5 Blades

[superchickensoup]

well, It sounds different from all these space type collabs..... Im not sure what I can do, maybey some admin, or some texture work..... I love the concept art by the way.... cant wait to see the 3d models of Suki.

[littlebluerobots]

If you email me at the address above and send me a list of the things you have done which you consider helpful to this project, also any artwork that shows your best ability. The same thing goes for others interested in joining 5 Blades.
Thanks.

[Boone]

"Sounds quite a caper, Bongo." :cool:

Alright, I'm in.

[littlebluerobots]

Great, the more the merrier, feel free to post any work you have done or describe what you do and what position you would like to fill, oh and send an e-mail to me at

littlebluerobots@yahoo.co.uk







we should have more concept stuff coming soon.
Thanks,
Cliff.

[denntanos]

Sounds really cool..
I sended u an email.

[littlebluerobots]

Thanks, we have already had a great response to the thread already.......
But still need mainly concept artists to start the design side of things rolling....

I have had a response from a talented musician from Canada, which could mean that the score will be of film production level.
I have a sound engineer from London who has show interest in the project, and a couple of people who are interested in admin positions.
I got a response from a Script writer from London,
And a possible 3d artist from Sweden.

Sofar a great start to this project.
In the Pipleine is some character breakdowns, and some more concept work on Suki, and her weapons.
Ill make a list of people who are Offically part of the team at the end of the week.
And will also outline a bit more the Ideas for the animation.

Thanks for you interest and were on the look out for more.....
Cliff.

[denntanos]

oh this seems to be big growing. :P
I did a picture out of a sketch :P
http://www.freespaces.com/hampuskross/ninja1.jpg
http://www.freespaces.com/hampuskross/ninja2.jpg
Edit**

[littlebluerobots]

denntanos, can you post any 3d work?

[denntanos]

Ok this is some old stuff from my website..

http://www.tekcities.com/denntanos/Denntanos/fight.jpg
http://www.tekcities.com/denntanos/Denntanos/samuraisword.jpg
I will come up with more stuff soon.

[littlebluerobots]

You seem to have a problem with your images, I would suggest you open a free Imageshack account... it works very well...

[littlebluerobots]

I have created a yahoo group for the project, feel free to join and post/view progress on this project.
5bladeslbr@yahoogroups.co.uk (http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/5bladeslbr/)
I have also created a Logo,
Boone, hows the script going btw








Cliff.

[littlebluerobots]

As I promised, some more concept stuff.... This is a very quick mood peice by our concept guy Rob.
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/1100/sukimood2px.jpg

There will be some more concept stuff, and possibly some background on the story.

Cliff.

[superchickensoup]

Wow, thats amazing work man, Rob, your one talented dude... I really wish I could model from that concept art.... So who is working on the script? And is there a timeframe for the project?

[denntanos]

Nice thats good work. :P
heres two sword i did yesterday :P
I like Ninjasword.jpg best..

[Boone]

Re: LittleBlueRobots & SuperchickenSoup.

I finished a simple treatment of the script last night. :thumbsup:

Once approved, I can get to work on a first draft... :D

[littlebluerobots]

Great, look forward to seeing it.

OK, so a roll call is in order.

Project Leader: Littlebluerobots
Scriptwriter: Boone
Concept Artist: CipherL
Assitant Hard Surface Modeler: Denntanos
Musical Score: Francois Jolin


Thanks guys.
Cliff.

[cipherL]

No probs, glad to be part of it, and I cant wait to see what Denntanos does with the sword concepts, once he gets started on them..... er once I get started on them. :)

[denntanos]

hehe.. Why not just modeller :P
i started at Sukis body.. But should i post it here?
I have done everything exept the head and some details :)
tell me if i should post it:P
and btw it is nice to work with so nice ppl.

[Boone]

Seeing as LittleBlueRobots is project leader, it maybe wise to give all work to them.

We should consider some copyright along the way...IMHO.

[denntanos]

cool this is the fastest project i ever been in :P
I posted for 1 hour ago and already got an answer :P
Yeah i send it to the leader first :)

[Ollarin]

This project looks sweet, will be keeping an eye on it! :D

[denntanos]

why not join us? :deal:

[Boone]

I'm going to attempt the first draft tonight - I find "afterhours" is the best time to write stories'n'screenplays. :cool:

[Boone]

Re: Denntanos.

He would do( a good animator, I must say ), but I don't think he has the time to spare( he got a lot of work to do ). ;)

[littlebluerobots]

Ok, Denntanos, Ill get back to you about that through yahoo ok.

Im glad that the project is racing along, Im expecting a rough from cipherL, of Suki's Katana.....
And a quick check on the state of the script would be cool. Just a basic rundown sofar, Boone.

[cipherL]

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/groups/g_16367116/CONCEPT+ART/__hr_suki%27s+blde.jpg?bcj6rUDBvAxwmbig

very rough, if Denntanos needs a proper schematic, let me know and Ill post one up on 5blades yahoo group.....

[denntanos]

that link does not work ?

[littlebluerobots]

ok, ill put it up on my imageshack, its also in the concepts folder on the 5 blades yahoo group,

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3519/sblde2yk.jpg

[denntanos]

I understand all of that but not that "wavy lines" ??
btw nice concepts :P

[cipherL]

the wavy lines, are the join between the hard surface metal of the blade, and the flexible metal of the shaft. Most sword masters used the join to create a kind of hallmark, I cant remeber the japanese name for it.....
http://www.polecatcollectables.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/Last_Samurai_blade.JPG

http://www.metaweb.com/wiki/upload/c/cf/Sword_detail.jpg

[gunslingerblack]

i wonder if anyone involved has done thier research on the ninja. i've seen a few concepts already that make me think they haven't. if it's a period piece i would like to see the ninja portrayed more accurately as well as the samurai which are sometimes misinterpreted but less so than the ninja.

[littlebluerobots]

well, sofar whats the problem, I have reserched samurai, and to some extents Iga ninja, the characters who are hunting down Hanzo are mercenaries from the Iga reigion, it is not known if they are ninja, but thier methods dont subscribe to bushido..

Suki has also been exposed to ninja, through the Koga side of things... so the way she dressed, in dark blue are influences she still carries...
Id be happy to get any advice on historical accuracy, but as such this is not a documetary, more of a action sequence... still if you have any info that can help, please post...

[gunslingerblack]

first of all ninjutsu and bushido are different in a few ways but, alot of ninja historically were ex samurai,(how better to develop a system to defeat samurai) and as a matter of fact if you trace the iga lineage to it's current form, of the 9 martial traditions that make up the current form of ninjutsu there are i think 3 actual ninja schools and the rest are samurai.

second ninja from the iga region in ancient japan were actually called "iga no jin" or "man from iga". how possible it is for ninja to be mercs...well, it was more like they aligned themselves with the person who was in power at the time whose beliefs they agreed with. in most cases ninja were a force to be reconed with, which is why in ninja lore oda nobunaga is a tyrant. seeing the iga region as a threat he sought to wipeout the clans and thus destroying any opposition this event gave birth to many famous ninja as the practice went underground, hattori hanzo being of most note (becoming an official retainer for tokugawa who was formerly a retainer for nobunaga) they did carry out assasinations but they were rarely the villains that they are portrayed as in drama.

so then how to make ninja more historically accurate while maintaining the action theme of the piece...well, think of this ninja in ancient japan did not wear all black pajamas like they are now traditionally portrayed. (this tradition is so prevalent that even now the current ninja school adopted the black do gi as it's regular "uniform") however the tradition of wearing all black came from the kabuki theatre, when men who would run around in all black outfits were considered to be "invisble" and thus became associated with ninja. ninja in history typically wore whatever clothing suited thier lifestyle. alot of ninja walked around dressed like samurai. basically ninja wore outfits that didn't make them stand out but instead made them blend in with the crowd. not too much and not too little but just enough. (owls castle is a good example of this in many scenes of the movie)

there can be a few ideas centered around plot points. perhaps some or all of the ninja are part of a travelling carnival or a troupe of performers. that introduces some interesting costume choices for your team instead of the typical black clad ninja sneaking up on the main characters at night. also for night missions, nothing sticks out more than black, even shadows at night arent totally black because of the reflecting light of the moon and stars. they would wear dark colors, dark faded blues greens reds and browns. painting thier face was also practiced so that thier skin was a darker color for the area around the eyes that shown thru the "ninja mask"

female ninja trained in all aspects of being a lady and can be portrayed as a geisha without much innacuracy.

koga....not much information exists on the koga as apparently all of the last surviving students of what was claimed to be koga ninjutsu perished in a tragic car accident.in which the grandmaster of koga ninjutsu and all of his students died.(mysterious circumstances however koga ninjutsu is not publicly practiced and anyone outside of probably some random village in the japanese countryside is lying to you)

so there u go, alot to absorb if you have more questions u've already pmed me so just let me know which one u would rather communicate on. i also have an instant messenger handle and i would be happy to chat there as it is much easier. pm me for the details.

on a side note: perhaps a different approach than the traditional straight up "ninjas are evil" story is to go with the ninjas being a tragic enemy. where thier mercenary lifestyle is the only way for them to survive after those bastard samurai destroyed thier homes and forced them underground. and i mean bastard samurai from the ninja point of view. you can maybe even have your hattori character acknowledge his past deeds and accept thier hatred perhaps even understand why they would hate them. a bond between enemies makes the fight that ensues even more gripping.

