Maya Tuts: Character Modelling (10 & 11) Hair P1 & P2

Stage (10 & 11) Head Modelling

The Hair Part (1) & (2)

Secret Lairs: Presentation

Secret Lairs Presentation

Secret Lairs: Creative Partnership

Creative Partnership: Secret Lairs

Kyle Kemp

Maja Gajowiak

Sukvinder Ghai

Lisa Huntley

Kyle:

Maj:

Sukhi:

Lisa:

I think that personally, I have connected much more with my secret lairs creative partnership person to person, rather than blogging our conversations. We have helped each other properly and have given honest and constructive feedback.

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Texture Process

Adding Textures

Here are screen shots of me adding textures to my models so far.

The hardest to get right was the ground pane and understand the size of the scene in comparison to the map.

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Grass Alpha Map

Dark Grass/Foliage

Here is my dark grass applied to my Maya scene.

^ .jpeg image of grass texture.

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Prop Light Comparison

Beginning Lighting Test(s)

Renders of lighting tests to see whether the Hero Prop should glow or not.

^Colour Light

^White Light

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - More Alpha Maps

Adding Lighter Leaves

Here is the second Alpha Map of lighter White/Grey reflective textures.

Photoshop Image (As .jpeg)

I created this using a simple texture of a brush over layering a couple of times. 

I then used the lasso tool to get larger, leaf-like shapes.

Secret Lairs: Submission Disk Artwork

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Hero Prop Modelling

Hero Prop Modelling

Here are screenshots of figuring out how to model my hero prop in Maya.

Restart<<<

At first I created a mesh to for the outline of my model, however this create many poly's that would increase rendering time. Therefore, I started again and created a more simple model to work from.

Film Review: Only God Forgives

Only God Forgives (2013) 90min

(Figure 1: Only God Forgives Poster)

Only God Forgives, is a Danish-Thai co-production crime thriller film written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn in 2013. It involves the story of an American man named Julian, a Thai Club owner, who is the front of a massive drug smuggling operation. The story begins with his brother, Billy, who brutally rapes and murders an underage prostitute, who then sets the trail of on going murders throughout the film. From many online and written reviews, this film is a representative of the 'Marmite' category; as said by Alistair Harkness in his film review, ''It's a film destined to be either loved or despised. Both reactions seem equally valid.'' (Harkness, 2013) Therefore, this film can either grip you or loose you within long, eerie, silent pauses and eye-popping colours.

(Figures 2 - 4: Emphasis on 'Hands')

Throughout the film, there seems to be an occurring theme about 'man' and his hands, specially around women, murder and punishment. As Nicolas Wrobel states in his review; "The key images to understanding the whole thing are the hands and the sword, both of which represent crime and ultimately punishment. Such images tell the story, and help to define Julian as a character.'' (Wrobel, 2013) What Wrobel is saying, is that the many moments to where we see the camera focusing on Julians hands has a much more deeper and emotional meaning. As said by his mother, Crystal, later on in the film; Julian had murdered his farther with his bare hands, which could be the entire reason to Julians hallucinations of punishment about the loss of his hands. This act is also represented with the lack of ability for him to touch any woman but his mother, shown erotically when he puts his hand within the womb of his mothers corpse.

(Above, Figure 5: Crystal)       (Below, Figure 6: Disney's Cruella Deville)

In most situations within the film, the main antagonist appears to be Julians mother, Crystal. Wherever she is, she is covered with sickly, corrupted colours to fit and emphasize her odd, abusive and wicked nature, and is never seen without a cigarette. The smoking of the cigarette seems to be a symbolic act of such expression relating to Crystal, and has a much more significant meaning to first impressions. Whenever Crystal is abusive, upset, angry and so on, she lights up and inhales the cigarette smoke. It is as though she is slowly inhaling her emotions and hatred that seems to be slowly destroying her; both mentally and emotionally. Her cynical acts makes her the character of the film, with a hint of 'Cruella Deville' finesse.

To conclude, Only God Forgives is a film based on a hidden desire yet 'hatred' towards the female existence that create a very thick atmosphere to contemporary audiences. It leaves you with an  almost anti-climax yet overly dramatized emotion that don't always make sense. As Craig Seligman says in his film review; ''Ludicrous, awful, irresistible!'' (Seligman, 2013) From start to finish, the film fills you with thoughts of character, production and mood, and has a hint of resemblance from past films, such as; Black Narcissus and Suspiria.

Bibliography

Harkness, A. (2013) Only God Forgives Film Review URL At: http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/film/film-review-only-god-forgives-18-1-3028388 (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Seligman, C. (2013) Only God Forgives Film Review URL At:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-19/five-star-act-of-killing-campy-god-forgives-movies.html (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Wrobel, H. (2013) Only God Forgives Film Review URL At:

 http://www.starpulse.com/news/Nicholas_Wrobel/2013/07/22/understanding_only_god_forgives_and_wh (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Illustration List

Fig. 1. Only God Forgives Poster (2013) From: Only God Forgives Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn [Poster] Denmark/Thailand. Radius-TWC. URL At: 

http://www.thewildbore.com/2013/08/review-only-god-forgives/ (Accessed 10.12.2013)

Fig. 2 - 4. Emphasis on 'Hands' (2013) From: Only God Forgives Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn [Film Stills] Denmark/Thailand. Radius-TWC. URL At: http://davechisholmmusicandcomics.tumblr.com/post/60325273517/only-god-forgives-hands-requested-by (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Fig. 5. Crystal (2013) From: Only God Forgives Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn [Film Still] Denmark/Thailand. Radius-TWC. URL At: http://xmedia.ex.ac.uk/wp/wordpress/review-only-god-forgives/ (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Fig. 6. Cruella Deville (1961) From: One Hundred and One Dalmatians Directed by: Clyde Geronimi [Film Still] United States. Buena Vista Distribution. URL At:
http://skatingbuffalo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/wicked-wednesday-cruella-deville.html (Accessed on 10.12.2013)

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Adding Features

Developing Scene Elements

Here is the beginning of creating extra items within my scene and adding more dark leafy alpha maps.

