Hi, folks. Where to start - I'm Steve Ogden, former Editor / Lead Writer of AnimWatch.com. I recently stopped running AW so I could focus on my own project, a series of animated films called Moon Town. After a lot of work (details at the official website and blog) I've finished the first asset for the series. This is the Moon Shark, the starfighter of the Bad Guys in the series.
Here's the design:
Here's the finished render:
If you want a better look, HERE's a 360 degree turnaround.
Hope you enjoy it. Drop me a line!
Steve Ogden
www.moon-town.com
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Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Thank you for the notes, everyone.
Here's my new and improved design for Cassandra Quinn. I think this matches the look and feel I'm going for in Moon Town more than the previous iterations.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Not as sexy, but I agree that she is a closer match to the space ships. Are you going to build her in 3D as well?
Oh yes. All will be 3D.
Her neck may be too long and skinny, and her eyes may be too small and far apart, so when I build her out, we'll see what changes need to be made.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
I'm liking the retro-style lazer gun too, very much in keeping with style of the ships which have translated pretty well into 3D. I know from personal experience as well as times in my professional work that sometimes what looks the best style or design on paper can directly translate in the most horrible way in 3D!
Are you working as well as getting on with the moon town project, or are you able to give it most of your attention?
Nah, I have a full time job, 3 boys and a wife. Also writing a novel, doing the odd freelance job and collaborating on another animated project at the same time. Moon Town certainly doesn't get all my time, but hopefully it gets enough.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Woah! Sounds like you've got a lot going on there- do you ever get time to sleep?!
Seriously though that's quite inspirational (and a kick up the backside!) to someone like myself that used to do quite a bit on my own ideas outside of my day-to-day animation work but who has gradually done less & less of his own stuff. Sometimes that's due to the concentration & sheer time-consumption of paid projects, but also a big factor is just getting out of the habit of trying to do my own stuff when i get home. It's just too easy to chill out after dinner!
Once again though I really like the space crafts & the main female character concepts & designs are really coming on too- some of the early stuff had some fun shapes but i think you're right to bring more charicatured realism to her as I think it will bring a lot more scope for acting & broad action to the final 3d character.
That looks great. Love 360 view of it.
How many hours does it take to make an object like that?
Ha! I have a full time job, 3 boys and a husband. Got to go and cook the dinner now.
Hey, Black Spot. You know, I was HORRIBLE at tracking my time on this one, and it took me a lot longer than I had hoped. But I would think from design through final, it took me 40 hours. Funny, cuz I planned to do it over a weekend, but it didn't work out that way. *shame*
If you're just really STARVED for more info, you can listen to me blather on about it on the Moon Town podcast...
Thanks for the note. Glad to know people are looking.
-Og
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
I thought it would be horrendous. 3D is like sculpture in so many ways and I’m surprised it didn’t take longer. The skinning is perfect as well.
Why are you so concerned with making podcasts and a blog.
Oh, what's for dinner? I do hope it's beef Wellington...heh heh
:)
Well, Caddy, don't beat yerself up too much over it. I'm only running hard now because I spent DECADES chilling out after dinner. On one hand, seems like a waste of time. On the other hand... I guess I had fun.
Now I have fun making films, drawing comics, and writing novels instead of watching TV. But it's like working out. You have to train yourself to enjoy it, to see creating as fun, not work. You know, you fall into that trap - you get paid to animate or draw all day, when you go home, the last thing you want to do is more of the same. Seems like a busman's holiday.
But I realized the difference is - when I do MY stuff, it's MY stuff! I enjoy it for its freedom. And isn't that why we're supposed to be trying to do this stuff after all? For fun?
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Because I think people benefit from it when you document your process. Also, talking and writing about my process and my script forces me to think clearly about it. I'd strongly recommend it to anyone trying to make a film.
Why do you ask?
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
It seemed like a waste of time. But now I understand its more for yourself than 'others'. It makes sense now.
Ah - there are days it seems like a colossal waste of time. On balance, I hope the benefits to the project outweigh the timesink.
Thanks for writing...
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
I do the same thing, though not in some kind of broadcast form. I understand how talking about it organizes your thoughts. I just talk to other people.
Thanks, guys!