[littlebluerobots]

Thanks, there is alot of info in there, Im sure Boone will be able to rope into the treatment.

As for the samuraivs ninja theme, we get round it by having the Iga mercs being hired by a samurai before 1570, so nobunaga is not part of the story, Id say its set around 1530, the whole set up is backed up by story that implicates Hanzo Masamune (a hybrid of the 2 sword crafters) in murder and it must be avenged.

[denntanos]

ok, but the "wavy lines" could just be a texture right ??
nice information btw

[cipherL]

Yeah, you can texture? maybey model in some grooves running the length of the blade, like in the photos... :D I think the rest needs to be modeled, especilally the twisted ribbon on the handle, needs a bump map texture to it...

[littlebluerobots]

yeah, Id agree. Is it possible for you to post somthing tomorrow.... ID like to have weds as the updade day..... Also Boone, if you can get in touch, you have kinda falled off the radar..... If you have anything we can look at, especally for gunslingerblack to review, it would be cool to see it tomorrow.

Thanks guys.

Ps were still looking for more modelers and texture artists and concept artists.

[littlebluerobots]

found this post in the modeling section, see if it helps, Denntanos ...

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2748808#post2748808

[Boone]

* Cough! * Cough! *

Err-Ummm-Yes-well...the script is a comin! Its just that I'm trying to re-organise the first half of the film - once that is done YOU ALL can knuckle down to work! :bounce:

[littlebluerobots]

cool, can we see somthing for tomorrow, even if its basic backstory stuff, just so people can get their heads around the setting?...


oh can anyone make a banner from the title image so we can have it in our signatures???? thanks in advance...




Cliff...

[gunslingerblack]

the thing about the story is that it would help if you set it after nobunaga's age. because then would be more likely that ninja were dealing in the shadows and working as mercs. before that they were just part of the regular army, and were thier own force as well. carrying out secret missions as well as taking part in large scale battles. after nobunaga sent everyone underground would be a more suiting time period for the storyline and characters you have lined up.

[littlebluerobots]

yeah, I know what your saying, but I want to have the timeframe where guns were first being introduce to japan, I also want it to be around a time where ninja were not prevalent....

[gunslingerblack]

firearms weren't introduced to japan until 1543, in the 1530s there were no firearms. it took shiprecked portugese sailors to introduce firearms to japan.

the story as it is takes place during the sengoku musou (warring states era) when ninja were at thier peak in action on many battlefields across japan.

if your trying to choose an era where ninja were in the background moreso than ever, it would be after nobunaga drove them underground.

[littlebluerobots]

I read that there were firearms, but they were not widespread....... the whole ninja thing needs to be new, not known of, so the timeframe is 1530 or maybey 1540, there are other reasons for this, but Ill go into them at a later stage after Boone has done more with the story... Hint Hint.....

[gunslingerblack]

"1467-1568: The 10 year-long Onin no Ran (Onin War) brings disintegration of central government, followed by the Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Country at War). Firearms introduced by shipwrecked Portuguese soldiers (1543),Christianity by Francis Xavier (1549)."

"the whole ninja thing needs to be new, not known of, so the timeframe is 1530 or maybey 1540"

not that i dont have the personal resources but it's just easier to copy and paste.

minamoto no yoshitsune is the first person documented to use ninja like tactics in a japanese folk tale. in which he was educated by a tengu in the way of the sword.(obviously not historical fact) he was instead educated by buddhist monks with such books as "the art of war" he then snuck into the emperors palace dressed as a woman, assasinated the emperor and seized the throne.

"One of the earliest roots of ninja, Togakure Ryū (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togakure_Ryu), reportedly originated in the late Heian Period (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_Period). Iga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iga) and Kōga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koga) are two of the most famous ninja styles, and are often pitted against each other in fiction. In reality, they were allies and worked together in mutual defense pacts. Both of these claim that they originate in the Heian period." (wikipiedia) all true.

the heian period lasted from 794 to 1185

togakure ryu ninjutsu was founded by daisuke togakure as he became known

1182:

"After Yoshinaka's defeat, one of his samurai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai) retainers, Daisuke Nishina of Togakure Village escaped to the mountains of Iga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iga_Province) in south central Japan. Nishina's native village of Togakure is now known as Togakushi, and was an early center of Shugendo training. It may be that Nishina engaged in such training, but the records of the Togakure ryu do not mention it. The mountains provided an easy place to hide from the enemy troops, who still searched for Yoshinaka's forces. Daisuke Nishina, who subsequently changed his name to Daisuke Togakure, later became known as the first Soke (family head) of the Togakure ryu of ninjutsu." (all true)

if your looking for when the ninja were new and not known of the story would be around this time.

the sengoku musou when ninja were most active was between 1467 and 1615

picking a date around when firearms were introduced produces a flaw in your "ninja are not known of" theory. as previously stated, during this time they were most active and most prominent.

as this is a work of fiction i do acknowledge that you can do whatever you well please, but being that your trying to base this somewhat in reality im just letting you know the plot holes you are introducing.

please send a copy of the script to me when it is available

[littlebluerobots]

you gonna have to go round to Boones house and shake it out of him, cos he like to hide these things away from people :P..... Once I get a draft Ill let you look over it, but we need the time frame around where it is now, the gun issue can be fudged, Id like to see some kind of special weapon in there......

[gunslingerblack]

ok but time period being as it is ninja were definitely prominent and far from new

XP

special weapon...oh man...is this turning into samurai gun....

[littlebluerobots]

well, I wanna have a rifle vs Long bow stand off, and then some kind of 6 barrel short range scatter gun.......

[Ollarin]

why not join us?
What Boone said! :p (Other than the good animator part, i suck!)

Hmmm...I tried modelling a Samurai sword sometime back, think i collected a bunch of reference for it. Lemme see if i can dig them up when i get back home! :D

[blz]

looks like a nice project, i wonder what the result will be like
good luck !

[littlebluerobots]

That would be cool, we got an animator/modeler in processing.... (hehe sounds like starwars)....

but the more the merrier, what 3d program do you use??

Thanks Blz, hopefully we will have an animated scene that can rival FFAC.....

I think, with the right help, and lots of hard work, we can get somthing of that quality, Boone knows my work, and sofar he is the only one who knows what I can do on my own, but with help, I think we can do somthing that will definately get onto the front pages of cgtalk.... maybey even further.... who knows...

[DiegoFloor]

sup ppl! :] very promissing project! :bounce:
I'm studying animation, and this looks so cool..! :buttrock: so you can count on me on that :)
i can be of some help with modeling to..
here are a few links to some stuff i've made. meh.. don't mind the lack of organization, lot of unfinished/old things and ramdom non related stuf (there are even some math works there lol), but no worries, no nodity! :P i'm posting direct links so you dont have to dig'em up hehe
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/indiorender1.jpg
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/indiorender2.jpg
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/indiorender3.jpg
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/kungfu21.jpg
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/veiorender2.jpg
http://geocities.com/ollimuzg/Carinhaflechado.avi
cya!

[Boone]

Guys, here is a definite deadline for the first draft of the screenplay - Tommorow night!

Re: Littlebluerobots.

Please don't hurt me! I promise it will be handed in to you by no later than 1800hrs tommorow! I'm currently writing up the ending... :deal:

Re: Gunslingerblack.

