The Wheel of Progress Spins

March 28th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

Freddy Foodstuff Sketch

character sketch for Freddy Foodstuff, narrator of the Digestive Education Segment

Scene 11: Pancreas Island in the Land of Gastros was completed a couple of days ago. I will need to tweak a few things (much like in every other completed scene), but it is 98% done. If it had to go into the final project as is, I wouldn’t cry (much). This is to say the visuals are complete, the audio for the scene won’t be touched for a while.

The Many Maladies of Marty Mitchell Pilot Episode “Of Maggots and Meat” will be composed of 16 scenes/segments. As it stands now, 6 of them are complete (1-3,5,7,11). Scene 8 is very close and I started Scene 9 today. Elements have been built for 4, 6, and 12, but they are still in the very early stages (partly because I haven’t cast or recorded dialogue for a few of the Fridge Landers). Scenes 13-16 haven’t been started. I estimate I am roughly 40% done with the visuals. That leaves me 9 months to finish the other 60%.

The smiling cowboy above is Freddy Foodstuff. He is anthropomorphized masticated food and the star of Scene 9. Jon Gormley was kind enough to perform his voice, as well as Dr. Enzyme. He’ll be teaching us about the process of digestion while he giddy-aps through the digestive tract.

Enzyme Frenzy

Marty watches as the Enzymes convert food into energy

Pancreas Arrival

March 3rd, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

Arrival

Ejected onto Pancreas Island

Work continues on Scene 11 wherein Marty visits Pancreas Island and meets the Enzymes. Thus far, this is the only part of the short that includes actual 3D CGI animation. I am using a really old version of  Vue Infinite (I only barely know how to use it) to create the island and its environs. Everything else that has been done so far has been traditional 2D or After Effects 2.5D (flat planes distributed in 3D space).

Here are a couple of samples of Marty composited into the CG world.
Higher quality versions and other fun stuff are available at the Marty Facebook Fan Page (it’s where all the cool cats are hanging out these days).

Seeing Pancreas Island

Marty stares into the Gastric Ocean

They’re Like the Most Important Thing

March 2nd, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

Enzymes

Marty meets the Enzymes for the first time

Here is a first look at the Enzymes who live on Pancreas Island in the Land of Gastros.

Marty stops, surprised by the noise. He looks around, but sees no one.

MARTY
Who said that?

DOCTOR ENZYME
Down here, Bigfoot!

Marty looks down. At his feet are a large number of odd and small creatures. They are ENZYMES.

MARTY
Whoa! Who are you?

DOCTOR ENZYME
Don’t you know anything?! We’re enzymes, you big interloper!

Marty is confused.

Moving into Gastros

February 28th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

Why so scary?

Marty unleashes his battle-cry (or is it a leg cramp?)

What is the best place to visit after learning about digestion? The Land of Gastros, of course. Work is moving forward on scene 11. Jon Gormely has been nice enough to lend his voice to two digestion-based characters, Freddy Foodstuff and the heroic Dr. Enzyme. I completed the initial editing of the scene a few minutes ago. Compositing and animation begins shortly. Mr. Meat better watch out!

Gastros Tease

An early look at the Land of Gastros