This is a crosshatch cel shader I am trying to achieve for the visual look, here is a

render test

Psychology of the protagonist

Why is Harry afraid at night? What is keeping him awake?

During the WW2, people are not allowed to have any traces of lights emitted from their homes in case of enemy detecting them from the skies. They were required to seal off the windows, all street lights are not turned on therefore it is really dark at nights.

Sirens are alerted if there are intruders nearby.

Harry doesn’t feel safe living in a environment like this. He thinks “This is not a home anymore, it is just a fragile house at the verge of destruction, we are at danger every night”.

Family that has annual income below £500 will get a free shelter sent to their house to be built in their back yards for shelter.

He is afraid what is lurking outside, every night past, he is tortured by these feelings, he really wants to find out what it is, what kind of enemy is attacking the country.

What about Anna?

The only thing that would stop Harry from leaving this house will be Anna. But Harry knows that, either way, their fate will be the same, either survive this ordeal together or die from it.

So why not be something useful before anything happens. He knows that Anna would not want him to leave her in a situation like this, but she still got her family to look after her even if something does happen to Harry.

How does Anna feel?

Anna is not a independent person, she often needs help from Harry for everything. With the absence of Harry, she begins to be more strong and independent.

Harry’s option

Baby sit his wife, or go out there and help change the world for a better place to live in, every little helps.

Streets

A place where Harry can see other people’s reaction and feelings who are in the same situation as him. A place where he can compare himself to another.

The living room

This is the heart of the house, the entertainment and the reading room. All photo albums and books are kept in this room. Music and radio are also in this room. All puzzles are solved here.

The dark room

This is where all their photos are developed, a room where the truth materializes.

The bedroom

A room where deep emotional feelings are seen.

Battlefield

A gate between life and death, the terrific feeling of not being able to go back.

Train station

The outcome of the war, the conclusion of this conflict and the big decision to make that will affect Anna’s whole life.

House full of photo frames that reflects his occupation and past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-2YRozCGME

Visual aims for the animation would be something like this, a cross hatched shadow and cel shaded

Pecha Kucha Revisited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGjjkVV6MC8&feature=g-upl&context=G2db03c5AUAAAAAAAAAA

Concept

The concept is to combine realism and expressionism together, the finalised idea is to base it on war photography in WW2, in which I am trying to capture the sense of realism about war in a expressionistic animation

Realism

(We get a sense of realism through sources such as diaries, memos, articles, news papers, photos etc with these overlapped we get a better picture of the war, the story will be heavily based on these facts)

We get a sense of realism through sources such as diaries, memos, articles, news papers, photos etc the richness of these information gives us a better sense of the war but still we haven’t actually experienced war from reading from these, its like a view from nowhere, so the story is based on these historic sources.

Expressionism

The aim is to create a short film which is expressionistic yet realistic in terms of the narrative. The expressionistic style gives more room for creativity as the style enhances the emotions, psychological impact and the atmospheric mood to depict the people in WW2.

Research of WW2

In order to know about the setting more, I looked into the history of WW2, the life styles, war photographers during that era, what camera they have used, soldiers, how they got conscripted to the army, and then I looked at the fashion and style of Britain during that time.

Don McCullin

Don McCullin has been a war photographer for decades, some images are staged in order to enhance the image, but they are real. He says that when young children look at these pictures, they would form a opinion and expected to inherit a responsibility and hopes that the next gen doesn’t need to, occasionally he takes pictures of the twilight like a reminder of hope and life.

James Natchwey

James is a modern war photographer, he used to take pictures from war zones like Iraq, in his documentary, I found one of his quotes quite inspiring “every minute when I was there, I wanted to flee, but I have to deal with the responsibility of being there with a camera”

Further visual

For further visual reference, I looked at interior and furnishing of a middle class 1940s house which would help me for modelling in 3D. Looked at the layouts of the furniture and capturing every detail and to understand the poetic space of the house.

Story

set in pre WW2 and post WW2. First half is about Harry the photographer, his bids farewell to his wife to join the army to be a photographer, hoping his photos could change the thoughts of the world, second half concentrates on Anna who becomes independent with the absence of her husband and helps him develop his photos. When the war ended, Anna waits for Harry’s return at Manchester exchange station.