You're on History detail! Once you get my screenplay, pick it apart. Send it back to me with your notes in red text. :thumbsup:

[gunslingerblack]

around this time they would still be using straight up muskets so...whatevs i'll have to see more when i look at the script

[denntanos]

LittleBlueRobots ? why are u never Accepting my requstion off adding you via
yahoo?
and I cant be a member of the yahoo group cause you havent accept me there eighter.
plz accept me.
And Nice modelling Diego. :)

[Boone]

Runs into meeting hall...

"HES F*&%ING DONE IT!" :scream:

Re: Littlebluerobots.

Check yer mails...

[littlebluerobots]

Nice, Ill have a butchers over it, Denntanos, im not sure whats going on, I get an e-mail if someone has joined the group, I have not recieved one yet. Try joining again, and check if you get a e-mail stating that you have applied...

[DiegoFloor]

where could be a good place to start?
edit: oh yeah, kinda soon to be thinking on that ;P

[gunslingerblack]

i need a copy of the script

[Boone]

Re: GunSlingerBlack.

Well, I sent it to LittleblueRobots - but I've heard nothing back, yet. As its the first draft of the screenplay, I want to make sure it meets their basic requirements before taking it further.

I expect they will have read it by tonight. With a green light given - I'll send it to you straight away! :thumbsup:

[littlebluerobots]

yeah, go ahead, Ill e-mail you with the changes..... but please, for the sake of my sanity save it as a decent text format I never even heard of a .ws

[littlebluerobots]

Ok I opened up the yahoo group so anyone can join, the url is...

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/5bladeslbr/

[denntanos]

Hi.. I have upload 3 pictures at the yahoo group.. make sure to check them out and tell me what u think.
and by the way, can I get the script/story ?

[Boone]

Re: LittleBlueRobots.

Opps - Sorry, Boss! :sad: Shoulda done it as a .doc file... :banghead:

GunSlingerBlack - I'm going to send you a copy of the script in roughly five minutes...watch yer inbox! :thumbsup:

[Boone]

Re: GunSlingerBlack.

Dude, I can't find your e-mail! I can send the script as an attachment...but I need yer address! :wip:

[denntanos]

Dont ignore me :D
I also want the script if i can get it :P

[Boone]

Re: Denntanos.

Check yer hotmail inbox. :thumbsup:

[littlebluerobots]

Boone, I think you sould upload the file to the files folder on the yahoo group, anyone who wants to see it can download it from there... oh and dont forget to send me the new file :D...

Denntanos, the sword is going well, try to render images at 2k, so we can see the details.... ok, the rope on the handle needs to be thicker, and modeled like the concept cipherL did, thick rope tends to fold more at the edges.
http://fabian.bricard.net/images/katana-hilt.jpg

Also you need to model the eagle motif into the hilt, and try to put some detail on the base of the hilt, and where the blade meets the guard I think there should be a gold brace.
http://www.apex-cutlery.com/images/last_samurai_handle_hilt.jpg
http://www.gothicfantasy.com/Gen2/IP-025b.jpg
post your updates here onad on the yahoo group.... nice going.



I think we should also have a mood peice on Hanzo at some point...... er cipherL????

[cipherL]

Ok ok, I get the hint.....

[cipherL]

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2399/hanzomood6cf.jpg
hanzo mood peice

[Boone]

Re: CipherL

WOW! I had a typical vision of what Hanzo would look like( A bit like the Ninja troope at the begining of NINJA SCROLL ), but that beats it hands down! The Lion style look you have given him is certainly Symbolic of his nature as well as refreshing. :thumbsup:

A little more info. At this time( first script draft ), Hanzo will need a Bow and Arrow. Also, can you add a hint that suggests that Hanzo has a religious lifestyle? More like a priest or monk that has once again taken up the call of battle? :shrug:

Good work!:beer:

[Boone]

First script draft has been uploaded to the main Yahoo 5-Blades site.

I think it would be better if we kept all postings regarding the story to that site for now. :shrug:

[littlebluerobots]

The script is looking sweet, things are hotting up.....

[DiegoFloor]

thats a nice piece :] gives a nice idea of the character. when you guys have a more defined characters i could start working on something too :D

[littlebluerobots]

Ok mate, forgot to say, Diego is on the team as

Assistant Character Modeler. Once cipherL get more time he will do some proper turnarounds for Suki and Hanzo

[DiegoFloor]

yey! i got a pretty title too! :D :bounce:

[cipherL]

DiegoFloor, if you want to get started with Suki based on it images already up, I can gt onto doing a hires turnaroung for you once I have don her sword and Bow for Dennatos....

Sheesh.... swipes off sweat..... :D

[DiegoFloor]

sure cipherL! :] that'd be great. but no need to rush, this next week is going to be very hard for me. but till the weekend i might have some base model to start working with, and a face.

[cipherL]

cool, Ill do it anyway, maybey somtime this week.....

[denipleasure]

wow, this thread is on fire..... gonna keep my eye on this one...

[denntanos]

Very cool script Boone :)
I just noticed one thing that might be changed. Hezio and Henzo
is almost the same.. it seems like we are out of imaginations, if we cant find a different name.
It is 100% great if you fix it :thumbsup:

[DiegoFloor]

I was wandering about a few specs before modeling.. is any cloth/hair simulator going to be used? i think that thingie that covers her mouth would look nice with simulation :D (but what simulator?)

[Boone]

Re: Denntanos.

I was thinking that as well. I'm okay with changing his name, but it all depends on what management wants! :D

[denntanos]

reactor ? :)

[littlebluerobots]

Cloth or simcloth....

Get back to you on the name changes.
for the clothes modeling, I want the whole peice to look like puppets, or dolls, so the cloth on the characters is more stiff, and modeled to look like its made from oversized cloth.... bigger textures on the bump maps......
the Idea is to have it like we are watching a hypereals stop frame animation.

Ill discuss this abit more later...

[littlebluerobots]

Ok, CipherL do we have those new details on Suki's blade yet??????

[cipherL]

Yes boss, will post them in an hr or so....

[biz07]

Hey Boone I've just read through the script, I like what I'm reading and I'm
gonna read it again later. However we can finalely link up and fine tune story.
I've got the official list of names of both clans so it can clear writing creativity.

Peace.

[biz07]

Hey Boone I like what I've Read so far. Peace

[cipherL]

Ok, the eagle detail..... Denntanos, its sould be self explanitory..... the only thing you really need to fix is the ribbons on the hilt, they need to be much wider and thicker, and need to twist in the middle of the hilt.....

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6099/sukibladedetailloressml8oo.jpg

[superchickensoup]

Denntanos, have you started on the ninja sword, it would be nice to have a look at it on here........

[cipherL]

Ok, DeigoFloor, here's one for you.
This is the young suki, we can get the older version of her by altering her 3d model....
If you need turnarounds, I can do them, but it will be next week...

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5460/sukiyoungconcept8sk.jpg

[littlebluerobots]

Looking good......
OK, Boone, Biz07 is the writer I told you about, he will be advising you on any changes we decide on....

Dennatos, if you can post any changes you have done on the sword up here, it would be cool....

DeigoFloor, feel free to get started on the young suki, we will try to get you some template images for you to model the body from......




Thanks guys.....
And were still on the look out for modelers, texture artists, riggers and animators.....

[denntanos]

Twisted how do you mean ?
ok I got that.. I havent been online since wendesday..
but now I have holidays.. In 1 and a half week :)
I can work for you guys all the time nonestop :)

[denntanos]

handle.. But I dont now why I rendered it with red :S
http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/11836/New%20HAndle.jpg

[denntanos]

two new render..
http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/11836/handleWithGrey.jpg
http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/11836/greysword.jpg

[littlebluerobots]

your getting there, its looking nice..... ok, where the ribbon croses over itself in the middle of the centre of the handle, it needs to flip over or twist.....


http://www.apex-cutlery.com/images/last_samurai_handle_hilt.jpg
http://www.wholesaleknives.co.uk/okinawasm.gif
http://www.karatedepot.com/catalog/images/items/sw-sa-15/sw-sa-15-hilt.jpg
http://www.legacyswords.com/photo/tsukamaki3.jpg
http://pages.prodigy.net/tlbuck/tsuka/katamak1.jpg
http://pages.prodigy.net/tlbuck/tsuka/maki10.jpg
http://www.nootrope.net/iaito/koi_menuki.jpg



also note, that at the sides there are no gaps, so the only diamond shapes are at the top and bottom of the hilt not on the sides....

