Extra Sessions (24/2/2014)

* Believing that we no longer had a second session of narrative on Mondays, since our assignment is completed, our lecturer told us that we now have the time on Mondays to work on our final major projects. Thus I decided to do some FMP work today.

Unable to get all my images onto the same page, I decided to make a A4 collage on Photoshop before placing it on the word document as seen below.

I also included images of what the project would look like and will reference them below.

Harvard Referencing:

• French, R (2014) Story Reel. [Online Image] Available at: http://robinfrench.com/story-reel/ (Accessed: 24/2/2014).
• Hunt, J (2011) Help Japan, Animated Buzz, and some story panels [Online Image] Available at: http://justinchunt.blogspot.co.uk/ (Accessed: 24/2/2014).
• Preferiti, A, A (2011) Verso l’infinito e oltre: la Pixar in mostra a Milano [Online Image] Available at: http://www.contaminazionipositive.it/verso-linfinito-e-oltre-la-pixar-in-mostra-a-milano (Accessed: 24/2/2014).
• Simonich, J (Unknown) Course Calendar / Week 11 Class Outline. Available at: http://justinsimonich.homestead.com/CUNYWeek11.html (Accessed: 24/2/2014).

Picking charatcer designs (18/2/2014)

* During reading week, I decided to show my partner the designs I had come up with in order for us both to make a decision on the cast.

The designs we picked out include...

Ship:

We both went straight for one of the more alien designs as it looked like it could be alive and was distinct enough as it didn't have the cockpit at the front as one would normally expect. However, this does make sense on a defensive level as if the cockpit is destroyed the ship is stuck.

Captain: 

Both of us instantly went for the old fashioned jacket as it was distinct, but my partner felt the spurred boots would make him look to regal. Therefore, we went with regular shoes.

Liking my distinct 'Samurai Jack' / 'Tin Tin' style for the faces, we decided to pick four before photoshoping the images and putting them on the body later to see what we felt looked like a captain. After all, the captain should be the most striking character of the lot.

Pilot: 

As the pilot is basically Ed, I gave him full control of how he should look. Apart from wanting the trench coat, but shortened, he said he would get back to me on what he fancies once he has thought about it more.

Mechanic: 

Admittedly I took an artistic stance straight away with the mechanic as I loved the exoskeleton / dinosaur head which also happened to be the last concept I drew for him. However, we both went for the bandoleer body that could hold tools. We also decided on the spot that we should give him long almost squid like arms so as to add to his size.

Golem:

Not wanting a traditional golem design, we chose the bulky floating design with three fingers as we felt he would be both physically different and move differently to the rest of the group. It also works as, the fact that such a heavy build floats makes for a good juxtaposition instead of slamming his feet on the ground like a usual golem would.
As for the head, we went for one of the rocky designs with a smaller jaw so as to keep with a stone like theme.
Things to add to this idea will include sapphires for eyes and some sort of elemental thing floating underneath him that keeps him bouyant.

It's also top heavy in comparison to the mechanic's bottom heavy concept, thus we have two very distinct non humans on the crew.

Dock Worker:

Almost immediately my partner wanted the design that looked like a cash machine as he felt the dock worker would be both a joke and practical as he asks for payment up front. He also felt that giving him an 8-bit face could give him some personality, especially as the gruff voice wouldn't suit him.


* With the above in mind I then made a collage of all of the characters, adding the short listed heads to the captain's body so as to see which design stood out most.

In the end we decided to go with the eye patched head as he just seemed to resonate a captain's demeanor. However, we decided to make the eye patch more futuristic by making it glow.

Ed also loved the little beastie I drew for the possible dock worker and therefore, we decided to make it the dock worker's pet.

* As a side note, I will try and draw refined versions of the characters using the designs we choose over the rest of reading week. I will also try and eventually do some concept art for the locations (both interiors and exteriors) as I recognise that those need to be done.

I also asked Ed to come up with some names for the crew as despite my confidence in writing characters and narrative, I am hopeless with names.

Extra Scenes (11/2/2014)

Having finished the concept art and whilst waiting to show it to Ed, I decided to work on other possible scenes for the project as seen below...

Looking back at the previous two examples I wrote, I decided to use the captain as the audiences means of traveling through the stories events as in that way we wouldn't break up the scenes too much and would allow the audience to see the inside of the ship as if they are following the captain themselves.

I have also decided to continue to name each character after their occupation or in the muscle's case Golem. I will come up with proper names with the help of my partner since, although I love writing, naming characters has never been my strong point. 

