Buffalo & Oxpecker animation project

[studiomaxer3d]

Here is what I came up with. I'm looking for some other peoples renditions.. maybe we can get something going.

http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/bothversion1.gif

[Kirt]

I could probably do this for you, but I'd need more details on the character types. A neurotic African Buffalo is obviously going to have a different look than a thug African Buffalo. Same goes for the Oxpecker bird.

What type of personalities do the characters have? :shrug:

[studiomaxer3d]

Well I dont have the personalities nailed down just yet.. but I was thinking that the buffalo would be more like a follower. the bird is more of the alpha. they are friends and undergo some trouble in their relationship. The buffalo is kind of quiet and afraid to cause problems. He prefers eating what the waitress gives him even if its not what he ordered. He wont send it back because he doesnt want to inconvenience anyone.

The bird is more of a big mouth. Always speaking his mind. Not afraid to say anything to anyone.

There is a zebra character that comes between the bird and the buffalo. he doesnt say much but his actions show that hes a bit of a jerk. He rubs it in the face of the buffalo that the bird now prefers his companionship. he likes to make people feel bad.


I'd like to keep the visuals in this type of style. I guess there could be more curved lines, but I like the undeveloped simplicity of these designs. Feel free to experiment though. I appreciate the help.

[studiomaxer3d]

Ok.. here is what I came up with for the zebra.. Im using adobe illustrator by the way.

this is the jerky zebra.
http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/zebra.gif

[Kirt]

Are you doing this in 2D or 3D?

[studiomaxer3d]

good question.. 3d.. however I would like to render it and make it look somewhat 2d.

[Kirt]

Well, these are just pencil sketches. I can add colors later if you need them.
I started with just a few quick sketches of the bird. Let me know what you think.

http://kirt.cgcommunity.com/images/oxpecker-concept00.jpg

[jayreef]

i love the one to the top right kirt :)

[studiomaxer3d]

Dude! This is fantastic. I love it. If you are down to help me with this project I would be so greatful.

Color to these would be awesome as well. If you dont want to I can..
I think this project definately has potential.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE project.
Yesterday I wrote out a quick song to accompany this short. A coworker of mine is a musician and is working on the song. Think 'Boundin' from the Incredibles dvd. Thats the way I picture it.

I envision this being a short for kids, teaching them the value of friendship. Basically in a few words the story is this: Todd the african buffalo and Larry the oxpecker (names can change)
are best of friends. Larry keeps Todd bug free and fealing fresh, and in turn Larry gets a free ride around the plains of Africa plus free food.

Larry and Todd have an argument and Larry leaves Todd and takes up residence on the back of a Zebra. At first Todd thought he could manage on his own, but soon ends up a flea infested tick hosting mess. He really needs his friend. So he gets all depressed and spies on Larry and the zebra wishing Larry would come back to him.

Larry feels bad.. and comes flying home to Todd.

[Kirt]

Well, I was bored waiting for my animators to show some progress on my own film. And as long as I'm waiting, I can help out. I get some free time at work to draw so I'll do what I can as far as character designs go.

I need some other stuff for my portfolio, so it works to my favor as well. :D

[studiomaxer3d]

ok great. we just need a zebra and the buffalo. I'm going to be working on the story and stuff. Hopefully you'll still have enough time to help with the boards.

Once the character concepts are done I can start modeling, maybe even make up some maquettes too.

I think this is a good design for the bird. If you wanna work on some color scemes for it.

If anyone else would like to help feel free to drop me a line. Jcneri@massrender.com

How can I change the title of this thread? It should read the project name?

[Kirt]

Storyboards I can do too. :D I love doing boards and hope to be doing them professionally at some point in my life.

To change the thread title, just contact some guy named Kirt. He's the Forum Leader for this forum and I hear he's a pretty nice guy.

OK, seriously. Just post the new thread title here or PM me and I'll change it for you.

[studiomaxer3d]

I guess we can just call it- Buffalo & Oxpecker animation project

[Kirt]

See how easy that was? :D

You don't have a title for your film yet? Ah well ... you can always change it again later if you'd like.

[studiomaxer3d]

Thanks.. No I don't have a title yet..since the story is still being refined.

Do you think you will have time any time soon to 'concept up' the buffalo?

Do we have any sculptors out there?????? I can sculpt but if someone is a master and wants to do something they can!

Fellow Cgtalker JoshOne is hopefully gonna model the bird. (he's my number one bud, and he lives by me...so I'm going to bug him to do it) Once we get the design for the buffalo I'm gonna model that up. Then we will need the Zebra.

Ohh. Are there any XSI riggers out there? I'm not very good at it.

Once we get the models done and rigged we will be running some animation tests. During that period maybe we can get some environment concepts going and Story Boards.

Kirt is awesome but I don't know if he has time for it all.. So I will be doing some drawing whenever I can.. (and I'm gonna bug my other friend down in NC to draw some stuff as well)

[Kirt]

I'll see what I can get done this week. :wip:

[studiomaxer3d]

Great, Thanks.

[studiomaxer3d]

Here is what I came up with for the bird as far as 3d is concerned. Gotta do the feet.. and then refine everything.. and make sure it will accept a rig.
http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/oxpecker-toon.jpg

[studiomaxer3d]

here he is with some legs.. its now time to go to sleep.
http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/oxpecker-toon2.jpghttp://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/oxpecker-toon3.jpg

[studiomaxer3d]

Here is another concept that can and should be turned into a drawing. this is basically a color guide of how I would like this to look. Again this is another illustration from Illustrator.

http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/oxpeckerscene.gif

[studiomaxer3d]

just a little test of what it would look like if this was the actually background.. i think i like it.

http://www.justinneri.com/tmp/buffalo/oxpeckercomp.jpg

[studiomaxer3d]

Is there anyone out there who wants to do some drawing?

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