Dr. of Machinima

Aug 3, 2008 at 8/03/2008 09:18:00 AM | 5 Comments

Well, it's been a busy time since I found out I got a new job, and although it's going to get a lot busier in the coming weeks as I have to start packing, I might actually have an opportunity to do a fat chunk of work on Digital Memory before I go!

Even if I'm really busy once I start the job I'll hopefully still be able to do it on weekends, and Kane has said he's still willing to do 3d work even though he's gotten pretty involved in a few coding projects.

Right now I'm preparing the main character, Avatar One, (I'll hopefully release some pictures before I go) and I'm stilling pinning down the final technique I'll use for the other characters. One problem I ran into was the fact that even though I can reduce Daz models to a nice smaller polycount, I don't like their faces when the head gets below 4000 polys, and considering what I'm trying to go for, thats a bit too much for a head. This means I'll most likely have to use heads from elsewhere but this becomes a bit of a problem if the character isnt wearing a buttoned up shirt, cause you can then see where their neck was cut. But I'm working on it.

Also I have had a VERY quick tinker with Iclone 3, and am VERY pleased. As with Beast, Digital Memory needs to be made in 2 different environments. Motionbuilder was the first, but for the other I was looking at Iclone, Sims 2, Antics, Or Second Life.
Because of the abundance of assets I really wanted The Sims 2, but having used that briefly before, it's not my favorite Machinima environment. Second Life would have been good for all the readily available outdoor locations, but I'm not very good at working with Second Life and my computer really isn't tough enough to record smoothly in there anyway.

So it's between Antics 4 and Iclone 3. Both tools have made some great improvements lately. Antics has a new lighting system now so it looks way less pre-vissy and more Machinima-ee and I'll be installing that on my computer later this week. Iclone 3 has a mad torrent of new updates, and since it has a bigger range of 3D assets, it really looks like I'll be using that. BOTH tools have Google Sketchup import abilities and that's essential in this project. More details as I get more comfy with both tools.
Right now I'm really impressed with the new things that Iclone 3 has added. Of big use to me will be the improved camera system and more integrated animation system (now with IK, WOOT!)

Before I leave I have to get some voice recording for Digital Memory done. Will be much harder to find Brits over in Canada and I definitely want some home flavor in the film. Unfortunately that means I'll have to finalize some areas of the script slightly earlier than I'm ready, but it's worth it. Just need to multitask.
Cross your fingers for those screenies of Avatar One. He's being reduced (and re-done in places), and then his rigging might be a slightly complex process cause of his wires and hydraulics (yes, he's a robot!). Lets hope I can get it right :-s

Labels: Antics, Bioware, Digital Memory, Iclone, Machinima

posted by Dr. Nemesis

Back from the Front

Mar 6, 2008 at 3/06/2008 06:22:00 AM | 1 Comments

It's been extremely hectic here at The Show over the last few months but finally things have cooled down and I can get back to updating this blog and working on our next big film.

Some of the work we've done recently, you will know about, whereas others have been kept fairly quiet. Shortly after finishing Roommate Wanted I started another commissioned project for Antics Technologies. Very much like RW, the aim was to make a film that showed some of the strengths of the tool and show how accessible it can be. For anyone who has used Antics (there's a free version now, so you really have no excuse if not) it has some great benefits such as simple set construction and the great way the characters can interact with objects and scenery. Everytime I use it I end up thinking it's very much like The Sims 2 without all the annoying things you have to do to get the characters to behave.

One thing that was very difficult to get around though, was the basic lip sync and lack of facial animation, and of course using one of my favorite Reallusion products to fix that was not a big option in this case. Regardless, I think it turned out quite nicely. It's actually been out for a few weeks now, but because I've been so deep in another commission and recently moved house, I could only announce it now. It's called Anonymous Coward and you can catch it in the Antics Cinema (where you will also notice a film by CJ Ambrosia). The guys at Antics seemed quite pleased with it, so hopefully you guys will enjoy it too.

The third project was a big one. Unlike the previous two which I was easily able to do alone, this project had a much bigger budget so really needed the team and as always, Dreaded Kane emerged from the bat cave and rolled up his sleeves (for any1 who doesn't know, Kane is a long standing member of the Justice Lea - er.. Binary Picture Show). The film was called Peter's Story, and was unlike anything I ever imagined us doing. This was a 6 minute information video and as the title suggests, it's a narrative film and I worked very closely with Professor Paul Foley of De Montfort University (going to last years UK Machinima festival was very worth it).

It was great to do (first 'useful' thing we've done) and everyone loves money, but now that's over I can get back to writing films with lots of swearing, angst, and possibly some nudity until the next such project comes along. For ages I've been meaning to fix up our website, so that's a big priority too.