[denntanos]

I think I prefer to Flip it over itself.. :)
Thx for all the references :thumbsup:

[DiegoFloor]

very nice stuff! :D the sword is coming out nicely denntanos
littlebluerobots, do i make a nude model? or some of the cloth is going to be directly animated? (meaning i have to model it). and another very important question.. is the animation/modeling suposed to be photorealistic? or do we follow the concept art on that more stylized feel? :]

[denntanos]

I think ITs going to be realistic..
But dont trust me:shrug:

[littlebluerobots]

Model, her nude, but dont put detail on in the sections under clothing, your only concerned with volume and correct shape, we going to use the underlying geometry in the cloth simulation, try to make the model like the concept art, but the clothes photoreal, like they were manufacured.... also bear in mind you making the cloth look like its oversized.....


http://dts.ystoretools.com/1007/images/250x1000/29105.jpghttp://www.rhapsodydolls.com/photos/SDKigGish2.JPG
ignore the weird looking cat :D
http://www.pinejunctiongifts.com/31751__samurai_doll_on_wood_base_L.jpg
this is ideal for the clothes......
http://www.zephyr.dti.ne.jp/~runo/samurai3.jpg


so large folds and thick material.... wit the first suki, she has leather sleves, linen armbands, the rest you can use your imagination, has to look worked in, or worn down but clean, if your gonna texture it make sure the maps are oversized and more detailed.......
On the characters, you making a doll based on the concept art, so try yo make it look like the artwork image.....
get started on the face, and next week we should have some stuff for the body....

[Boone]

Re: Biz07.

We got changes to make, and a second draft to write up! :D

Tell me when your ready for it. :beer:

[Boone]

Guys, I'm going to spend sometime conjuring up my vision of Suki when she is older. It'll take me a day or two... :hmm:

[littlebluerobots]

I like it, dennatos, how you doing with the eagle emblem?.......

[biz07]

Hey Boone hows thing's, you can mail me @ urbantek@hotmail.com
So I can send U the details for the script.

Peace.

Biz...

[Boone]

Hows about we do this in the style of that PS2 game "I, Ninja"? :bounce:

[DiegoFloor]

ok, still lot of work to do, but here's what i got so far:
http://www.geocities.com/ollimuzg/suki_wip1.jpg
i've been having a rough time trying to make it similar to the concept.. the eyes and stuff.. but i thought it could be better to hear crits before making any changes :)

edit: i'm uploading these to the yahoo group :P

[denntanos]

Very nice work diego :)
keep it up :D

[littlebluerobots]

Its looking great, but I think the eyes need to be bigger and more slanted, a good idea is to make a camera view and lock it off by disabling the view, get a plane with the concept head mapped to it, this way you can referance you mesh, I usually put a map on my mesh, so that I can slide the opacity up and down, to check out the similaritys of the mesh and the concept template....

good going though, I think it wont take long for you to nail it....

[littlebluerobots]

Id like to welcome DIEM to the team, Im not sure of his cgtalk name, but im sure he will introduce himself....

He will be Assistant Concept Artist
and will be working under CipherL.

[Boone]

I'm going to spend all tomorrow writing up a Second draft of the screenplay.

The current deadline for me uploading it will be Wednesday night - around 18:00pm...:cool:

[cipherL]

great, I got an understudy...... If we can try to stick to the style of the concet I posted of the young suki, it should be cool.....

Deigo, very nice work... Looks photoreal.
I think Littlebluerobots was trying for a stylised look, like its a doll that has been made by someone, but is pretty close to realistic.... Thats what I was trying for with the concept, hence the solid looking clothes and the elongated face, dont be afraid to move away from photorealism... remember they are supposed to be dolls....
Man this is gonna look great when its done...
Ok back to work, I got some character model sheets for DeigoFloor, Deadline Weds 18.00pm

[DiegoFloor]

Ooooooohhh!! they're suposed to look like dolls!! I was almost pulling out my hair (or whats left of it) trying to make those huge eyes look real :D
ok, back to work :)

[DiegoFloor]

eh... without hair it looks like a chupacabra or something! lol :D
oki donki! more crits!! =D hehe where am i going?
http://www.geocities.com/ollimuzg/suki_wip2.jpg

edit: this really looks weird, did i get it right? :curious:
edit2: i mean.. 'really' weird! lol maybe something in the middle?

[gunslingerblack]

im still here guys, been working alot on projects for my animation class, im still revising the first draft but im sure any changes can just be applied to the second draft.

[denntanos]

yeah Im also still here :. SOrry for no updates.. I will come up
with em the day after tomorrow.. Cause I havent been home.

[biz07]

Did U get my e-mail with the names?

And the begining of the story is great...

Biz... :applause:

[Boone]

Second draft is now complete, but I need to change the names. Gimmie 30mins and I'll have it uploaded to the 5 Blades Yahoo group site... :cool:

[Boone]

Second draft is now uploaded. :beer:

[cipherL]

Young Suki's body....

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3632/sukiyoungclothes5ow.jpg

[cipherL]

Diego, its looking better, its closer to the concept.... puff out the cheeks a bit,.... great stuff...

[littlebluerobots]

Deigo, its looking tight, well done...
Boone, I think we can have the story start with suki's fight with Hanso, when she is young, then move forwards..... its not a flashback per se....
Dennatos... show us somthing when you can ok...



Were still looking for modelers, Texture artists, and animators....





Cliff.

[gunslingerblack]

i definitely disagree with you on the look of the character, i dont like the revised one at all. i believe the original post was a much better look for this character.

i have uploaded my edit of the first script. since it seems like you just reordered events in the second you can just apply my suggestions to the second draft.

my critique on the script is, very bulky in terms of alot of cutting and unecessary story elements, not really a good feel for dramatic suspense some historic elements are off like the fact that suki owns a horse. women would not be permitted to own a horse. even royalty, the horses belonged to the husbands. choreography is another key issue, i can see ur going for a ninja scroll esque action here with ninjas jumping through trees and whatnot, but if you would like to hear them i have alternative methods to the stereotype of ninjas portrayed as basically "flying thru" the treeline. and the choreography on the swordfights i would like to be involved with as well.

keep going

[littlebluerobots]

Well, the major design ethic I have for the peice, is not a photorealistic animation, rather more like a hyper-real puppet show.... so what were aiming for is not a realistic human, which we could be done, but does not really interest me..... Im after a look that is like your watching a Kabuki play happening right infront of your eyes..... with no pupeteers or strings or rods.... so I think the more doll like the characters look, the better....
Deigo, it will look weird because you dont have any eyebrows or eyelashes...... also just use white eyeballs for now, it often helps. Also set up a gi lighting system...






Cliff.

[gunslingerblack]

uhmm, i wasn't aware that kabuki was with puppets....i believe the word your looking for is bunraku, giant puppets that are worked by 3 people...

and if your looking for a doll like design, u def need to get some images of bunraku puppets.

cardinal rule, no matter what you do research is key.

[littlebluerobots]

Ok, I should have said Bunraku, but Im looking for Kabuki design ethics, especially in the masks of all the characters... and also to have the models based around Kabuki Dolls, I posted some images of them earlier....












Cliff.

[Rockmanex]

DiegoFloor (member.php?u=195169): Its getting there..oh hi everyone by the way..just saw this and figured I'd throw in some advice...interesting project...I would say to fix her head by looking at more 3/4 references. At the moment its a bit flat on the sides and also has very odd wrinkling...If you have to use a skull mesh or something to help you out or try and eye it up (which is just as good) and make the back flow more accurately...thats why she seems very chupacabraish the main thing it to get the flow to work in persp and it seems that you spent most modeling time in the ortho views...good luck!

[cipherL]

Thanx Rockman

Also, Id have a look at the Neck and Jaw. The neck is far too wide, and the jaw is not defined enough, also tweak the ears.

[cipherL]

Hey, LBR, who is this new guy you hired?..... still aint heard from him...

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

I'm open to suggestions regarding the forest and using branches. :cool:

Suki is a very dangerous person. Nobody tells her how to live her life unless they have a death wish. Think of women such as Goldie or Radinov in Gunsmith Cats... :twisted: She has this "woman of the world" feel about her - its what seperates her younger self. The horse would suggest "audacity" in the minds of those around her... :thumbsup:

[cipherL]

I think in certain areas of the script, realism has to take a backseat, It is an action adveture after all....
I think we should just see shadows moving through the upper trees, and maybey have a rope come down with the ninja as he lands, kinda like, he was using it in some way.....
We cant get too historic and technical about things, aslong as we have a relativly rounded story I think we will be fine, as it not a historic or documetary......

