9/8/2025- 9/15/2025
First day of classes, watched everyone's animatics/storyboards. Gained critiques for the project, consisting of a couple of things:
- Work on Pacing and completion of the story
- Take lighting inspiration from painter Claude-Joseph Vernet, consisting of very ethereal and dreamlike lighting
For progress, the final initial interior layout for the story has been completed, and we will begin blocking. While working on a restarted storyboard, I was having issues following consistent interior layout/dimensions, so I then reached out to recruit storyboard artists. Have gotten in contact with a few artists who might be interested, but looking to see work and how fast they are able to complete the board. Created a Form sheet to keep track of certain progress points from members.
Started looking at butterfly rigs and videos to help understand flow and movement. Blocking will start in Maya, following the interior design illustration made in concept art.
One of the props of the tables has been sketched out, so modeling can start happening for it as well. Started blocking out object measurements for accuracy, as well as assigned a vase/flower prop duo to be placed on the piano as well.
Model and rig by taylor james: https://www.taylorjames.com/oakleaf-butterfly
animation cycle of wings
Artworks by Claude-Joseph Vernet; will be using for lighting inspiration, ethereal lighting and dramatic-ness
9/15-9/17
During this time, I worked on blocking out the interior layout, and making sure the louts were working as well. I did have to alter some aspects of the layout to fit the objects better. I plan on getting cameras in and start modeling some of the objects as well. I will be in contact wit the storyboard artist during this time to match up shots so I can get a flip book of the block out.
9/18-9/23
During this section, I worked with my storyboard artist to start a new storyboard and get Act one finished. during this time, I was able to start a Dropbox for sharing files back and forth. Assigned Modeling projects to one of the modelers. Did more research on unreal sun rays and the coloring of light moods. After the animatic was put together, I have communicated with my Storyboard artist to make each frame 1920 x 1080 to make sure animatics and the quality of each frame are fine. Unfortunately I have a project due so I had to work hard this weekend on it, I plan on starting out more solid camera shots in the block-out to follow the animatic. Continue to connect and work on act II and III on animatic and get them polished for midterms.
9/24-9/29
For This weekend, I wanted to start to focus on camera shots implemented into the block out maya file, while also working on modeling some simple objects to gather some more information and concepts for some of the more complex objects. For the ashtray, i wanted to create a High and Low poly version, so when the ashtray is not in a direct shot, it would not need to take up as much rendering space. for the chair, i plan to make the cushion a bit mor work down and less 'perfect'.
9/30-10/5
This weekend, I Completed the full block out animation of the film, and it has been sent to the sound designers to work on. During this time, I listened to piano and symphony music to further understand what type of rhythms and tones I would prefer in the film, and gave them to my S.D. however, the Estimate 3 minute film turned into 6 minutes, due to the account of taking into the butterfly's movements and antennae/Leg expressions.
10/6-10/12
This weekend, I was unfortunately very sick and could not do much. I have some music listed of what the soundtrack sounds like at the moment, as well as some models I have worked on, such as a stove and pencil, both have been UV'd as well. I have also contacted the graduate student who has emailed me about the smoke effects as well, so meet up with them to discuss the process of how the cigarette will be working.
10/13-10/17
During the past couple weeks i have altered the final play blast animation as well as gotten a beginning version of the completed sound design. While gaining Feedback from Class 15, there was a significant issue of some certain pacing and camera shots not working well. Sound design wise, the music was quite repetitive and will need to envelop more of a older feel instead of being a bit too energetic. During the past weekend, I have edited and new shots and deleted some unnecessary ones to shorten the length of the film and making the pacing work well together. During the time between final submission i want to re render out some of the play blasts to make the quality a it more solid and have final sound done to track music. i will also continue modeling assets for the interior to make a finalized interior model for film. My goal will be to make separate scenes to make it smoother for the animator to work on multiple scenes.
1/5/2026- 1/7/2026
During this time, I planned to make a crew call poster and print it out near the end of the week, as well as working on texture style refs and modeling more objects. I primarily need a 3d animator and Rigger, since I do not know nothing in that area and would like a person who could collaborate with me. I need a couple more texture artists as well since a lot of textures are hand painted. For class 5 I want to get started on lighting tests and textures placed.
1/8/2025-1/11/2016
During this weekend, I was Busy beginning the concept for my 560 class, but wanted to make a texture example and begin the modeling process for the butterfly. I also wanted to begin figuring out how to model the important chandelier above the piano as well. In this drawing, it's of my mother as she was younger, and I made it look more painterly and nostalgic.
I was able to find a rigger for the butterfly who can do it very efficiently and work well with an animator. With the creative liberties of the wing animations i plan to I plan to sit down and establish a blueprint we could make for the model.
I have printed out some copies of my crew call to post in Monty to get more views, as I only have one texture artist, and id love to incorporate juniors into my film so they can have some unique models and textures for their portfolio.
1/12/2025-1/13/2016
During the next day after having a break from my 560, I decided to model some more assets. The main one I focused on was the flowers, the curtains, and the urn, since my concept for the urn is finished. I have UV'd all the assets listed below as well
I have gotten a few responses on my crew call, one texture and a modeler, whom I have contacted to meet with them in person.
I will set up a schedule to follow with the crew I am collecting, so we can have lighting tests and some animation done by midterm.
2-2-26/2-15-26
Created Procedural textured wood generator and a hand-painted texture, should make all projects uniform as well as make it easier to make textures for the film, it took me watching a bit of tutorials and messing around, but it was fun to work on and make it work.
Texture artists will be contacted soon, and modeling artists are continuing to work on shots
FINAL QUARTER SPRING 2026!!!
The kitchen is almost fully modeled, and final camera edits were made during the last quarter.
For this final Quarter, the main stretch will be textures, animation, and compositing! Main textures and a slight 3D model need to be completed, but I will have some help to complete them. The Butterfly texture is getting ready to be worked on by a texture artist, and will be done soon.
Updated Final Butterfly Rig, Animators are found and will begin messing with the rig for any issues. Will continue modeling and texturing. beginning to set up fine setups in Collab space for animators.
Canva link for a presentation for animators.
https://canva.link/vm3i6fgldj7n2iw
Substance artist and animator have begun experimenting. Discussing with animator about how much is possible to animate by themself.