Not sure about backgrounds

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:47 pm

Hi,

I've done the character animation on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TGhqThCXEs

And now I'm looking to add backgrounds. The idea is that they're in a factory. Done a bunch-o-tests and I'm trying to figure out how to create backgrounds that aren't too distracting.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

knunk · Post by **knunk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:08 pm

Ha ha Thats ace Mike!
I'd go abstract. get hold of some textures of cogs. pipes and wheels. Make brushes with them in Photoshop and do like big potato prints.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:10 pm

Thanks knunk.

The comments I've had is that its perhaps too abstract at the moment.

I'm progressing in this direction:

To place it a bit more.

However with a keen eye I think the abstract cogs and things would work. I know you'd be able to crack that, knunk. You guys do awesome stuff. Somehow I haven't managed to crack the abstract look with textures and shapes. I'd dig to see some examples of stuff you may have done in this manner if you have anything online.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:11 pm

Mike, you're amazing!

Another fine piece of work ... and you didn't even tell us before.

OK, Backgrounds. Since the characters are cutout, I'd say use collage for the BGs as well. Pieces of photographs, roughly cut, not in correct perspective, to create different rooms of that factory. Further they should always be lighter in the middle and dark at the corners to create depth, and the characters should have a simple shadow under them (just a dark spot).

I did some screenshots from the video, maybe I come up with some sketches later.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:25 pm

He he, thanks slow

Well I must say thank you again for the help you gave me with the bouncing sun in Happy Land. I use that same theory for pretty much all my up and down motion, jumping, running...really made a penny drop for me.

Anyways, I'd be super stoked if you have a chance to put a sketch together, that'd be awesome!

Peace,

Mike

b15fliptop · Post by **b15fliptop** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:27 pm

I don't have anything constructive to add, just wanted to jump onto the "you're amazing" bandwagon! Really great stuff, Mike!

grady1017 · Post by **grady1017** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:09 pm

b15fliptop wrote:I don't have anything constructive to add, just wanted to jump onto the "you're amazing" bandwagon! Really great stuff, Mike!

same here. Your stuff is just always so cool. I especially love around 0:47 with the noodly arm dance. I also love the ending how all the girls just stop disappointingly.

had you ever thought about making the backgrounds like an old-school pixelated mega-man game? I don't know, just a thought that I thought might look neat...

Anyways, again...awesome stuff!!

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:27 pm

Thanks guys, ha ha, that's nice

Funny you should mention the pixel aspect. I'm doing the intro and outro in pixel animation:

I've got a soft spot for the pixel stuff.

Anyways, nice idea for backgrounds, it did cross my mind but might work quite nicely, so may give it a second thought. Thanks!

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:07 pm

OK, I tried some BGs and am not satisfied. Maybe totally wrong track. I'll spend more time tomorrow with it, need sleep now.

In the meantime, have a look at the cheapest music video ever made. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsUhMylZfnc

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:27 am

Ha ha, I dig that roach video! Hope they paid the actors handsomely.

Anyways here's where I'm going with the backgrounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APsfoyXumvk

Still quite a bit to do and correct.

Thanks,

Mike

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:40 am

As if it didn't look great enough without the backgrounds, with them is absolutely astonishing!

KenW · Post by **KenW** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:18 am

Awesome stuff mike !

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:41 am

Here's what I'm working with at the moment.

If you spot anything strange or untoward please lemme know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEtTY2421ng

Thanks,

Mike

AniPierre · Post by **AniPierre** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:04 am

That's friggin' brilliant! I love the color cycling backgrounds and how you've left space for your animation to be readable over the backgrounds. This is truly one of the nicest things I've seen on this forum yet!

The one thing I don't get is the mouse with the saw. Otherwise, I recognise your character designs. Really, overall a fantastic piece of animation.

Pierre

Acochran_89 · Post by **Acochran_89** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:28 am

wow......that was completely amazing...

loved the way you really brought out your style in it. Great work