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Cyberpunk Detective [Prototype]

Materials: (listed below)
Budget: $200-$500
Timeline: (attached)

TECHNICAL STRATEGY:

Leading the charge in visual effects, art direction, and editing, much of my part when it comes to this project revolves around the way scenes are actually executed on screen. Involving a list of advanced effects and scene compositions, most of the programs I will use to create this project involve industry-level applications to give the true visuals that the team is looking. Below is a list of programs that I will personally be dealing with for the course of the project, with a small description attached to each:

[Modeling]

  • Maya: Main 3-D modeling software. Others can be used based on preference. (Free)
  • ZBrush: A digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting (good for character design) ($29/mo)
  • Houdini: Industry-standard software that specializes in the creation of visual effects in film and game. Major VFX companies such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and DreamWorks Animation uses this. (Academic License: $75)
  • Marvelous Designer: A 3D design tool for clothes and fabrics. (30-Day Free Trials, $50/ mo)

[Animation]

  • Dynamixyz: Real-time facial motion-tracking software (Software is available, camera alternatives to be researched)
  • F-Clone (Back-Up): Much cheaper alternative to Dynamixyz (Free Trials, $58)
  • iPi Mocap Studio: A tool to track 3-D human body motions and produce 3-D animation. (Free Trials, $45/yr, requires two Kinects)
  • Motion Builder: Autodesk software that will be used to make fine-tunes to motion captures

[Rendering]

  • RenderMan: photorealistic 3D rendering software produced by Pixar Animation Studios (Issuing a request for an educational license)
  • Arnold (Back-Up): With Maya; Free

[Compositing and Editing]

• Nuke: Industry-standard node-based digital compositing and visual effects application used for television and film post-production. Already have a 3-year free academic license.

Most of these programs I already have a pretty fair grasp on. It is Houdini and Nuke in particular that I will be focusing on primarily over winter break to learn, as I am the most unfamiliar with the two. It is advantageous to learn these programs because they invite for an industry-level look for the project, as well as provides valuable skills to incorporate into my skillset.

AESTHETIC STRATEGY:

In terms of stylizations, the team has begun looking at different artistic approaches we can take the film, as well as researching any assets that we could use as props, environments, or references. Having just finished the script complete with scene-by-scene descriptions and dialogue, the primary focus will now be on art style and development. Some of the websites we have been looking at that provide free or cheap assets that will be useful for us to include involve CGTrader, Turbo Squid, and Art Station. For the most part, with the theme being cyberpunk there is only so many directions you can take the look without changing what it is, however we will most likely be taking a more realistic approach to how objects are rendered.

IMPLEMENTATION:

In terms of what is complete at this very moment, at this time the script is 100% complete with only minor edits to dialogue to be made. Overall concepts are present, complete with scene- by-scene descriptions that will help construct each scene in a 3-D setting. It is 19 pages in length and is typed entirely in Celtx, which is a website designed for professional scriptwriting.

For a synopsis, the story takes place in a hypothetical version of New York City that has undergone a cyberpunk transformation, and centers around a detective named Kallan Kade who has been retired for quite some time now. Renowned for his skill and reputation, he is called upon one last time for an assignment that will ultimately force him to choose between what he loves, and the fate of the world. The story includes several twists riddled throughout that immediately shift its tone, as well as one major twist at the very end, which really broadens the scope of the entire film. Other characters of the story include Faidra, The Director, Mr. West, Carmine The Saint, Samuels, and Ghost Zero. Below are character descriptions for each:

Kallan Kade: A retired detective who has lived a life of pain and anguish. He is called upon one final time to complete an assignment that will determine his fate. The whereabouts of his family is central to him.

Faidra: An engineer who goes missing at the beginning of the story who holds a big secret and company asset. Her character development with Kade becomes critical to the story’s outcome.

The Director: Head of the police force and intelligence in the city. Presents an ultimatum to Kade.

Mr. West: An important client to The Director. Jovial and high-energy. Has ties with Faidra.

Carmine The Saint: A self-important man in a pinstripe suit. Owner of a Club Rapture.

Samuels: An old friend of Kade who lives in the slums of the city. Former freedom fighter for the War.

Ghost Zero: Highly skilled bounty hunter who is assigned to follow Kade.

So far everything is moving according to plan on schedule. With the completion of the script the team will now focus on early art direction and development, which will begin immediately leading into winter break. During this time I will again take a personal emphasis on learning the fundamentals of Houdini and Nuke to utilize their assets for this project. All-in-all this is very exciting and I cannot wait to move on to the next step.

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Intercon Dubai [Industry Event]

Grand Hyatt, 14th-16th October, 2019

The industry event I chose to focus on for my project is a panel-formatted event called InterCon Dubai which is known for gathering some of the brightest speakers with the most transformative ideas that shape the future of computing technologies. Being that my topic is closely related to virtual reality, and the fact that I may very well may be experimenting with it by the end of regular production, I felt this type of event was appropriate to pursue. For this instance, a presentation by Badal Dixit, who is the founder of PearlQuest, was made on how virtual reality is the next big revolution in computing. He began discussing some of the common misconceptions surrounding the technology and emphasized its recent impact upon industries involving healthcare, retail, and immersive art, including filmmaking and video game development.

One of the crucial points he made during the presentation was unveiling how truly exponential the markets for virtual reality is growing. Just back in 2016 the market size was only about 2 billion dollars, but lately with how much it has been trending, we are looking at an exponential growth to 571 billion by 2022. He notes it as a world-record breaking projection for any other industry in the world, which is why it should be taken so seriously. Industry experts note that some of the best stocks to invest in for virtual reality include Facebook, Sony, and Electronic Arts. Job markets are every so expanding with both entry-level and senior positions, with major employers such as Google, Intel, and Microsoft hiring. It truly is such a promising industry, and says a lot about how filmmaking may evolve once our world becomes more immersed with the technology.

