Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Roger Cotton

#1

Roger Cotton has entered the Grand Space Opera 3D.

Challenge Page

Latest Update: Modeling: Astra Class Cruiser v3

Or this one…?

Thanks!

#2

Now I’ve done it. Space Opera. Yikes! What a daunting challenge. I’ve been almost too daunted to even try it. But, when I thought about the word “challenge,” I realized that I am not competing against other artists as much as I am challenging myself to do something I would have been too afraid to even take on were it not for CGTalk. Therefore, others may be much stronger artists in terms of technique and execution, but I will endeavor to move forward anyway, and to create an image that reflects my heartfelt vision of that wonderful sci-fi genre known as, Space Opera.

I’ve spent the last week drawing rough thumbnail sketches of the concept. I’ll post them as soon as I get them scanned.

The composition of the image I want to create contains a lot of the stereotypical scenes present in the genre:

  • a rocketship blasting upward into space from a barren planet
  • a futuristic domed city being attacked by a massive vessel
  • an asteroid belt against a star-filled nebula

I want to be original, really I do. So far, I haven’t hit on the “ah ha!” concept. So, since time is short and the project is vast, I think I may tie these images together by having the monolithic figure of an Imperial Guardsman-turned-Space Pirate dominating the center of the montage. We are looking up at him from ground level as he holds a blaster in one hand, and a laser sword in the other. He looks upward, a determined look fixed on his chiseled features. Behind him, within the shadowed side of a planet is the vaguely discernable sneer of the malevolent emperess he used to serve.

At least that is the current plan… I do hope I come up with something better soon.

I remember, back in the late 70s and early 80s, redrawing the Star Wars posters over and over again. Now THOSE were great images! I hope I come up with something even remotely as good. But, not so obviously influenced.

Luck everyone!

#3

I thought long about what Space Opera is at its core. I decided it’s about the determination of the human spirit to fight for its freedom against oppression.

What could be more oppressive and terrifying to an individual than to be nothing more than an insignificant being in a vast, intergalactic society? Especially, when that society exists solely serve a cruel, self-absorbed ruler you have never seen.

Such a society operates under onerous bureaucracy; bureaucracies that seek to
perpetuate themselves, regardless of their usefulness. The bureaucrats of such a society battle for control over those below them, while they in turn, bow and scrape to their superiors.

In such an empire, how does a lowly citizen find any meaning or happiness?

Since I want the scene I’m going to create to tell a story, I’m going to create concept drawings for costuming, architectural motifs, and overall aesthetics.

This will help me to communicate the splendourous decadence that is being abandoned by the Imperial Guardsman facing the Emperor.

Having dropped the Imperial Banner, the hero tosses aside his cloak of service, and draws his duty blade. He has cast aside the symbols of oppression, and is ready to fight against the Empire. Unto liberating death.

#4

Ok. I know its just a concept sketch but your camera angle could be more dramatic and the guards need to be reacting to his movement. How about lowering the angle of the camera looking up, almost underneath the falling cloth and the emperor high up on his throne…

Just a thought.

#5

This is one of the sketches I did as I was trying to figure out how I wanted to compose the scene.

This is a pretty generic “Space Opera” uniform. i’m going to do the creative conceptualization I mention in my previous post, so I can come up with something distinctive and original.

#6

I agree about the camera angle. After I finished the sketch, I realized the scene needs to be shown from a low-to-the-ground view point. This will amplify the enormity of the throne room, and will give the viewer a better view of the world outside the throne room windows.

An upshot angle of the hero also makes him seem more ‘heroic’ in stature. It will also make the Emperor seem even more menacing as he sits elevated on this throne, looking down without the least bit of concern.

The giant statues to either side of the Emperor will be robotic, to imply that they are the Emperor’s personal guardians that can be activated at a moment’s notice.

The reason the other guardsmen aren’t reacting is because this scene shows the moment just before they realize what is happening. Also, they would not believe anyone would ever dare to challenge the Emperor to his face; much less it being their Lieutenent who is calmly walking up and about to do the challenging. However, I WILL play around with expression and body language on the Guardsmen to communicate hesitency, disbelief, and maybe even preparation for action.

I think I will add another character to the scene; a character who tries to intercede. Perhaps an older Guardsman, the Captain, who mentored the hero and who appears distressed at his actions.

The Captain will be gesturing with one hand to the other Guardsmen to halt, while he implores the defiant hero to hand over his sword with his other hand.

I don’t know if that will ‘read’ or not to viewers. But I think that adds a dimension of drama to the scene that adding this character element to the scene may make viewers create a backstory of their own.

#7

I may even add a feline woman reclining on a chaise lounge next to the Emperor.

#8

Hi Roger,
I like your sketches. The huge hall is nice along with the characters. The dropped the Imperial Banner is a good idea. I think it`s a good idea to go lower with the camera and closer to the characters. This way you will be able to build bigger outerspaces ships, planets, galaxies, etc. I think the background is important too.
I’ll be looking forward to your work, Roger.
Good luck!!