I'm resuming work on the project I started shortly after BEAST. It's a Sci-Fi film in which I hope to use Daz 3D character models . Yes, they're way too high in polycount, but tomorrow I hope to shed some light on it all (should be very interesting), along with the part the recently released Craytalk 5 will play in the film.
What's more, I was given a sneak peak at Iclone 3 and it's got me very excited!
But enough for today. check back later for more happenings at Binary Picture Show and my thoughts on IC3!

Labels: Antics, Crazy Talk, facial animation, Iclone, Machinima, Reallusion, Sims 2

posted by Dr. Nemesis

Roommate Wanted - Iclone

Jan 15, 2008 at 1/15/2008 07:17:00 PM | 0 Comments

Since doing BEAST I've been so busy I haven't even had time to blog about the new things I've learned, or the new plans that I have for the next big Binary Picture piece. I haven't had chance to talk with many of my close online friends, and the research I was doing for our next big film has been on pause for about a month now (when I finally unveil that it'll be so cool though!).

But it's not all bad news! One of the things I have been able to do recently is a little comedy short for Reallusion, using Iclone 2.5
It's a fun little piece fit for the family (no need to cover your kid's eyes while a man bashes the crap out of another man who's tied up in the chair this time) and it's called "Roommate Wanted". Although not yet at it's peak, I've always liked Iclone, and thought it has potential to contribute very nicely to Machinima. For various reasons most of the things made in it seem to be music videos so I was quite happy to do a film. Hope you all Enjoy it. You can find the youtube link below and a Stage 6 version should follow shortly.

For any of you Icloners I've also made available the living room set that I made for the film. You can import it to Iclone as a prop. Has transparent windows, and you can edit the texture.

Youtube Link
Living Room prop (for iclone)

I'd also like to give a big thanks to Phil Rice who very nicely did the voice of "Mr Bilko"!