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Leaders and Role Models – VR

Morton Heilig was one of the earliest known pioneers in virtual reality technology, and was also a filmmaker. With the help of his partner, he was able to apply his cinematography skills to develop the Sensorama from 1957 to 1962. The Sensorama was one of the earliest known examples of a machine that provided an immersive, multi-sensory experience to the user. That said, it is widely considered as one of the earliest virtual reality systems. Similar to an arcade racer, the machine featured a game that provided a user the experience of riding a motorcycle through the streets of Brooklyn. It included wind, vibration on the motorcycle, a 3D view, and even smells of the city. Heilig’s whole idea was to create the “cinema of the future”, of which he ultimately ended up discovering. Heilig’s work relates to my thesis project in how I want to create a physical interactive experience for users to use and explore.

Jaron Lanier is also another known earlier pioneer in the field of virtual reality. His interest dates back to 1985 when he left his job at Atari to create his own startup VR company, VPL Research Incorporated. It was here that the first VR goggles and gloves were actually developed, but had not hit the popular stride these accessories had hit today. Since then he has gone on to work in a research department of Microsoft, and is still viewed by many as one of the prime gurus for VR technology. Lainer’s work relates to my thesis in the sense that his developments created the essential pieces necessary to experience a simulation that I want to create. 

Palmer Luckey is famous for his development of the Oculus Rift, which ultimately sparked a gold rush in the market. In early stages of development, the Oculus Rift was but a few scrapped cell phone parts fit into ski goggles. Amazed at how bad VR technology was at the time, Luckey was determined to bring his product to the market, and partnered with John Carmack to bring an audience to his creation. Multiple tech companies, including HTC, Sony, Google and Microsoft, all hopped on this bandwagon, and the rest is history. Similarly to Lanier, Luckey’s work is an essential part to my thesis in which it provides a system to host what I want to simulate. Palmer’s work is probably the most widely recognized by the general public, the Oculus Rift is a worldwide sensation.

Virtual Reality Visionaries: 5 Pioneers Who Made VR Possible
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MOTION MAGIC

I currently have two ideas for my senior thesis project, of which to pursue I will make a final decision very soon. For the first idea and one I had in mind when going into this class, is to create a demo reel of work I have created thus far in my areas of motion graphics, 3-D animation, cinematography, and more. The idea is to have all of my best works compiled in a cohesive, fluid segment that can be easily viewed and accessed by any person wishing to see. I believe this is a great way to sum up my time here in college, to show all that I have to offer, and show it in a way that would be representative of my skills in editing.

Video editing I would say is my biggest strength. It is also the type of work I love doing most. Composition, rhythm, flow, artistic direction… these are all elements that go into it, and are all elements I love spending lots of time on perfecting. I believe my senior thesis project itself would be a demonstration of my largest skill, while also featuring the other skills I have. Below I will have attached a recent video I edited as part of rush marketing for my fraternity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7qAhIQzOsk&feature=youtu.be

Materials for this project will include all works I have completed up until now (which I have saved, for the most part – other pieces were unfortunately lost in hard drives failures), as well as any programs I need to edit/create them. These programs can include Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, MAYA, and Final Cut Pro. The only fear I have at this point is not having enough examples of work to create the vision of a video I have. To remedy this I plan to make more pieces on the side, adding to what I already have. I hope to learn the extra leaps it takes to really create an impressive piece that potential employers will be sold by.

ALTERNATIVE IDEA: CMF PROJECT

This is my other project idea for my thesis, it is a lot more ambitious and pretty exciting to me. Given I have permission to pursue, I would like to begin preliminary works for my Spring 2020 Campus Movie Fest film idea, which will be a cyberpunk-themed 3-D animated experience. Last semester, my friend Greg Patten and I created (with some help from others) a 3-D animated film called “A Hero’s Journey” which was originally set to be a VR-compatible short film. Due to our crew being limited to only us two for the majority of the time, we could not tackle this endeavor, although research was made. The film won the silver tripod award for Best Editing, of which I am very proud to have edited, and also got nominated for the golden tripod award at the CMF National Convention. We did not win, in the end, however looking back we really made this project in a last-minute effort, and with better help this time, we plan to go big this upcoming one.

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Response to Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

In a rather ironic setting at a Stanford Commencement, Steve Jobs spends some time recalling some of the ways that dropping out of college has led to the greatest opportunities and revelations in his life. He talks about three stories in particular, each in secession having to do with “connecting the dots”, “dealing with love and loss”, and “confronting death”. In his first story of connecting the dots, Steve Jobs talks about how him dropping out of college led him to create the legacy he known for at Apple. It allowed him to attend a calligraphy class that if he otherwise would not have attended would have impacted the creative design that Macs output today. All of the choices he made in his life was done out of a gut feeling; a hunger to want to do something, which is something that he emphasizes to the crowd. In retrospect, it is impossible to see how the dots connected in his life in realtime, but it is so obvious when looking back. He emphasizes to tackle this by doing the things that you love, and to not live a life the someone else lives.

Steve Jobs relates with first story with two others talking about love, loss, and death. He explains how death is one of the greatest inventions of life. If you live everyday like it is your last, and you determine that you would not be satisfied with your life outcome, then it is a dead giveaway to make a change in your life. To live your life to the fullest is to do what you love, and to excel greatly in that field. To have an ambition or hunger to do something is one of the greatest things you can do; the ceiling for accomplishment really is limitless. For the matters of my own project, Steve Jobs was a pioneer in 3-D animation, creating Pixar Animation Studios shortly after being fired from Apple. He is an inspiration for all trying to join the field, and I would like to emulate that part of his story.