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

Okay! :D

[DiegoFloor]

thanks for the tips Rockmanex :) the model is in a very early stage.. but i thought it was getting too weird to continue lol thats why i posted. since ppl are saying thats the way.. oki donki then! :D personally i prefer the other one, but sometimes its very hard to capture someone's vision. but i trust their judgement :thumbsup:
and thanks for the other crits as well, i'll work on the chin, cheeks, and all the rest that was pointed

[denntanos]

I will come up with the updates today :)
cant reach the files right know.. Cause I will soon update my computer..
I have:::
An Intel Celeron a graphic card Gforce 4 with 64mb and 256RAM..Hard driver 80gb <<<----BAD
the new computer will be an athlon 64 3500+ , Nforce 4 . PCIe (recommended for max users) 1024RAM maybe even 2048RAM and
a harddriver with 200gb (think that would be enough?) <<<----GOOD (at least i think, hehe)

[denntanos]

heres my first Update :)
I think I will use some type of texture to make the "things going around the handle"
like they do in reality.
http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/11836/KatanaSwordHandle.jpg

[DiegoFloor]

ah! those knots are looking great! :bounce:
what thing going around?

[Boone]

Re: GunslingerBlack.

MY GOD - SOMEONE HAS ACTUALLY RETURNED A RED-TEXT VERSION OF MY SCRIPT! :eek:

I gave up hope - I'm reading it now, even though its only for the first draft. Thanks! :beer:

[Boone]

Re: GunSlingerBlack.

Okay, I've read it and believe or not - It was exactly what I wanted.

I'm not all that sharp on History when it comes to Japan, so any advice is smashing. The more brutally honest - the better! :cool:

Could you look over the second draft for me? I made some major changes to it, but I didn't have your first draft revision when I wrote it up. After reading you revision, I'm already considering a 3rd draft, but I would like your input on the 2nd.

Regarding Suki: Her "Spanish" sword has been ditched for a more Chinese one. Her sword skills was certainly never mean't to be swanky like Zorro - "Brutal and Dangerous" is more the idea. Read the reply I gave CipherL as to what direction I'm trying to take with Suki.

Regarding Suki's Horse: As she is taking the long way round, she needs to get about quick. As for not having a horse - it is taking a liberty with reality, but I really need to get across that Suki is not the typical Japanese woman. I see Suki as having a similar view on the world to Anakin in ROTS - "I will shape the universe in the way I want it to be - and woe to those who stand in my way". Perhaps the Horse is something very special to her - and those who tell her she is not allowed it are her enemies? In her younger days, Suki is very much a traditional girl and is trusting of the "system" around her( the lifestyle and laws of the Japanese people are perfect etc ), but as she got older life became more "every one for themselves" and she in turn didn't give a damn any longer - began to take what she wanted. She wanted a horse along the way... :arteest:

Actually, this is only my interpretation of 5 Blades - its not my "baby" so to speak. If the horse has to go - it will go! :beer:

[denntanos]

thats good.. You get what you wanted :) :wavey:

[gunslingerblack]

that handle looks much too round, you might want to flatten it out a bit.

about her sword, because of her status as a woman, being trained in the samurai arts is even a stretch, but to think anyone would accept her to train in any other arts (especially when the chinese didn't like the japanese too much) might be alittle too innaccurate. i would keep the sword a katana, it was easy enough in those days to pick one up off a battlefield or a dead samurai.

[deathstar129]

hey do u guys need a newb to help out at all? If you are making a video then maby I can make some of the stuff that geose in the background. I am sure that in some way i can help if you need me. I am a modeler and i can do some basic textures. I am still a newb but if you wana look at some of my old work then go to http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/ and char01 is wut i am working on right now its jot many probs right now and has no meshsmooth applied to it.

[Boone]

Re: Gunslingerblack.

Hmmm...the Chinese sword was requested by Littlebluerobots( its a sword with a tassle on the end? To distract enemies? ), so unless he wants it otherwise it will stay in the script.

[gunslingerblack]

makes no sense, especially since you can put a tassle on the end of a japanese sword...., i know for a fact tessen had tassals, so why not japanese swords.

again all in the context of the story, apparently and hopefully the gun in the film is a flintlock pistol or rifle, otherwise given the time the story is taking place, it adds another inconsistency to the plot.

[Boone]

Re: Gunslingerblack.

I'm fine with flint-locks. :thumbsup:

[littlebluerobots]

Ok, Dennatos, looking good, leave the textures, we can do those later, if you get started on the eagle emblem that goes on the hilt guard, it would be cool...

I think for the sword, she should have either a Korean blade or a chinese blade to make a clear distinction from a japanese weapon.
Im looking into some designs and will get back to you on that.


The flintlock, should be somthing that is not a standard gun, more of a kind of prototype... hexagonal barrel, or maybey a double barreled short pistol ...

I have asked cipherL to have a go at suki' chinese sword and the handgun.

Deathstar, send me an e-mail.. and Ill get back to you on some enviroment stuff you can try your hand at modeling.


As always, were on the look out for animators, texture artists and modelers for this phase of the project......


Cliff.

[gunslingerblack]

hex barrel would be the most accurate to japan, as it was the native design.

[Boone]

Guys( and gals - I can never tell! ), here is my current project pipeline for completing the final script...

1. Gunslingerblack does a revision( red-text ) of Second draft.

2. I will then write the 3rd Draft.

3. 3rd Draft will be checked by Biz07.

[deathstar129]

hey guys,

Is there anything that I can do? I am very bored.

[littlebluerobots]

Hey DeathStar, can you post some examples of your work on the bridge once your about a third of the way trough modeling it, thanks....

Gunslinger, I was reading about aquebus's (sp?).... large rifles that were first exposed to Japan in 1510..... before that there were chinese guns but they were not documented.....

[cipherL]

Is that a hint on the status of the gun boss? Im working here, Im working here... :P

Should have a map of the enviroments and a prototype gun for this week.... possibly weds....

still getting my head around Suki's chinese outfit and weapons.....

[deathstar129]

I know that you guys are trying to keep somewhat of historical timeline so what is the style of Japanese bridges in that time frame. Not sure if I am allowed to use a stone bridge. Any input would help cause its hard to find good references for that timeframe. thnx

[deathstar129]

not sure if I should add railings or not and wut textures to use. but here is the bridge so far. You can laugh at it all you want.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/bridge.jpg

[littlebluerobots]

the bridge would be wooden
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=japanese%20bridge&sa=N&tab=wi

[gunslingerblack]

once again!

Tanegashima matchlocks were based on matchlocks introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders in 1543. These matchlocks differed from most European designs by using snapping matchlock mechanisms and by having no shoulder stocks. The butt of the gun was placed against the cheek and the left-hand applied pressure forward while the right-hand applied pressure rearward to balance the gun during firing. These matchlocks were used almost unchanged until the 1860's.

italics and underlined! with feeling!

yes the arquebus was invented in the early 15th century, but was not introduced to japan until at least the 1540s

[littlebluerobots]

The book im reading states that guns were arouind and used before 1540..
And seeing that the first documented image of a chinese gun dates back to atleast 1290 some even say 1128, and that china and korea used to run raids on the japanese for centuries, Id sumise that the japanese were aware of firearms before 1540.
But unless you or I were actually there then there is no definitive answer.
If I find historic differences, I utilsise them to free up possibilitys in a story, thats what Im getting at.... there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to historic accuracy, So if Dr
Blah Blah says 1504 and Dr La La says 1540, who is right????
whats not important is when they were introduced, what is important is the fact we can fudge the dates due to differance of opinion..... http://forums.cgsociety.org/images/icons/icon11.gif







Cliff.

[Boone]

The gun doesn't have to be an issue - infact, I'd like SHUN to have it hidden from sight. It can help to give him a different character from his comrades... :hmm:

[superchickensoup]

I dont think historic accuracy is that important, as it just gets in the way of telling a more fantastic story.

I think it would be cool to show the gun, if its a prototype, it shows how advanced the ninja are.