MAYA CRASH!

Maya suddenly crashed when creating other items within my scene. This has reminded me about saving!

Adding the tree roots to begin the pathway.

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - Simple Paint Overs

Simple Paint Overs

Here are 2 paint overs of my Maya scene. I would be very grateful for any feedback regarding these designs or any other constructive suggestions you may have.

My favourite of the two is number 1. I feel it draws your eye into the scene, despite the lack of detail in comparison to number 2.

^ description of my Maya scenes and further ideas.

Secret Lairs: Digital Set - New Layout & Alpha Map

Creating Leaf Alpha Map & Layout

Beginning this afternoons Photoshop lesson, it was a group discussion that the 'chamber' object was creating an unusual sense of misplacement. Therefore, I have removed this and moved the stairs over towards the hero prop.

Jordan showed my how to create an Alpha Map to help give my lair a bit more style. The texture on these leaves is my secret lair concept art. I then placed this in Maya to form leaf structures to begin adding a much more stylised environment.

Film Review: Suspiria

Suspiria (1977) 98min

(Figure 1: Suspiria Poster)

Suspiria, (1977) directed by Dario Argento is an Italian horror film following the antics of the protagonist Suzy Bannion, as she succumbs to the dangers within a German Ballet school controlled by a coven of witches. It had become Argento's most proclaimed feature film and has become well known for its stylized, modern artistic flair. As the poster above shows us, this film is very extravagant within colour and graphic imagery that keeps the audience in suspense throughout, and hints subtle but graphic imagery of witchcraft.

(Above, Figure 2: Floor Pattern)    (Below, Figure 3: Demonic Holding Circle)

Near the beginning of the film, there is very recognizable scene before the murder of the expelled student Pat Hingles, where we see a large, extravagant circle tile pattern along the floor. As Alan Jones says in his Suspiria review, he states that; ''A stunning combination of menacing Grand Guignol atmosphere, dazzling colours, gory violence, lush décor and pounding soundtrack.'' (A, Jones. 2013) In relevance to what Jones is saying, this particular pattern puts an emphasis towards a 'target' or bulls-eye, and is also very similar to that of a demonic circle. The harsh, bold colours really stand out when in comparison to the wall decor and the audience get the feeling of something is going to go terribly wrong. There is also a great sense of contrasting colours that are featured throughout the film that ooze a very of-putting emotion.

(Above, Figure 4: Contrasting Colours and the 'All Seeing Eye')   (Below, Figure 5: Peacock Ornament)

Visually, Suspiria submerges the viewer in colour and over exaggerating current situations. However, there seems to be continuous appearances of 'eyes'. As Gemma Files states in her Suspiria film review; ''Brings together all the things Argento should be famous for: ultra-stylized visuals awash in eerie blue and febrile blood-red, juxtaposed against intense passages of all-out gore.'' (G, Files. 2000) Nearing the end of the film, Suzy discovers the room of the elder 'Black Witch' displaying the eerie red and blue contrasting colours. She also finds an array of ornaments that feature eyes, to which are all in common with the center piece of a glass Peacock. This relates to Suzy's experience that no matter where you are within the school, the witches are always watching you.

In conclusion, Suspiria has the creepyness of any modern 21st century haunted house horror films. As Keith Breeze says in his film review; ''a wild feast of imagery that has never since been duplicated.'' (K. Breeze, 2005) Unlike most other films, Argento has used colour to portray another emphasis to 'terror' that grips you from the very start, and leaves you feeling uncomfortable within your own skin.

Bibliography

K, Breeze. (2005) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:

http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/Suspiria

G, Files. (2000) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:

http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_06.15.00/film/suspiria.html

A, Jones. (2013) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:

http://www.radiotimes.com/film/j7p26/URL

Illustration list

Fig. 1. Suspiria Poster (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Poster] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://cathode13.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/hump-day-posters-suspiria.html (Accessed 08.12.2013)

Fig. 2. Floor Pattern (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://www.punchdrunkcritics.com/2013/10/30-days-of-halloween-day-7-suspiria.html (Accessed 08.12.2013)

Fig. 3. Demonic Holding Circle From: Supernatural Wiki [Still Image] URL At: 

http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=Devil's_trap_(symbol) (Accessed 08.12.2013)

Fig. 4. Contrasting Colours and the 'All Seeing Eye' (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. (1:33:06) URL At: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onTYKt5lFNU (Accessed 08.12.2013)

Fig. 5. Peacock Ornament (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2008/10/31/dead-on-the-dancefloor/ (Accessed 08.12.2013)