Captain, Pilot and ship scene:

With his feet on the console, the pilot sits by the controls strumming lightly on his guitar before the captain walks into the cock pit, looking for something. Keeping his attention on the stars, the pilot says simply...

Pilot: "Captain..."

Captain: "Pilot, have you seen the mechanic anywhere?" 

Pilot: "No. Why?"

Captain: "Well, I was rather hoping he would be here telling you he has fixed everything. Or is that not the case?"

Pilot: "I haven't heard from him for hours, which is rare, and a relief."

The pilot takes a swig of the drink next to him as the captain rubs his weary head.

Captain: "Well on most days I would agree with you, but today I need to know his progress. How about the ship?"

Pilot: "What about the ship?"

Captain: "Does it know where he is?"

Pilot: "Why not ask it yourself? There is an on board communications channel throughout the ship after all." 

Captain: "I tried that, but after barely getting past those raiders in the An-ash quadrant I think the ship blames me for its injuries and won't answer me."  

Pilot: "I see..."

Captain: "I keep telling the ship that it wasn't my fault! But you know the ship, once it gets anxious, its almost impossible to change its mind."

Pilot: "I'll see what I can do. Ship?"

Lights shine around the controls as a nervous voice is heard.

Ship: "Y-yes pilot?"

Pilot: "The captain would like to know where the mechanic is. Could you tell him for me?"

Pause.

Capatain: "Well?"

Pilot: "Give it some time... "

Ship: "T-there in the south wing, corridor B. Now please leave us, I was rather enjoying the pilot's guitar piece."

Pilot: "Anything else captain?"

Captain: "No, not now. Though tell the ship that I am sorry and want a word with it later..."

The captain leaves and the pilot continues to play his guitar after taken another swig of his drink.

 

Captain and Dock Worker scene:

The ships doors lower to reveal a dock. At the foot of the door rests a disapproving dock worker.

Dock Worker: "I thought I told you never to come here again!"

Captain: "It's nice to see you too... whats the fee?"

Dock Worker: "Fee!? I should take your whole ship for the trouble you caused last time!"

Captain "I told you didn't I? I didn't know the cargo was live! Had I done so, I would have never let you inspect its contents and release that Tan-gol Behemoth."

Dock Worker: "We're still repairing that dock you trashed! What makes you think I'll let you onto this one!?"

Captain "Because of my charming personalty?"

Dock Worker: "BAH!"

Looking back at his crew the captain notices that they are waiting for him to give the A-ok. Realising however the situation the captain reluctantly pulls out a large pouch. 

Captain "Fine, how about you treat yourself and let us go about our business? Off the record? Ok?"

The captain places the pouch in the dock worker's hand. The latter inspects the crystal contents with eager eyes.

Dock Worker: "Hmm... nice doing 'business' with you captain. Now, deliver your goods, fuel up and get out of my sight! Also, don't cause any trouble this time, OK!?"

Captain "Hey, we don't go looking for trouble..."

Dock Worker: "Yea, yea..."

The dock worker turns to leave as the captain sighs with relief, indicating for his crew to move out.

Captain: "Trouble just seems to find us..."

Team Briefing: 

The captain stands alone by a table in the middle of the conference room. Looking around he sighs and calls out.

Captain: "Ok! Everyone down here! Team meeting!"

A couple of seconds pass before the crew start to spill into the room one by one. 

Pilot: "What's this all about?"

Mechanic: "I have no bloody clue..."

Once everyone has arrived the captain claps his hands together, ready to start.

Captain: "Right! I have been hearing word that people have been wondering why we changed course."

Pilot: "That did cross my mind..."

Mechanic: "And haven't been paid!"

Pilot: "That as well..."

Captain: "Ok, ok, I know I haven't paid you in quite a while..."

Mechanic: "HA! You can say that again!"

Captain: "WELL, this is the answer!"

The captain pulls out a tatty piece of paper and holds it in the air.

Golem "A piece of paper?"

Captain: "Close! A piece of paper which also happens to be a treasure map!"

Groans can be heard from everyone.

Mechanic: "You have got to be BLOODY kidding me! Your telling me that we have been floating around in space on what little fuel we have left... over the promise of a sodding handkerchief?"

Pilot: "I agree with the mechanic for once, why take the risk? This isn't like you captain."

Captain: "Because I for one know this map is genuine!"

Rolling the paper out on the table, he points to the symbols and diagrams that cover it.

Captain: "Golem!"

Golem: "Yes captain?"

Captain: "Your people know the legend of the Za-goth don't they? Please, tell the crew what you know..."

All eyes fall on the golem as it clears its throat before speaking.

Golem: "Very well captain..."

