ON HOLD UNTIL 2009

Production Diary Days = 342

Overall production = 28%

Production Diary

ON HOLD UNTIL 2009

30/03/2008 (342) - BIG NEWS!!!!!

The Disciples (The Dark War) will be postponed until iClone 3 is released.  Work will continue but I will be moving the release date to 1st June 2009 to allow time for the new software.

In the meantime look out for my shorts to be release over the next year.

Keep posted

Colin.

13/02/2008 (296) - Big update, I have just completed quite a big mile stone in that I have a fully made film - "The Sword Dance". 

Short piece I decided to make to put into practise some of the techniques I had been learning about.   Layering, depth of field and camera techniques are all used in this short animated film.  I still wanted something related to my main project which is why the characters are dressed in business wear and are in a city location, more will be revealed later………  The film shows of my editing style and hopefully the type of composition “The Disciples (The Dark War)” will take.  It took around 20 hours to make this 2 minute piece so for my 1 hour, 3 part epic….it’s gonna take ages.  Music used is by “System of a Down” and is called “Question”.  I did consider calling the film this but “The Sword Dance” worked for me.

Secondly I released my concept art film, which can be seen on the film page - http://www.capemediauk.com/Films.htm

I will be moving onto compiling the VO files over the next few weeks and making a another short film on active props.

Cheers

Colin (aka Capemedia)

23/01/2008 (275) - Well 8 months in and I think I'm making some progress to this project.  My organisation skills tell me I'm around 25% there which means another 2 years :)

Well what have I been up to, well mainly trying settle into a new job, currently in my probation period which doesn't end until April.  Strange but I did the same shifts in my last job but found I wasn't as tired and on my days off I actually managed to do quite a bit.  Must be the new job blues I'm going through?

Regarding the project I started some concept art drawings, trying to get my ideas onto paper to give me an idea of how I want the visuals to look..  That was Christmas and I haven't really made that much progress.

Keep altering certain aspects of the script still, stuff like dialogue flow now, trying to make it more believable how people would react to this kind of event.

As always when I have something I'll post it around the web and obviously on here.

Thanks

Colin (aka Capemedia) well you should by now :)

28/11/2007 (190) - Preview released (See above).  Finally finished my short preview for this project.

04/11/2007 (166) - So much going on at the moment, changing job and having to travel further cuts into my leisure time and the general workings of life.

So I have finally, after many weeks of going back and fourth, got a final draft / shooting draft of the script.  You have to laugh 166 days after I started this thing I'm happy with it :).

Well I will now move onto work in the pre-production and make some hedge roads towards the TEASER I hope to release for Christmas, only 7 weeks off.

So that's the plan, time will tell.

Capemedia.

15/10/2007 (146) - Wow what a few weeks.  I have had major issues in my life, changing jobs, illness and some huge things that needed sorting.  All that while fighting with this God damn script!  To be honest I have changed my mind so many times I don't know where I was at times, but the one thing that kept coming through was "I'm not Disney or Pixar or Dreamworks, I'm just one person"

Considering that the 2nd draft was some 60 - 80 pages long I HAD to cut it down, this task was harder then I imagined.  I now have a cut down script some 39 pages but it will need re-writes so that it flows.  I have HAD to loose some major characters which I'm not happy about and I have HAD to loose some amazing scenes which would have gone down great.

At the moment the spine of the story, the scenes and the main plot are all there.  There are few link issues to fix and subplots to fine tune but I'm 70% happy with it.

Post-production has been very slow as I await, the yet not released, iClone 2.5 which I desperately need to do some of the big scenes.  Overall I'm currently at approx 20% which considering the time spent is shit, but nothing I can do about that.

I hope to start some filming in the next few weeks as I still intend on a teaser for Christmas.

Until next time.

Colin (aka Capemedia)

01/10/2007 (132) - Alright here we go again.  After spending a great deal of this year fighting to get a script written, I have been thinking a lot about this project.  I have also been observing what other animators have been doing, the projects they are working on and the type of release I wish to produce.

