Seven Gates Where Angels Fall Episode IV

Episode IV is now live !

Episode 4 Sneak peek ( behind the scene style)

Just a quick sneak peak of episode 4 . This one is a behind the scenes style sneak peek.

 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-4-sneak-23972553

Seven Gates Where Angels Fall – 2019 update.

New year , new projects and new episodes. Seven Gates episode 4 and 5 are on the way.

Lots of ground work has been laid for the future of the project going into 2019, and I am excited to move forward once again.  The first big announcement is the new scripts for the next phase are almost done. Seven Gates Where angels fall is the back story of the series, while the real story and series is what is coming next. Seven Gates Soul Hunters.

There is a reason to my madness in starting this way. Most authors, creators etc will start with the main story and then branch off into the backstory or side stories. I decided to take a different route. The project was to teach myself animation and how to use the various software packages. I started with that in mind and went with telling the back story first in order to be better prepared to tell the real story afterwards, once I was better at animation.  In approaching the project this way I was still working on the same overall story and characters as well as laying the ground work for the series and the story.

Seven Gates Soul hunters takes place 10 years after the events coming in episodes 4 and 5. This means new character looks and world look and lots of new goodies to show. I wont detail much more on the story line as of yet because of spoilers. I don’t want to spoil the fun of episodes 4 and 5, now do I.

The rest of this update I am going to focus on the software I use in hopes of helping any one else who is trying to swim through all the various options out there. The choices I made are based on low cost and ease of use as well as a low learning curve of the software beyond the basics of 3d software and animation. The choices out there are crazy and you could spend years trying to find and learn which one does what or doesn’t do. Ultimately the choice is one of personal preference to me. Others may disagree but I see these as a great stepping stone. Master these programs and push them to their limits and your foundation will be solid. I am still learning how to master them but I found they work well together in the long run.

So I use. Iclone 7, Character Creator 3, Daz 3d Studio 4.10 , Hitfilm Express and Blender 2.8 ( Blender can do all of the work if you are so inclined to learn all the details of the program).  Image editing I use three programs Krita, Affinity Photo and an older Photoshop version ( mainly because I like a few of the features for this version). There is no reason for using the three instead of one its just I like how one does one element better than another.

Lets start with IClone 7 and Character Creator 3. These two programs by Reallusion are the core animation and character creating portion of the workflow. The Reallusion software suites alone can do the entire process, especially if you purchase all the plugins and add-ons and additional content. I’ll just list what I see as the basics that you will need to create animation.

• Iclone 7 pro with 3dexchange
• Character Creator 3 with pipeline
• Curve editor
• Popcorn FX
• Additional content from Reallusion as you see fit for props etc

Next program is DAZ 3d Studio. Daz is a free 3d software suite and includes hexagon 2.5 for modeling and morph creation. The content store is where Daz makes its money, and you will find they give lots of freebies and discounts through out the year.  The core free product  and content will give you some basic models and props as well as character bases. Once you learn hexagon and the morph system you can start creating custom characters or combine store bought ones as well. I’ll be honest the content store of Daz is where the power and flexibility is. You can also create animations with Daz and there are several cool features for creating animations to export out.

So with these two programs any financial cost is the Reallusion software and the content from both the DAZ store and Reallusion content store.

The next program is Hitfilm express for video editing. The base program is free and any additional cost is on effects and template packages ( usually 10 dollars a piece). Hitfilm pro is the paid version of the same program which includes all the add-ons and filters. They have a great source of tutorial videos and a easy to use interface. I find the program easy to use and does an great job.

The final program is blender. Blender can do everything all the others programs can. Many would argue its better to just do it all in blender. The only problem I have there is, its a huge program and there is a lot to learn. I am learning this program and using it currently for modeling and sculpting of props and characters. It’s a free open source program and as of version 2.8 which is still in beta it has become a lot easier to use.

I like how the other programs do the specific jobs and find that the Reallusion software is really my main software program. They are constantly improving and adding features. I  see it becoming the only one you may need in the future as new updates and improvements arrive.

In the end it doesn’t matter what you use, as long as you create something and you enjoy it.

 

Production Update #16 – Seven Gates Where Angels Fall – As Darkness Reigns

The third episode of Seven Gates Where Angels Fall is close to completion. I set out a year ago working on this project, the goal and vision was clear. I was going to teach myself animation and tell a story at the same time. I knew that each episode would  be a major leap from the previous one as my knowledge and skill levels increased. Episode three doesn’t fail to follow that model. Subtle things are sometimes what really seem to be the area of improvement.

I have tried to always keep peoples comments and suggestions in my mind as I move forward. One question I get a lot is , “Why post the episodes while you are learning and teaching yourself this?“. The answer is I learn better that way and If someone else can learn from my mistakes all the better.

Everyone has an opinion these days on whats the best way to do something. I’m not one of those people. I do what works for me and as I learn more I adjust as needed. I personally work better that way and tend to learn faster. Every one is different  and there is no one “fits all” approach to learning or developing new skills and knowledge sets. So If i were to give advice, it would be this. Do what works for you and learn along the way. Every mistake is not a failure, its just a chance to do it again.

The above image is a new character concept created in DAZ 3d using Iray render. Iclone will  have this type of render coming in the next few months as well. (Iclone being the software I currently use for animation.) As I continue working on this project I am also planning new episodes and continual story lines, well beyond what has already been scripted and recorded. This is just how I work sometimes, I just keep throwing ideas and concepts around as I work on current episodes. It helps to keep me focused as well as keeping the ideas from being lost over time.

Seven Gates Where Angels Fall Episode III trailer.

Episode III – As Darkness Reigns  is coming soon !

 

Upcoming projects : Afallon Flashpoint & more Episodes of Seven Gates Where Angels fall.

