biennialFreerunner

The blog has ended - but you can still read and comment

2009-07-26T21:12:00.001+01:00

This is the project blog for Traceur Tag short film.

Vote Now!

2008-12-10T21:48:00.000Z

Matt Frodsham, our talented graphic design student who worked on this Traceur Tag video, has been shortlisted in a Panasonic design competition. Show your solidarity and help him win. Go to www.nextgenerationtalent.co.uk/vote/ and vote. He has reached the final six entries and deserves the recognition of his abilities with a win.

The blog has ended

2008-10-30T11:20:00.006Z

As promised here are some photos of the launch of Traceur Tag at FACT last night. A big thanks goes to Stas Krakiewicz for taking the photos.

This blog is now officially complete and is a publicly available document of the entire project from beginning to end. To read the blog you will be time-travelling backwards as the most recent post is first and the first post is last. So if you wish to read it in chronological order use the archive links below.

The Future, Fiction and Fantasy Liverpool Biennial 08 Schools Project exhibition that Traceur Tag was made for begins today and goes on until 20th November. It is at The Blackie in Liverpool's China Town, next to the Chinese Arch.

Most of the team, both from De La Salle and St Helens College

Freerunners Dom and Aaron and co-director Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton, Dave Bentick and Matt Frodsham

The guests (you know who you are)

L-R Dom, Aaron, Adam, Dave B., Matt, Jo, Ste & Dave W.

Traceur Tag launches tonight

2008-10-29T14:49:00.003Z

The day is finally here. Tonight the video is launched in The Box cinema in FACT to an invited audience and the last six months of planning, pre-production, production, post-production, DVD creation, website building has now finally come to an end.

The website www.traceurtag.com also launches tonight. On it is background information on the project and it will be updated up to Christmas with more content as it becomes available. The video can be viewed on the main page after the Biennial exhibition opens on the 30th October. The project blog is available to read through the archive section.

The video will tomorrow be exhibited as part of the Future, Fiction and Fantasy Liverpool Biennial Schools Project.

I would just like to acknowledge the the following people who have given some/a lot/all their free time, skill, creativity and expertise along the way:

The core biennialFreerunner Productions team - Dave Bentick, Matt Frodsham, Adam Hamilton, Jose Flores & Stas Krakiewicz

All the pre-production contributors (every contribution helped the project progress) - you know who you are

Toxteth TV for the facilities

John Eyre for the score (and Adam on guitar '-) )

Ste for the printing of the invites

Alan Bridge of Creative Griffin for being a CSS and Flash maestro

Anna from FACT for tonights event

The FACT bar staff for keeping me in caffeine whilst I worked on their very comfy sofas as if it were my office

St Helens College especially Marianne McCracken for seeing this project as a valid academic research project and supporting me in it; and Paul Allen for releasing Matt to work on the project's considerable design. Shabba!

De La Salle School for the actual project and Sophie Bower for putting Jo and me in touch 7 months ago.

In fear of doing a Gwyneth Paltrow and gushing I think I've covered everyone. If they come out the last post on this blog will be photos from tonight.

No thank YOU :-)

2008-10-20T22:06:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo and lads,

Risking the dangers of this becoming an escalating luvvie-fest I would like to thank you guys for dropping into our collective lap a project that sparked so much creative energy.

Every member of the core team put in an amazing 200%. I was concerned about exhausting the team's goodwill but they were always up for more.

I have never worked with such a team before. You guys, Matt, Dave, Adam, Jose and Stas are stars! Jo you may in years to come be the catalyst that launches their careers!

We all know that what we achieved was 1000 times more ambitious than we initially conceived. It is good to hear on viewing of the video you all stating how it could (if we started from scratch) be improved again by 1000%. This doesn't devalue the outcome everyone (including you DLS guys) achieved, but illustrates the confidence that this project has instilled in each member of the team. You are all voracious creative animals. I just now need to find a way to unleash you onto the industry so you can realise your potential on paid work.

Respect to you all.

I was going to post a different blog to begin the final wrapping up but I thought I'd say what I felt instead. The other info can wait. I need to catch up on my sleep.

:-)

Thankyou

2008-10-20T17:26:00.002+01:00

To Dave and the AMAZING St Helens College Creative Arts Team,

You are all incredible and from the bottom of our hearts we would like to thank you for making this project something far bigger, and better, than we ever dreamed or imagined was possible. Your time, dedication and passion for the arts is so overwhelming and inspiring,I feel privileged to have worked with such brilliant professionals and am so grateful for what you have done for our school. We owe you big time so if there is anything we can ever do for you, please don't hesitate to ask!

Looking forward to the PV next week, you are all fabulous...keep me updated on your next adventure because I am sure there will be something huge for you all around the corner to engulf you once again!

Thankyou,

Jo and the Biennial Freerunners!!!

Matt's workshop

2008-10-20T17:23:00.004+01:00

A huge thankyou to Matt for his workshop at DLS, some fantastic work was produced. If you can invoice us(send it via email to me) we can get you sorted out.

DVD rush job - content needed urgently

2008-10-10T14:15:00.005+01:00

Hi guys,

Due to last minute remedial work on the video (last minute keying, new scenes, corrections) my time on compiling the DVD has been cut short. Can you use www.megaupload.com to mail me over the weekend any content you want including. Zip up files of videos, images, screenshots before emailing. Time is short guys.

I've spoken to the DVD duplicators and want to get the DVD to them on Wednesday. Jo I will need to arrange handover with you too. I'm in Edinburgh from Monday-Tuesday night so Tuesday is out. If you can arrange with Adam on Tuesday to pick your competition copy up? I'll hand the FACT DVDs in on Thursday as they need to be different to the freebie DVD. This will be the same as the BLACKIE copy. Should I arrange to drop 1 off to Sophie then too?

That's it for now. The eleventh hour guys, the eleventh hour. We're nearly there, then I can sleep :-)

DVD menu screens (working designs)

2008-10-06T23:30:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

Here are the proposed DVD menu screens. Matt, I have repurposed your DVD label design, mixing it up with assets from the website for continuity. I have a few more ideas to enhance the design, but I'll keep that quiet until I know I can do it in the time left. On the project page Jo you have five sections. I have only shown three possibilities for now. Confirm what you need to have.

Background

Main Menu links

Project Menu links

Team Menu links

Extras Menu links

Matt, you've earned your spurs! It's your turn to crit the critter. What's your thoughts on what I've done? C'mon you know you want revenge on your lecturer :-)

Also I have put up a placeholder page for www.traceurtag.com. Check it out across different computers and let me know if there are any technical problems with it.

I'm in my Edinburgh hotel as I write this. No reason for telling you that piece of useless information except its fantastic up here.

exhibition statement

2008-10-05T09:42:00.002+01:00

The following is what I have sent to Sophie but it will be edited down. I though I would put it up here just so that you can have a nosey! If you think I should change anything or add anything just let me know today if you can and i will let Sophie know. Also, Dave, have a look at the acknowledgements-are you ok with it quite general or do you feel it should list all of the individuals?(it will be under the statement next to our piece? Oh and who has been your financial support at College? Do you want to mention their name?

Thanks...

Traceur Tag
De La Salle School in collaboration with St Helens College

The theme for the schools project, Future, Fiction and Fantasy, seemed to instantly form a connection with our idea to produce a piece of work using Parkour and the virtual world as the concept. This film was a collaborative effort between De La Salle School and St Helens College and it was only through this collaboration that the desire to create a film based on the computer game genre was realised. It was at the initial stages of the collaboration that contemporary artworks such as Matthew Barney’s Cremaster Cycle proved influential along with the film Jump Britain and a variety of computer games such as Halo and Unreal, which helped us to establish the kinds of environment that could form the basis for the film.

Without a doubt the vehicle which supported this project’s creative growth and encouraged clear communication throughout was the Biennial Freerunner’s Blog, instigated by Dave Wood. This blog became a hub of activity which maintained consistency in content during the six month period. Ideas, thoughts, concerns, artistic references and discussions were posted daily, hourly and often by the minute in pursuit of our collective goal. The most interesting element of the blog, from an educational perspective, was the innovative approach to formative assessment, providing rapid responses to creative problems in a contemporary manner aiding motivation and communication. Both De La Salle School and St Helens College are now exploring ways in which blogs can impact upon student’s development and bring assessment methods into the 21st Century.