Screen fades to telling the golem's story through images of some sort.

Golem: "Millions of years ago there lived an ancient and powerful race known as the Za-goth, who sought enlightenment and peace. This race traveled to thousands of worlds in order to educate and provide them with the means of bettering themselves."

Pilot: "So what happened to them?"

Golem: "They did this for a thousand years until one day they disappeared from the universe. Taking everything they had back to their home world, they sealed themselves behind an impenetrable dome that surrounded their planet. It is said that behind this dome exists treasure and technology beyond comprehension. Though the existence of the planet is unknown, it is said that those that prove themselves will find such a planet and be rewarded..."

Screen fades back to the conference room. 

Captain: "And this is the map that will lead us to that planet! I know it is! I had people look into it. It's a star chart that clearly resembles this very solar system! Its age matches the date of Za-goth's existence and the planets are aligned where they would have been!  If we can just figure it out and 'prove ourselves' then we would be the richest mercenaries alive!"

Pilot: "Figure it out?"

Captain: "Well, err, some of it isn't legible. But that's why we are going to find someone who can make sense of it!"

Mechanic: "Well, that's was a nice bed time story and all... but you said that this so called dome around the planet was impenetrable! Even if such a place exists, then why should we waste time trying to break into something we can't!"

Golem: "There are keys that would grant us access."

Captain: "One of which I have!"

The captain pulls out an ancient gold and red rod about the size of his hand.

(To be continued...)

Further concept art (8/2/2014)

As the bad weather and broken train tracks stopped me from getting into college, I decided to do some more character concepts.

You can see all the art I have done over the past couple of days as well below...

* Ship: Wanting to provide a good number of ships that weren't necessarily symmetrical so as to be different, I came up with the following two sheets. The first keeps to a rather smooth theme whereas the second I went with a more blocky / jagged design.

* Captain: I knew from the beginning that I would need to make the captain the most distinctive of the whole crew as he is not only the crew's leader, but he is also meant to be one that inspires them and keeps them together. I also wanted him to look different to other well known sci-fi captains, therefore I came up with all of the following so as to see which one both me and my partner instantly believe to be worthy of the title of captain.

* Pilot: Wanting to capture elements of my partner, who the pilot is based on, I decided to include in the concepts both aspects of his usual appearance as well as new ones. Thus allowing us to mix and match what he feels best fits the character he will be playing.

* Golem: The golem wasn't too difficult as I wanted it to be similar to most stone golem designs so as to be familiar in its strong persona, whilst actually being kind inside. However, so as to be a bit different, I experimented with it floating and /or missing limbs.
In the final image I was also able to get a dozen golem faces by looking at the random shapes in the stone tiles on my bathroom's walls and then adding facial features when necessary. 

* Mechanic: Already knowing what I wanted from the character, but unsure on what his appearance should be, the mechanic was an interesting character to design for as I mixed and matched multiple Earth creatures in order to give him an alien quality whilst trying to make him look old and/or cranky.  

* Dock Worker: Finally, I found the dock worker to be the most difficult as we knew what we wanted from all the characters except for this quick character who would only have a few lines. Therefore, I came up with anything and everything so as to see what would grab both me and my partner's attention.

I plan to show my partner Ed these concepts next session, during which I will tick off which ones we both agree with and whether or not we feel certain designs are perhaps better for certain characters.

Speaking of Ed, I also found out that he had contacted the man whose song he was adapting for our piece (John Tams) which was a good idea as we want to avoid plagiarism. Also, he asked him on the off chance if he would do some voice work or other recording for us, which would be great as it would add further professionalism.

Scenes that may be included (5/2/2014)

* Having spent a good 2 hours last night practicing with my voices, singing and using drama skills through reading a number of books of mine and doing improv, I was able to make the following discoveries and write down the notes and ideas below.

Practicing with my voices I was able to recognise a number of factors about the two characters I had definitely been set for already.

• Captain: Through acting in a whole manner of ways with my regular voice to situations I felt the captain would encounter e.g. confident, annoyed, angry, concerned, friendly and stressed, I feel that this voice comes across with confidence and clarity.
• Mechanic: With the cockney voice I had already intended for this character, I found that with a few improv attempts alongside my regular captain's voice the two blended too much and it felt more like the captain putting on a pirate's accent. Therefore, I went back over the other voices I jotted down a couple of sessions ago and found that my 'fat disgusting man' voice was almost cockney, but was also somewhat raspy. Playing with the voice I found myself becoming this cranky, distinct old character thanks to the yell that brought out the voice e.g. "CAPTAIN!". Therefore, I will bring this up with my partner to show him the difference and what I feel to be the better choice. 