Hey, all
I finished the textures on the Security Cruiser. See below (and click to enlarge).
And of course, if you want a really good look, HERE is a 360 degree spin movie of the ship.
Enjoy!
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Are we going to see some characters going with these marvellous machines? Great work again.
Yeah, there will be characters, too. Right now, I'm back and forth on the design aesthetic. If you are curious:
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Hey OgLuna, I really love the ship designs. I like that kind of retro-bubblely-used-realistic look. It's funny, I didn't see the 3/4 view at first. I was a bit surprised at how far the engines stuck out. From the side view I was thinking the engines where kind of blended into the fuselage. Sort of like an F4 Phantom.
The character sheets look really cool. I like how you are exploring lots of different shapes and looks. I like the girl at the bottom. I kind of like the cankle boots. Does she have any hair on the left side of her head? It looks like it's shaved bald. I'm sure it's probably short and or slicked back, but it looks a bit strange not seeing any thing on that side. Also I'm not a big fan of those probe things on the sides of the helmet. I know they tie in with the design theme, but they look awkward.
This looks like it will be a very fun project to both work on and watch. I really look forward to see it all come together.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Time for a new design...
This is Captain Cassandra Quinn's security cruiser. I had several designs competing for this role. Some are more like little cars, more like a rookie security guard's ship perhaps ought to be and what-have-you.
Ultimately this is the design that feels like it's from the same universe as the Moon Shark, and since that's my design bar, this is the design that won.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Like very much what you have achieved so far, it looks very exciting. Took a quick look at the site and will return when i have time, seems like there's lots to see. Love the 360 turnaround, the hardware looks great. One thing missing for me is an indication of human scale - just how big are these ships - unless the rivets are a measure. But they could be enormous rivets!
Thanks for the feedback, Erik!
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
I agree. I really like the creature in the crater – mother watching baby meeting human. Your moon creatures have lots of different personalities.
cant get enough of them 3d turnarounds :D
Thanks, folks. I'm glad you like it so far.
-Ru- - I'll try to get you some more turnarounds!
Thank you very much for the notes.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Ah, you're right. The only thing that indicates human scale I suppose are the cockpits. The rivets will only drive you mad as there are two sorts of rivets - the normal kind like you might see on a terrestrial aircraft, and then these huge brass fasteners that, even though they may make no sense, I sorta like.
Yeah, that's what's ruling my design aesthetic - Things I Sorta Like. heh heh...
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
great work ...
i like ur charector sheet, there is lots of Variation in ur design .
Another day, another Cassie. Only this time, I'm sold. This is the final design.
Also, for those who were looking for the size comparison of the characters to the ships, here's a two shot:
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
I like the progression from sexy to cute to actual woman. Look forward to seeing more.
I like your monsters. Then again, I have a warm spot in my heart for monsters... :)
Looking forward to listening to the podcast (evil work overlords forbid that sort of thing here, so I'll have to go home to listen)...
Dan
GoofyGraffix.com
Thanks, Black Spot.
Orthographic sketch in preparation for modeling:
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Steve, it's so good to see your work... it's been ages since I visited Animwatch, but I'm glad to see you working on your own projects!
Evan Cagle
Progress, of a kind...
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Cassie has just stepped off the page! Welcome.:)
I'm making some changes on the model as I move toward texturing
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
She has chocolate buttons for eyes – cute. I presume they will blink occasionally and wonder how difficult that will be.
Wow, I'm thoroughly impressed with all of the work you've done. I was wondering how you were going to do her hair, whether with a fur/hair brush or model it. can't wait to see more. :)
My Blog
This is pretty much why I never animate cartoons anymore. I spend 45 hours a week sitting on a computer designing flash banners and newsletters so when I get home the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer, I'd rather just exercise or plop down with a beer and video game.
I think it just comes down to inspiration. If you're really inspired to do a project you'll find a way to get it done, but lately I haven't been inspired by anything. Hopefully browsing this site and talking to all of you will change that though.
My Blog
Mmm. Exercise and a beer....
OK, that's it. I'm not going to work on this stupid film anymore! I'm to go out and get me one o' them beer hats and go for a jog. Drink. Run. Drink. Run.
heh heh...