This film explores a passion for an activity that in society can be considered as subversive or anti social and channels that enthusiasm into a creative medium. From a school’s point of view the boys were given an opportunity to express themselves in a language that is comfortable to them but in a safe environment, they worked with students witnessing the creative process in action but also what vocational links art can provide.

Finally, working on the School’s Project with the Biennial team has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to investigate contemporary approaches to schemes of work, work collaboratively between different institutions and the community and develop effective forms of communication, all of which have supported our personal development for the delivery of new initiatives such as the re-launch of the Secondary Curriculum and the introduction of the Creative and Media Diploma.

Acknowledgements
Aaron Ross, Dominic Andrew, Matthew Fitzhenry and Phillip Smith, the freerunners, Dave Wood and his Creative Team at St Helens College, Matthew Frodsham for his creative lead with the Graphic Design, Jo Millea and De La Salle’s Art Department, Beryl Simmons and Paul Ross for financial support.

DVD Structure

2008-10-03T22:47:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo,

Here's the structure for the DVD. It follows the website structure but naturally has different content. The textual content of the website won't be suitable for a DVD. The Extras section translates well but the Archive section wont. The Team and Project sections will need slightly differing content.

I propose to add course showreels and a college video to the Team section. I suggest we add all of or a cut of the video Adam has been doing for DLS and anything else you've got from the art department. What do you think?

Here's the suggested structure:

Jo: Workshop on wed

2008-10-02T19:25:00.004+01:00

Hi Jo, while you're thinking about who you want to invite...

Can you ask the lads to each find an image they want to composite with, as large as they can find but it's not that important. Some sites they might find free stock photos on:

www.sxc.hu
www.morguefile.com
www.public-domain-photos.com
deviantart.com

google images is probably the place to start looking though, without copyright restrictions they can use all the images I wasn't able to. They can be as obscure as they want, but if they have some sort of obstacle in them that would be cool. If all else fails I've still got the images I used but it would be nice if they have a bit of involvement in the process.

I'll bring the photos from the blue screen shoot that I used for the concept art for them to cut out and I'll put together some sort of reference sheet for the tools used.

My mobile number is xxxxxxxxxxx

cheers, matt

Dave Bentick - did you get your business cards printed yet?

Invite List (so far)

2008-10-02T12:53:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo,

Here's my invite list so far…

Industry: Sony Computer Entertainment, Evolution, Brahm, Alexander MacGregor, Palfrey Greer, Sparkle Media, Smiling Wolf
College: Marianne McCracken [CRM], Brian Dean [Director of Arts], John Frodsham [Director], Carmen Wills [Dep. Principal], Pat Bacon [Principal], Millard Parkinson [CRM]
Other: Mark Smith [ICDC], Gary Peploe [MMU], Dr Chris Speed [ECA], Dr Sophia Lycouris [ECA], Dr Mark Wright [ECA], Ivan Drummond [Napier University], Tracy Lannon [University of Huddersfield], Justin Thompson [University of Huddersfield],
Ian Jackson [Art in Liverpool]

That covers about 25 invites in all, 2 per invite = 50 people (but not all will come). Who do you want to invite?

Endgame

2008-10-01T20:08:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo,

Just a quick progress report…

Rendered footage handed over to Adam for editing
Adam has someone lined up to score the video
Invites should be ready by Tues at latest. Send out by end of next week.
FACT technical stuff is sorted. 14th is good to hand in the video to them.
I'll start on the DVD itself this weekend whilst working on the website.
How is your content coming along?
I'm behind on some of the academic work I intended.
We can still add content after website launch. It will ensure people visit the site again and again.

I think that's all for now :-)

Don't be square daddio…

2008-10-01T18:19:00.003+01:00

Hi Matt,

As I said earlier the definition of the divided blocks of colour needs breaking down, like with the white paint explosion effect used on the invite.

The logos need to be bigger so maybe move them up to the space on the left. The current text byline is visually ok but needs rewording/expanding into the space now vacated by the logos:

A CG video for Liverpool Biennial 2008 created in collaboration between De La Salle High School's art department and undergraduate students from
St Helens College's degrees:

BA(Hons) Entertainment Media Design
FdA Computer Game Design
FdA Graphic Design

Here's a suggestion with the text below but use your instinct…

I'll call in to see that guy tomorrow to sort out invites. What's his name?

Argh, why can't DVD's be square?

2008-09-30T20:23:00.004+01:00

Any thoughts? Don't feel like I'm getting very far, off to a photo-shoot for this band now so I've took a screen grab of where I'm up to...

matt

Hello from Edinburgh. DVDs are sorted.

2008-09-30T12:48:00.004+01:00

Greetings from Auld Reekie! Day 1 of my MPhil/PhD and I'm writing this from one of my favourite cafes "The Black Medicine Co." This is what I'm looking at…

I may be 230 miles away and studying but work doesn't stop. The last bit of Photoshopping is being performed with 24 hours to go before hand over to Adam for final editing. I've just sorted out the DVD duplication with MediaHeaven (Matt's recommendation).

Deadline for final video is 13th October (or before if poss)
Deadline to post DVD for duplication and DVD for FACT launch is 14th October
DVD duplication will be quicker than 7 days if artwork is sent prior to the master DVD.

So Matt, your back on. If we get the disk artwork to MediaHeaven early they can turn the DVDs around quicker. Visit their website for the template to work to.

That's all for now. Back to Photoshopping windows.

company's

2008-09-28T20:20:00.004+01:00

Hay, Im very excited, when Dave W told me about the invite's we could send out to relative company's, i was curious what company's i would find, didn't really think I would find something so close to home, but Hay Liverpool is the most up and coming place for digital arts if you ask me.

Going to carry on looking for some more, now that's got the ball rolling

Invite feedback

2008-09-24T20:46:00.003+01:00

Hi Matt,

Looking good. I think the format is fresh and stands out as an invite. Your decision on no images is sound and the typography and grunge look adds attitude to the invite. You're right about the extra tagline. I've only one minor amendment and that is to give more space between the itinerary and the Blackie text separating the 2 different bits of information (see image)

Jo, what's your thoughts? Maybe the tagline should read
"your invited to the premier of
Traceur Tag
a student video"

Invitation

2008-09-24T16:21:00.002+01:00

The type still needs tweaking a bit (just noticed looking at this thumbnail version that the title's falling off the top) but what do you reckon?

The format is a 75mm x210 (A4 folded in 4) I found a tiny sketchy version of the de la salle logo on google that's big enough for this, I could try and create a vector version from it if I have time for the credits.

I've tried it with images of the lads but it's not working on such a small format, turns out looking like a cheesy brochure for a themepark or something, if you really want image then I can have a play and try some high contrast black & white stuff but I think it's best left typographical - Do you think it could benefit from having some sort of description that it's a short film or something? Or is this implied strongly enough by the 'premiere of...' line in the itinery?

Let me know anyway and I'll get back onto it, best get some college work done now though

Oh my business cards came, they're really nice. The card and print quality is great, textured but vibrant.
cheers, matt

Revised end scene schematic

2008-09-23T23:45:00.003+01:00

Hi Dave,

Here's the schematic for the final street scenes.

The set needs constructing. I've given you sides to the main buildings but no roofs as the shots should be low. Once the basic shots have been set up and shot we will need to add debris and street furniture. Can you set up and render test shots based on this schematic for Thursday?

Final Render Codec

2008-09-23T13:37:00.002+01:00

Dave/Matt/Me

Just had a word with Adam and he recommends

H.264

Sorted!

----

Matt, I forget to ask could you email me the Illustrator file inFINity Sign.AI? The link on your blog has expired. I need to rework Stas' neon sign in Photoshop.

Fact info

2008-09-22T12:52:00.003+01:00

Yes they do use the projection room and big screen so we are ok with that. However, they do need two copies of the dvd two weeks before the date...does this sound realistic?

DVD information

Please find below the costs for dvd's...
DVD duplication: £1.18 per disc
On-Body print: £0.20 per disc
Cover print: £0.20 per cover
Amary case: £0.14 per case
So in total the cost per disc will be: £1.72 (+VAT)

Do we want to go ahead with this? I would imagine they need time to do them aswell, I'll check how long. Oh and I will enter the blast comp but will need a copy so as long as its before the 17th we will get it in on time...... :)

URLs bought + new email addresses for all

2008-09-21T18:44:00.003+01:00

Hi team,

I've purchased 2 URLs for the web site: www.traceurtag.com & www.biennialfreerunner.com. We can use the first to advertise the video and the 2nd to advertise what we have done (and can do).