I then decided to mess with the golem voice just in case as I did fancy playing this sort of character if I could get my bass across distinctly.
I found that I was certainly able to keep it as a bass, but felt that if it were included then it would need a filter over it of some sort so as to make it more distinct.

* After doing the above, I then wrote down the improvised scenes I came up with last night, similar to those you may see in a screen play and therefore may not necessarily make it into the final project.

Captain and Mechanic's scene:

The hum of machinery working and power flowing through the ship is heard in the ship's corridors. Cut to an open floor where a large figure is working inside. The sound of tools fades in when suddenly a loud bang occurs.

Mechanic: (coughing) "CAPTAIN!"

Footsteps can be heard as the captain rushes into the scene from around a corner. Smoke starts to rise from the open floor.

Captain: (coughing) "What the hell happened here?"

The sound of an extinguisher is heard as the mechanic gets halfway out of the floor with a can in his hand. 

Mechanic: "It's that damn cheap fuel core you bought the ship back on Rigal Nine. I told you it was no good! But nooo! You just had to buy it didn't you!?"

Captain: "We make do with what we can, you know that..."

Mechanic: "Yea well, you're not the one who has to maintain this bloody ship are you? Come on, give me a hand won't you?"

Captain: "Fine, come on you big lummox..."

Heaving, the captain lifts the portly mechanic out of the open floor. The mechanic then skulks into a corner and lights a cigarette.

Captain: "Ok, ok, give it to me straight? On a scale of totally ok, to we are all going to die a slow and painful death... how bad is the situation?"

Mechanic: "Well, the power core is completely buggered. And, because I didn't find it sooner, we also lost some important wires that connect to our engines..."

Captain: "So...?"

Mechanic: "SO... unless we touch done within the next two hours we are going to be floating in the middle of nowhere!"

Captain: "So, a slow and painful death hey? Great! Please tell me that you can fix it?"

Mechanic: "I'll give it a go, but I can't promise any miracles using the crappy tools you always supply me with."

Captain: "Ok, ok... Tell you what, if we don't end up starving or suffocating out here in the middle of nowhere, then I'll lend you some crystals so you can buy some better ones, ok?"

Mechanic: "Yea, yea... I'll hold you to that..."

Reluctantly the mechanic finishes his cigarette and jumps back into the open floor.

Captain: "Alright! I knew I could count on you!"

Mechanic: "Ha! I'm the only one you can count on!"

Captain and Golem's scene:

Walking into a large open storage room, the captain approaches the colossal golem which stands alongside some crates. 

Captain: "Hey big guy! I heard something was troubling you?"

Golem: "Yes captain, I'm afraid that I can not keep up this charade."

Captain: "What? Wait! Hold on..."

The captain goes back to the door he entered from and closes it. Making sure no one is around he continues.

Captain: "Is this about your role in the group?"

Golem: "It's my conscience captain, I feel that I am living a lie. I also feel that I don't help enough to earn my keep..."

The captain takes a seat on a large crate and signals the golem to sit next to him, making a loud thud the golem does so .

Captain: "Everyone on board this ship has a purpose. The pilot seems to be the only one able to convince the ship what to do and, although mechanic is a right grouch, he actually keeps us afloat. Though don't tell him I told you that..."

Golem: "I won't..."

Captain: "Heck! Even I have the role of getting us work and keeping this group together. But more importantly, do you want to know why I keep you around, apart from your ability to lift heavy cargo?"

Golem: "To be the muscle? To hurt people?"

Captain: "No! I keep you around so that we don't have to hurt anyone. That's the point of this group, we do what we can in order to make a living where we can, without taking any lives."

Golem: "No? So what good am I then?"

Captain: "Well. you may not have noticed, but your kind of big, and scary looking, no offense..."

Golem: "None taken."

Captain: "People get intimidated just by looking at you. Your the perfect weapon that doesn't kill! When you're behind us looking big and mean it stops them from drawing their pistols as they're terrified you'll mess them up!"

Golem: "But I don't want to do either of those things to anyone."

Captain: "I know that, but they don't..."

The golem seems to ponder this as he rubs a big stone hand across his chin. After some rock grinding sounds he nods.

Golem: "Do you really think it can work captain?"

Captain: "I know so! We have the rest of the crew convinced right? Which is probably for the better considering their poker faces suck...

The captain jumps off the crate and raises a hand.

Captain: "Now come on! One more time..."

Golem: "No, captain please..."