Taking everything into consideration, the main bit of news is that this sequel needs to be trimmed and trimmed a lot.  Currently it's around the 60 - 80 page range on Draft 2.  This is unworkably long, considering that during my tests to produce one Sneak Peak shot has taken me an evening to make, it would take years to complete a 1 hour spectacular.

Also the best animations I have seen range between 10 minutes to 20 minutes tops.  So I will be stripping the script down to around 20 pages over the next week.  This will mean loss of scenes, loss of characters and probably loss of sub-plots, if however Pixar ever came knocking then they could have Draft 2, but I'm one person and I need to be realistic.

I have a number of reliable friends and associates who I can rely on still and I would rather go for quality over quantity any day.  This will result in a much shorter movie/film but hopefully a better overall production.

I have also set a release date of Saturday 1st June 2008, not for any reason but to give me something to aim for.  This date is not set in stone and I'm flexible enough to be move it either way. 

The new counter will count down to this date.

Ill keep you posted.

Thanks

Colin (aka Capemedia)

17/09/2007 (119) - Wow two weeks passed since my last update, amazing how time just flies.  I have been struggling with certain aspects of the script and I'm glad to say DRAFT TWO is done and been sent off for opinions and proof reading.

I have a number of early production shots now on Youtube and so far responses have been good, check them out on my channel:-

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=capemedia

I'm currently thinking about pre-production and how I'm going to do the epic scenes I have written.  I have been watching some amazing Matte work done in After Effects and possibly will try and emulate it.

iClone is a good tool but version 2.2 is still a little slow to produce anything, with 2.5 due very soon I've decided to wait for it's release and hopefully this will speed up my production.

Anyway until next time.

Colin.

03/09/2007 - The third part of my projects script is causing me a few problems as I virtually have to re-write the whole thing.  After feedback and discussion, a lot of the events just wouldn't happen the way they had been written so changes need to be made.

Also some of the music to this film has been started.  The main theme from the first film will NOT be used and fresh pieces composed.  Currently "Hands of God" is the song that will also be a musical themed piece.  We have plans to record it as a song in it's own right and possibly have a video :D

I have been considering a video log of the project and I am currently mulling the idea over.  You never know you may see me on Youtube soon, watch this space ;)

I will be sending weekly updates out to all those to be involved soon, so check your emails.

That's all for now.

Colin.

27/08/2007 - Well I have made a little more progress.  I have re-written part 2 of the script, this part has taken time as there were many things that didn't work first time.  A lot of the character interaction was wrong and trying to build tension on many levels was difficult.

One scene has been completely removed and replaced by something that builds on the story.  It's quite a complex story and something that needs time to developed and hopefully nurture into something believable.

On other fronts I have had my first acting refusal, which is fine as the subject matter can be somewhat close to the edge.  I'm also hoping to get more feedback from my proof readers, however to date this has not been fourth coming.

Anyway back to it.

Cheers

Colin.

20/08/2007 - Not done an update for a while so thought, better had.  I have uploaded a early sneak peak file to Youtube for people to watch.  This shot was done entirely in iClone and even though it's only 7 seconds long it gives a glimpse of the atmosphere and quality you can expect from this film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tT-OeLRjE0

I have re-wrote the first part of the script, it will now be definitely done in three parts.  Also I have done a little bit of work in iClone and have a number of characters made.

Need to make some sets, costumes and the like and get some modding done so I have all the items I need for production.

Until next time.

Colin (aka Capemedia)

06/08/2007 - Well pre-production has begun, I have installed the other software I will need for this film.  Have been watching some great animations on the net today, to get some inspiration to the look and feel I want to go for.  One very impressive piece took just under 2 years to make, so that made me feel a little better :)

I have had one lot of feedback from one of the proof readers and it's been a positive response.  Granted there are areas that need work, but that's what this is all about.

