'Transformers : Homeward' Short Film

[SkyWarp91]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/Title.png

Formally known as the OTCA Stop Motion Project, I have decided to take this project in my own direction and thus have started this separate thread. There are still a couple OTCA members involved in this project however. So, to get this thread started I've added concept art of an 'unknown' location.


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/cybertron3_zpsf042af74.png

[KalEl]

Sweet!

[5FDP]

If this turns out to be anything like your other short films it's going to be a corker :cool: Can't wait to see the end result.

[SkyWarp91]

Just finish rendering background shot 138 of 785. Still going :)

[UltraMarginal]

Sounds and looks awesome

[Sam]

Can't wait, looks very interesting!

[SuspectimusPrime]

Really looking forward to this :)

[SkyWarp91]

Just finish rendering background shot 279 of 785. I'm going to finish this even if it kills me - I am that determined!!!!

[Lint]

Just finish rendering background shot 279 of 785. I'm going to finish this even if it kills me - I am that determined!!!!

keep at it!

[UltraMarginal]

Just Keep Swimming
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LF-W0n5-vIQ/Tx1lwTPID7I/AAAAAAAACzM/f96G2WBTIKc/s1600/just%2Bkeep%2Bswimmimg.jpg

[SkyWarp91]

Project is still alive, been focusing on it much more as of lately thus I haven't said much as usual on the boards.

On background shot 505/785. Getting there.

As a reward for your patience I'm sharing you a sneak-peek look at the rendering time for the current background shot I'm working on. Look at the render time. 10+ HOURS. And the final shot only lasts 5 seconds. Can you guess what is in this shot?

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/previewjand_zps9b34b8b2.jpg

[Hursticon]

You're going to some amazing lengths dude, I've absolutely no doubts in my mind that with the level of effort & detail you're putting into this project, it'll come out looking absolutely incredible! - really looking forward to it. ;):cool:

If I had to guess, I'd say that looks like the bridge of the Ark? :D

[Sam]

SkyWarp91 - out of curiosity, what software are you using?

[SkyWarp91]

If I had to guess, I'd say that looks like the bridge of the Ark? :D

Yes, yes it is. :)


SkyWarp91 - out of curiosity, what software are you using?

Bryce 7.1

[Hursticon]

Yes, yes it is. :)

Well, TBH it was either that or the Axalon that was going to be my guess ;):D - Awesome work tho dude! :cool:

[SkyWarp91]

Well, TBH it was either that or the Axalon that was going to be my guess ;):D - Awesome work tho dude! :cool:

Thanks man for the comment.

Just got back from a week away from the studio comp and am back into production. I'm almost done with the digital backgrounds altogether now and started getting back into the hang of using Sony Vegas (yes it's got nothing on After Effects or Final Cut but you'd be surprised what can be achieved using a simpler software - except Windows Movie Maker that just sucks altogether).

On another funny yet sad note,

Only just recently I actually looked into the film 'Birdemic' out of curiosity, I have seen it mentioned on the boards here before but thought just by the title it wasn't even worth looking at but I'm glad that I did. Some members here know that I'm one of the many common Nguyens, and well - the director of Birdemic is a James Nguyen. I use the artist name 'Wolfgang Nguyen' because Nam Nguyen, my actual name is pretty much the Vietnamese version of Michael Smith and as silly as it sounds I take this amatuerish film-making career seriously and thus to make a name for myself that hasn't already been shat on James I will soon change my artist surname.

[Sam]

Bryce 7.1

Okay, so that makes you the resident Bryce 7.1 expert then.

Perhaps in future I could get some Bryce tips from you? :)

[SkyWarp91]

Okay, so that makes you the resident Bryce 7.1 expert then.

Perhaps in future I could get some Bryce tips from you? :)

Sure man, and there's a fella called David Brinnen on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/davidbrinnen), I think he's one of the creators/major contributors but I basically learned all my skills from his videos.

[SkyWarp91]

Well it's been roughly six months and I can say that 3d background rendering is basically finished. I'm rendering the final shot as I speak and will soon setup my green-screen studio later today. And no this is not an April Fool's joke lol.

[Bidoofdude]

Green Screen is some hard work. It's really annoying trying to get rid of the colour, without getting rid of some of the object. :(:p
Looking good so far, I hope you get some great results.;)

[SkyWarp91]

Green Screen is some hard work. It's really annoying trying to get rid of the colour, without getting rid of some of the object. :(:p
Looking good so far, I hope you get some great results.;)

Yeah for the last couple of weeks I've been doing some principal photography and man you're right the green screen is some hard work. But practice makes perfect and I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

I was intending to use Sony Vegas to work on this project but its chroma key capabilities is severely poor to that of Adobe After Effects. Problem is I'm not used to AE, but I guess it's time to learn. :)

And here's a real low-res shot below!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/preview_zps623c43cf.png

[KalEl]

Yeah for the last couple of weeks I've been doing some principal photography and man you're right the green screen is some hard work. But practice makes perfect and I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

I was intending to use Sony Vegas to work on this project but its chroma key capabilities is severely poor to that of Adobe After Effects. Problem is I'm not used to AE, but I guess it's time to learn. :)

And here's a real low-res shot below!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/preview_zps623c43cf.png

that jet looks strangely familiar :P

[Bidoofdude]

Yeah for the last couple of weeks I've been doing some principal photography and man you're right the green screen is some hard work. But practice makes perfect and I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

I was intending to use Sony Vegas to work on this project but its chroma key capabilities is severely poor to that of Adobe After Effects. Problem is I'm not used to AE, but I guess it's time to learn. :)

And here's a real low-res shot below!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/preview_zps623c43cf.png

Looking good SkyWarp. Your effects are much better than mine. :o:p

Any recommended tips? Yours came out a lot more defined than some of my pics... :p;)

I seem to take a bit of the object when the tolerance is put to a level where the green is gone. Maybe my program?