#9

Thanks, PRO. I appreciate the comments. I’m redrawing the concept sketch to show the scene from the lower angle. As I do, I’m adding the architectural styling I want to have in the final render. It’ll be an Arcadian motif with balustrades, wrought iron frames in front of stained glass windows, as well as oversized statues, and ornately carved columns and archways. I want to combine Rococo elements with sleek, cybernetic elements, if possible. That way, the throne room and the background cityscape will have an ornate, but futuristic appearance.

However, by being so ornate, I’m afraid I may not have time to finish anything but the sets. If that is the case, at least I’ll have an awesome-looking set to use for something.

Based on what I come up with for the set aesthetics, I will recreate the uniforms. I think I want to change them from the blazer / pant base that they currently are to more of a short togas / breastplate combination that incorporates overlaid circuitry in an embroidered fashion. Also, instead of cloaks, I may have the soldiers wearing cybernetic pinions of chrome (wings). That way, as the rebellious Guardsman tosses his wings aside, we see blood dripping from the connection jacs in his back.

#10

I think is great. I can imagine now how is going to look in 3D. I am going to post something soon and I would like your thoughts on it.
Good Luck!

#11

I appreciate that, Canche. I look forward to your concept sketch. I’ve seen some on this board that are incredible.

#12

I did this 3D “sketch” to better communicate my idea. The characters will have cybernetic wings and legs and forearms. They will be wearing short togas underneath chrome breast plates and greaves. On their heads will be chrome skull caps with goggles. I want them to have a combination of the Arcadian style I wrote about before, with a futuristic “angels” look. They can fly with the jet-powered wings and cyber boots on their synthetic legs; serving as Imperial Guardsmen to the Emperor.

The cityscape shapes in the background are obviously just placeholders, as is the ship above.

I thought it might be a cool idea to have a giant screen overhead displaying the gigantic visage of the decadent Emperor as he sits on his throne in the background.

Now, I’m going to do 2D costume designs.

#13

A suggestion about costume design, take a look anime, the first Tenchi Muyo episodes come to mind for example. Or to set another example, Star Wars, inspiration came from costume worn by royals in Mongolia and China.

Just an idea.

#14

I agree with RobertJ. Mixing old costume with the types of technology you’re incorporating could make it look great. There’s loads of inspiration out there… Mayan, Minoan and African cultures.

It would also be good to see smoke trails combined with some vibrant colours in the background sky. Also, maybe apply some distorted perspective to the camera view to give it some added dramatic quality?

Look forward to seeing more.

#15

Good suggestions. I’m going for a Pre-Raphaelite feel. The wings will look more like metallic dove wings than the bat-like wings I’ve got as visual placeholders. I should’ve modeled them that way to begin with.

I’m going to check out your reference now.

Perhaps I should shift the giant screen a bit to the right, and pose the Emperor in more of a menacing pose.

#16

sweet looks like alot of guards are about to get hacked through

#17

Hi Roger
I hope you dont mind me doing this.
I think you should lose the big screen.
For one thing it ruins the composition. have you tried a different aspect ratio of your layout.
I kind of changed your original. Made it closer to 1.85. and this helps with the layout, I think.
You are entitled to disagree. And dont worry about the size of the king. It looks small here but when its rendered at 3000 odd pixels wide as per the rules, you will see all the detail in him.

#18

ROGER!

Dammit man how you been! It’s Jim H from Orlando :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Looking good buddy!

btw Ivan is standing over my shoulder as we speak :wink:

Ivan Says: “Will the real Carnage Asade please stand up” :wink:

(btw if your a differant Roger Cotton from San Diego then I’m sorry :slight_smile: )

#19

I’d appreciate feedback!
-and that you´ll get…

First of all, like the idea, specially because of the history behind. Not sure the scene setup thrills me alot as it is. Here is some possible reasons;

  1. The scene is not leveled enough, needs some different niveaus.
  2. In my opinion, skip the wings, or transfer them to something jetdriven(Like Buzz Lightyears´wings…hehe:)). Even though there´s some fairy tale feeling in the concept, it seems to unrealistic with the wings. Should you prefer the wings, it would be nice if the wings were made of energy fields; like a dragons wing, where the leather areas are pure energy.
  3. I personally need to be sure, that he can´t win this fight. It makes it a more heroic and dramatic action to take up a fight you can not win.
  4. Need another cam angle, all persons are too far away. I do like this “down-from” perspective concept in the picture though. One other problem with this angle, you don´t see the heros face…hmmm, hard to solve…

Things to keep;

  1. The big screen showing the emperor is a briliant way of being close to both the hero and the main enemy.:thumbsup:
  2. The middle age style, combined with various of other styles, incl. the futuristic. Looking forward to see that.:thumbsup:
  3. The old weapons, no lasers here.:thumbsup:

That´s it for now, looking forward to more concept sketches, or maybe some modelling

Btw, thanks for the feedback on my poor work, haven´t had the time yet, to really get started. -And if there´s some big failures in my english, I apologize, I´m from scandinavia.

Henrik

#20

Hello Roger,

Interesting story but Im not sure the scene is enough "grand space opera" :curious: ... maybe Im wrong but for me the subject have to be bigger like a battle with thousands of warriors etc.

Anyway I`ll follow your progress and whish you good luck.