As a lil' pressie to the team every core team member now has a fresh new email that points at your own original email account. We all now have the following emails you can use (or not):

jomillea@biennialfreerunner.com

adamhamilton@biennialfreerunner.com

davebentick@biennialfreerunner.com

mattfrodsham@biennialfreerunner.com

staskrakiewicz@biennialfreerunner.com

joseflores@biennialfreerunner.com

davewood@biennialfreerunner.com

There are 2 other general email addresses that will be forwarded to both myself and you Jo:

info@biennialfreerunner.com
&
traceurtag@biennialfreerunner.com

Have fun.

BBC Blast

2008-09-21T17:05:00.002+01:00

Hi just wanted to check that we will be ok entering the blast comp as the lads have only really starred in it and formed the narrative. Its actually been made by older students, hasnt it? Just thought I should clarify before getting too carried away!!

Fact Details

2008-09-21T16:49:00.002+01:00

Howdy,

We have the Box from 6:30pm with a view to start at 7pm and finish at 8pm. I have said we need a projector and dvd player, can you think of anything else?

Regarding the invite, I think it should include:

The film title and that it is a collaboration between DLS and SHC.
Fact 29th October, 7pm
That it is part of the Biennial schools project exhibition entitled Future, Fiction and Fantasy showing at the Blackie, Great George Street, Liverpool, L1 5EW from 30th Oct-20th Nov 12-6pm.
Maybe the web address? Anything else?

Dave and I also spoke about a possible itinerary on the inside or back of the invite so that people need to know that they need to get there for a certain time and that there will be opportunities for Q&A. Ooh not long now!

Fact confirmed!

2008-09-16T21:30:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
Fact is now a definate so we can relax on that one, the woman who was sorting it has now left and that was what was delaying things. Dave I will give you a ring tomorrow sometime to go over dates etc and I will look into enteing into that competition you have posted below. Also how are we working the finances? Do you want to send money to us or our school to you??Just need to let Fact know details but we can talk about that tomorrow.

Byeeee....

Cloud descent storyboard

2008-09-11T19:14:00.003+01:00

For Jose's reference…

Last panels cut into the following scene…

Final post-production deadline to launch

2008-09-11T18:43:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

I've met with Adam and Dave this week and from discussing what needs to be completed in time for launch I propose this as the final deadline schedule:

18th September - all 3D digital sets to be completed - [art direction & Photoshopping = Dave Wood]
-------------
Then sets handed to Dave Bentick for completion of digital shots and rendering out of final rendered comps.
=============
30th September - completion of all rendered scene comps including all digital effect shots, end credits and 3D animations [Dave Bentick, Jose Flores, Matt Frodsham et al]
------------
Then all final rendered scenes supplied to Adam to edit, colour correct and score.
=============
13th October - Finished video signed off.
=============
Wrap party where we all (well at least me) can get blitzed before sending the DVD file off for duplication (if time is too short to get these back for the launch we can produce a freebie launch version in-house as a taster and sell the proper DVD through the website).
=============
17th October BBC Blast deadline
=============
29th October - Launch event in FACT (unconfirmed) [screening, Q+A, website launch, MySpace launch, FaceBook launch, DVD launch, book preview] [after launch BLITZ party I ]
=============
30th October - Liverpool Biennial launch at the Blackie. Private view. [after PV BLITZ party II]
=============
31st October - hangover/exhaustion/nervous breakdown/gibbering plus satisfaction of a job well done.

Blast Film Festival

2008-09-09T23:40:00.002+01:00

Hi Jo,

Matt has emailed me this link to a Film Festival by the BBC that you could enter the film into for the lads.

www.bbc.co.uk/blast/film/

Deadline is 17th October. Watcha think?

3D corridor dynamic run test

2008-09-09T12:06:00.006+01:00

Nice to see you our creatively recharged Dave, I myself have been feeling a little bit more relieved, has I have managed to create a test shot, which has given me a little confidence that we can make some interesting shots in after effects.

The scenes dark, we all know that it can be adjusted to the final render.

Look through the windows, notice the clouds and the horizon, I hope the interior has a nice enough blue colour cast, I think so.

Anyway, hope its dynamic enough, I want to get some nice volumetric lighting coming in through the windows soon, and I would really like to see what else I can do, apart from rotoscoping, so sit tight and I may surprise you.

enjoy!

Yo, i"m back from Prague

2008-09-08T21:08:00.002+01:00

Yo all, I'm back from Prague, elated, knackered and inspired. I've just quickly caught up with everything but will get some sleep to recharge and pick up the art direction, direction, producing sweeping, ironing etc. tomoz. I am creatively recharged (and now in my 4th decade) so will get on with the last push.

DLS....They say YES!!!!!

2008-09-06T13:49:00.003+01:00

Yeeeeah!! There is no probs with the money from our end. What is the best way to do this, shall we send you the money following an invoice from you and it gets sorted your end? Or do you want me to sort all the dvds, paying FACT etc and so I invoice you for the dosh?? I dont mind either way but clearly you have done so much that it should probably be me who does the paperwork!! Worringly, Fact arent returning my emails so I will ring them Monday instead.

Matt, I could pay you £xx for a 2hr workshop after school (3-5pm) to work with the 4 lads from this project. The idea would be to make some of the poster type images that you have created so that they can further their Photoshop skills, we have PCs or Macs. Are you up for it? If you are can you let me know what nights are best for you over the next few weeks please and if not don't worry.

See you all soon....

College, they say yes!

2008-09-01T18:10:00.004+01:00

Hi Jo,

My Director has agreed to fund our side of the deal. Hope that helps in your negotiations with your side.

When is your school half-term week. Does it correspond with the launch and would it be a problem getting the lads and their families to attend if it does?

What's the opposite of somnambulist? Well it's 4am and I'm IT right now.

2008-09-01T04:07:00.008+01:00

Yo all,

End of my summer leave and it's back to work in 5 hours and you've guessed it… I can't sleep 'cos my body clock is screwed! Never mind here are some screen shots of rendered scenes from the final video. They still need Dave Bentick's skilful post-production colour manipulation but they are looking really good with Jose Flores' emotive skies in place behind Stas Krakiewicz's fantastic 3D set designs.

The last push to complete the post-production is here. It's been a hard slog but we're nearly there guys!

Launch night and DVDs

2008-08-27T16:10:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo,

Just to clarify some points we discussed last Friday…

--------------------

FACT launch

Wednesday 29th October - can we get FACT to pencil that date in and we'll sort out the payment soon as possible? (see below)

--------------------

DVD authoring

I'll supply an authored DVD to duplicate. Can you ask for a quote for 250/500 DVDs and if they will be printed?

I have a quote from Matt's recommendation. Their price is:

Specification: 12cm DVD offset printed and duplicated
Qty: 500
Price: 79p per unit exe VAT
That is a total of £464.13 without P+P.

--------------------

Just on the price so far the cost for the venue and 500 DVDs will be £565, rounding up to £580 to cover P+P costs. That would be at least £290 to beg off each institution. At the very least we will need £50 each to hire the venue (the important cost).

What's your thoughts?

Dave Bentick... Business card

2008-08-27T00:45:00.004+01:00

yo, do you want me to design a card for you so you have something cool to give out at the launch? I just spent a couple of hours doing one for myself and have found a good specialist printer online. Depending on if you want single or double sided it's between 15/25 per 100 and they have quite a few types of card to print on, I've ordered a sample pack. Just email me with the info you want on it (what would your general job title be?) and any ideas/imagery etc. if you want one doing. I won't charge you ;-p
cheers, matt

Fact launch

2008-08-21T19:56:00.002+01:00

Hi Dave,

Fact have been very supportive and are keen on having the launch there. Thay have two available dates - Wed 8th Oct or Wed 29th (earlier one may be best as the other one is the same week as the Biennial preview??)

There is a £100 charge for technical assistance and an usher, we could probably add this on to the dvd charge when we go hunting for funding. She will get back to me about the dvd price but she needs to know what format the film will it be in eg/ will it be mastered?

Also there is a young persons event next week showing District 13 and she asked if the lads would be interested so Im getting details from her and I'll post it up here so hopefully they will see it!

See you tomorrow.......

A little taster of the final digital sets

2008-08-21T00:34:00.003+01:00

Here's some of the digital sets for the final film. A mix between Stas' fine 3D work and a little Photoshop art direction by me. They are full size and so watermarked to prevent any body in the future Knicking our IPR.