Side Project

Is to look at the life style of a typical middle class family in the 1940s. Families gather together to listen to the radio for updates about the war, they were required to seal their windows to avoid shattering from bombs, they were required to hide in their shelters when the siren goes off and they had to grow their own food. Low wage family gets the shelter free.

Inspiration

A PSP game the war of the lions, I like the cross hatch shadows and cel shaded animation gives a quite sketch look, sin city I like how they key colour some of the features, tim burton’s exaggerated caricatures and the third man’s use of camera angles enhancing the atmospheric mood of a scene.

Sketches and planning

Most of the short film is based in the house, so I drawn a floor plan and wall plans to help me model the scene and documenting every little details of furnishing. From the information I gathered from before, I worked out the layout of the room and how might the character utilises the space.

Psychological Impact

These are some of the psychological impacts for the characters, at night they were required to seal off all windows to avoid light emitting from the house this is to avoid enemies from above putting the whole street at risk. It doesn’t feel like a home anymore, its just a fragile house being watched from above.

Harry

This is Harry pre war and this is him in the war serving the army as a photographer. These are his key items, the hat gives him identity and the timeline, the photo album is his treasure of memories and the model Leica II camera is sort of like his dream and his will, which he carries 2 with him incase anything happens to one of them.

Harry’s Face

Facial emotions shows a lot about a character, he is athletically weak but he is yet brave and determined. This is also to help me with the facial rigging and morphing. If he was an animal, he would resemble a puppy, loyal but yet easily scared.

Anna

This is his wife, before and during the war. Women back in the WW2 were expected to live a independent life with their husbands at war, these are her key items. The first one is the letters she receives from Harry, second is the films from Harry, the head garment is the evidence of her character becoming strong and to look after the house.

Anna’s Face

Her character sort of resembles a princess, she starts off quite weak until she realises that she can’t be like this anymore, and she has to realise that there is a war going on, everyone is working hard to stay alive. Her facial features resembles a cat, sharp eye contacts to enhance the expressions.

SCAMPER

At first I decided to have 2 main characters, but I thought it added too many unnecessary interaction between the 2, so I decided to eliminate the wife as the main character at the start, then I rearranged the roles. With Harry being the main character at the start then Anna for the second half.

Interior 3D

Started modelling the interior of the house, trying to capture every small details and the patterns of a 1940s house, because most of the film is set in this house, I want to have as much details as possible, in the end it will be cel shaded and with cross hatch shading like in the example before.

House 3D

This is the street they live in, a typical terraced houses, this is the start of the film, a scene to show an introductory of the feel of the space. Going to build all the scenes and character in 3d first, then map them with a designed skin to stand out.

Future Plans

Here is a rough estimate of what needs to be done next and my current progress, still in the process of model and mapping hoping to start animating by Febuary.

After finishing the house, the interior and the model of Harry, these are my next task. For more development, research and images you can visit my blog, link up there.

Character biography

Harry Mores:

Age: 24

Occupation: Photographer

Home town: Manchester

Hair colour: Brown

Eye colour: Blue

Harry is a very determined person and pure hearted, he is a man that keeps his promises no matter what. Although he is not very athletically fit, but he is brave when it comes to fulfilling his objective. However, he often carries all the burden and responsibility to himself.

His hobbies are photography, carries a camera wherever he goes to and captures his life through photos and his collections of photos are his treasure. Harry came from a some what wealthy family who supported him for his studies.

He studied photography at the Victoria University of Manchester and this is where he met his

beloved person, his wife, Anna who also studied photography. They have recently moved together into their new home(terraced houses) in Manchester, Tameside. He is very protective over his wife.

His dream is not to become a famous photographer, but wishes to change peoples perspective of life through his work for the good.

When the World War II started, he begins to act differently to his wife. Although he knows that he is not fit to be a strong soldier, he feels that something needs to be done about it. But all he is ever good at is his photography skills. He begins to think about if he should join the army and fight for his country even knowing that he is not athletically fit. Day by day, as he listens to the news on the radio, his determination of joining the army grows. He feels as though he has to do something about the war. Until one day he finally decides, he wants to join the air force, not to fight, but to capture the horrific events around the war. His bravery lead him to the British Army as a air force photographer. His aim is not only to show the current generation of his pictures, but to show the next generation of this horrific event that should never happen again and to show the world that this conflict should be stopped.

Harry receives training for the first 6 months, after that he was dispatched to other war zones, taking actual footages of the battlefields with his Argus C3 camera. His greatest threat is not the enemy, but death, because he has yet to return home to meet his unborn child.

