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Cinematical
07-20-2010, 08:36 AM
http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/cinematical-1/Headerscopy_forum2.jpg

http://novosfilm.wordpress.com/

Hello all,

My name is Jonathan Brebner and I'm currently a senior Cinema Production student at USC. I'd like to put the word out for the short sci-fi film Novos. Novos will act both as my thesis project and a collaborative work featuring the talent of creative contributors from around the world. The production will be jointly produced by students from USC and NYU, and will include work from professionals in Seattle, LA, New York, London, and more. The film is in need of modellers and generalists for both immediate work on a short shot involving spacecraft and, long-term, the film's generally extensive CG requirements.

The project is currently in pre-production, and will be for the next year; filming will take place around Seattle, WA, in July 2011. This extended pre-production period will allow for both the development of the film's complex CG assets, based on the fantastic artwork of the film's concept artists, and the time necessary for the ambitious fundraising plans. Here's a basic breakdown:

Story
2000 years ago, humanity left a toxic Earth in search of a new home among the stars, leaving behind an army of synthetic organisms to terraform and re-cultivate the planet as a failsafe. Now, a human military scout returns to a home he’s never known and comes face to face with a biosphere that has evolved and become very hostile to humans.

Budget: $30,000 approx.
Start date: July 2011
Location: Federal Way/Seattle, WA
Shooting Format: RED 4k
Final length: 8 minutes
Short Description: A science fiction short about humanity’s return to Earth, featuring heavy use of both practical and computer generated (CG) effects.

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/cinematical-1/runningwolfsilhouettes_small.jpg

If you take a look at our projected budget breakdown on the website you'll see that we will, in fact, have a decent CG budget. I fully understand that the complexity and time requirements of much of the effects -- particularly the creature animation -- will require a certain degree of payment. I'm aiming for nothing short of the quality exhibited by Carl Rinsch's short “The Gift” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZkLIwbRrw).

However, at this stage, I'm looking to bring on some volunteers to get modeling started. This film cannot be done without the help of talented, motivated volunteers willing to donate some of their time. These models will not only go towards the final product, but will help immensely with the film's fundraising efforts. The initial models will be of the film's featured spacecraft; the following is a concept piece detailing the direction the designs of the spacecraft are headed (the final designs will be finalized in the next two weeks).

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/cinematical-1/Shipdevelopment_bottom_small.jpg

Additionally, I'd also like to produce a short, completed shot showcasing the high level of CG quality the film aims for. The shot is the only fully-CG shot in the film and involves the spaceship models previously mentioned. If well-produced, this could be a fantastic promotional piece. When those components are complete, we'll move on to the rest of Novos's exciting effects.

If you're interested in contributing to the film, please contact me at: brebner@usc.edu
I can provide you with a copy of the script and more detail on the production plan. Please provide links to samples of your work. The rest of the Novos team and I would love to have you as part of the production.

Pixanaut
07-20-2010, 04:03 PM
What modeling software are you using in your pipeline?

Cinematical
07-20-2010, 04:33 PM
Our VFX supervisor works primarily with 3Dmax, but is knowledgable with Maya as well. We can make either work if anyone wishing to contribute has a significant preference for one or the other.

softdistortion
07-21-2010, 04:00 PM
ooooooooooooooow ...mucho Likey!!...Almost spilled my coffee ...saw the splash/logo and thought you snagged Syd Mead!

Looks and sounds pretty solid...Would love to lend support...swamped and also not a modeler unfortunately...will think of something to offer to help out a bit. ;)

Your project site mentions previous films in the festival circuits- any chance to get a link if they're viewable online?

Is your script viewable?...I think your site said "yes, upon request" ...not sure if that's just for major industry parties or if you guys are being open source with this.

Would love to setup interviews to track this project at our online collab focused portal site www.collabunlimited.com

Cinematical
07-22-2010, 03:26 AM
Glad to hear you like the project, softdistortion. I sent you an email with the script!

softdistortion
07-22-2010, 07:21 PM
Received and read...nicely done!

Will email you to discuss the interview series...thx!~

In the meantime added your project to the news section at CollabUnlimited (http://collabunlimited.com)

Cinematical
08-17-2010, 08:10 PM
UPDATE: The film's title has been changed from "Grotto" to "Novos", so I've edited the original post and changed the blog URL to reflect the new title. If one of the mods could change the original post title in the forum, that'd be awesome!

Cinematical
09-22-2010, 10:27 PM
Did an interview on Novos with Collabnews (http://collabnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111:novos-indie-film-collab&catid=37:rokstories-frontpage) (interviewed by softdistortion). Check it out, and check out some of the great updates on the film's site!

Novos film blog (http://novosfilm.wordpress.com)

Cinematical
09-27-2010, 08:41 PM
I love sharing the fantastic concept art the film's artists are churning out, so here's some more! This is an example of the iterative design work the artists and I are doing for the synthetic creatures in the film.

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/cinematical-1/headsnumberedcopyLarge.jpg

softdistortion
09-29-2010, 03:17 AM
Nice concept progress....and congrats on breaking $10k!
Looking forward to part2 of the interviews. :buttrock:

Cinematical
10-19-2010, 06:42 AM
Here’s a glimpse at the very first promotional materials for Novos — postcards and a bookmark! Very special thanks to Tom McDowell for the artwork and Jim Brebner for the printing.

http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/p_2048_1536_78fb165c-58c2-46d3-b27c-c6c7fef9a838.jpeg

Cinematical
11-05-2010, 06:43 AM
Some more great concept art, this time by artist Zoran.

http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/jumpsuit_chrome_option.jpg

filmmusic
11-06-2010, 12:01 PM
The whole project seems very interesting and ambitious!
I know it's very early in the process, but when you've finished it and are looking for a music composer, I'd appreciate it if you kept me in mind.