Captain: "Oh come on! I swear it's a fun game once you crack it! If it's one thing I'm going to teach you as your captain it's how to play one simple Earth game, ok?"

Golem: "...Ok."

Captain: "Good! Now... ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!"

The captain raises paper and the golem a reluctant rock.

Captain: "No! You were meant to choose something other than rock!"

Golem: "Sorry captain, but rock comes naturally to me..." 

Captain: "Yea, funny that... Ok, from the top!"
 

Characters, personalities and voices (30/1/2014)

* We found out today that we won't be giving our presentation until the 13th of February. Therefore, Ed and I concentrated on selecting the characters and their designs that I will further define. 

Captain: Decided that the captain should be strong, but should look out for the crew, as they do him, despite him always putting them first.

• Personality: Keeping a stiff upper lip for the crew's sake, the captain has been going through a lot recently and therefore the crew is keeping an eye on him. Kind and considerate to his crew, this character is far less inclined to fight than most. However, when someone messes with his crew or his friends, he completely changes character and won't forgive his enemies. 
• Design: Human in a captain's uniform that is a mix of both sci-fi and 19th century military.

Pilot: Instantly appealing to Ed. He felt this character would work as he reminded him of himself and of a character in 'Sharpe' that he liked.

• Personality: A drinker, a gambler and a guitarist. Once part of a band, he now flies the ship without hardly ever saying a word. Only speaking to ask simple questions or sing a song.
• Design: Similar to Ed's punk rock look e.g. wristbands, shirt, leather, mo hawk hair etc. Keep him humanoid with elements of an alien. He will also have a visor over his eyes to help him pilot as it helps him calculate, interface with the ship and/or help him see through blindness.

Mechanic: Realising that we had a lot of positive characters and not enough non positive ones to balance the group, we decided to make him grumpy and old fashioned. Also older than the others.  

• Personality: Always complaining, the mechanic hates surprises and just wants to take on easy missions so he has nothing serious to fix. Old fashioned in his ways, he also hates to throw away things. 
• Design: A big fat alien wearing a mechanics suit (similar to the fat pig/dog like mechanic I drew on the first character concept page). He will closely resemble a creature from Earth, possibly reptilian or bird like. 

Muscle: Feeling that this character would add more emotion for us to play with, we also liked the fact that he wasn't just a run of the mill brute. 

• Personality: A large kind hearted being who wouldn't hurt a fly, but to be useful to the crew he puts on the tough hard-as-nails persona so as to intimidate people into telling him things / doing what he says rather than resorting to violence. 
• Design: A rock like golem.

The ship: Believing that the ship should have a personality in order to provide a contrast to the pilot's quiet personality, we made the ship cautious so as to make it another problem that the crew have to deal with. Therefore, not only do they have to make enough money for food, fuel and maintenance, but they also have to convince the ship to do what they want it to do.

• Personality: An overly cautious ship that doesn't like to take risks and has often to be convinced into doing things. 
• Design: The exterior should be non symmetrical and made up of multiple ships put together. Whereas the interior should look like the crew quarters of the star fighter seen in the first 'Alien' movie. I'll also experiment with possible interfaces for the ship to interact with the crew, could even experiment with the bubble of water idea I had a while back.

Dock worker: Decided to combine two aspects to make him a really despicable character rather like Watto from 'Star Wars' who we are basing him on and who Ed can do a great impression of.

• Personality: A tight fisted, grubby and greedy individual who only cares about one thing, money. All he wants is for the crew to be done with the payment and signing of documents as fast as possible so he can go back to sleeping or drinking. 
• Design: Doesn't really matter at the moment. Will come up with both alien and robot designs.

* Finding an empty room we worked on our voices and showed one another what we felt confident in. We were able to come up with the following voices, though we plan to go away and come back next week having had time to further experiment with our range without being put on the spot.

Voices:

• Captain - Me: Regular voice
• Pilot - Ed: Regular voice
• Dock worker - Ed: Watto impersonation
  

* Talking to our lecturer, we were all really enthusiastic about the idea. He reckoned that we should play around with our voices and have fun. Since both me and Ed don't want to fall out over a group project we felt this was a good idea and agreed to keep each other in the loop and work out a fair share of the roles.

* We also sat down and watched the video cast reveal for 'The Elder Scrolls Online' in which it show cased numerous well known actors talking about their characters, what they understood about them and even showed how they performed them. Thus this video was useful to watch as it allowed me to look further into the voice recording process.

Harvard Referencing:

• Bethesda Softworks (2014) The Elder Scrolls Online - Voice Cast Reel. [Online Video] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na-Jun_uRFQ (Accessed: 30/1/2014).