Last Couple

2008-08-20T20:59:00.003+01:00

The extras sub-page now has a header, I already had this screen done though,

So I have completed:

[Main Template including all background tints, header, menu etc]
-Main Video Page
-Project Page + 5 sub page layouts
-Team Page + rollover states for each box/member (minus photos)
-Extras + Subpage template
-Archive (+ 5 layouts from projects)

Titles and credits are rendered at medium quality photo JPEG for editing so I'm set for handing everything over on friday

You took your eye off the detail!

2008-08-20T01:02:00.003+01:00

Whilst you were pasting the layouts up on the building I think you missed something. Too busy focussing upon beermats eh! Pff!

Ok I've had enough Photoshop fun, now back to business… :-P

Good job so far. Here's my feedback…

Ensure all pages have page title. For sub-pages use the page title of the parent page.

1&2 - Cool. Just move Jo to the last box.

3 - Yep make the boxes shade difference a bit more obvious. Just move them all down a bit to add Extras page title.

4-end - The layouts are fine. No extra work needed here. Alan can now use them as a guide when coding.

Archive main page links - Good call, you've made me rethink this page. Use the video page layout replacing the player with a text box. Re-use the info box layout but limit the colour to one consistent tone based upon the page colour. In the box, we will place a page title and a one sentence summary. (rough the copy for now). Image wise just put in some placeholders. Maybe a PDF icon will do for now.

Extras subpages with a video box and thumbs underneath - you're nearly there.

I think that's all. Let me know if I'm not clear. Back to my tightrope walking!

Pff, beermats

2008-08-19T17:41:00.003+01:00

Look where I drew these layouts up! Luckily my experience in manchester allowed me to get a pretty good straight on shot so you can see without flying to NY.

1&2 - Not sorted the images for the un-rolled-over boxes, probably wait til I've got everyone's and do it in one batch so all the treatment's the same
3 - think this looks ok, might make the boxes shade difference a bit more obvious
4-end - some layouts for project & archive sub pages, was pretty liberal with the grid as the thing as a whole is so wide but the columns are so narrow. I think they're a good start, once you have the content I'm sure you can tweak them to fit better.

Let us know about the Archive main page in terms of links.
I'll knock up a layout for the extras subpages with a video box and thumbs underneath and then I think I'm nearly done!

Two can play at that game

2008-08-19T13:53:00.003+01:00

I think the pages in red are the only physical pages that need laying out by me, it'll probably be less confusing if you duplicate the relevant pages once you have the document and re title them etc. incase any changes are made to master layouts for the sub pages.

One last thing I'm unsure of, links from the main archive page to the individual sub pages... are there any or is just from the drop down nav menu? if there are links on the page itself what format would be best? Boxes above/below the content similar to the 'extras' boxes with rollover images as to what's inside?

Credits

I think rendering lossless for editing was a daft idea ha, I started it going last night and it informed me that the file would be bigger than my hard drive! so I just rendered it as photo JPEG codec overnight and got it to under 2 GB. What codec will you use for the final version? If you need it lossless/animation I can just render it out to an external once everything's finalised but at this point it's a lot of space for a placeholder, I know this isn't that important now, just letting you know that everything's ready for friday, I'll render out a 1080 version of the titles tonight with the same compression incase any changes need to made to that before the final cut.

Charmin' doodles

2008-08-18T23:29:00.005+01:00

Hi Matt,

Hope this clarifies things more...

Project page - will there be content in the three spare boxes eventually?

Thanks for bringing this bit up as this is certainly something I forgot to state. Each of the boxes on this page will feature, like on the team page,a brief profile of the DLS crew. 1 box for each lad (alphabetically I think) and the last for Jo. (Take the lads photos from the roof top shot where they're all standing together and you can get Jo's on Friday.) Links to the sub-pages will be available from the dropdown menu and as hyper links in the initial text introduction. The lads (being only 14) wont have any links but a quote about freerunning. Again lorem ipsum this bit.

Jo is writing the content for the 5 sub-pages and I didn't write down the working titles. All 5 pages will have content but as explained (hopefully) above these are different to the main project page's boxes.

Yes I know that was some really important info. Whoops!

Project Sub pages - (see below)

These are the same as the archive page layouts.

Archive Page - Same layout as Team & Project?

I think for the main page layout it needs enough room for text to put this section into context so maybe this page needs to be like the 1st sketch on the right hand column of sketches (a 1-column image, 1 blank column and then text spanning 3-columns).

Archive sub pages - Do you just want a variety of grids with placeholder images and lorem ipsum? will these also apply to the project sub pages? How many variations? good old 5? :)

5 of the best I think. Yes these are the same as the project sub-pages. I didn't make that clear.

Extras main page - would this not be cleaner using the grey boxes from the team page rather than 10 very textured boxes? (could have 1 shade for SH and another for DLS)

I saw this as using a simpler form of those main page boxes, maybe not with so much angularity or edging. One row of 5 on top of the other. The top row would have one tonal variation for DLS whilst the Team row would have another. The header text in each box would be a simple title with a informative image chosen to appear inside it to sum up what will be seen. Try it with placeholder images and rough text. I'll add the content into the PSD file before giving it to Alan.

Extras sub pages - am I right in thinking most of these will be image galleries with a similar layout to the video page? Shall I just provide 2 template layouts: one for vid and one for images?

I think in this case only one template will be needed. Just include a row of thumbnail images below the screen area. Just so we can have them in case that's the way we want to do it, include a forward and back triangle like on the video controller. Alan has demonstrated a viewing method using code on his website I think we'll end up using. We may use the triangles, or not, but it's best to have them in the artwork just in case.

I think a linear check list of each page I actually need to would help me so I just go through and tick them off as I go through and keep the photoshop document organised.

That's a good suggestion and something I've used in the past myself. I won't be able to get on to that until tomorrow evening so in the meantime can you have a go at implementing my attempts at clarification above.

---------------------------------

Motion graphics

Did you listen to the track I e-mailed to you? I've managed to get all the credits running at a legible speed to fit in with the 4 mins(ish), there might be another couple of seconds added when we have the track info but I can just time remap the comp and shave them off again, spread across 40 odd layers of text you won't notice the extra speed so the time of the rough edit will be exactly the same.

I think its best to sort this out on Friday.

Do you just want lossless QT files of the titles and credits?
If you mean for Friday yes that would be fine.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes :-) If in doubt use placeholders and lorem text. I will have to do a lot of the finishing off myself before giving the PSDs to Alan. As you'll find on future (paid) jobs the client (me in this case) hasn't got their act together and is making it up as they go along. '-) Clients eh? Bastards!

Nice loo roll doodles...

2008-08-18T22:30:00.003+01:00

There are a few bits I'm unsure of...

Project page - will there be content in the three spare boxes eventually?

Project Sub pages - (see below)

Archive Page - Same layout as Team & Project?

Archive sub pages - Do you just want a variety of grids with placeholder images and lorem ipsum? will these also apply to the project sub pages? How many variations? good old 5? :)

Extras main page - would this not be cleaner using the grey boxes from the team page rather than 10 very textured boxes? (could have 1 shade for SH and another for DLS)

Extras sub pages - am I right in thinking most of these will be image galleries with a similar layout to the video page? Shall I just provide 2 template layouts: one for vid and one for images?

I think a linear check list of each page I actually need to would help me so I just go through and tick them off as I go through and keep the photoshop document organised.

---------------------------------

Motion graphics

The credits are as finished as I'm going to bother with until everything including scoring is locked down, so I can render out the sequence with white fade at the start and black at the end for editing purposes then just swap it out when I have all the info.

Did you listen to the track I e-mailed to you? I've managed to get all the credits running at a legible speed to fit in with the 4 mins(ish), there might be another couple of seconds added when we have the track info but I can just time remap the comp and shave them off again, spread across 40 odd layers of text you won't notice the extra speed so the time of the rough edit will be exactly the same.

Do you just want losless QT files of the titles and credits? Don't forget to bring an external drive or make sure your macbook has plenty of space on friday, I think there's going to be about 5 or 6GB of stuff including the sfx

Website structure diagrams and alterations

2008-08-17T22:54:00.008+01:00

Hi Matt,

Here's the alterations I mentioned, mostly superficial.

The main changes I'd like made to the design is to the links and adding another row to the team page.

---------------------------------------------------

Links: Where you've moved the links up to the banner as I suggested, the next step needed is to remove the boxes so that they integrate into the logo masthead. The edges can be now indicated by simple white lines. The bottom edge will have to be increased to accommodate the text. The text colour doesn't have to white.

[Alan these links will also need to drop down into menus to accommodate the sections pages.]

Click image to enlarge

Team: The page looks great, but another row needs to be added to accommodate Jose and the others. Jose's block will contain some simple overview. The other block will just be a list of names. This is obviously just a mock up, spaces and box sizes will need manipulating to make the layout still work. Jose's box may be better at 2 columns wide, with the other 3 columns.

Click image to enlarge

---------------------------------------------------

The Site Structure

Click to enlarge

As you can see from above there are quite a few pages. Each section's pages are based upon sets of five. The Extras page has 2 sets of 5 pages; 1 set for DLS and 1 set for the Team. Every page will be accessed from drop-down menus so this means every page will be accessible from every page.

---------------------------------------------------

Project Page

This is essentially the existing Team page without the other row.

---------------------------------------------------

Extras Page

The main extras page needs to have 10 links (see diagram above). There are 5 extras from De La Salle and 5 from the Team. That's 10 pages using the layout below. On the main page use the little boxes from the main page as containers to introduce each page. At this stage don't you worry about the wording. Just supply the PSD file with text layers unrendered and I'll fill them in later.

Extras Sub-pages

---------------------------------------------------

Archive Page
range of page layouts

Using the 5-column grid layout for this section can you supply a visible grid upon which I can work with Alan to place the content. These sketches are just some combinations on how the grid can be used to make the pages interesting.

---------------------------------------------------

Email me if the above isn't clear and I'll expand Matt. Use the lorem ipsem body text for now so that I can get an indication of how many words are needed per text box. Any long pieces of text will be made into downloaded PDF files.

School Logos

2008-08-13T20:15:00.002+01:00

Just about to embark properly on the credits and find out if it's a couple of hours job like I think and hope it will be or if it's going to be a couple of days.

Anyway, can I get a vector/huge res raster of the college and school logos for the end?
Can you sort that out please dave?

Just been through the list of credits, lo and behold there's 5 sections! (except for the small print stuff at the end which I'm just going to crawl up as opposed to the diagonal scrolls) when will it end? needless to say, the colours will make a final appearance

cheers, matt

Web update

2008-08-13T14:55:00.005+01:00

Thought I'd get these out the way today then I can just do a bit of relaxing illustration for the band on friday when I'm hung over :)

1) Tried incorporating the menu into the header, i think it could work if I spent a bit longer sorting it out, but you'd lose the hints of the coloured zones once you navigate away from the main page with the splash images on.

2) Shifted the oringal menu up and the content down to give a bit of breathing room, the height of the image is 700px, and I think we have a bit of leeway with that anyway don't we? Sorted the type out on this one, the only thing I had to slightly change was 'De La Salle School's 08 Liverpool Biennial entry' (the 08 has moved before LivBi instead of after) just to fit within 2 lines. I've changed the placeholder image to one of the rough end scenes

3) I think there's plenty of room within the one page to write a quick bio and details, then have some images pop up with the text on rollover, I think having all the info there at the same time will be a bit much - wall of text.
The course/job info would be there all the time but I don't have that info yet, that can be added later.
Any chance Dave B's could just be post-production to keep the typography nice? I think this page can stay contained and quite compact rather than have individual profile pages, what do you reckon? I can't think of too much more info that would be necessary, if people (me) don't have websites but have a pdf potfolio, could clicking the box result in a download of that as opposed to opening a site?

cheers matt

Editing Meeting

2008-08-12T22:32:00.003+01:00

Hi Mrs. Jo,

Glad to have you back :-)

Wed, Thursday or Friday next week would be perfect for the editing in FACT. Dave can you confirm which day would be good for you too.

If your free this week or early next week I could do with a meet to discuss the other bits of information RE: website, launch and biennial. I can come to ST Helens.

What do you think?

Website Feedback

2008-08-12T19:29:00.005+01:00

Hi Matt,

Good job. You've achieved what was in my head (no mean fete) and in places excelled it. I've added my initial comments (not cryptic :-P) to the images. On Friday if you can amend the visuals and upload them I'll advise further. Jo is now back so I can arrange to sit down with her to discuss the content. A pleasure to work with you!

Click image to enlarge and read

Click image to enlarge and read

Web layouts

2008-08-12T17:17:00.003+01:00

Tried to keep it fairly simple for now, I suppose once you get past the main page it just needs to communicate a barrage of info so I wanted to strip back the grunge for those pages. Hopefully you can see the huge impact just a subtle hue shift does to the overall feel of the page, I tried altering the header colour too but it's a bit harsh when swapping between, the deep red works with all the colours anyway as they're so desaturated. All the text apart from the header and the titles in the coloured squares (the 4 other zones) is just in Helvetica.

The buttons etc. on the video were just scibbles, they actually look quite cool hand drawn so I might develop some proper ones depending on everyone's thoughts.

I just did 5 team members so it fit in with the 5 columns up top but this doesn't matter too much when we start adding more people. I thought it would add a bit of interactivity if the team members faces only swapped in as you hovered over the name, keeps the page looking clean too. We'll need to take some piccys at some point, so to all who it applies get your hair cut ;-)
Dave when you sort the content out make sure you include titles for the team member page as a lot of people have multiple job roles in the credits, I just had an educated guess for you and Stas

So... leave me lots of crit and comments and I'll pick it up again on friday - not too cryptic mr wood, busy week this week :)

Nice day isn't it?

-matt

Website meeting notes

2008-08-09T16:49:00.005+01:00

Matt, Alan and I met today to discuss the website that we are designing to support and market the completed video.

Timeline for completion will be an end of August deadline.

We have decided upon a 5-zone site, split into the following:

Main zone - viewable web version of video with surrounding content linking to other zoned content areas. Up until the actual unveiling of the video we will only tease the viewer.
Project zone - this area will set the video into it's project context (Jo I'll discuss the content for this area with you as this area should focus on you and the lads)
Extras zone - this zone will have additional support material that didn't go into the main video e.g. footage of the lads freerunning, an interactive walkaround of the final scene, concept illustrations, storyboard, animatic, pre-viz tests, narrative tests, etc.
Team zone - this is the area for the St Helens team to shine. A mix of bios, promotion and links to work they did on the project
Archive zone - this is a more academic zone where the project is recorded as academic research. The project blog (after editing of IPR material) will be made public and available through the website. This section will also have content added to aid marketing of the video.

2 main points for consideration we discussed that needs researching are:

Code to detect users connection speed to load relevant video page
Option in Flash to toggle video to full screen mode

Visually the site will reflect the graphic design decisions Matt has so ably designed so far. Matt will re-use and re-purpose the intro credits background, blog logo and visuals into a design for the website and plans to have some visuals on the blog for next Tuesday. The 5-part tonal colouring of the video will be subtly reflected within the website design with each zone taking a different tone. The blog logo will also be varied for each section using a different lad's image (Matt the archive section can duplicate the video page logo. Alan from Creative Griffin will build the site at the end of August. I will be responsible for the art direction of the website, and the information architecture and content.

From the website design I will then re-purpose it to build a DVD master ready for the launch.

I think I've covered everything but Matt and Alan will let me know if I've forgotten anything?

August Update

2008-08-07T13:31:00.002+01:00

Just thought I'd keep everyone informed of the progress so far considering there's been a hiatus in posting.

We are in the last stage of the project - post-production.

Dave Bentick is doing the job of 10 in keying out the High Definition footage to a very high standard.

Matt Frodsham is working on the end credits and is about to start the graphic design on the website and DVD.

Stas Krakiewicz is completing the digital sets and working on the digital camera shots we need.

Dave Wood is coordinating the final shots, working on the art direction of the overall video's aesthetic, designing the interactive archiving of the project on web and DVD, and other odd jobs.

-----------------------------------

Upcoming Meetings

-----------------------------------

Web team meeting - Saturday 9th August in FACT Bar at 2:00pm

Meeting between Dave Wood, Matt Frodsham & Alan Bridge of Creative Griffin

Dave Wood - Information Architecture and Art Direction
Matt Frodsham - Graphic Design
Alan Bridge - Website design and development

-----------------------------------

Rough Editing of video meeting - in FACT Date and time TBC

Meeting between Dave Wood, Dave Bentick & Jo Millea

Jo can you confirm when you're free? Congratulations from the team on your recent marriage :-D

That's it for now.

Ciao

HD title sequence

2008-07-29T16:34:00.003+01:00

I've uploaded a hi def version on vimeo so everyone can see what's going on. It's got a bit more punch now, added a more impact to the logo flying in, and the flashes are more organic and erm, flashy. The colour shifts at the end are there subtley, the end poem still probably needs a bit of tweaking at a later date when I've had some time away from it but the main bulk's done now anyway.

Traceur Tag HD titles v.2 from Matt Frodsham on Vimeo.

You can watch the small preview there^^^^ or you can click the link and watch it in HD (recommended, if not only because it's been uploading in the background for about 4 hours)

I'm about a third of the way through 'acquiring' the SFX, from the file names there looks like some great ones - heart beats, crashes, swooshes, ambient, abstract, build ups, explosive impact, rumble etc. so we should be pretty much sorted. The only thing we might have to record is the footsteps and the breathing, but that's not too far fetched.

Has there been any progress on the music front? Something that occurred to me is we haven't discussed any music for the end credits? (Not classical guitar before anyone suggests it!) Are we going to stick with electro music and have something more laid back and organic (check out 'four tet' for some examples of what I'm thinking), that way there wouldn't be a jarring contrast in the music but enough not to want to buy some speed after the high adrenaline drum n bass carried on for 5 minutes of credits haha.

Suppose I should get on with some proper work

-matt

Narrative Test from C-Z

2008-07-25T17:30:00.005+01:00

Here it is folks the first full (well nearly full) narrative test.

All sets are placeholders, all footage is rough and low-res, and obstacles are just placeholders.

Remember this is NOT exactly how the final video will look, it will be better. Enjoy!

On agreement amongst the production team at the last full production meeting, the video will be colour-corrected in 5 themes:

Opening roof top scene - naturalistic lighting
Meteor strike run across and down building exterior - red colouring
Interior of building - desaturated colour (bluish)
Fire Exit escape and 2nd building escape - sepia palette
End tag scene - return to naturalistic light

These 5 sequential palettes of colour can then be subtly used in the opening credits of the video behind the poem. The poem words are to be re-paced with a rhythm that reflects the final pace of the film.

Matt/Dave is that summary agreeable?

Credit List update

2008-07-25T17:26:00.007+01:00

Can everyone check and amend the credit list so we can sign it off for Matt to design the end credits.

Cast

The Freerunners:

Dominic Andrew
Matthew Fitzhenry
Aaron Ross
Phillip Smith

Story
Dominic Andrew
Matthew Fitzhenry
Aaron Ross
Phillip Smith

Directors
Adam Hamilton & Dave Wood

Producers
Dave Wood & Joanne Millea

----------------------------

Pre-production

----------------------------

Art Direction and Storyboards
Dave Wood

Concept Consultant
Joanne Millea

Conceptual Design
Matt Frodsham

3D Digital Set Concepts
Stas Krakiewicz

With the help of:

Jenny Swann
David Ball
Shaun Johnson

----------------------------

Production

----------------------------

Live Action

--

Camera Operators
Steve Webster & Adam Hamilton

Camera Grips
Mike Farrall & Andrew Sarsfield

Technician
Nikki Rose from Toxteth TV

Freerunner Supervisor
David Ball

-----

CGI

--

Lead 3D Digital Set Modeller
Stas Krakiewicz

3D Asset Creation
Mike van de Waal
Robert Hannah

-----

3D Animation

--

Fire Escape Collapse
licensed from
Chris Hopley

Meteor
licensed from
Jose Flores

Graphic Design
Matt Frodsham

----------------------------

Post-Production

----------------------------

Lead Rotoscope and Video Compositor
Dave Bentick

Assistant Rotoscoper
Matt Frodsham

Visual Effects
Dave Bentick
Jose Flores

Editor
Adam Hamilton

Assistant Editors
Dave Wood
Joanne Millea
Dave Bentick

Original Music
TBC

Traceur Poem
licensed from
Casey Kandel

Interactive Archiving
Dave Wood
Matt Frodsham
&
Alan Bridge of Creative Griffin

----------------------------

Resources

----------------------------

Props
De La Salle School

Camera Equipment
St Helens College's Media Centre

Green Screen Facility
Toxteth TV

----------------------------

Thanks to

Sarah Jones
Stan Millea

----------------------------

This project was achieved through the collaboration between
De La Salle School's art department
and the creative students from
St Helens College's undergraduate degrees:

BA(Hons) Entertainment Media Design
FdA Computer Game Design
FdA Graphic Design

and graduates from:

BA(Hons) Digital Arts
BA(Hons) TV Production
FD Interactive Multimedia

----------------------------

Supported by funding from
Liverpool Biennial 2008

A biennialFreerunner Production
Licensed to De La Salle School/St Helens College
© 2008 All rights reserved.

../add school and college logo/..

Result

2008-07-22T18:33:00.002+01:00

Hi Matt,

Very well done!!! If you don't already realise it you have achieved a result some professionals strive for. To animate an established logo (without permission) and then get the green light is a BIG achievement. Very professionally handled, I'm proud of you!

Keep that professionalism going and you'll go far.

winner

2008-07-22T17:56:00.002+01:00

Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:27:51 +0100
Subject: Re: biennial logo for project
From: jennifer@biennial.com
To: froj2002@hotmail.com

Hi Matthew -

If this is not already confirmed – this is fine, it looks great!

Kindest

Jennifer

------------------------

I'll have to get on to selling it to them now they like it haha, hmm

-matt

HD titles test 1

2008-07-20T10:31:00.005+01:00

I'm going to leave it for a while, get some crit & return with fresh eyes, maybe wait until after meeting on friday to do any more to it. I want to add a bit of camera shake when 'Traceur Tag' first appears to add a bit more impact and dynamism but apart from that I think it's coming together.

ps. Rendering tip I just got from mograph.net:

If HD is playing really REALLY choppy in QT for you like it was me, render out your AE files with 'photo jpeg' compression rather than the default lossless animation, looks great and plays really smooth.

-matt

pps. Stas I just got a ton of free vectors with computer arts projects, including a plethora of warning signs you might find useful...

biennialfreerunner logo animation

2008-07-19T11:27:00.004+01:00

*deleted vid to save loading too many on blog, see above for the improved version along with a test of the whole intro*

I think it looks pretty nice, worked like I imagined it would, I just need to fine tune the white balance and levels as a few frames are a bit too dark, bloody weather kept changing while I was doing it. I like the flickering though as it adds to the diy aesthetic.

Don't worry, you can actually read everything on the proper render.

Exam and first day of placement went well so I'm back at full force now. I'm waiting for a reply from Jen from biennial regarding the logo but I'll get on with the titles anyway as planned and just swap it out for the 2D logo if they have a problem with it.

-matt

logo legality

2008-07-16T19:00:00.002+01:00

Dave, see below for the contact so far regarding the biennial logo. Shall I just send her the video or are there any comments you would like to add regarding where it will be shown etc?
cheers

...........................................................................

It depends where it’s going to be shown you see, there are all these brand guidelines that ‘we must adhere to’! If I could see it, that’d be great

Kindest
Jen

On 16/7/08 17:18, "Matthew Frodsham" wrote:

Thanks very much that's great,

I'm going to be creating a short 3D animation to add a bit of motion to the logo as the biennial is credited at the beginning of the film before the title sequence. The project leader has suggested we run it past you to get clearance before we use it in the final edit.
The colours, shapes and font will all be accurately replicated (which is why the larger logo is really useful)
Shall I e-mail you a preview of the render or is there anyone specific who would need to ok it?

Thanks again for your help

Matt

Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:23:22 +0100
Subject: Re: biennial logo for project
From: jennifer@biennial.com
To: froj2002@hotmail.com

Re: biennial logo for project Hi Matthew -

Please find attached the logo – eps is the highest res we have -

Hope that this is of use,

Kindest

Jen

Pickups Postponed

2008-07-16T16:25:00.003+01:00

Hi Jo,

Just to let you know we will put the pickup filming on hold until the end of August/beginning of September if at all.

Adam is now really busy and I wouldn't trust anyone else at this stage to film the bits we may need. We can discuss the need for pickups when we do the rough edit at the beginning of August.

Adam is still up for getting involved at the end of August. We will have tons to do before then, so a final edit can be fairly safe to leave for then. We can get a score done based on the rough edit.

Cheers

biennialFreerunner logo sting mock ups updated

2008-07-16T09:07:00.003+01:00

The fire escape scene below looks really good, coming together nicely.
I think the screens above give a decent example of what I'm thinking, obviously the contrast will be stronger, and throughout the fbf animation there'll be a lot of personality showing through the process: hands, pencils, rubber, ruler, coffee popping into shot every now and then etc. If it turns out how I'm thinking then it should look really nice, and if not it will only have taken about an hour anyway. Should do though.

Anyway, exam tomorrow so I'm going to stop clogging up the blog and return at the weekend
-matt

*EDIT: just had a response from Jen at Biennial with an eps attatchment of the logo, bit late but I suppose I'd best withdraw my slating of their service ;)
I'll email back a thanks then send my animation tomorrow to run it past them (make it look like I used the eps she sent)

2nd batch of pre-viz composite tests

2008-07-15T21:31:00.001+01:00

Here are another batch of pre-viz composite tests:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 9 - Roof Jump

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 27 - Fire Exit

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 30 - 2nd Building Roof Jump

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 31 - 2nd Building Drop 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panel 35-38 - End Street Scene

biennial logo v.2

2008-07-15T20:16:00.002+01:00

biennial freerunner - team name?

2008-07-15T12:06:00.003+01:00

I've had a nice idea for the production team logo/sting - basically hand drawn & rendered type (rockwell would be nice) with some technical drawing bits and bobs shot frame by frame (roughly) with a digital camera then animated very quickly through 3 secs. Show process and all that, I like that stuff. Will contrast nicely with the shiny biennial logo too and act as a transition to the titles. I'm off to town to get a cable shutter release now to save my sanity while I do it next week.

Anyway what should the official name be? production team sounds a bit stale, I think everyone's put more into it than that.

biennial freerunner - creative team?

I'll post a story board for the titles up thisafternoon if Dave W could check the order of things and the info's correct etc. before I start on that properly.

cheers, matt

*edit

Biennial logo sting

2008-07-15T09:01:00.004+01:00

Need to drop the correct colour values from the logo on the site, sort out the lighting and fix the first camera move as it's a bit tight, but apart from that considering I don't know what I'm doing with 3d... it works at least! I'm currently acquiring a ton of royalty free stock (pre-matted!) footage of grungy things like ink bleeds, splatters, drops etc (Andrew Kramer's Riot Gear Dave B, have you got it? If not I'll sort you out next week with it, it's about 2.5GB) that will come in very handy for adding some movement and texture to the credits and titles.

If we're using 'biennialfreeunner' as the production team name I'll put together another sting using that name with different type etc. and change the current logo to say traceur tag and tighten it up now the title's finalised.

-matt

Sealegs

2008-07-14T12:29:00.002+01:00

Biennial Logo

Just did a quick motion test to make sure I could do what I thought I could do in C4d (I can!) I'm sure you can see where I'm going with it: plinky plonky falling blocks, zoom out and swing round reveal the whole logo (which I'm probably going to have to trace seeing as the one reply I got from the biennial was an automatic 'I'm out for a couple weeks, here's some more people to annoy instead'). + reflective floor, some more lights and a dark grey BG rather than black and I think it'll look good enough for a 3 second sting. Better than just fading on and off in helvetica anyway.
This isn't a vid btw, just a screen grab of the the render preview

Some more signs (More to come)

2008-07-14T09:17:00.005+01:00

biennial logo

2008-07-14T07:09:00.003+01:00

In regards to what Stas said on friday about creating some mock up logo's/stings before the actual titles I have found the biennial site which has quite a nice logo. I've emailed them to see if I can get a vector version or failing that a higher res version (and failing that it's a lot of clicking in Illustrator tracing the type unless anyone knows what font that is, it's like a geometric-ised eurostyle but it's probably custom for the logo) Those multiple blocks lend themselves to a quick simple dropping in animation in after effects (or c4d if I'm feeling brave and have time).

Also I've done a quick poster to put in the last scene with Adam's name in lights and also gets the lads name in there again. I'll do some more signs in different formats to hang from the buildings and also I'll sort out a story board for the titles to check the order of everything is ok before I get started putting it together in a HD comp. I'm going to leave the the credits until they're all finalised, the motion's very simple so might as well just start from scratch when all the info's ready.

Balcony and Corridor renders

2008-07-13T16:26:00.003+01:00

Firstly images of the whole in the wall room and corridor. The next are the inside room for the balcony scene and also outside with balcony.

1st High Definition Keyed Image

2008-07-11T10:26:00.003+01:00

hay, whats up

Im really liking how the 3d scene are coming along, and im pleased with how the keying out is going, love the nebula meteor.

keep it up.

1st Narrative (composite and pre-vis) test

2008-07-10T17:28:00.006+01:00

Yo all,

Here is the first narrative test video to see how the shots contribute to developing the narrative. Footage is just test composites and pre-viz placeholders.

The narrative begins at seeing the meteor strike and ends balancing on the precipice. Each piece of action is prefaced with a scene slug for reference.

Initial narrative flow points I can see needing attention (other than the digital shots indicated by the placeholders) are:

more footage to be reused to flesh out rooftop run (Stas has designed some great roof assets to jump over);
more footage to be re-used from later drops to extend the panel 10-11 drops;
footage of drops to be used in panel 12 composition to be purloined to show lads dropping down through the floor after coming through the window.

Feedback any other suggestions but remember to check the animatic and storyboards as the story is locked to them and we cannot now make changes. It is now a job for polishing. :-)

A sign explanation...

2008-07-10T13:29:00.002+01:00

Just so everyone else outside the core production team realises what Matt's signs are for. They are to dress the end dereliction scene and are essentially production team in-jokes and a way for the team, who have worked very hard, to gain some (fleeting) recognition for their work actually on screen. In the final scene the action will be so fast-paced all these references will be passed over quickly but they will at least be there. We may do a tour of the street for the web and DVD to show the references.

Two final things to sort out for this scene:

1st - Jose what reference do you fancy for your sign/poster/advert?

2nd - Stas should now have a poster advertising Krakiewicz's Replacement Knee Caps. :-P

Fire Escape Room Model with Atmoshere

2008-07-10T11:54:00.002+01:00

Created the Fire escape room, dulled down some colour and add volume light to add atmosphere. Also added fog outside to see if this helps and I think it does.

Jose's Restaurant... :)

2008-07-10T00:23:00.004+01:00

A few signs...

2008-07-09T20:02:00.001+01:00

Been busy this week sorting out portfolios, doing client work and designing a font (why did I start doing that?) So just done these for a bit of fun, any more ideas for any more?

3D building render tests

2008-07-09T14:37:00.003+01:00

Hi Folks. Sorry not been on-line for a while. It is all looking very good. I’ve been taking up the slack of the loss of are 3D team. This has meant my final scene has been shelved for now. I am looking forward to getting it going again. I have got the roof top finished and the corridor and cliff hanger room also complete. Dave Sci-fi Wood is not sure of the colour but I think it is very David Lynch. Keep up the good work!!!!!

Meteor + nebula (intro???)

2008-07-08T19:24:00.007+01:00

I was thinking of using this for the intro... (still testing)

First set of composite tests pre-viz

2008-07-07T21:46:00.006+01:00

Here are the first real batch of composite tests.

All skies are tests.

All assets are placeholders and shapes indicate where 3D assets will go.

Storyboard Panel 7 - Looking up at the meteor

Storyboard Panel 8 - Running across the roof

Storyboard Panel 9 - Standing on the ledge

Storyboard Panel 10 - 1st drop (need footage for 2 more lads)

Storyboard Panel 11 - 2nd drop

1st compositing test/fire escape pre-viz

2008-07-05T18:37:00.007+01:00

Here is the first compositing test putting all the lads into one shot.

This is where they escape from the main building to the flat roof on the second building (the grey shapes), over a dangerous fire escape (the red shape) that has collapsed from one building onto the other. It is precarious and about 40m above street level.

Chris use this video as a guide to how the fire escape is to be used. We join the action as they are already walking on the fire escape. I've indicated bounces and collapses if you have the time to animate it. If you do have time we can precede this shot with an establishing shot of the entire collapsed escape across the two buildings and then another shot of the escape as it collapses downwards. What do you reckon? Have you the time? It would be dramatic. :-)

Dave B use this pre-viz as your guide when compositing the actual keyed HD footage together.

Stas use the rough shapes in positioning the rendered 3D building together with Chris' fire escape.

