Gerritt Perkins has created this great CG model of the grown-up Jamie that will appear at the front and end of our movie. There's still a long way to go of course before we get to the final 2D/painterly design style that's planned for these sequences. However, this is a great start. Thank you Gerritt for all your hard work! :)
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An early glance of Jamie Steele - the man and icon - prior to him being modeled in CG for the opening and closing sequences of the movie. Further unique developments will follow! Design by Thomas Liera.
Not posted much here lately but that doesn't mean nothing's happening beneath the surface. Still waiting for final designs that will be turned into CG models for a major part of the film of course - and here I am, getting into the 'Stanley Matthews' mood, about to start the final draft of the movie screenplay! :)
P.S. Just wanted to share a post I've just made to my Facebook page, received after this pic went out... "Now this is weird... but kind of inspiring! I just got a private email via Stan Matthewsfan where Stanley Matthews' daughter, Jean, said of these pcitures... "It's great. At first glance Tony looks like Pop!" Guess I'm getting good that this 'method animating' thing huh? (Although I wished I had half his skills and half his gentlemanly humanitarianism however!) Determined to bring nothing but honor to Stan with this film however! The world has to know how great that man was - off the field as well as on it that is!" There's got to be something good if you're working on a script and it brings tears to your eyes! (i.e. The right kind of tears by the way!) Anyway, working draft finally complete at last! :)
We're now starting to develop the 'modern day' aspect of our storyline - i.e. set in the world of MLS in the USA. For this we are building action sequences using CG-based technologies, then evolving that further to give it an even more original, unique and yet hand-crafted look. (Watch this space for further developments!) :)
Life imitates art! Interesting to hear that FIFA has finally brought in strong penalties against racism in the game. Our 'Spirit of the Game' movie is set in two eras... one when there was racism in the game and later, when it had been dealt with through measures like this. I guess we're just ahead of our time, huh? :)
With 'Spirit of the Game' I'm still at the stage of finding a final style for the film. Yes, we do already have much work - including a fully animated teaser - to show. However, for a film to fully find its voice you have to dig deeper than that by continually updating and refining its vision. No one person alone can do this and so I'm enlisting the help of several artists and individuals to help me out in defining a final style for 'Spirit of the Game' that I want to animate. Its an exciting process and a pleasure to have so many other minds on the challenge in addition to my own. Time and money are of the essence however. To explain this process better, let's consider the words of the great maestro and mentor of animation, Walt Disney... The challenge for me as Director/Producer of 'Spirit of the Game' is to respect the wisdom and knowledge of the past, while at the same time reflecting the styles and technologies of the present, for audiences of the future. In time 'Spirit of the Game' will find its perfect voice and I'll gladly share it with you when it happens. In the meantime, we'll be exploring so many creative options - as a team of individuals - as Walt once did with the fine talents of his generation. Watch this space folks! :)
Got a weird email about the teaser today. Everyone does realize that 'Spirit of the Game' does wholeheartedly have an ANTI-racism message, not a pro one - don't they? (Just in case anyone's in doubt!) >:(
Here's a short promotional video I quickly put together about the project, the teaser and its process - initially to have been shown in the UK while I remain at my drawing board here in the USA. Supporters of a 2D-animated project are always keen to know how their funding is going to be spent and so this will hopefully make this process a little clearer. (Reminder: This part of the film's development deals only with the 'how it all began' past aspects of the films storyline, set in the UK. The 'modern day' elements in the story - set in the world of MLS in the USA - will be developed differently later.) |
An own goal!Share my journey as I make 'Spirit of the Game' for you and for everyone else around this world who wants to see again an innovative, top-quality, hand-drawn animated movie. 'Spirit of the Game' is a story for our times and one that shares core life values for those with the ears to hear and the eyes to see. Archives
August 2013
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