I will need to purchase additional items to help me complete this project/film and hopefully I will acquire these over the next few weeks.  This film will need some amazing animations, special effects and looks that I currently do not own.

Considering I started this project back in February 2007 I'm now in my 6 month and only just started production, with only a first draft script.  Funny I always thought it would taker longer then 4 months to make, as the first one took a month to write and 4 months to make.

Until next time.

Colin (aka Capemedia)

26/07/2007 - Great news, I have finally finished the FIRST DRAFT.  I must admit I'm well pleased that I finally got here and I am happy with the results.

Next stage is to get the grammar and spelling checked and then it's off to the proof readers to cast their eyes over the script.  I love constructive feedback and people pointing out things I may have missed or just opinions to if the story works or not.

At this stage I don't worry about how or when, I just want the story to be right.

Well I'm happy now, onwards and upwards as they say.

Later, Cape.

19/07/2007 - Alright, it seems I'm back on track, the first draft is nearly done, one final scene to write, the climax, and then it's off for proof reading.

If all goes well it could done by next week, wow finally there is light at the end of the script tunnel.

More updates soon.

Colin Cooper (aka Capemedia)

05/07/2007 - Well life has changed things for me.  I'm currently up to my eye balls in builders and decorating, so guess what.........the script is on hold.  I had made some great progress and had plotted the finale, alas the actual writing will need to wait.

A September release maybe a little optimistic, as this time last year I was heavily into editing and moving towards post production.  Based on a 4 months production schedule, I would now be looking at a Winter/Christmas release?

Ah well, hopefully get back to it soon. 

Until next time.

19/6/2007 - My personal life has pushed the script back onto the back burner, again, so much happening in my home regarding building work, I just can't get my head around anything.

Version 3 has been started and is looking much better now, with more reasons added to characters and even a thicker plot.  I'm hoping to add elements of comedy, love and tragedy to this story to keep the audience glued right up to the end.

If I can get things done, I'm hoping to get something written tomorrow, but I was hoping to do something to day....such is life.  I do wonder sometimes how real writers manage to hit their target dates?

Still no idea of completion of the script never mind the film, have new software...still not installed.  But like all things, patience is a virtue and also a opera by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Well until next time.

13/6/2007 - Made some progress with the script, just reached the climax of the film, but will need to move onto version 3.  I seem to get so far, then need to rethink where the story goes when I add new elements.

A little about the film story.

Satan is a little upset that his first plan didn't work out entirely as he hoped, but even though our hero's managed to send the first disciple back, the damage had been done.  This sequel will pick up from this point, we will see the introduction of new characters and the demise of some of the old ones.  This story will be told from many levels, from the self discovery view of the main protagonists to the halls of the Pentagon.  A story of biblical proportions sending the fate of mankind down to one last stand.

Hope that gives those waiting a little glimpse.

5/6/2007 - Had a bit of  a hard week, I have so much going on in my personal life, writing this film has been put on the backburner, so to speak..  The script is now at 40 pages and is coming to the climax of the film "The Big Showdown" and I really hope this next week I can get something written.

I should be getting iClone version 2 any day now, but with me working Fridays to Monday, it will be next week before I get around to installing and trying it.  iClone will be paramount in giving me the certain shots that I will be needing for this, but still early days.

That's all for now.

27/5/2007 - Updated website with new page for my next production.  Script version 2 is currently at around 40% - 50% complete.  I'm hoping to have this second version draft complete soon..ish :)

Typical of me, I cannot write short stories and currently I'm on 15 scenes and around 50 pages, which based on the first movie is going to be around the same time 40 - 50 minutes.

There is NO WAY I'm going to be able to make this with just "The Movies" software, as there are visuals that will go beyond it.  I have some ideas to how to do these shots but to give you a clue I'm looking at iClone and After Effects to help.

More clues to production and story later but that's all for now.

Thanks Colin Cooper (aka Capemedia)

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