March 3rd+30th 2020 - Check in 4+5

Modeling

-Muerto

I created one of three of people's pitched first-pass base meshes. Despite being a crowd favorite, another group member's mesh was chosen without vote.

Storyboard The month prior, I set a personal goal to complete 5 frames per day of the animatic. This became time-consuming because of the final-pass qualities. I had a style change since the last completed boards in relation to our completed character designs.

COVID-19 hit the US and CU Denver switched to online learning. The switch to my PC was easy with the programs close to Photoshop I had, but the pen sensitivity and brush wasn't quite the same, making for more adjustments and time consumption.

The progress of the animatic was put together: https://vimeo.com/401456966

Concept Art

-Old Man

We discussed if we should include a comical yet intimidating gesture of the Old Man cracking his back to get taller and muscular in fighting preparation...

March 2nd 2020 - Check in 3

Character designs were becoming finalized as well as the plot points.

Storyboard

- completed beat board animatic frames:

- thumbnail sketches (complete of battle sequence):

Concept Art -Shiné and Muerto

Shiné was to be shaped as a rectangle or upwards arrow to show his allegiance to perfection and stature, while Muerto be shaped like a star to be more outgoing and rambunctious. This helped shape their personalities and plot points.

-Grim (male teacher)

I explored the use of the upside down triangle, creating a top-heavy menacing look to him, as he is the Grim reaper and one to be taken seriously.

-La Muerte (female teacher)

We wanted her to have an hourglass or bowling-pin shape as she is a motherly figure in the helping of Muerto and Shiné.

Feb 17th 2020 - Check in 2

Progressed in work on story development and visuals. I also volunteered to pitch a base mesh for Muerto, rigging, animatic work by March 11th.

Storyboard

-Thumbnail sketches:

Concept arts

-Disclaimer that we were exploring designs of Muerto (representing Mexico) wearing a poncho, but was since cut and changed from this check-in as to not stereotype.

Toon Link video game style was picked for the character stylization and cel-shading look of the short.

- Old Man: I explored silhouette shape while keeping a tall, muscular look to his tennis athlete structure.

The group decided upon an upwards tennis racquet shape and silhouette to show his top-heavy menacing characterization.