A friend of mine who was working very diligently on his film once told me he was all over the map - he had a hundred little things he wanted to do, and couldn't really choose one. He wanted to do one of them, but when it came to it, couldn't focus. And maybe he'd rather pop down to the pub with a few mates instead of animate until his eyes bled, yeah?
He said what did it for him on his film was that he finally found the Thing that grabbed him. I waited a long time for something to grab me like that. I think Moon Town has sufficiently captured my attention for the time being, and I'm willing to work on it instead of wasting my time on silly things like sleep. But I could always go back the other way, very easily. Sometimes you get tired!
Here's hoping you get that inspiration you need soon... or at least you enjoy what you *are* doing instead. More to life than making films, eh... heh. (beer. exercise. repeat.)
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Like GP, I work on computers all day, but then I can’t wait to get home to do something re my animation. Sometimes it is just a small bit and every little bit counts towards the end. Gardening and housework is exercise and in the evenings I have a couple or more glasses of wine while I’m animating. ;)
Steve, I hope Moon Town keeps your interest because, from what I’ve seen, it’s great. :D
Hey Steve!
The project is looking wicked good, cant wait to see more =]
GoGoGo!!
Brian
Brian Anderson 3dArtist
Thank you for the support, everyone.
There may be a split decision out there but so far everyone has been overwhelmingly positive on my change in direction from the previous version of Cassandra to this:
I say "change" but it's really a redirect back to the initial idea. I hope you guys like it.
Here's the model based on the new design, FYI:
Thanks again for having a look.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Now you’re teasing us. She’s cute, but a bit child like. I haven’t read the scripts, so she may be perfect for the story and I can see that she would be better with the other characters, but I’d like to see some vague boobs just to give her correct age.
Yeah, Black Spot, I hear ya. Sorry to flip 180 on you there. Whiplash much? heh heh.
I am mildly concerned that the characters will be mistaken for children because they're short and squat. Perhaps the addition of breasts would help in Cassie's case, but then the problem becomes - how big should they be? If the cast looks like kids but is voiced by adults, I'm hoping they read as adults. But in the worst case, if they're mistaken for kids... meh. It's not like I'm going to have them getting into sexual escapades with one another.
So, after thinking it over, I have decided to keep the silhouettes clean. I think that's the appeal of the simpler designs I have going on, but thanks for the suggestion.
On the other hand, I did slip a nose onto Cassie, and I made some small adjustments to the eyes and mouth here, to keep the character on model. *shrug*
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Wow I really like the new characters a lot. I would kill to be able to do 2d art like that! =]
I am curious, how long did it take to create the 2d versions and if you ever feel the need to animate them in 2D? I am sure I wouldn't be able to resist!
On the 3d side, , I think the new chars will need a lot of work on the char setup side -- after matching the skeletal pose from your initial sketch, matching the style of lines would need a lot of extra controls/blends -- could be really fun =].
Love that flare of on the fly bends and posing of 2d!! to create a hard elbow at almost any point in the arm, or how the shape in between the legs from foot to foot gets rounded out and becomes sharp as well... each side of the jacket is posed to have specific littles curve in it just for that pose...
Super cool project!
Brian Anderson 3dArtist
Og!
I love that there's shadows in the shadows. :cool:
Michael J. Dowswell
Independent Animator/Director
http://www.studiotacitus.co.uk
http://mikedowswell.blogspot.com
Hi, Polyoptics! The 2D sketches took me about a half hour. They are super rough and I only did them to see what it would be like to go with a super-simple shape (all the way down to garden hose arms...). I liked the sketch enough to go forward with it, but wasn't sold until I got the 3D model into a decent pose with good texture and lighting. Have a look -
Michael - thanks for noticing the shadows! I work on the lighting a lot, and I'm never satisfied.
Steve Ogden's Moon Town
New Animated Sci-Fi Series currently in development
www.moon-town.com
Hey, looking great! :D I really love it!
30 mins for the 2d >< jeez hehe =]
Brian Anderson 3dArtist
Hi Ogh!
I don't know if you remember me but you did a short short voice over for one of my 3d characters quite a few news ago. I saw this post a few months ago and didn't even know it was you until I read the first post again today.
Really nice work on the ships and characters! I have subscribed to the thread and can't wait to see more.
Joel Longie.
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