Cinematical
11-16-2010, 02:42 AM
More artwork, this time a collaborative piece by concept artists Zoran and Tom McDowell. This is very close to a shot that'll be in the actual film.

http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/taking_off_2.jpg

Cinematical
11-20-2010, 02:59 AM
A more detailed concept piece of the ship featured in the previous landscape. Artwork again by the masterful Tom McDowell.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WblTkMRSj8w/TNwFxejdv2I/AAAAAAAAAIg/zU_3-0zOZSk/s1600/Ship%2BContext%2BRender%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg

Cinematical
12-05-2010, 11:27 PM
Check out the newly released promotional poster for the film, by artist Dan McCarthy! The print is titled "The Forest Made Us Talk".

http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/rain-robots-small.jpg

Cinematical
07-17-2011, 12:34 AM
We've made a ton of progress since the last update. The film is cast, props and costumes are in construction, we're plotting out shots, and production is just over 3 weeks away. But the CG needs are immediate!

We're looking for a 3dsMax modeler, lighter, and/or generalist to help pick up where our last modeler left off. We're trying to put together the final shot of the film, which is a space scene that'll also work as a promotional teaser for the film. You can check out some of the awesome work already done here: http://vimeo.com/20691131

So, what needs modeling? First, the other ship in the scene:

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss256/cinematical-1/combinedsideprofilelabels.jpg

Then the Earth the two ships will be flying from.

We've generated some basic animatics for the shot we're trying to complete which can be shared if you're interested.

If you think you can help with the project (in any capacity), or would just like to learn more about it, please feel free to email me at jpbrebner@gmail.com. Thanks!

Cinematical
07-17-2011, 10:54 PM
Also, here's an update on some of the awesome promotional art that's been produced for the film:

"Those Made New" by Kevin Tong (http://tragicsunshine.com/newsletter/)
http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/novos_small.jpg

"The Servant of Cybele" by Jay Shaw (http://www.kingdomofnonsense.com/)
http://novosfilm.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/the_servant_of_cybele_med-preview.jpg

We've got a bunch more artwork and prints in the pipeline from artists like JC Richard (http://microcosmicmedia.blogspot.com/) , Martin Ansin (http://martinansin.com/) , Chuck Sperry (http://chucksperry.net/) , Eelus (http://eelus.com/) , and more!

Cinematical
07-19-2011, 12:43 AM
We are also looking for an on-set VFX Supervisor for the shoot, which will be in the Seattle area, August 8th-12th. Please email jpbrebner@gmail.com for more information.

softdistortion
07-19-2011, 04:12 PM
Very nice works your showing Jonathan.

Still hope it works for you to do part 2 of the Collabnews interview once you finish principle shooting.

re the VFX, hope you find another local...if we were closer, you know I'd be there offering to jump in. :)

Out of curiosity, How much do you need on how many shots? Did the VFX guys you had previosuly get you into animatics/previs?

Cinematical
07-19-2011, 04:42 PM
I'll definitely be doing part 2 of the interview!

As for a the VFX, there'll be a diverse range of needs once we get into post -- from character modeling, rigging, and animation, to a whole range of compositing. The thing we're working on right now is the final shot of the film, which is all CG and doesn't have too much complexity to it. My previous guy wasn't able to get into pre-vis stuff, which is definitely something I'd like to do. But, with 3 weeks left until production starts, I'm a bit resigned to that not happening.

Why, you know someone who could help with pre-vis? ;)

softdistortion
07-19-2011, 08:16 PM
Yeah, I hear you, 3 weeks is tight.

Can't promise anything, but while you're searching for a local vfx sup- I could take a look at one or two of your shots and see if there is anything I can give input on.

Send some detailed shot info, links etc>
eMail (softdistortions@hotmail.com)

I'm sure this isn't gonna cheer you up, but for the sake of you budget, sanity and final product, I need to say, it might be smart to push your date a bit...at least till you get the main VFX shots worked out with somebody who knows a bit about setting up fx shots.

From what I've seen there will probably be some intense vfx required- doing prep work will save you a ton of work, money, and possibly entire shots by assisting in setting up properly while shooting.

++

Looking forward to doing part 2 :bounce:

Cinematical
07-20-2011, 08:22 PM
Thanks, I'll definitely take you up on your offer to look over a few of the shots!

The thing I've come to fully realize over the last few days is that the project needs a global VFX Supervisor. I'd been banking too much on the patchwork, distributed model I'd been hoping to use, without understanding that, not being particularly adept at maintaining VFX pipelines and shots from beginning to end, I wont be able to manage the VFX myself.

So now I'm looking for someone to fill a much larger role, with significantly more responsibility, compensation, and artistic control than before. And I may just have to delay the shoot until I find said person.

If you're out there, email me!

softdistortion
07-21-2011, 04:33 PM
Sounds good...I'll be in touch. ;)

Sid Barnhoorn
07-27-2011, 10:58 PM
Fantastic project, Jonathan. All the best with it! :-) Let me know if it also requires a score / music. ;-)