Venus of Jale [Project Status: Preproduction] [Alert: Minor nudity]

#1

Venus of Jale is animated short I’m making as a part of final exam in Digital Animation studies.

This project is inspired with artwork by Ljubodrag Jankovic Jale. Since middle of last century Jale creates remarkable paintings and sculptures. Central theme of Jale’s artwork is a figure of women. His figures aren’t particular persons, but a universal archaic form, a sublimation of women principle.

Idea isn’t to combine sculptures with realistic movements, like animators usually does (as in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, 2014), but to find a movement style which correspondent to a visual style of sculptures. Main effort will be in exploration of movement phases and style.

Through these project I’ll explore correlation between sculpture, animation and 3d graphic, using sculpture as a starting point in 3d animation phenomena. This project will be produced in form of 3d stereoscopic animation.

Any feedback and constructive criticism will be much appreciated.

Animatic

//youtu.be/7T93YmG1o_w

Intro Scene Concept art

Bath Scene Concept Art

Men Scene Concept Art

#2

End Scene Concept Art

#3

Birdwoman Scene Concept Art

#4

Couple of day ago, I had a fortune to meet with Jale. He let me to make a visit to his atelier and to take a photos of his sculptures. It was a surreal experience for me… I hold these beautiful sculptures in my hands.

//youtu.be/rAEJG0ZD8-k

#5

I just finished first test with a sculpture for 3th sequence of walking.

Currently I see some minor issues which would be nice to be solved.
For texture overlay I’m using Musgrave procedural texture attached to Object texture coordinate. It’s works perfect on static render, but it doesn’t move with the surface during animation.
I need to push out sleeves a little. I need geometry overlapping but not so much.

The biggest headache I have with Boolean modifier . I’m using it a lot to connect overlapping bodyparts into single mesh. Boolean produce a lot of glitches during animation. If verticles on join of 2 meshes aren’t perfectly align, Boolean will produce ugly joins. If any of polygons twisted during animation, Boolean will break. Two or three meshes overlapping in the same time and place will produce twisted polygons and Boolean will break. Even if everything is perfect, Boolean will produce a little different solutions during animation, which produce minor glitches, especially visible on lower poly count.
I see there is a new Data Transfer Modifier in Blender. Maybe some combination of Boolean, Remesh and Data Transfer for restoring UV Maps would produce better results…

//youtu.be/p9wYfeJOFLE

#6

//youtu.be/EKoTsSToxKg

I made first tests with Intro scene. It’s a composite rendering without any postproduction. You are welcome to give some constructive criticism.

#7

Some full resolution renders.

#8

I finally menage to came to the last frame with initial setup:

//youtu.be/j2_pWIy-ipk

#9

//youtu.be/gBXJRbw9ffM

Here is latest animation test for Venus of Jale, in stereoscopy, with final music. Final music is a song “In the Water”, by Isidora Zebeljan.

I would like to make in next iteration better DOF, some motion-blur and atmospheric effects and still need to fix some issues with stereoscopy.

NOTICE: Youtube Player has an option for playing a 3D video in various stereoscopic formats, or in 2D version. These settings are available on the gear icon.

#10

Be aware that everyone doesnt have 3d screen to review your video. Maybe you could share a none stereo video on the forum and a link for those who want to view in 3D.

Because that forum is for critics and comments. You build a bridge between your viewers and yourself.

#11

You’re absolutely right, I should point out option Youtube player have when playing 3D movie. There is an option to select 2D mode in parameters (Gear Icon).

#12

It’s looks like 3D option for Youtube is missing in some browsers. I’ll publish 2D version tomorrow.

#13

2D version:

//youtu.be/ayTpi7YVYL4