He joined the army in 1942 and the war ended in 1945. However he remained in the army to capture the aftermaths of the war.

1 Years later after the war, he officially returns home and reunite with his wife and son, his photos were later published around UK and later around the globe.

Anna Mores

Age: 24

Occupation: Photographer/House wife

Home town:

Hair colour: Blonde

Eye colour: Blue

Anna is the youngest sister out of her two elder brothers. Being the youngest in the family, she is often spoilt by her parents. She is always the one making decisions without thinking about others around her and she is very impatient. She studied Photography at the same university as her husband and graduated together. Her dream is to become a well known photographer. At home, she is often the decision maker that will make people agree with her.

When the World War II started, her husband began to treat her differently, and at times disobeying her. Because of her lack of cautiousness, she can’t quite figure out what Harry is thinking. One day, Harry left her a note saying that he is joining the British Army. At the time she was furious, angry and confused. It was hard to accept because she was 3 months pregnant as well. During the absent of her husband, she worked at Manchester Evening News as a photographer. She often gets visit by her neighbours and friends.

Life without her husband was hard because she had to face all her daily problems herself such as house works and raising their child. Without the help of her friends, she would face a even more difficult life. However because of this, she slowly becomes strong and independent. At first she is very worried about life without her husband, but day by day she begins to realise the reality. Their style of photography is very different, Anna is very into her fashion photography, while her husband Harry is into nature and scenery. One day, she opened up Harry’s photo album and browsed through all his work. Since then, she begins to understand Harry’s decision.

When the war ended in 1945, Anna waited another year for her husband to reunite with her.

Plot:

The World War II has started in 1939, the people of Manchester and all around are at the threat of conflict. (1940) Harry, a photographer for Manchester Evening News is on the way home to Denton in his friends car. That day he feels pretty down after hearing a friend’s death, the reason is unknown. When he gets home, he goes to the dark room upstairs to develop his photos.

His wife Anna then comes home from next door. Harry is just sat in the room thinking in deep thoughts. Anna knocks on the door a few times.

Harry is in the living room, putting his developed photos into his album, with the radio on.

He then hears a shocking news to him and becomes even more worried. Anna is also in the room putting her photos in her album giving no attention to Harry because she was so interested in her own pictures.

At night, Anna is asleep upstairs, while Harry is going through his photos in the living room.

The next morning Anna finds that Harry has already left the house, and downstairs by the door there is a note.

Harry explains all his reasons for leaving, (scene shows flash forwards of Harry in the army) Anna cries.

Harry trains in the army for the first 6 months, during this period he takes pictures of his life.

After he is dispatched to the battlefield to take photos of the conflict, peoples and the horrific events. Harry keeps a photo of him and his wife at all times. He carries two Leica II camera with him and each films taking 36 photos. The camera can be easily carried with the lens being pushed into the camera. Harry develops his photos at night, using the helmets as a container during times when he is at battlefields.

Times when he is back at his H.Q, he sends his films back to his wife and lets her develop them due to lack of the resources he has. Anna puts all his photos into an album, she is still yet puzzled with all the photos and his purpose of taking these pictures.

One day, Harry was dispatched to another battlefield, the enemy had advantages and outnumbered. Harry was shot into his chest and has fallen.

Through out the years Anna has helped Harry develop his photos, she finally understood why.

The War ended in 1945. However soldiers during that time has to remain in the army for many purposes. In 1946 she receives a letter about her husband coming home. She waits at the Manchester Victoria train station for his arrival. But she waited from day til night. Finally, Harry returns and for the first time he sees his son in person.

In the later years, his photos are published around the world.


I have yet to amend these, but firstly I would need to model all the characters and scenery first.

I have went through many researches such as articles, websites, documentaries and picked out interesting bits and made into a fiction story

Timeline and setting

Initial idea was to base this story on World War in history, however there are already too many novels and media based around this already and will lack originality.

Another plan was to design a world that is similar to the real world, maintaining similar features such as; religion, technology, geology, cultures and society.

However, the focus is mainly on the character so for this purpose, I will be mainly focused on the related context.

Many novels mimic the real world in their own respective ways. Many of the unusual representation are often the successful ones. The use of unusual representation and the use of realistic storyline backgrounds is what I’m aiming for.