Labels: Comedy, Crazy Talk, Iclone, Machinima

posted by Dr. Nemesis

		Dr. of Machinima A blog By Dr. Nemesis following the progress of Binary Picture Show's work, as well as other Machinima.
		Progriss Riport Aug 3, 2008 at 8/03/2008 09:18:00 AM \| 5 Comments Well, it's been a busy time since I found out I got a new job, and although it's going to get a lot busier in the coming weeks as I have to start packing, I might actually have an opportunity to do a fat chunk of work on Digital Memory before I go! Even if I'm really busy once I start the job I'll hopefully still be able to do it on weekends, and Kane has said he's still willing to do 3d work even though he's gotten pretty involved in a few coding projects. Right now I'm preparing the main character, Avatar One, (I'll hopefully release some pictures before I go) and I'm stilling pinning down the final technique I'll use for the other characters. One problem I ran into was the fact that even though I can reduce Daz models to a nice smaller polycount, I don't like their faces when the head gets below 4000 polys, and considering what I'm trying to go for, thats a bit too much for a head. This means I'll most likely have to use heads from elsewhere but this becomes a bit of a problem if the character isnt wearing a buttoned up shirt, cause you can then see where their neck was cut. But I'm working on it. Also I have had a VERY quick tinker with Iclone 3, and am VERY pleased. As with Beast, Digital Memory needs to be made in 2 different environments. Motionbuilder was the first, but for the other I was looking at Iclone, Sims 2, Antics, Or Second Life. Because of the abundance of assets I really wanted The Sims 2, but having used that briefly before, it's not my favorite Machinima environment. Second Life would have been good for all the readily available outdoor locations, but I'm not very good at working with Second Life and my computer really isn't tough enough to record smoothly in there anyway. So it's between Antics 4 and Iclone 3. Both tools have made some great improvements lately. Antics has a new lighting system now so it looks way less pre-vissy and more Machinima-ee and I'll be installing that on my computer later this week. Iclone 3 has a mad torrent of new updates, and since it has a bigger range of 3D assets, it really looks like I'll be using that. BOTH tools have Google Sketchup import abilities and that's essential in this project. More details as I get more comfy with both tools. Right now I'm really impressed with the new things that Iclone 3 has added. Of big use to me will be the improved camera system and more integrated animation system (now with IK, WOOT!) Before I leave I have to get some voice recording for Digital Memory done. Will be much harder to find Brits over in Canada and I definitely want some home flavor in the film. Unfortunately that means I'll have to finalize some areas of the script slightly earlier than I'm ready, but it's worth it. Just need to multitask. Cross your fingers for those screenies of Avatar One. He's being reduced (and re-done in places), and then his rigging might be a slightly complex process cause of his wires and hydraulics (yes, he's a robot!). Lets hope I can get it right :-s Labels: Antics, Bioware, Digital Memory, Iclone, Machinima posted by Dr. Nemesis Back from the Front Mar 6, 2008 at 3/06/2008 06:22:00 AM \| 1 Comments It's been extremely hectic here at The Show over the last few months but finally things have cooled down and I can get back to updating this blog and working on our next big film. Some of the work we've done recently, you will know about, whereas others have been kept fairly quiet. Shortly after finishing Roommate Wanted I started another commissioned project for Antics Technologies. Very much like RW, the aim was to make a film that showed some of the strengths of the tool and show how accessible it can be. For anyone who has used Antics (there's a free version now, so you really have no excuse if not) it has some great benefits such as simple set construction and the great way the characters can interact with objects and scenery. Everytime I use it I end up thinking it's very much like The Sims 2 without all the annoying things you have to do to get the characters to behave. One thing that was very difficult to get around though, was the basic lip sync and lack of facial animation, and of course using one of my favorite Reallusion products to fix that was not a big option in this case. Regardless, I think it turned out quite nicely. It's actually been out for a few weeks now, but because I've been so deep in another commission and recently moved house, I could only announce it now. It's called Anonymous Coward and you can catch it in the Antics Cinema (where you will also notice a film by CJ Ambrosia). The guys at Antics seemed quite pleased with it, so hopefully you guys will enjoy it too. The third project was a big one. Unlike the previous two which I was easily able to do alone, this project had a much bigger budget so really needed the team and as always, Dreaded Kane emerged from the bat cave and rolled up his sleeves (for any1 who doesn't know, Kane is a long standing member of the Justice Lea - er.. Binary Picture Show). The film was called Peter's Story, and was unlike anything I ever imagined us doing. This was a 6 minute information video and as the title suggests, it's a narrative film and I worked very closely with Professor Paul Foley of De Montfort University (going to last years UK Machinima festival was very worth it). It was great to do (first 'useful' thing we've done) and everyone loves money, but now that's over I can get back to writing films with lots of swearing, angst, and possibly some nudity until the next such project comes along. For ages I've been meaning to fix up our website, so that's a big priority too. I'm resuming work on the project I started shortly after BEAST. It's a Sci-Fi film in which I hope to use Daz 3D character models . Yes, they're way too high in polycount, but tomorrow I hope to shed some light on it all (should be very interesting), along with the part the recently released Craytalk 5 will play in the film. What's more, I was given a sneak peak at Iclone 3 and it's got me very excited! But enough for today. check back later for more happenings at Binary Picture Show and my thoughts on IC3! Labels: Antics, Crazy Talk, facial animation, Iclone, Machinima, Reallusion, Sims 2 posted by Dr. Nemesis Roommate Wanted - Iclone Jan 15, 2008 at 1/15/2008 07:17:00 PM \| 0 Comments Since doing BEAST I've been so busy I haven't even had time to blog about the new things I've learned, or the new plans that I have for the next big Binary Picture piece. I haven't had chance to talk with many of my close online friends, and the research I was doing for our next big film has been on pause for about a month now (when I finally unveil that it'll be so cool though!). But it's not all bad news! One of the things I have been able to do recently is a little comedy short for Reallusion, using Iclone 2.5 It's a fun little piece fit for the family (no need to cover your kid's eyes while a man bashes the crap out of another man who's tied up in the chair this time) and it's called "Roommate Wanted". Although not yet at it's peak, I've always liked Iclone, and thought it has potential to contribute very nicely to Machinima. For various reasons most of the things made in it seem to be music videos so I was quite happy to do a film. Hope you all Enjoy it. You can find the youtube link below and a Stage 6 version should follow shortly. For any of you Icloners I've also made available the living room set that I made for the film. You can import it to Iclone as a prop. Has transparent windows, and you can edit the texture. Youtube Link Living Room prop (for iclone) I'd also like to give a big thanks to Phil Rice who very nicely did the voice of "Mr Bilko"! Labels: Comedy, Crazy Talk, Iclone, Machinima posted by Dr. Nemesis	About Me Name: Dr. Nemesis View my complete profile Links Machinima Premiere Overman Machiniplex Subscribe to Posts [Atom] Previous Posts Dead Computer Cinema Inspiration in Machinima Technique Progriss Riport Add one more to Bioware Machinima vs Anymation: What's in a name? A great result at the OMFF and elsewhere Oh I miss the simple times! Frankenstein Machinima (part 2) In tribute to a fellow artist Frankenstein Machinima (part 1) Archives June 2007 August 2007 September 2007 November 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 Template originally based on the Spider-Man3 template by Sony Pictures Digital Inc.

Dr. of Machinima

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