So life goes on...

Here is my first update, after graduating at UCA. The few past weeks were a mixture of holidays plus trying to get the first foot in the industry. A few good news I have received, and most importantly I began to plan my life from this point onwards.

At the moment, I'm in a middle of a freelance project which is quite exciting and hopefully will give me so more exposure into the industry. Projects in production are always confidential so not much information I can give away, but when possible I will update on that subject, just have to say exciting times.

For the time being, I havent looked at finding a job, as the wave of graduates from UK universities is invading London, therefore I am taking a slightly different strategy which I will explain in more detail in a further post.


Regarding tackling a learning curve, I have finally put my hands on Zbrush and trying to explore most of its features, from base mesh with zspheres to dinamesh and sculpting tools. I tend to apply what I learn onto any new characters.

As part of the new strategy, me and a few of my colleagues expanded Atom Pancakes, with a  group of 5 we intend to help each other get better elements to integrate on our showreels. Exciting news on this end, we have a project already forming, but more details can be found on our website or blog.

 

http://atompancakes.blogspot.co.uk

http://atompancakesresearch.blogspot.co.uk/

More updates and details will be added soon as well as any works, sketches etc... 

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New Designers and Graduation!

The end of my educational journey has ended with two events, which marked the transition from education to professional world. The New Designers exhibition and my Graduation.

New Designers 

New Designers was an exhibition held at the Business Centre in London, where recent graduates had the chance to showcase their work. To me was a great opportunity, meet great people, make contacts, and show my 2 pieces on display, The Final Chapter and Le Patissier. It was a great experience yet exhausting experience which help us understand how well we have to be able to sell our work professionally without being too intrusive. Among many graduates showcasing there, I met some great artists, with whom I will keep contact. With my colleagues, we showcased mind-blowing animations, and were one of the busiest stands.

The Graduation 2012

My Graduation was on the 10th of July, concluding the 3 years journey at UCA Rochester, doing a BA Honours In CG Arts and Animation. The day was marked by nerves, stress but a lot of happiness. With my parents and my girlfriend Ivanka present, I was very proud for the achievement, which was characterized by hard work, sacrifice and passion. Lastly, I would like to thank to everyone, who helped me reach the end of this journey, with special attention to my girlfriend, who has always been there when needed.

The next stage on this blog, is to document my transition into the professional world, as well as being presenting any personal projects I plan to do. 

Until a next time!! 

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Week at New Designers!

From tomorrow onwards, I will be exhibiting my animations at the New Designers show. So let's get ready for busy times, heat and little sleep for one last week! but it is all worth, they say. If any of you that follow my blog is going to the show, take a look at our stand, at the media section. and you will see mine and my peers work, but also spin some zoetropes, and see some characters come to life.

At the show I'm showcasing 2 animations, Le Patissier and the collaborative project .The Final Chapter

Project: Le Patissier

Directed by: 
Ruben Martins

Synopsis:
"A patisserie shop in the heart of Paris is home to one of the most talented patissiers in the whole France. The patissier is recognized by his exceptional set of skills in making and decorating wedding cakes. having a new cake on order, this animation will follow the patissier decorating one of the most beautiful wedding cakes he ever created."

 

Project: The Final Chapter

Directed by:
Atom Pancakes (as Ruben Martins)

Synopsis:
"The story follows our crime writer, Arthur Winters, as he attempts to write the ending of his book. As he thinks through possible ideas, things begin to go wrong around him. While having these ideas, Winters enters his dream space and starts to act like the suspects. When he finally realises an idea that works, he burst into motion to finish his book, however the simplest of the tasks is not so simple after all."

Also I have created my 1st showreel focusing on my characters, hope you like it!

and see you there!

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Education Life Over, Professional Life Begins!

With 2 weeks ago, being the last day of university, my education life which lasted 16 years is finally over, only with the graduation to take place in a month's time. However, the hardest part begins now trying to get a job in the industry. For this same purpose, I took this first week of "holidays" to revamp myself professionally.

Blog

As you can see this blog now changed having a brighter template which connects my characters to the way I want to showcase them, i have also took most of the clutter and kept it simple straight to its only purpose, track my progress through the upcoming projects.
The banner is changed and updated information was added.


Website

The website suffered a major revamp, mainly the template and the colours were the main change, however the sitemap also changed and the works are now focused in what I want to do. to create consistency within the website, I have also created customized buttons which will help the viewer navigate throughout the website. The idea behind this new design is to keep it simple and yet appealing.


Business Card

The business card was another item which suffered a major change, firstly I updated the design and colours. but I have also updated the information and added new information. The main new setting is the QR code which helps anybody who has access to my business connect to my website via a smartphone.

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Major Project: Le Patissier Submission Post

Here is the submission I will present tomorrow as part of the hand-in for my Major Project.


The Animation edit- Le Patissier

 
The Art of Le Patissier

Showreel Element

The Promotional Stills

 

 Marketing

DVD Label

DVD Cover

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Major Project: Le Patissier, Update IX- Animation

Here is another update on this project, every aspect seems to be going fine ( aniamtion, rendering comping, etc.), however to time constraints the submitted copy wont be the last one, however you will be able to see what is happening from beginning to the end. As it will be a hybrid of final renders and playblasts showing the story. At a later stage I will tweak even further the animation and render the missing shots.

For now, I let you see what I have been working on.

First shots:

Cream Cover Screen Shot:

Synchronizing shot, face animation:

Doves Shot:

Cherry Shot:

Presenting shot:

Note all these videos are at a later stage of animation, it was after blocking, tweaking and more tweaking.

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Major Project: Le Patissier, Update VIII- Bits and Bobs

I would like to update you quickly on how the project is looking at the moment, it has been a few hetic weeks where time has been scarce, therefore I have been doing my best to work on this project with all my passion and dedication.

A nothing better than a  quick test render of Olivier bouncing on his jolly walk cycle. hope you enjoy !!

On a side note, I have spoken to Alan, who helped me set up lighting for the most laborous scene in the whole animation, Le patisserie. I will show you a few shots of the light, however some of the texturing needs finishing.

 

Rendering is going ok, however I have been finding a few problems along the way, which seem rather weird, but everything is underway, slowly but surely. 

 

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