[lancalot]

looking forward to seeing this..... how about a trailer first?.

[SkyWarp91]

Looking good SkyWarp. Your effects are much better than mine. :o:p

Any recommended tips? Yours came out a lot more defined than some of my pics... :p;)



I seem to take a bit of the object when the tolerance is put to a level where the green is gone. Maybe my program?

Thanks for the compliment. It's more about the setup and the lighting. Don't put your subject too close to the green screen, try to get them as far as way as possible and light the screen and the object evenly. Your aim is to have the least reflection of green on the figure - but given their plastic/reflective nature it's sometimes inevitable to do so and some reflection does occur. Also try to avoid putting the lights too close to the figure otherwise you have obvious light spots which seem to happen with me.

I recommend Adobe After Effects, it's much more precise with the chroma keying. Vegas works too but isn't as sensitive. Also use masking if possible as that can help with the chroma keying for each frame.


looking forward to seeing this..... how about a trailer first?.

Mate I've only completely made frame 14/700+ for the entire project. I'll pop a trailer out once I do the first third. Been incredibly busy lately but I do have this image for you all :)

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/vlcsnap-2013-05-14-07h04m48s229_zps8cf63fad.png

[lancalot]

cool...glow eye =)

[Hursticon]

Well, now come the long & arduous photo shoots of each and every frame - I continue to commend your commitment dude, I'll remain looking forward to further updates. ;):)

[SkyWarp91]

This project isn't dead, after having some personal hiccups I've returned to this working on this film and I intend to see it to the end. Here's proof it's still alive...

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/TF_HWPreview_000023_zpsd478c4fd.jpeg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/IMG_0419_zps6c393cff.jpg

[lancalot]

I was wondering what happen to this project .... cool to see that it still alive! keep it up man :)

[bassbot]

Good on ya man! Nice bts shot

[SkyWarp91]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/PROMOO_zpsed6fc275.jpg

[lancalot]

cool man :) so when the trailer then?..

[Hursticon]

cool man :) so when the trailer then?..

Agreed! - Trailer, trailer, trailer! :D

[SkyWarp91]

cool man :) so when the trailer then?..


Agreed! - Trailer, trailer, trailer! :D

I'll try to make a deadline promise to both of you within reason. How does March sound? :)

[Bidoofdude]

I'll try to make a deadline promise to both of you within reason. How does March sound? :)

I can wait til then. Can't wait to see it. :)

[SkyWarp91]

Done principal photography for the first chapter and an in editing at the moment. Roughly 209 shots to put together digitally and am at 9 at the moment. Will try to create 10 or more a day.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/editing_zps64c89c06.jpg

[lancalot]

looking good bro ...

[lancalot]

hey if you need any help or anything let me know... I use to do some post production work awhile back ...wouldn't mind getting back into it

[SkyWarp91]

hey if you need any help or anything let me know... I use to do some post production work awhile back ...wouldn't mind getting back into it

I need voice actors :)

[lancalot]

I need voice actors :)

that I don't do ...my voice is really shit... lol

[SkyWarp91]

Been working real hard on the film for the last few weeks and I'm about 40% done with the first episode. Spent so much time learning how to use After Effects and haven't put together a special trailer yet.

Here's a title comedic image though.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/gc_xiahou_nguyen/preview_zpsc17bb006.jpg

[KalEl]

awesome man!!!!!!!!!!!

[SkyWarp91]

TEASER TRAILER IS OUT !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO-GH-q1bzc

[5FDP]

I WANT MORE!! :eek:

Awesome work there bud :)

[gekisou]

Well done. I like it.

[SkyWarp91]

I WANT MORE!! :eek:

Awesome work there bud :)


Well done. I like it.

Thanks, I hope to get the first chapter out by April.

[Trent]

Very nice :)

[lancalot]

very cool man..... now can't wait to see the final product

[Bidoofdude]

Looks rad. Can't wait for more. :)

[KalEl]

BRO! Thats pretty badass!

[Hursticon]

That was a bloody awesome teaser dude, I feel damn-teased! :D

I can't wait to get a meatier morsel to chew on! ;):cool:

[SkyWarp91]

Finished video editing, just finished choosing the music for the entire film. Now to add the sound effects and voice acting files and pay the voice actors.

Can't believe it's almost been 2 years since I started this project. I'm so close to being done. Can't wait to finally get there.

[Trent]

Wow dude, 2 years! I'm looking forward to it :)