B-Movie Entry: scott williams

#1

scott williams is entered in the “B-Movie” update: View Challenge Page

Latest Update: Final Image: Demise of the City Eating Robot?

#2

Initial idea. Need to develop the character of the robot to look and feel like overstuffed and bloated. Try to convey such organic qualities in a mechanical object. Also i want a good 50’s feel!

#3

I am finding the rounded torso of the ‘Robby’ type robot seems to convey the rotund and ‘about to burst’ look I am trying to get. Squared up shapes dont seem to demonstrate the idea as well. Teeth and feet are next to decide on- colours, etc later. A bit worried that the ‘cutsie’ look might take away- but maybe it will add to the overall. I’ll keep at it and see… Still alot of play room. I think there is still alot of drama/comedy i can express through screaming bystanders, etc

#4

I have some good ideas on the direction i want to go. I need to keep it simple do to a lack of experience and time. I figure i need to manage my time as best as possible- to allow extra time to figure out new things and techniques I am not familiar with.
My Idea is the attack of the city eating robot- who found a city a little too much for him! Hence a fat overstuffed quality needs to be created. maybe a car stuck in his teeth!

I would like to keep the models simpler, to concentrate more on creating mood in the lighting and effects. Maybe some popping rivets, smoke, sparks and static electricity - etc!

more work for me now… i better get to it

#5

Working on the layout- and composition of the scene. I want the robot as the focus. The city background needs to be subdued. I will make it a night or evening scene- using well placed and pragmatic lighting- i dont want to overdo it- maybe 3 major light sources. And alot of ambient glow from fires, etc in the background, etc

The fire in the furnace/mouth of the robot should be the focus, then radiate out from there, lesser intensity lighting, and detailing. I have some ideas for the foreground, maybe some characters- human- there watching in terror. Always seems that there is some woman clutching a man in the B-movie 50’s posters- i guess some sort of sexing it up for the era?

#6

I really like the way you’re going about this contest. The detailed analysis of your direction is fun to read. It is good that you are aware of your own limitations and you aren’t letting your imagination get the better of you and drive you out into deep waters.

Cool idea, too. A fat robot that indulged a little too much. I like it.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your art direction.

-rage

#7

I like where everything is at right now. The robot will get more detail, but otherwise that is the general shape. The city scape will need adjustment to better fit the composition, then i can get into some mood- playing with atmospherics to push the cityscape into the background. Add a light source- in amongst the building’s bases- like light from a fire maybe. Further narrative details, like a half eaten subway car in the left hand, and maybe a piece of girder hanging off/from between his teeth, will help. Not 100% on how far to go with that- too much might clutter the scene up- maybe one or two details like that to get the point across.

Also get a background made in photoshop- some night sky scene with clouds, reflecting city light- subdued would be good- Maybe that orange-yellow street light glow.

#8

I have almost finished modelling the background. I have added a few lights to help with the placement and composition- also to give a bit of the right feeling to the piece. I have tried to create detailing in the model rather than heavy texturing- since i want the background to be almost monochromatic, and fade into the background fog and smoke. I am happy with the layout- so far. The robot will be lit up better with spot lights- as part of the scene and as the method of doing it. Details will follow on the robot next. Plus more narrative details, like a half eaten subway car in his hand, plus some rails out his mouth- like spaghetti strands? Maybe some other details- some jet fighters in the sky and maybe a boat or something in the water.

Textures will follow after that.

#9

the lights in the background are looking good, I like the idea of the trails looking like spagetti in his mouth :slight_smile:
keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

#10

Still detailing the models and scene, but basically done. Texturing next. I have got the basic set up with the lighting and changed the angle of the camera- allowing the bridge to be seen- leading into the city- using it as a narrative element- I also decided against train rails out the mouth- and used the cables of the bridge - connecting the devouring of the city more directly to the robot - and visually to the high rise buildings. I also deleted one of the light sources- leaving only the one- at the end of the bridge- so as to create only 2 strong light sources- from the bright mouth to the ‘fire light’ via the bridge

I am still to add smaller, less influencing lights, like street lights and building lighting/ window lights. I will also add a foreground layer- keeping it muted and semi-dark.

#11

The last one is definitely better then the first. You can try to change the relationship between the monster and the bridge to get a better silhouette and avoid overlapping.
Keep up the good work and best wishes!

#12

Thanks for the comments!

I was a wee bit worried about that- but i though in the mapping stage- adding textures and colour schemes might help alleviate that. I was more worried about the cables of the bridge- draping from the mouth would not be seen as such, since that is helping direct the narrative.

#13

Have been busy with real life concerns, but i have finally got something done.

I have changed the camera angle- and also moved the buildings to keep a good composition. The bridge is now in better profile, and i have gotten rid of some of the overlap probs. I’m happy with the new layout- it seems i have created more depth in the background and kept the focus where i want it.

A few more models and then texturing and final lighting.

#14

I am satisfied with the overall layout and composition. I think the image is working well with the present setup. I still need some lighting work- and i will add a semi silhouetted foreground with maybe two figures clutching or embracing each other. Painting and lighting are the next step- I intend to keep it simple- and am fighting to simplify still. I am not sure about rendering yet- if i should do a mental ray render or just a scanline one. Ideally it should be a strong enough piece to hold well as scanline, before trying mental ray- since my experience is limited it could save the project from becoming a mess- or from creating 2-3hour renders when it does nothing to help the end result.

#15

started painting and texturing. Having to fight myself from getting sucked into the details!

#16

ARGH!!

Due to a power failure, my 3Ds Max scene file has been corrupted. But thankfully I had created most objects separate and exported them into the final scene. I have lost some models, but - after the smoke settled- I started to reassemble my scene. It has made me rethink the scene better. I was getting sucked into minor details and losing touch with the overall image. This has helped refocus- albeit it means alot of extra work- a simplification and more organized approach to the end vision.

My experience is lacking, but I have learned alot already- and these contests keep pushing me into new territory which I would otherwise not pursue as diligently.

#17

Sorry to hear about your loss of data.
Your robot’s proportions are really funny, especially the asymmetrical eyes!

#18

Train needs painting. Also more cables out of Robot’s mouth. All the buildings were salvaged after the loss, as was the train etc. Bridge is rebuilt- needs more detail in the crumbled support behind the robot. Light has become a big time waster… I am continually repeating my mantra of keep it simple… and still too much time on the background detail and lighting. Not a total loss, but empirical learning of what not to do. :slight_smile:

I will be adding some black plumes of smoke to the background. probably just add to the environment background in photoshop. also some more mist/smoke in and around the buildings, plus pouring out of the robot’s vents. A suggestion of intenstinal distress maybe.

Well more to do-

#19

Hey Scott,

Cool concept!! Like a lot your idea, really funny and a great cartoon style.
Nice enviroment and lighting mood. Like the intestinal distress expresion on the robot and the cable and train puts a cool glutton touch to the robot :smiley:
Perhaps in addition to details of lighting already mentionedby you, some sparks from the cable can be a nice touch… only a silly idea. :slight_smile:

Nice work and waiting for more updates. Cheers!! :beer:

#20

Scott, I hope you give this thing a good polish and finish it. I just love the concept! That robot is hilarious! :applause: