Hero Concepts, and Market Storyboard

I've started another Animatic, this time taking place in the market place. I only got roughly half way through with it so far, but I figured I'd show it thus far. I'm hoping everything that goes on in it is clear, will be getting feed back from the class. If there is any clarity problems i will fix them while I work on the 2nd half these nest two days. 

I also worked on some more Hero colorations. Taking the feed back on the Irish markings looking like a badge of honor/authority, and the chin marking making him look older and more serious.

So far the favorites are 1,11, and 13.

Personally leaning on 13 but not sure yet

Updated Escape Storyboard and Hero concepts

Made some changes to the animatic, as well as did some development work on Hero. I like the muted greasy/grimy  looking colors on hero but still not sold on any one of the designs. I do like the boxy look for him though. It sort of takes away the rat feel, but it adds a lot to his character. Stability, hard, guard like, bold, broad. All those things that I was going for with him.

Escape Storyboard

Sketched up a quick animatic for a scene I've been calling Hero's End.
It starts off with the characters Hero, Nate, and some other NPCs (non plot characters) trying to escape through the duct-work.

I'm fairly happy with the angles, though I might experiment with it more. Some have a quick color scheme thrown in, that does need some work. However for the first test I think it looks acceptable.

Going to be showing it to the class today to see if there are any unclear parts that need special attention.
I do know I need to define Nate and Hero more. Hero just needs a reference sheet period.

Background and character practice

Currently working on:
Been working on modeling the Furnace room, Painting a still of the Market, and developing head shapes for other characters.

Whats working
I'm happy with my modeling work, I feel I have progressed in my skills and efficiency. I'm also fairly happy with the direction that the market place is going. However it does still need work. Looking at other similar rodent and non rodent animals for inspiration for head shapes has helped with character development.

Whats not working:
I need to do more research in how an industrial furnace in a steel factory works so im not just making stuff up. I also need to focus more on doing quick thumb nails of the scenes. That way I can choose the best on and not get too hung up on something that might not work out later.

What I will be doing.
I will be working more on those sketches. I am going to stop working on the painting and modeling for now, and work on quicker rougher works.

Here are some snap shots of the things I've been working on.

Teaser Storyboard. Furnace worker, and quick concept art

Currently working on:
Concept sketches for scenes and characters
As well as fine tuning an animatic for a teaser trailer

Coming Soon 
More finalised layout of  the furnace room and its occupants. I am also hopeful that the rough animatic will be finished soon so I can move on toward rough sound.

Whats working
I really like the design of the furnace worker, as well as the progression of the textured style I've been working on. I also found some great references for industrial equipment.

What's not working:
Still need to work more with the color design of the worker. Not happy with the hood coloration.

Figuring things out

Currently Working on: 
Scrapped short ideas, going in a development direction

In stead of trying to do a 3 -5 minute short I'm going to try to do some development work on a much larger scale story. This series will include character sheets, turnarounds, concept art, animation tests, and moving backgrounds.

Coming Soon:
A full list of everything I would like to get done in the next 15 weeks.

What's Working:
I feel like by going in this direction I will be able to produce higher quality work, as it is less repetitive then redrawing frame after frame after frame. It will also let me explore a variety of different skills. From character development, short looping flash effects in the moving backgrounds, perhaps even exploring the possibilities of combining 3D and 2D in one cohesive world.

What's not working:
It will mean getting over my dislike for geometric shaped backgrounds, as the story I wish to further largely takes place in abandoned buildings and factories. So perspective is one skill i will have to improve upon, as well as just finding man made objects to occupy the environment. I'm so use to drawing nature that anything else has become foreign to me.

Other:
Here are some concept sketches of the two main characters of the story.

Currently working on:
Short Story Pitches

• Fishing Rat -> big catch -> struggle -> actually a small catch _ " Don't get hung up on one thing even if it seems big at the time" 
• Young Rat messing everything up -> struggle to find his place in society 
• Young warrior defending town -> sees from a new POV _ "There are two sides to every story"
• Factory Rat -> needs to find missing part / trying to fix things -> but they keep braking / following something -> droning on -> something new (outside) _ "Don't be a workaholic, live life"

Coming Soon
Deciding on story and developing it further.

What's Working
Really liking the short and to the point story of the Fishing Rat. I feel like I can really exaggerate the struggle in a humorous way. It also requires no background information, and very little set up.

What's NOT Working
Really wanted to work with the Factory Rat idea but the plot is lacking. I feel like I could really have some cool smoke and fire effects if I were to pursue it. I also already have a character "Fender" that I could work with. Would really like some outside ideas on plots.


Other Comments
Helpful tips on creating short stories Link