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Updated Nov 27 2008
[font=Times New Roman][color=white][color=white]Hi guys. Id like to start a fun collaboration project. I started this thread last year but I haven’t drawn or modeled much since then. I’d like to wake this project up and start getting creative again. I haven’t started creating much so that has given me the opportunity to change the project and add some fresh ideas. [/color][/color][/font]
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Updated Nov 27 2008
[color=darkorange]The Project
Demon Descent is a low poly fantasy, sci - fi animation project suggested for a mature audience.
It is primarily a low poly project. The reason for this so we can make effective use of polygons and also speed up rendering. We should set strict poly counts for each model depending on the type.
It’s a world created by the team. This gives all artists freedom to express themselves and create what they want without too much restriction.
The idea is to create concept art, low poly models, rigs and environments which will lead to very short animations.
All artists will be mentioned in the credits of each animation so all work will promote and showcase your skills. This project has something to suit everyone, from novice, experienced and game character modelers, VFX artists, voice acting, matte painters to even photographers. Have a look and see what you might enjoy contributing to.
Updated Nov 27 2008
Concept Art
This world will be created primarily from sketches. Speed sketches and finished concepts are equally encouraged. You can sketch anything that grabs you. Every addition to the project will help develope the universe. A picture paints thousands of words.
Updated Nov 27 2008
Modeling
If you enjoy modeling and would like to contribute by modeling a concept, that would be great.
[size=3]Keep Everything Low Poly!
If you do decide to model a concept then I would advise you not to add too much detail to begin with. All characters will have a set poly count. This gives us the option to create game environments and make rendering faster. It also means that those with slower PCs can also join in. Also, WIPs and concepts may be improved or changed. It’s easier to make adjustments with a lower poly count.
Rigging
If you can rig a character (or even part of one) then this project needs your help.
Animation
This project needs animators. You could animate a character, bird or a vehicle etc. Take your pick!
Texturing
If your good at using Photoshop and have some time spare, the project will need texture artists. You could even make an alternate texture for a finished model.
Updated Nov 27 2008
Sound Effects
The project will need sound effects and music. PM me or post on this thread if you can help out in that department.
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Updated Nov 27 2008
Voice Acting
Are you good at impersonations and feel comfortable with a microphone? This project needs males and females of all ages!
I may have missed other skills needed for the project so post a comment or PM me about that please.
Once the characters and environments start to develop we can start thinking of very short animation clips using whatever weve made. These can be as short as 10 seconds long to start with. The content will be slightly unpredictable but thats part of the fun. Everything will improve each time another animation is made.
Each time a new character or environment is completed, the fantasy universe will evolve. As the project develops I will update this post so people new to this thread can get updates.
Restrictions
The project is a playground for artists to produce work they personally enjoy working on. The idea is to enjoy this and not make it a chore. Obviously we have to set some restrictions to make it an even playing ground. For example,
A bad idea would be to use real world items. For example, a character can’t have a Desert Eagle or a shotgun. The universe is fantasy. If the character was 100 feet tall with three heads then that would be acceptable. You can be as eccentric as you wish 
Updated Nov 27 2008
Character Development
You can sketch a demon, an alien race, a fantasy creature, create what you like!
All the modeling, texturing, rigging and animation can be your own work.
To be fair, if you’ve seen someones elses environment and want to add a creature, city or feature etc, the environment artist has to agree with it. You can always make your own environment and add your own stuff either way.
If you dont wish to create a complete character on your own and would prefer to contribute to only part of the design process then feel free to collaborate with other artists that want to do the same.
To begin with I would suggest modeling something simple that would be easy for you (or someone else) to rig. We can always improve on old characters and start new ones.
If you chose to model a human character then it will have to be physically accurate and to scale. Use photo references to achieve this. Also make sure the character is made of quads.
Environment Development
As the concepts and environments start to take form, we can create a map so we can plan were to design other things.
Rendering
I think it would be best to use Mental Ray to start with, seeing as it is integrated with Max and Maya. The animations will be rendered in TIFF format and we could render parts of the scenes together to speed things up.
Updated Nov 27 2008
Team Work
Comunication.
This is a team project but we must respect the work of our team members. Each contribution can be just your own or part of a project (like a character or environment) can be the work of a few artists. Lets agree on the thread so all can see.
For example, if you’ve seen a sketch that you’d like to model then ask the artist if you can model it first. Maybe the concept artist wishes to model it themselves or has someone else in mind to model it :arteest:
The same goes for modelling and animation. We can’t have people ‘modifying’ other peoples work and calling it their own. If the artist agrees to it then thats ok.
Theft Prevention
All contributing artists will have their name and contact details embedded in the final animation sequences and the credits so don’t worry about people stealing your work and promoting it as their own on show reels etc. We can embed this info in the corner of the short animations.
When we need to send scenes to other artists we can do work arounds so others don’t get the complete model, rig or texture. As the project evolves I’m sure we will know who we can trust.
How will we decide what models and concepts to use for final production?
Well the Demon Descent Project is a chance for those interested to show off their skills and fine tune their abilities. It’s also a loose form of artistic expression were the world is created by the artist. If work doesn’t make it into the final animations or is replaced by a better model, rig etc, the artist can always put their work in their show reels. No effort will be in vain!
For example, if an artist can produce a better model or idea that I’ve personally created then thats awesome! It just means the finished product will look and feel even better!
Circle of Trust Studios
I’d like to invite lead artists to join Circle of Trust Studios. The idea is to make a studio of freelance artists that work from home. We could create a website showcasing private work we have created together. If we are offered freelance work, we can create it together and share the money accordingly.
To get the ball rolling, heres a WIP concept of my first creature. These are 20" tall and live underground.[/size][/font]
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[size=3]What do you think of this idea so far?[font=Verdana][/font]
Cheers,[font=Verdana][/font]
Sean
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