The last year of has been one filled with lots of strides made in teaching myself animation and understanding the production process.  The process is one of learning and developing new strengths on a daily basis, improving each day as much as possible from the day before.

I started out as a writer and made the decision to transition over to animation. The next project I will be working on is taking my Afallon series of novels and adapting them to the animated screen. The project is basically in the early stages of layout and adaption from novel to script. I will continue to work on Seven Gates and this will be my primary focus at the moment. The Afallon series however will be worked on as I need breaks and a change of pace 🙂

 

The Afallon Flashpoint project has a much different focus and approach, one that will slowly develop over time and go full speed once Seven Gates has finished. It’s the very early stages of the creation process at the moment. I am basically at the character creation and scene setup stage for the models and the world itself , establishing their look and feel. The following screen shot is a working concept for two of the main characters, Ray and Lily.

 

 

 

For anyone interested the links at the top of the main page of the site will give you more details on the Afallon series. There are two links listed at the top – Marshall Kaine Journals and Afallon that will give you all the details on the novels as well as several short stories.

All the cast that will be involved in Afallon will be getting free digital versions of the novels to help in learning the characters and the world itself. So if anyone is interested in doing the voice work for this I will give you the digital copy to start reading and seeing which characters you may be interested in. No official casting calls have gone out yet and I am far off from even doing that. The however to this is any current cast of Seven Gates are already by default given the option if they so choose 🙂

I also will be contacting several others who have messaged me about voice acting roles recently as well. This project is far out in the future still. I am taking a different approach in hopes of creating a better production and faster time line once it gets rolling.

 

Episode 2 of Seven Gates will be released within the next week if not earlier. I have finished the first edits already and have only to work out any changes or corrections and it will be ready to post. 

Seven Gates – Where Angels Fall – Update #13

(screen shot of episode 2 edits in Hitfilm Express)

 

Production update time once again. The next episode is well on its way to being ready for release. The shorter time format has made it easier to make progress in a timely manner.  I hope to see a release very soon with in several weeks. I’ve learned a lot of new techniques and skills over the length of this project and strive to continue doing just that.

As always I have taken everyone’s feedback, concerns and criticisms and done my best to correct those things and or avoid them. Somethings I know are personal preferences such as style, music,artistic approaches and so forth. Those areas I take everyone’s feedback on as well and weigh it against the projects goal and vision before I make a change. In general I don’t want anyone thinking I am ignoring their comments and feedback.

( the above screenshot is an initial rough lighting/placement for one of the sequences in episode 2 as it is being setup in Iclone 7.2 )

I’ve been asked if I have plans to take my Afallon series of novels and create an animated series. I have toyed with the idea and decided that in the future that will be the next project after Seven gates. The two projects will connect in some way since there are references through Seven gates that allude to the Afallon series, in indirect ways. The leap between the two would be tricky but not that hard to accomplish. So that will be the next project in the future after Seven Gates.  In the meantime there is a lot to be accomplished with Seven gates still.

Dawn of the Fallen – Episode 2 trailer for Seven Gates Where Angels Fall

The trailer for Episode 2 , Dawn of the Fallen has been uploaded and ready to view.  I hope to have the entire episode finished in the next month. As I noted before all the new episodes are now going to be 10 to 15 minutes in length so that I can produce more at a faster rate.

Special recognition goes out to Maria Usher for doing the voice of “Vixen” in this trailer.

 

 

Seven Gates Where Angels Fall Update #12

Episode 2 “Dawn of the Fallen” is well under way and should be released in the next few months or sooner. The new changes to the time format, making episodes 10 to 15 minutes long, has allowed for a much faster workflow and production cycle. I have also learned a lot in streaming lining this process from my work on the first episode.

Episode 2 so far has a much different look to it, from a color composition and set design, to overall general atmosphere. My hope is the new look will push the project up a notch as I continue to work,learn and evolve in this process.

One of the purposes of this project beyond teaching myself is to also help others achieve their own goals and visions. So I will continue to bring in new voice actor roles when I can and hopefully give as many people as possible something to work with. So anyone interested in voice work message me on Facebook.

I will have a short teaser promo soon for Episode 2 that will be posted to the Facebook page first, followed by the you tube channel as well. So keep an eye out for it.

 

 

Seven Gates Where Angels Fall – Production update march 2018

The first complete episode was released three weeks ago. The response has been amazing. I appreciate every comment, recommendation and view that the first episode has received so far. Every step of this project has been both a challenge and an adventure at times.  I have learned from both my mistakes as well as successes in the process. I sincerely hope that the next episode will be a huge improvement overall.

I have one change to make in the casting. The voice actor that played Liam, is unable to continue with the second episode voice tracks due to a heavy project load. I wish Anthony all the best and am grateful to have worked with him on the first episode. Anthony has an amazing talent and I know he will see many years of success.

In response to this change, I will be casting another actor to take over as Liam. The release of the next episode should not be delayed by this change, since all new episodes are currently set to be about 10 -15 minute episodes to allow for quicker releases. Episode 2 will actually become episode 2 – 3 and 4 in response. The actual idea to change the length of the episodes was Jack Kamionko’s idea ( The voice of Shamsiel) and I thought it was a great idea. Thanks Jack!

The project was always designed to teach myself the trade and learn the skills and workflows needed to do animation. This goal has not changed and I hope someone has found the experience to be a help in someway.  If I could point out one thing that I have personally learned it would be this, study and learn everyday. Read everything you can about your chosen endeavor, watch tutorials online classes whatever you can get your hands on. Read the books that courses and colleges recommend and use in the degree programs. Take as many online courses and training sessions that you can.  Overall read and watch and observe what others have done.