[Boone]

Or maybe the firearm was a custom weapon designed and constructed by SHUN? It could give our concept designers an excuse to have some creative fun? :D

[deathstar129]

I like boone's idea. Since you are telling your own story and its something that never really happened then why not have a character thats a bit ahead of his time.


The Bridge
Oh and after doing a bit more research i relized it probaly would have been wooden.
I think it will look better anyway cause there were a few mistakes in the stone moon bridge I made.

[gunslingerblack]

some sweet historical differences, like picking a time period where the ninja were the most famous and most known and making the story that they were new and mysterious....makes sense.

difference of opinion is a good excuse to fudge the dates.....


thats like saying well yeah it is more probable that it happened this way, but because i believe otherwise we'll go with my idea,

im only doing my job you took me on as history advisor and story checker, just letting u know continuity is ****ed.

edit:aww i can't believe the bleeped the eff word...oh well it has more dramatic effect this way.

[littlebluerobots]

Ok, the best way to put this, is that the date its set at isnt because I just decided, oooh lets make it 1540..... there are "continuity" reasons why its that date..... we could slide the date to earlier, but that defeats the story purposes. In the story Hanso has to die, Suki has to live to tell the tale and it happens before the edo period.... that is very important.....

The ninja, what matters is that the Dark path are mysterious, not ninja themselves......

And we value your advice, but at times need you to help us find ways around historical facts to aid the holes we are fully aware of in the storytelling....





Cliff....

[cipherL]

gunslingerblack, man you gotta lighten up, this is just an animation, nothing should be written in stone, having said that it is useful to have you around.....
But you gotta give us some leeway to creat cool stuff, or else it would just be another Zatoichi.... I personally would love to go in a direction more like the guy who done Mangnacarta for SoftMax... Hyung-Tae Kim. I also saw a film called Legend of the Sacred Stone and I think cliff is going for a hyper real version of this without all the wire fu, and crappy dialouge....

My thoughts are to make suki's clothes more chinese looking, and maybey give her short blonde hair... somthing cool....
I know these things were not done in those days, but like it says in Samurai Champloo.... cut the crap and just watch.....

[cipherL]

I have kinda come to the conclusion, that apart from character designs, and prototype concepts, when it comes to weapons It would probably be better to work from referances, with me helping out on the decorative details....

for Suki's sword....... I have done some sketches, which Ill post later.
but this it the type of sword I thin would work..... I want one edge to be flattened like its is not 2 sided, I have manipulated it in photoshop...

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/1097/sword05copy1dh.jpg

[deathstar129]

I am not sure if this is good enough so please feel free to add changes you want to see. Also the brige right now is straight but it will be arched later.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/wooden_bridge.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/wooden_bridge_2.jpg

I stuck with a basic design but if you want something fancy then sure but I will need someone to do some concept drawing cause I not sure wut would look best sorry but I am trying.

[littlebluerobots]

thats great Deathstar, now if you can put a bend modifiyer on it to arch it it would be cool....

Welcome aboard...
Deathstar is Assistant Enviroment Modeler....







Cliff

[chien]

hi everyone, I just recently came acorss this thread, frankly it interests me

I would like to know if this group is still looking otu for a concept artist or visualizers? it's pretty much my main interest now.

chracter design, wee bit of environmental design and some minor perspective but I'm not strong in it yet. if there's by any chance that I could join this collaborative project, i would be more than happy to show you some of my personal work to see if it meets your standards.

was wondering, if anyone has a draft copy of the story and script?

look forward to a reply

[gunslingerblack]

it's just an animation sure, but its turning into your cliche ninja flick, im just tired of seeing ninja represented in such a way in 99 percent of dramatic representation. lightening up has nothing to do with it, the fact of the matter is im just passionate about the subject. i take no offense to anything that's going on but my suggestions are only those to make the story stronger and unfortunately they conflict with the creators vision.



the depth of story is alittle thin, even tho it's a short film, you want all the pieces to add up. especially in a one shot piece like this. you want everything to conclude and make sense. the ninja can get away sure that's fine, hanzo can get shot and die that's cool as well (although i would have him get shot in the stomach as it's much more fatal than a leg wound) putting suki on a cool horse with a unique sword without any sort of substantiation that a woman in ancient japan could actually survive on her own without becoming a prostitute is hard to accept. showing a flashback to hanzo's past that im sure alludes to how he became a wanted man is good but, the flashback concludes and in the version of the script i read you never find out what his crime was, so the flashback seems to be out of place, i would include a reference to this in the flashback even if it's an audio as the flashback fades back into reality of hanzo goin nuts and murdering the heads of the clan give the act some motivation. because the knowledge of guns in ancient japan is debatable and the common man wouldn't know alot about this sort of thing i will concede that you can get away with that inclusion in the short. the fact that you are willing to agree that it's a flintlock pistol is also alot more believable than the "top secret long barrell scatter gun" proposed in the earlier concepts of the show.(look up samurai gun for the cheeziness factor on that idea)

in short

a whole bunch of "cool concepts" gathered together doesnt make a story great,...
background and character depth makes a story great.

this concludes my critique of the story

[cipherL]

Here's a rough concept sketch of Suki in battle dress (the sword is not in scale with the character)...

http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/8910/sukibattleclothessml7hy.opt.jpg

I've included some details for her sword which has a straight not curved blade and a tassle on the handle.

She is to be dressed predominantly in white and wears a cape.

Also note the protective leg gear (top right).

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

LBR has final word with Suki's design, but here are some requests from the script writing department... :D

- I'm cool with the predominant white, but can you contrast it with a secondary black?

- I like the Royal look of the costume and armour, but could you make it look like she has been in some violent fights? A few rips and tatters here and there? The idea is to present a character that at one point had it all( power and glory ) but threw it all away to pursue vengence blablabla... ;)

...other than that - you've hit the nail on the head! :thumbsup:

[denntanos]

I like the last sketch.. :) just wanted to say that..
And I think someone have thought about why im not so active right know..
thats cause I have a "project" in school for 2 weeks more.. So I dont be "hyper-active"
the coming 2-3 weeks.. Sorry to tell this.. but i have to do home work. :(

[deathstar129]

I have a bit of free time each day. Is there anything else I can try and make?

[deathstar129]

The bridge is bent wut should i do with the files?

[deathstar129]

Hey are you guys still active? Why nobody posting?

[littlebluerobots]

yeah, of course were still active, post the renders of the bridge... we want you to make a couple of versions, (Level Of Detail) Lods..... basically a low poly version, around the level you have been working at, a mid poly version, and a High Poly version which will be textured with displacement maps....

Dennatos, do you think you could work on the eagle, or should we take what you have done and let another modeler work on it, I have a couple of people who would like to have a go on it......

Deigo, how you coming along with suki.

Well the design for Suki's Chinese blade is open to discussion, I personnaly think it should be ivory with jade embellesihments.....

[littlebluerobots]

I have spoken to Boone concering most of the issues you raised, about 2 weeks ago...

We met in London.... The Shot that kills Hanso should be to the upper body, Suki has been taught by Hanso to protect herself.... the first "Fight" is actually training. The background of the "Murder" should me alluded to through a voice over from Suki, and voice flashbacks should explain the meeting at the bridge....
I also think that Suki would have joined a clan herself as a female warrior, yes there were female samurai, they even have a named class.... Anyway she leaves japan to go into hiding, at the same time that Hanzo joins the monks..... So we can have her travel through China....

[Boone]

Re: Littlebluerobots.

Okay, I'll keep that in mind for the 3rd draft.

Speaking of which...

Re: Biz07.

FRONT AND CENTER! :scream:

Once the 3rd draft is done - its over to you for a final check. After that, we shall produce the final( as in stone ) draft of 5 Blades... :bounce:

[cipherL]

DeigoFloor, I was wondering if you need any more help with young Suki?, if you post up any update renders, I can outline changes, or do a Photoshop liquify alteration to let you know what direction we need to go it.....

Its got abit quiet on here lately, Im just wondering where the moddeling has got too?...

[Boone]

I shall produce the 3rd draft tommorow night( uploaded at 6:00pm ).

Unfortunately, Gunslingerblack has had to bow out due to the possibility of a job oppertunity. We wish them all the best.

Despite this set back, I shall do my best with the 3rd Draft and hand it in on the deadline.

Thank you all. :beer:

[littlebluerobots]

Yeah, we hope Gunslinger gets the gig, and thanks for all your help mate....

