"Sleeper" by Matt Sconce and Mark Aro

[Mark T. Aro]

3D Model of Paige... TEST!

3D Model of Paige... TEST!

WELL, I told myself that I would take a couple of weeks off from Sleeper... it lasted a couple of days. Here's a sample image of our 3D version of Paige. This will be used in the final sequence of the film which should be quite rewarding for all. Again this is first pass. I would like to thank Mark Johnson for pointing me to a very useful tool. I had planned on building her from scratch (old habit from my gave dev days) or I was looking into getting a digital scan done. I think that this direction will work the best and be the most flexible in the end. I will need to take better photos, the photos included in this are just ones that I took prior to filming. These worked for a test, but I will get better photo ref to use on the final model. Just a quick note... once the head is built in this tool I will spend a lot of time tweaking it in 3DS MAX and possible doing some detail work in MUDBOX, but like I mentioned to Mark J. This will get me a long way fast.

I hope you all enjoy. As always, this is great fun!

Mark rogar-Evil(DBG):

 

[Mark Johnson]

Nicely done, Mark A! By the way, I forgot to mention to you that last month's 3D World was devoted to face modeling and they included a 30-day working version of GenHead 3.1, which also apparently creates 3D heads from photo references similar to FaceGen. Their regular demo is save-disabled but the version on the 3D World disc has full functionality for 30 days. Frankly, from the samples I saw, I think FaceGen is probably superior, but it might be worth checking out as you can still find the issue at Borders as of this past weekend.

Also, for anyone interested in creating digital doubles I highly recommend Essence: The Face by Ballistic Publishing. The book takes you through how to properly light and photograph your actor and then goes into the theory and practice of creatig a 3D double. Here's a comparison from the book showing how they converted an actress into a 3D double and then used 3D techniques to f*ck her face up. One advantage of this approach is the ability to generate wounds and scars that can evolve over time without resorting to morphing or compositing techniques.

 

[Kholi]

Five stars for the last two posts. Amazing program and I shall get it! Thanks for sharing, dudes.

 

[Matt Sconce]

Five stars for the last two posts. Amazing program and I shall get it! Thanks for sharing, dudes.

Seriously! This stuff is amazing. Expect a ton more like this as Sleeper develops and moves forward. Thank you to Both Marks for posting those shots!

 

[Hermn8r]

Awesome stuff here!! Anytime you get help from Mr. Mark Johnson, you know things'll be good!!

Really looking forward to seeing the finished product!

 

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Herman! Good to see you here. Last week I was actually working on replacement FX for TTN. When we get done we'll have our long delayed cast party out at Cable. Should be a hell of a lot of fun. ..

Now back to Sleeper ...

 

[Mark T. Aro]

Awesome stuff here!! Anytime you get help from Mr. Mark Johnson, you know things'll be good!!

Really looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Yeah, we use a lot of the same tools but he just pointed me to a couple of gems that I intend on implementing on Sleeper. We will see if we can convince him to get his hands dirty and help a bit on this one. rogar-Dolar(DBG):

Stay tuned for more.

Mark A.

 

[Hermn8r]

Hey Herman! Good to see you here. Last week I was actually working on replacement FX for TTN. When we get done we'll have our long delayed cast party out at Cable. Should be a hell of a lot of fun. ..

Now back to Sleeper ...

Should be awesome!! Good to see you on the boards, my man!
​

 

[Matt Sconce]

Wow... Sleeper is growing in scope. 1 scene has been added and one has been extended, and now we require motion tracking or something we are working on that is very similar. Mark Johnson is in the mix now and adding some great ideas to Mark and my ADHD minds. Fun Fun!

 

[Blaine]

Hey Herman! Good to see you here. Last week I was actually working on replacement FX for TTN. When we get done we'll have our long delayed cast party out at Cable. Should be a hell of a lot of fun. ..

Now back to Sleeper ...

Sorry about the hijack...

Get those shots done, Johnson, so we can place TTN... :beer: (I mean Git-r-done!)

 

[Matt Sconce]

Sorry about the hijack...

Get those shots done, Johnson, so we can place TTN... :beer: (I mean Git-r-done!)

I see how it is Blaine! Just kidding. Are you going to AOF this year?

 

[Blaine]

I see how it is Blaine! Just kidding. Are you going to AOF this year?

Perhaps, if Johnson can get TTN done... ; )

 

[Matt Sconce]

Perhaps, if Johnson can get TTN done... ; )

Haha! It would be good to see you.

 

[kurtmo]

Thanks for submitting this even though it wasn't finished. it takes guts to put out something that could get dinged for incompleteness.

