESH DOESNT WANT TO BE A PART OF THE PROJECT.. FINE
THE REST DOES WANT TO GO ON .. SO LETS GO.

This is for some people that think we need a lecture on behaviour.
Yes, we are venting our frustrations here and no one is getting rude.
Frustrations are normal when a project goes belly up.
I'm 32 years old and the others involved are about the same, i hardly think
we need a slap on the wrist for having a grown up conversation with other grown ups.

Some one said this wasnt a waste of our time.. get real.
I'm not a noob and yes my time was wasted.

Only if i can intergrate what we had into a new story it doesnt have to be a total waste.

END OF DISCUSSION

Lets focus on gettin the project back on track with a new story.

[softdistortion]

hey Madkarma- I like your keep going and don't give up spirit, WE REALLY NEED PEOPLE LIKE THAT IN HERE :thumbsup:
... Having said that...you guys do need a bit of a lecture on behaviour ...being in here is a priviledge not a right...even though you can get away with almost anything due to the open nature of the forum, we all should try to act as if we have some accountability to the community (BTW, I commend you for trying to do that by not letting your project and team become another collab forum casualty rotting on the curbside :buttrock: )

....if it's worth anything, from my perspective, your group's arguing in public is kind of like watching a family member start fighting at a big dinner party....I'd just want him to stop so visitors will come again next time we invite them.
If you need to have words, maybe do it using PM.

Keep the collab spirit growing...."don't be intimidated by your project...intimidate your project!" ;)

[BOY1DA]

I WILL SCREAM IT BECOUSE EVERY ONE MISSED IT THE PAST 3X
LETS CONTINUE WITH THE ARTWORK ALREADY DONE
WE CAN INTERGRATE IT IN OUR NEW STORY
KIDMESH DOESNT WANT TO BE A PART OF THE PROJECT.. FINE
THE REST DOES WANT TO GO ON .. SO LETS GO.

Lets focus on gettin the project back on track with a new story.


:wip: "madkarma"
So I'm assuming you will take the lead ?

Well take the first step and grab the wheel, post the new plan of attack.
What is the inventory of what is still available to this project.
who is still on board ? and so on. Keep it moving.


I also may know a project that may have some use of the stuff that has been
done already, and has a story but not much of a team...

As for models, and art and such, I also believe in it is a good idea to share
resources between other collaboration projects because there is so many "SCI-FI"
projects here in this section, we have so many ideas and resources in common.
If you lend your models or work to more then one project you will have more
of a chance to get your work shown and out there, and you never know witch project will
be the next big thing, and if they all make it to the top you will have hit the "JACKPOT".

I'm a big fan of collaboration projects, I love to see the underdogs battle
against the odds to the top. Hey that's a good movie Idea.:D


That's my 2 cents, NOW WHO IS WITH ME !
:curious: ( sound of small insects, the wind and big silence in the background ):shrug:

[madkarma]

Right now we are bussy writing a synopsis for a scifi and we hope we can continue where we left off.
It's realy cool to know there is still a strong vibe emitting from this project that will carry onto the next.
Soon we will post the link to the new thread we will continue this project from.
I would love to hear who is still up for it.

[b00bie]

Right now we are bussy writing a synopsis for a scifi and we hope we can continue where we left off.
It's realy cool to know there is still a strong vibe emitting from this project that will carry onto the next.
Soon we will post the link to the new thread we will continue this project from.
I would love to hear who is still up for it.


yea lets bake that shit dude! im with y0u but i guess u know that ^^

cheers :applause: :bounce:

[madkarma]

A new project thread has just been created.
The ice project will continue here.



Untitled Scifi Project (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=1967255#post1967255)

[AJE]

I'll be contributing this time around... here's a rough tank concept, none of the detail to make it stellar... more of a proof of concept... opinions welcome.

http://www.cgalliance.com/onlineproject/test_render1.jpg

(continued in new thread)

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