Another one

2008-07-05T00:18:00.001+01:00

Earth

2008-07-05T00:01:00.002+01:00

Sample of meteor + earth

2008-07-04T18:52:00.001+01:00

better earth fly in tutorial

2008-07-04T01:39:00.001+01:00

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial.html?id=15

good old andrew kramer :)

Final Shot new renders

2008-07-03T12:47:00.005+01:00

Latest renders of background derilict buildings

Last of the concept shots of final shot

Keying

2008-07-03T11:57:00.005+01:00

15 hours, 6 coffees, and 4 cups of tea later I've finished keying out my lot of green screen footage!
I know what you mean Dave about some taking 5 mins and some taking hours, there were some really bad shadows on a few (not many though) and basically had to rotoscope the whole thing. Not to extent you did on the scene you showed last fri but that's mainly because I was guessing where the limbs should start and end in the motion blur.

I've put pink solids behind mine so when you go through and check them/alter them you can see where you're up to with my edits and yours, I'll give them you tomorrow (bet Dave W's not finished his ;) haha).

I read through that tutorial and it does use 'boris clouds' but I'm sure between us we can make some clouds without needing presets, the 3D modellers can probably make some cool volumetric clouds that would be best but like I said I'll give you the key for trapcode form (do you have particular? the key I have is wrong format) *Dave W don't forget to take all this out if you ever publish this anywhere, haha* on that note, has anyone heard about Virgin media sending letters out to people who use filesharing and download music, the BPI are giving names and they're sending 'educational' warning letters out, they can't do anything legally yet, but it's a bit 1984 isn't it? (I'm with virgin, I don't suppose I listen to music that the bpi would cover, but still sucks)

Also finished putting together the design document, I guess Dave W is going to e-mail it everyone who needs it, hope you all find it useful.

-Matt

Hi

2008-07-03T11:11:00.001+01:00

Alright chris, thanks matt for the Creative Cow tutorial.

Say hello to Chris Hopley

2008-07-02T18:59:00.004+01:00

Hi all,

Chris got in before me and what an introduction he has given. Chris is a talented animator off of my FD Interactive Multimedia. I've asked him to help out on some of the sets, especially the run across the broken fire escape. Chris, like Jose, works for Sony Computer Entertainment. He will be working remotely, so say digitally hi to make him feel part of the team.

Chris, here are the reference images you'll need to help visualise what we need. I'm currently keying out the footage you'll need to work to. I'll post that to the blog hopefully tomorrow.

We will only need a section of your fire escape to be lying across the two buildings. So far I am awaiting these building designs. In the meantime use the diagram below to base your broken section on. It is approximately 45m up on the main building and laying at about 40m on the 2nd building. The final contorted shape will be informed by the keyed video footage.

Fire Escape

2008-07-02T17:37:00.003+01:00

Hi Guys,

Looks like Ive got roped into this emense project too. Ive put together a fairly basic fire escape. Fully posable and collapsable. Let me know what you think.

Chris

Earth/cloud fly through tut

2008-07-01T13:07:00.008+01:00

AE tutorial on creative cow, might be of interest for Dave Bentick as this one doesn't use any cc plugins, click here for the vid (can't view the source code to embed it) and here for how its done.

Dave W there's screen grabs of the doc (complete pages: 1,2,3,4,5&6,12,13 ) so far on my blog, the table took a while to copy across but everything else is smooth, if you get the files to me by tonight I'll have a pdf proof done for tomorrow lunch latest, probably earlier though. (send the .docs seperately from the images cos I didn't receive 6 + 7 docs, weird)

Rectifying Crap

2008-07-01T13:07:00.006+01:00

Hi Matt,

Oops! I have cut another DVD, this time with the footage, so you can get to play with keying.

I'll drop it off to your Dad now.

The last few pages of text and images will be with you soon.

Paul is aware of all your hard work to date. We can use this project for your client brief project. Now I know which of the 2 WBL modules, I can start to tutor you on this project.

Space and sky concept images

2008-07-01T02:58:00.000+01:00

Hi Jose/Jenny

Here are some concept images for the sky and space scene of what I have in mind for you to improvise further from:

Meteor approaches the Earth. Fiery red with long tail, sweeps down towards the Earth in an arc getting smaller as it gets closer.

POV shot as the comet approaches the Earth. Clouds close in obscuring the surface to allow the descent to be revealed by gradual close ups until clouds finally part to reveal a city roof.

Clouds gathering, turning redder, meteor about to fall through clouds

(I'll add more later today).

Hi Jo

2008-07-01T01:39:00.002+01:00

Hi Jo,

Not heard from you for a while. What do you think of the progress so far? Do you think it would be possible to get some pick ups of the lads? If so I'll need to know soon to arrange it all.

Things will start to come together in the next 3 weeks, so do you want to arrange anything with the lads such as a visit?

Let me know :-)

First composite test footage

2008-07-01T00:20:00.007+01:00

http://www.newmediabazaar.net/Panel39previs-blog.mov

Here is the first pre visualisation test of compositing the green screen footage into a digital environment.

It's only a test. The figure has crudely been removed from the green and the 3D environment is a simple render of a more complicated scene but it shows it can be done.

Credit goes to Dave Bentick and Stas Krakiewicz for trouble-shooting this today.

Crap

2008-06-30T23:27:00.002+01:00

Dave W (And D Bentick)
(didn't recognise the e-mail you used so incase you don't get the reply...)
Thanks for the Design Document text I'll start inputting it in the morning.

Not so smooth with the keying... keylight installed without a hitch so I have that now... opened the AE file... no footage in it.

.aep's work like .AI or .Indd files with linked assets so in the after effects file I just get a big block of placeholder colours where the footage should be in the comp as that's not on the disc. Doh!

I can't think of a solution unless you remember what you put in my .aep file and have the footage to put on a disc with it aswell tomorrow, or if you have the resource to temporarily upload it anywhere? though I assume the footage filesize is about the size of russia.
Otherwise it's up to you and Dave and if there's still work left to do I can grab it off dave B on friday at the meeting.
cheers, matt

*sulking cos I wanted to play with keylight* :/

Credits motion test 1 (2)

2008-06-30T19:12:00.006+01:00

More on the blog, I'm wondering if those illustrations (desaturated and levelled to brown linework) below could be used as subtle changing textures in the background while the credits roll through, might be nice and show some process within the finished product.

New infinity plans and Concept

2008-06-30T18:22:00.014+01:00

concept drawings for end shot end other buildings.

position of buildings and how much is visible

postions of building on last shot

End inFINity shot street scene.

Rob: Red and Blue Buildings: Car Park and Mall

Mike: Yellow Building: Hotel.

Dave Jones: Green Building: Shop Fronts.

Steve Chabeaux: Confirm you have the time to get allocated

Stas: Brown Buildings: Leaning tower and Office block.

Design Document

2008-06-30T09:36:00.006+01:00

Dave what do you reckon to something like this for the master layout? The initial pages can be adapted to include more text on one side then maybe a few illustrations down the side. Ignore the comment about the portrait format last night, layout ufolded itself thismorning.

I think what would be best is if you e-mail me everything that needs to go in it (even if it's at intervals) rather than you try and figure out how I'm working in InDesign. Just Word .docs for the text clearly labeled with page number and heading you want it under and the same for images, I assume they'll all be on here or flickr somewhere so just copy the urls into the document so I can source them.

I was going to treat the header type with some texture like the current 'logo' but for the time it would take and loss of editablity within the doc then it would probably be form over function.

Just took another screengrab with the header fixed (kind of, the red strip needs resizing I know) and with some placeholder images to get a better idea of how it looks. Is roughly 2 images per section ok? Exceptions can obviously be worked into it when I have the content. Maybe page numbers in bottom right incase anyone prints it. I'll line the texture up in the background so the crease is in the centre too and tighten up the typography.
Like I say, bit cryptic when all I have to go on is headers so might totally change when the info comes rolling in.

For the asset list can you send me the table (whatever you made it in, excel? Or just word? I have both anyway) I assume you can drop tables into ID somehow, or export the table as an image.

I also have no clue what the quick reference list would be, another table?

My Dad knows you're leaving the greenscreen CD with him, when you have your meeting with Dave Bentick can you try installing keylight into your AE and make sure it works. Despite the scale of some of my previous pirate adventures, ahem, I can't find the plugin anywhere so I need the plug and the serial/keygen on the CD.

*Edit

Just done a few tweaks to the layout to balance it out a bit... Also there's a quick motion test for the credits on my blog. It's nowhere near yet, a few ideas I had didn't really add anything, less is more...

anyway, layout:

I'm enjoying me self, sweet!

2008-06-30T00:17:00.002+01:00

Looking good, aint got alot to say, so Ill just press on.

Any question you have for me feel free to ask.