I thought the fx were totally awesome! I liked the pace. I thought the camera angles were nice.

One of the weak parts for me was Paige's audio. She just didn't sound emotionally invested in the tragedy like she should have. Especially her first cell phone call...she sounded flat instead of scared.

Thanks again. I', looking forward to the finished piece!

 

[Matt Sconce]

Thanks for submitting this even though it wasn't finished. it takes guts to put out something that could get dinged for incompleteness.

I thought the fx were totally awesome! I liked the pace. I thought the camera angles were nice.

One of the weak parts for me was Paige's audio. She just didn't sound emotionally invested in the tragedy like she should have. Especially her first cell phone call...she sounded flat instead of scared.

Thanks again. I', looking forward to the finished piece!

Thanks Kurtmo!

I was a bit bummed with the audio in the vault. All the voice you hear is ADR as we had to record after the fact due to generator noise. We have some brilliant dialogue recording for those vault moments but those excellent takes were not used in the movie we submitted. We did not hava chance to direct Mike about which takes to use and the ones over her acting there are not the best. Rest assured, we will do this until it rocks, so if we cannot find a take where the emotions match the moment, we will re-record them! Also, remember that she is not emotionally invested as she is a creature who wanted the kidnapping to occur and is simply masquerading as Robin Gordon. That will be much clearer after we finish the first scene (not in this cut) and the end scene (not in this cut).

Thanks for the feedback. We will definitely address those issues!:beer:

 

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Haha. Wow you guys REALLY went for it.

Congrats.

Really like some of the birds eye P.O.V.'s that swoop down into the scene and become a more horizontal shot.

Lots of really nice art direction here.

Couldn't quite follow the story, but it was still pretty impressive.

Can't wait to see the complete version.

Thanks guys :beer:

 

[kurtmo]

Also, remember that she is not emotionally invested as she is a creature who wanted the kidnapping to occur and is simply masquerading as Robin Gordon. That will be much clearer after we finish the first scene (not in this cut) and the end scene (not in this cut).

Based on this cut, where the reveal happens later, it seems that the viewer should be invested in her fear until the twist begins to happen. Even if we know earlier based on a different beginning, she seems to be trying to keep it a secret until later. I do like her emotions once she is outside.

Once again, I want to applaud the excellent work on this!

 

[Matt Sconce]

Based on this cut, where the reveal happens later, it seems that the viewer should be invested in her fear until the twist begins to happen. Even if we know earlier based on a different beginning, she seems to be trying to keep it a secret until later. I do like her emotions once she is outside.

Once again, I want to applaud the excellent work on this!

Interesting point. I see what you mean about that. Thanks for taking the time to help us make the film better!

 

[Matt Sconce]

Haha. Wow you guys REALLY went for it.

Congrats.

Thanks Jack. We are trying to shoot for epic. It is hard to do with no money and day jobs, but hopefully it will turn out as perfected as we hope it will.

Really like some of the birds eye P.O.V.'s that swoop down into the scene and become a more horizontal shot.

We used my little steadicam for almost every shot. I made it for 30.00 from Home depot, and it has been worth it's weight in gold. Mark and I talked about how we wanted a fluid camera movement that was a bit organic as opposed to locked down shots. It was tiring but the end result was worth it. I'll never forget being in a full rain suit with a home made rain cover (my dad made it) over the Hvx, which was screwed onto the steadicam by one 1/4 bolt, running through the puddles trying to get the shot. I was SOOOO cold.....so you can imagine what Paige was going through!

Lots of really nice art direction here.

Mark is the Art direction Guru and I am glad because that is not my forte!:crybaby:

Couldn't quite follow the story, but it was still pretty impressive.

We hope the story will be much easier to folow, once the key elements are added back in and the other scenes are finished. You'll have to let us know if it makes it easier! :thumbup:

Can't wait to see the complete version.
Thanks guys :beer:

Thanks for checking it out and commenting. We are excited to finally get the film to its final stages.

 

[Ted Arabian]

Wow, guys! What a freakin' amazing undertaking! There were some "Blockbuster" shots and effects happening here! Just an amazing vision you have!!!

I know that the film is obviously not finished so it is hard to give a lot of comment but I can tell that this is going to be an outstanding film once it's done!

I love the shots. The framing. The editing. Nicely done.

I love the art direction. Oh, so beautiful. And the lighting is wonderful.

Great job guys! What a duo you two are! Please keep me updated with the proress of this film!!! And thanks for showing it off in its current state. Totally worth watching!!!

-Ted