Ok I need to have a report on whats happening.... Dennatos, DeigoFloor, CipherL and Deathstar.....

We should have a prototype gun design, an update on suki and a model sword and a render of the Bridge as it stands...
Come on guys, it getting too quiet on here... :D






As always were on the look out for more artists


Cliff.

[Boone]

Sorry, guys - had some business today that prevented me from working on the 3rd draft. But I'm working on it this evening.

Do we have any Pre-vis people ready for combat? :shrug:

[littlebluerobots]

Nope, not yet.... We need to work out the lay of the scene first, and also have the storyboards ready before we can start with previs...





But yes, we can do with any animators who would like a shot at previs....

[cipherL]

Hi, I just finished some work that pays the bills, and can get back to the fun stuff....
Should have a nice gun design for someone to model by next week....

[gunslingerblack]

got the job gents, thanks for wishing me luck i appreciate it

i'll keep my eye on this project, i would like to see the outcome

KEEP GOING

[Boone]

Re: Gunslingerblack.

Congratulations. :beer:

[cipherL]

Yeah, congrats, any info on what they will be paying you for?????

[Boone]

Just incase you guys aren't aware - I have uploaded the 3rd draft to the main site.

If I don't recieve any Red-text revisions - it will be renamed the "shooting draft". So get your s*** in gear and get'em in. :wise:

[littlebluerobots]

Wait untill aftewr weds before you shut your doors, this will give bizzy some time to look over it.....

[gunslingerblack]

haha if i wanted to impress people i could say im the

"secondary character td"

but in reality im the secondary character rigging artist

btw, it's real tough tryin to figure out what i should ask this bein my first gig but i found a few suggestions on the forums that have been slightly helpful as to how i should approach the situation.

thx guys im gonna go read that third draft after my shower

peace out.

[littlebluerobots]

Nice, you may be able to give us some tips on the rigging when we get to it if your have a spare half second.... Is it a games company of vfx... and what softs are you using?????

[Boone]

Re: Littlebluerobots.

After Wednesday do I hear? Noooooo-candooo - I start my new job, Pimping, on Thurssssday! :p

( no problem... :beer: )

[cipherL]

Sorry guys, I have been a bit busy with work and injury, just finished doing some sotryboards for a documetary and then managed to disclocate my kneecap.... bloody hurts every time I get up or walk.... dont stop me drawing but its distracting.....

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

Ouch! :cry:

[littlebluerobots]

Yeah, sorry to hear about your knee..... I got your prototype gun concept and will put it up later today...

Id also like to welcome Sharon A Wilson aka Sawinx, who will be our
StoryBoard artist....
Boone, is there any chance of us working out a shot list, to make the StoryBoarding process easier?.....

[littlebluerobots]

After re-reading the last script, I think we could do somthing that does not involve a real scene, but already made assets..... starting with just a close up on Hanzo and the messengers lips, with maybey some shadows moving over their faces to signfy that they are in a public place, with sound fx (people walking past, talking, general market ambiance).... and then a fade into a moving hand drawn map, which ends up focused on the painted image of the bridge.... we can then morph into an overhead shot of the real bridge, drop out of the sky (following some rain drops), and zoom over the bridge to where Hanso is....

[cipherL]

Thats sounds pretty neat, maybey you should have basic camera moves at the start of the film and it get more interesting the closer we get to combat.....


I also think a shot list would help with the storyboarding, and even the editing of the boards.... we usually edit the boards to a temp music track and temp sfx, to help with timing...

[Boone]

Re: Littlebluerobots.

Hmmm...sounds good. Very well - you shall have your shot list! :wise:


BTW - Being as you have all taken the time to read the 3rd draft, and that I have not recieved any red-text-revisions( like I asked for! :wip: ) - it shall be reclassified as the 13th Angel - SORRY - "Shooting draft". :D

BTW2 - For me to do a shot list, I really need to have words with the film's Director. Ummm...ahem...cough...We DO actually have a Director, don't we? :curious:

[littlebluerobots]

yeah, we have one of them, lemme dig him up.....


Hi, Im the 5blades film director.... how you doing :P


So what do you suggest, we meet up like last time?

[Boone]

Re: Littlebluerobots.

Jesus Christ... :banghead:

Gimmie a minute - I'm just gonna grab a Bagel... :lightbulb

Scoffing...

Scoffing...

Scoffing...

Digesting...

Digesting...

Burping....

Farting...

Done. System ready. Press any key to continue... :D


Okay, here's the plan( clean slate etc ): I usually write my scripts etc with the least work possible( I would rather resort to a rubber chicken than a CG Balrog! ), but for this shot list I shall just throw caution to the wind and write it as I intend it to be.
Once my shot-list is done, I shall hand it over to you. You can then go through and say "What? Is this man taking the piss? :scream: I can't afford a CG Suki and Horse - we'll use My-Little-Pony & Polly-pocket dolls insted!:wise: " - or whatever. You know what this group is capable of better than I do etc... :)

Sounds completely outragous - but I have next week off. If you want to talk over a drink/whatever - sure.

[DiegoFloor]

I have something really important to add..

All right!! ninja stuff! this is looking awesome! (about the third draft) :D heheheh

[SawInx]

Hi, I'm the storyboard person, SawInx as it reads on the sides. I'm glade to be on this project, I think it's really cool. Sorry, I don't have anything up at the moment to show, but I just stop by to hello.

[Boone]

Re: Sawix.

Wotcha. :D

I'll see about getting that shot-list done... :thumbsup:

[SawInx]

Hey Boone,

If you need any help with the shot list, let me know.

[deathstar129]

Re: Littlebluerobots.
...

I can't afford a CG Suki and Horse - we'll use My-Little-Pony & Polly-pocket dolls insted!:wise: " - or whatever. You know what this group is capable of better than I do etc... :)

...

wut did you mean by this??? you are not actually goning to use dolls are you? If you want I will model the horse just need a concept drawer to draw a side veiw, front, bottom, ect..

I think to get if you really want to use this great story its gotta be all CG.

by the way I have about two months of free time.

[littlebluerobots]

deathstar, he was only joking.....
btw the bridge, whats the story with it, you got any new renders to show us yet, if you need ideas for more detail, do a google search and try to recreate some of the features you find in the images...
http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=japanese+bridge&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

[cipherL]

If anyone is interested in modelling this...

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2601/revolverprototype1sml6xq.jpg
Above is a concept drawing of the prototype revolver
It has 3 hexagonal barrels, Bamboo encased.
Rotary wooden cylinder.
Firing block encased in wood.
Leather straps.
Serpentine flint trigger with pulley system.
Maybe a bamboo oversleeve.

[deathstar129]

littlebluerobots:
ok I got some fre time so I will fix the bridge. I was not sure if there was a certain design that you were going for or not.

cipherL:
I can try that out but I am not to good at desinging from that type of picture but I will give it a shot if you want.

[cipherL]

yeah, go ahead, but I think the bridge is a priority,

[Boone]

Re: Deathstar129.

"You're not actually going to use dolls are you?"

Try me. :twisted:

[Boone]

Re: SawInx.

Hmmm...tempting offer! :cool:

Come to think of it, I am actually in the process of doing work for the CGS project( which shall remain a mystery for now... ), so if you want to have a crack at it - be my guest! :deal:

Infact, you could do a basic shot-list and have LittleblueRobots and myself look it over for editing...that okay with you? :shrug:

[SawInx]

No problema, senor.

As along as there are no changes to the script.

[Boone]

Re: SawInx.

No changes that I know of. :thumbsup:

Make us proud! :cool:

[gdpriest]

I dont suppose you still need someone to do some concept work on weaponary... as iv just started getting the knack of it

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/Taurous/sword2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/Taurous/sword3.jpg

[Sunil90]

Hi heres a concept for one of the ninjas. He has a mask attacked with straps and wears body armour. Let me know what u guys think.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/sun-tzu/evil_ninja.jpg

Thanks,

Sunil.

