Team Sprout Background Process

Oh dear, I didn't realise we were supposed to be blogging for this part of the assessment! (Thank you Jo for the reminder!)
So, basically what I've been doing is working on sections of the backgrounds for Game Sprout's game. Taylor, Mikayla and I are working on sections of the background. I asked Taylor what section should I work on and she said I could choose. I first chose the two trees with the fire as I'm not comfortable with underground parts and trees are pre cool.
We each allocated sections as we definitely don't want to double up and we need to know exactly what it is we are painting. We took the level design that Tea drew up and have gone over it so it is clear to each of us of whose doing what section.

I'm quite slow at digital painting as it's still quite new to me and I'm not sure what methods to use exactly. I've been taking my time with this section of the background as I want to be careful with layers. We are working with parallax so having the different layers are very important.
Taylor cut up the level design mock up and cut it up so the sizes are even. Basically so that when we go to piece all our painted backgrounds together, it'll match up. I went over one of my sections rough out the environment, basing it off one of Taylor's concepts and colour picking as well.

I quite enjoy painting environments, but trees are something I still struggle with. Taylor gave me a hand in terms of making the tree look more rounded (in the final image) and getting the lighting from the fire animated. I went over the trees more once she gave me a head start and I cleaned it up more.

The animation of the light from the fire is a tad fast, but I'm just showing this for progress.

Vanity Unit Items

Over the last 2 days I've been modelling small items that will be on the vanity unit. Even though the husband 'moved'the vanity unit out to the lounge, he could've put all the items in the drawers. But showing these items could help show the audience what she liked -doing her make up, brushing her hair. These small details could show that Elizabeth was a real person, not just an animated character that will be shown in the mirror. These items tie her to the real world.
I've began modelling the vanity unit and will post progress pictures in the next post. I hope it turns out nice!

References for perfume bottle
https://nz.pinterest.com/taggieccccc/lovely-puff/
http://www.amazon.com/Refillable-Perfume-Bottle-Atomizer-Ounces/dp/B0038ESI40

Start of 3D Modelling

I'm going pretty slow with 3D modelling at the moment. Haven't used maya since last year so I had to try to remember things as I went. Plus I'm not that good with maya, but modelling can be fun when I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING which hasn't really been the case -.- I've given up on the bookshelf for now 'cos well yeah, I don't really know what to do, so I'll ask Taylor for help next week at course. For the vase, Taylor said that the vase could stay this rectangular shape, but I'll duplicate it and round it off so we'll have more options. As for the coffee table, Taylor recommended making it tall and with shelves - might need to make a more square and less rectangular. I had a better idea of what I was doing with this rather than the book shelf. I might try different draw handles though later on.
All these objects/ furniture will have to look run down as well, so ...I don't know how to go about that. *Runs to the 3D Queen known as Director Taylor.

Change to story

We have made a few changes today which is really exciting!

So we are changing the mirror to a vanity unit and cutting out the meal part. The vanity would've been a place that Elizabeth might have spent a lot of time at so it was special to her and is now special to the husband.
The husband will be focusing more on Elizabeth rather than a meal and will instead be sorting through some paper work or bills. This will also benefit us, as we wont have to green screen the table.

Taylor and I got a pre neat idea that came about from Keat. Keat suggested having Elizabeth sitting in a chair slightly away from the mirror. This way she wont be awkwardly seated right in front like she's always waiting for the husband to arrive home...which is kinda creepy when you think about it.
Instead she would keep herself occupied by playing the piano and it will be like she's playing the composed score. She would mainly be facing the piano peacefully and every now and then would smile at the husband or react to what he says e.g. giggle which we wont hear.
Once the earthquake occurs the music will stop and she'll fade away. When she is gone from the mirror the husband would've felt like he's entirely lost her - his world is silent. When the husband finds the photo of them (which will now be tucked into the frame of the mirror behind a note) the music of the piano will come back. When the music stops, it'll be like a grey sort of world for the husband, a silent world. But when he sees the photograph of him and his wife together the music will come back - like he's accepted her passing and know's that she's at peace.
I reckon these changes work well as ties everything in even more. The mirror has a stronger connection to the story and we also know a bit more about Elizabeth.

We shared this idea with the team and they're happy with this change :)
The plan now is to change a few panels in the story board and finalize the furniture to start modelling!!

Just expanded on the notes Taylor has written down
-World map on wall. A top corner can be drooping down.
-Shredded couch with rips and stuffing on the floor. Messy sleeping bad draped over the couch
-Coffee table with only 3 legs, stack of books supporting where the 4th leg once was
-Book shelf cabinet. One side of top shelf broken, books fallen to one side.
-Piano covered in dust and wood debris.
-Used candles scattered everywhere (small and stick candles)