Due to the theme of this project, with the visuals, I want to stay near to the real world as possible, because it is a dark and serious themed storyline, therefore it is important not to stray too far away with the visuals. With the short film having only around 4 locations, I would not need to go all out in designing a world, perhaps a few different representation of these area will do.

Visual Style

Software used will be mainly 3DS Max for creating characters and background scenes. The intended visual style I will be going for is quite a classical style to reflect the old times and a sense of past. Although I will be using a 3D model, I want a 2D cel-shaded style to it with a sketchy representation. From start to end, I want to show less color to start with then slowly show more color as the movie progresses.

Below is an example of the style I want to achieve. In my iteration, I would use more realistic looking characters as opposed from the anime style shown below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0kHjBhUmFg&list=FLzxps7EZluHPRFiFkkTEdrg&index=22

Plot

During the War era, the country of is on the verge of elimination. Their country are in desperate for soldiers, they ordered every young men to fight for their country. This was all over the news, spends his last day with his wife . The commander sent his troops to s house to take him away. wouldn’t let go and then he was beaten up and taken away from his wife.

He sits with 8 other men on the truck. When they arrive to the H.Q, sees long queues for collecting uniform and weaponry.

lost in thought, she takes out her photo album to reminiscence of her memories with her husband. puts on his helmet ready to battle, the troops are dispatched the red zone 20 miles away from H.Q. was frightened by the explosives, gun fires and cries. When they arrive, they got off and charges to the enemy. But was petrified, one of the enemy by his foot still alive, his comrade tells to finish him off. While too frightened, ’s comrade kills the enemy. Most men from the truck before are dead, runs and hide, his pendant drops out from his pocket with a picture of his wife. He realizes that must win so that he can come home. He grips hold of his gun and enters battle. He rushes into a forest, as he run passes the trees, the camera pans round in slow motion. A change of visual and aging can be seen here.

Few months have past, gives birth to their child. wakes up from a nightmare about his being killed in a bomb attack along with their child.

He looks outside into the moon, then slowly covered by smoke.

2 Years have passed since the day left his home.

Next day enters the final battle, the country’s fate are in their hands.

sees on the news that the army has won and the soldiers are returning home.

The is waiting at the train station with her 3 year old child. There are many other family members of the soldiers waiting for their arrival. Most of them are reunited, but for , never came back.

Here is the script for the animation

Daily Life of a Solider

Scene 1

Early in the morning, the man has breakfast with his pregnant wife for one last time. The truck arrives to picks the man up and takes him away.

Background noise - birds singing, wind breeze, plate dishes, truck

Notable objects – clock, calendar, photos, furnishing, baby cradle

Scene 2

The man is sat with the other people who are also taken, each looking depressed, some look excited.

BGN – truck, people talking, cries, laughing

Notable objects – clock/pendant and photos of his family

Scene 3

Man arrives to the H.Q, queuing up, trying to pop over to see what is ahead, then given his uniform, gears and gun.

BGN: people talking

Notable objects – Guns, uniforms, helmet

Scene 4

The wife looks at the window, waiting for something, walks over to the chair and gets out the photo album

BGN: steps, chair creeks, wardrobe

N.O : photo album, clock, calendar

Scene 5

Man puts on his helmet, pans to the gun looking frighten. Gets pushed out of the way and marches forward with the team. They go back to the truck with uniform on this time. The solider sees explosives from a distant. They get all get off and charges towards the enemy, except the man who looked shocked seeing dead bodies all over the place. One of the enemies still alive on the ground, his comrade tells him to finish him off from a distant, but he was too scared to shoot him. The comrade shoots it for him. The man then runs towards the trench looking shocked as each of his comrade are getting killed. His pendant drops out of his pocket and sees the photo of his wife, he realises that he must stay alive therefore he picks up his gun and fights.

He rushes towards the trees, the visual turns from black and white to colour as he passes the tree in slow motion, from looking shocked to heroic. This also shows the progression of character growth and timeline.

BGN: explosives, screams, gun shooting, cries, vehicles

N.O – guns, pendant

Scene 6

The wife gives birth to her son

Scene 7

I haven’t quite finished but at the end of the animation, the wife waits at the train station with her child, but her husband never came back.

The message I’m trying to bring across in this movie is really treasure your family, in which this case I used the father as an example, many people that I know take their parents for granted and doesn’t realise how hard they are working for them.