Updated Playblast Animation

 Updated Playblast shows most of my completed animations, with some tweaking and fixing still to be done. 

I needed to think more about the shadow creature that runs past, so right now its just a sphere with lights.  Lights are present but need to be worked on and rendered properly.

In terms of the animation of Mery, the timing and curves need to be adjusted in many frames; especially her breathing, blinking, head turns and the jump to the side of the tent.

Texture Board

 Textures I've used for assets in my carnival scene.

The Carnival Flyer

 Instead of setting the animation in a horror scene, I've chosen to go with an Escape Room story, in which Mery is trapped inside the game on the Carnival lot. So this is the flyer advertising said Escape Room.

Story Change

Switched up Mery's actions to change the story behind the shot. Instead of looking up at the light she's nervously pushing the buttons and looks back to see the 'monster?' creep past the tents.

Camera on Splined Curves

Splined the camera tangents for the smooth panning I'm going for. 

Pre-Lighting setup

Bringing in a skydome and setting up a Night time HDRI to get the night feeling before adding lighting...

 

Progress - Live Action Ref and Main Poses

 Live action reference to show my characters movements in the animation. Its a bit choppy but the main movements I needed are there.

This playblast blocks out my main poses(in stepped curves) based on my live-action ref as well as the basic camera movements I'm going for.

11 Seconds Club Progress

 Progress on my entry for the 11 Seconds Club. 3D rough layout in Maya. I've started mapping out the scene with my set and assets, most of which I'm having to model myself. Working through camera positions and composition of the shot...I've decided that the Mery rig seemed more suitable for my shot.

The set features the Circus Tent OBJ for Turbo Squid in the backdrop. I'm also setting about creating textures for my own made objects.

11 Second Club Animation Concept

Entering the 11 Second Club as part of my Animation 2nd year module at Escape Studios.

Inspired by the audio file for the October competition, my idea will be set in an eerie, circus/carnival lot during night time.

My moodboard explains the overall atmosphere of the shot I'm going for, a dark and creepy feel of a carnival lot at night, coupled with flashing or dimly lit circus lights and the ever looming fear of clowns.

My basic thumbnails illustrate my rough concept for the shot. Whilst sirens blare in the background, Eleven, my chosen Maya rig, flicks a light switch a few times. The siren begins to subside and Eleven notices, looking up. Behind her, for a split second, a shadow or silhouette is seen in the background. 

Eleven, sensing a presence, flinches and hurries behind the carnival stall. She looks back over her shoulder and around the corner, whispering, "What's happening?" As she does, the camera slowly pans to the right, as a dismembered clown hand slowly creeps up from the right side of the screen. Shot cuts to black just before it reaches her.