Crossing the Line: Release

Somewhere on Illum, Samara, an Asari Justicar, finds herself in an unusual situation; but at least she isn't alone?

• This is the Free Release video. An alternate angle/side will be finished later today or tomorrow and posted for Tier 3 (Investor) Subscribers.
• The alternate angle is full length as well. This is 'technically' a double release. I had thought it was shorter, but Crossing is actually average length for my videos so far.
• This is Part 1. Later additions will be added in time, showing more progression with the situation. Most things I create have that concept in mind; sequels. Due to locks and constraints, I'll have to remake the machine again for them, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
• I've stopped using the 3, 2, 1, intro bit. It's not really suitable for all things. Fallout or Old Style Film, sure, but future settings like Mass Effect? Comics? Not so much.
•  I was going to list Likes/Dislikes, but my opinion matters not now. Hopefully you like it more than dislike.

Weekly WIP #22

• 1080p, 4k textures on several models, 4k shadows, and at least 11 light sources. Rendering at roughly 10 seconds of animation an hour. This will take a while, even with my decent pc. While rendering I can't animate anything else, so that's been this week's work, is this weekend's, and will be some of next week's as well. Then it's a matter of splicing it together in a hopefully interesting and entertaining order in Sony Vegas to make it a video.

•  I'm always trying to improve how I do things. Sometimes I manage and sometimes I don't. How shots are created for animations is one I've been trying. Hopefully that process can be quicker, easier, and better going forward.

•  Release date is for Crossing the Line is ASAP; next Saturday would be ideal if things can get rendered and compiled in a decent time. Sooner is fine as well, though I like keeping things on a more weekly basis.

Weekly WIP #21

• Backgrounds. A lot of small things can add up to very large effects. Take background characters. Even if subtle, small, far off, and not the focus; background characters help bring the scene to life. The more the better, right? I dunno. 23 is how many are in Crossing the Line, and it's been a chore to animated them, even slightly, since there's so many. Getting them in camera angles without taking away from the main focus, Samara, has been a challenge too. Going back and watching Shiala: The Mirage, for example, I feel like too much focus was on the background. I would say I need to balance that, but I don't. I need to focus more on the main. 7 more to go on Crossing, some camera angle adjustments, lights adjusted, and is should be about ready to render, finally.

•  Speaking of background characters; The Board Members of Heat Inc. are also nearly set fully for Hostile Takeover. Far less in number, coming it at just 8. They're a bit closer in view though, so they've needed better animations and more refinement.

•   Having said that, I'm going to either spend less time on the background or just have less characters in it. Sometimes more makes sense, other times not so much. Maybe it will just depend on the scene. I also have new ideas on ways to compose animations and I'm going to try it out on the projects that come after these. Hopefully, it will speed up the process and just make things better all around.

•  I admit I've had trouble staying focused on a specific project right now, bouncing from thing to thing and starting lots of new ones. I started another one just last night. Downside, obviously, is things get finished/released slower. Upside, I have several things to be working on, so, there isn't a lack of things to do.

• For those who are new here or those who didn't notice, I updated the 'about me' bit on the front page to simply read 'working on several projects' rather than a 'main' one. I've stopped projects (Marvel Misadventure), rushed them (Aloy: Breeding Cauldron) and just overly burnt out and screwed up others (Max: A Long Night) because of the 'main' concept, feeling stuck on them even when/if they just aren't clicking for me. Now I just feel like I'm too slow instead of stuck too, so, that's a win.

•  I'm hoping to have something ready for release soon, preferably month's end.

Weekly WIP #19

• Christmas 2022 is ready for next week's release. I'd thought about waiting til the 25th, since that marks my one-year anniversary of posting, but Christmas Eve is good. Made a few loops which are added to this Weekly. Sort of like an animated greeting card.

• Crossing the Line's background/extra characters are being placed and animated. Techs, guards and guests. Adding a bit of a prelude before the scene starts. Foreplay, you could call it. Once they're finished, I can probably move to the second section.

• Remade Scarlet's stocking texture. Trying to get them more 'canon'. These aren't perfect, but much closer than the previous ones. Still sorting how the other scenes for this are going to be. Ideas, ideas, ideas.

• I actually have four Harley Quinn WIP going. This is probably the better one. I spruced it up the other day taking a break from Crossing the Line. Even if I never finish it, this turned out to be a decent little two angle loop.

Weekly WIP #12

• Light Test Clip:

•  Sound Test Clip:

•  Billboard Video/Misc:

Unsure which is a better embarrassment blush for an Asari. Which do you all think?

• Personal Thoughts

1.  Most people associate blushing with human skin tones; thus pink/red.
2.  Purple might look more like a bruise and/or bad makeup.
3.  Purple is more alien, therefor more exotic, and probably more 'accurate'.
4.  Purple is my favorite color. Beside the point, but true all the same.