[deathstar129]

before i make any changes to the brigde i want to know your wut angle you thing looks best?

angle30 - http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/bendangle30.jpg
angle50 - http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/bendangle50.jpg
angle70 - http://www3.sympatico.ca/davidarnold129/bendangle70.jpg

[gdpriest]

i would say angle 3 though it depends what shot you need it for , for action and a fast shot you want bridge angle 3, for a scenary shot maybe bridge angle 1 , for a conversation maybe bridge angle 1 ... though i suggest 3

[gunslingerblack]

nice job on the ninja outfit, it's simple but accurate, the mask is an interesting touch,

ninja didn't throw stars in the middle of thier fingers. they threw them either held like a frisbee, or like a boomerang. that is from the waist or over the shoulder, never in this huge sweeping motion u see in anime. (very hard to be accurate)

[littlebluerobots]

Sunil90, welcome to the team.....
Your our assistant concept artist.

Sunil90, thats great concept work, I think it looks a bit too modern though, try to make it more samuai in design and make it look older, more tie strings and a waist belt myabey the body armour is more like standard samurai armor, great stuff though.... I think we will use your revised concept for the Dark Path.


Gdpriest, I think you should talk to eithe Sunil90 or CipherL for directions to improve your concept art but thanks for your posts...

deathstar, the angle should not really matter, what we need is close up model detail.
Ok, base the details it on the detail in this bridge.... but make the bolts wooden, with thick square nuts...
http://www.gardenponds.com/images/hirise_low_rail35.jpg

also make it look 4 times larger, you dont need to texture it, but it needs more detail than you currently have

[Sunil90]

Ok, thanks. This was just a starter to get an idea of what you wanted. I'll base the concepts more around the edo period.

Sunil.

[Boone]

Re: Sunil90.

That concept of the Ninja reminds me( for some strange reason ) of an old SAS Action Force figure... :applause:

[deathstar129]

Littlebluerobots: Thnx for the input. when you say 4 times bigger u mean longer or do u want all the peices bigger(posts, ect). Got the wooden bolt idea i will make them stick out. How close is the shot going to be to the bridge? If it is really close can we add some type of dragon design carved into the wood?

[littlebluerobots]

If you read the script you can tell we will be very close up on the bridge, aslong as we have some medium poly structural detail, we can do all the rest with displacement and bump maps.

[Boone]

"If you read the script you can tell we will be very close up on the bridge"

OF COURSE THEY HAVEN'T READ THE SCRIPT! I DOUBT ANYONE OF THESE IGNORAMOUSES HAVE TAKEN THE BLOODY TIME TO SAVOUR MY MARVELOUS MASTERWORK! :banghead:

I could have been writing for Broadway or The Globe Theater by now...but no - I let a man like "Littlebluerobots" talk me into working with these...these...OH - LEAVE MY SIGHT IMMEDIATLEY! YOU OFFEND ME SOOOOOOOOO! :scream:

Honestly, Cliff - how can I possibly work with...with...these "NINJAS"! :D

[cipherL]

hehe, zactly...... I think everyone working on the project should read the script... its er quite important to understand whats going on.

[deathstar129]

Hey I did read the secound draft sorry woah. I was just not sure if it was close up or not (forgot) anyway sorry. I think your story is really good. I also like to write stories but umm well lets just say that they need work. anyway I thank you for taking the time to right this story.

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

Cheeky sod! :eek:

Re: Deathstar129.

...you...you really mean it? Aw shucks - stop now, you're...you're much too kind! :bounce:

[Kid-Mesh]

Looks like some nice progress is being made here....keep it up :applause:

[littlebluerobots]

Yeah, thanks.....

The progress would be better If we had more people helping out... hint hint....




Cliff.

[Boone]

The highest priority at the moment is the Shot-list followed by the storyboards.

These are being taken care of as we speak, so everything is proceding as I had foreseen...kahahahahahahahahahhaaa! :D

[chien]

hey ppl

sorry about the delay, I had a job offer as a cg animator here therefore I've been busy ^__^

I've just checked the recent threads to know what's going on, and read the 3rd draft of the script, pretty good story telling, 2 thumbs up to whoever who wrote it :-)

just would like to know if there's a final draft in progress to be presented or we could start with the storyboards?


cheers ppl

[Boone]

Re: Chien.

I'm the guilty party. And yes - it is the final version. :thumbsup:

SawInx is taking care of the shot-list and is also to do storyboarding once thats done, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have another storyboard artist to speed things along... :shrug:

I won't be happy until we have a pre-vis reel done, but then again I'm only too-excited to see my screenplay brought to life! I'm also anxious to see how others viewed my screenplay - I like being able to say "This part is different from how I envisioned it, but I find it more interesting this way!" :bounce:

So anyway - looking forward to it. :cool:

[DiegoFloor]

sup dudes! just checking in to say i'm still following here :D the young suki model is going fine (i'm puting minor updates directly on the yahoo group, you can check'em there) i'm reluctant to model the body before its decided what kind of simulation is going to be used, and where exactly. all i can do is model the face, a low poly body, and guess how the belt is going to work, the tight cloth on the legs this sort of stuff (dealing with simulator usually leads to this kind of annoying issues lol).

[Sunil90]

Heres an update on the ninjas. The first is just a general ninja type the second has a wooden mask that i thought would give add a unique touch.







http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/sun-tzu/ninja.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/sun-tzu/ninja_3copy.jpg

[SawInx]

Hey guys,

I know it's probably taking me a while to write this shotlist but I'm kind of having problems with certain things in the script. If you don't mind, could you give me a better description with the scenes? Can anyone help me, I'd greatly appreciated it.

Thanx.

[JWRodegher]

Uhm, people, there´s still room to join? I´m kinda interested...just let me know would ya? thanx.

[Boone]

Re: SawInx.

Don't worry about it - just write the shot-list how you see it. Call it the first draft, upload it to the Yahoo group site and then LBR & myself will look it over and tell you what we want changed.

Remember, we all contribute our own little vision to make up the larger, overall vision. :)

[Sunil90]

boone how do we see what progress is being made? do i have to upload my stuff to somewhere else? cheers.

[littlebluerobots]

Sunil, look through the thread, I think on the first page, there is a yahoo goup that you can join and see the script and other production work....

The ninja looks fine, but try to have a look at edo or senguko period clothing, what you have illustrated is a modern suit.... we need it to look like its from the 15th century, so base it on any samurai film, lone wolf..... hidden fortress.... yojimbo.... zatoichi..... somthing more like the Young Suki image....



The mask looks brilliant... and its in keeping with the bumraku "puppet theatre" theme, all the protagonists will start off wearing masks......

[littlebluerobots]

Uhm, people, there´s still room to join? I´m kinda interested...just let me know would ya? thanx.
well if you can let us know what position you would like to fill and post some of your previous work we can decide what you can do....

[Boone]

Re: Sunil90.

Just click on the link "5Blades Collab" under Littlebluerobots' posts...should take you to a Yahoo group site. Obviously you need to be a registered Yahoo user. :thumbsup:

[gunslingerblack]

although ninja of this day do wear black this is a common misconception, dark colors, reds browns greens blues, but black actually stands out very much at night, especially in the shadows. i agree with the suggestion of looking at old images.

the last true combat ninja:

http://winjutsu.com/gifs/source_2000/takawithbo.gif
takamatsu toshitsugu

[Sunil90]

if u guys could please post a few pics of the images you had in mind, cos when i look all i can find is the black outfit similar to what i have done. (i havnt got those films for ref).

Thanks.

[JWRodegher]

hey littlebluerobots, I sent you a private message with some works I´ve done. Let me know what you think if you have a minute...cheers.

[littlebluerobots]

I have given LikuidSnake the job of modelling the river scene section.....

so everybody welcome him onboard....







Cliff.

[littlebluerobots]

Sunil90..... http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=samurai&sa=N&tab=wi
basically you want to create a hooded version of a standard samurai and incorporate your design into it....

[cipherL]

I think you should rent out some akira kurosawa films and watch them... or try to find Zatoichi in your local dvd rental... try watching the last samurai to see what we mean, about your design being to modern.....

[cipherL]

I was wondering if everybody working on the project could post updates, just so we can see where we are......

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

Well, I was wondering if you could pay the Yahoo group site a visit... :curious:

[cipherL]

I have, read the 3rd draft..... Im more interested in any 3d work thats been mia.
Ie suki's samurai sword.... I think we should haul dennatos over the coals and find out where he is on it, or else look for someone else to model it... It should have a turnaround time of 2 weeks, not 2 months......
Dennatos... front and center.... :D

being serious, Id just like to see a page of all the 3d work so we can work out how far we have come...

[Boone]

Re: CipherL.

Oh, I see. In that case, I believe Littlebluerobots is in charge of that department... :hmm: