I needed to take a break for a bit from Seven gates to work on some new techniques and learn some more basic animation skills. In the process I started a new concept idea called Carbon A.I. – A Scifi animated series that I may at least create a pilot script and episode for. I want to see how it does and what kind of reaction I get as well.
Here’s the YouTube “Work in progress” video I created for Carbon A.I.
Episode III has been uploaded and ready to view. I’m hoping that this episode is a huge improvement over the last ones. Each episode I try to correct or improve on things from the previous one.
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.
Episode III – As Darkness Reigns is coming soon !
Episode 3 production is well underway, roughly a third of the episode is completely done. The remaining two thirds are roughed out and in the works.
Seven gates has been a great learning experience as well as a whole lot of fun. The creation of each episode, forces me to improve and push my ability. While I know that I have a lot to learn still, I feel I have learned a lot in the last year. I just hope this improvement is evident in each episode.
There are three things I try to focus my attention on. The first is to take each day and try to improve or learn one new thing, that pushes me a step ahead of the day before. It could be anything new or even a revisit to something old that I needed to refresh myself on. The idea is to progress and improve in a meaningful way.
The second item is remembering everything takes time. I know where I want to be and I know what I need to get there. However, I need to remind myself that it takes time walking the path and learning the lay of the land on the way. It’s easy to forget this, we all tend to focus our gaze on the horizon and try to see what the future holds. We forget to look around in the moment and realize that the journey is just as important as the destination, maybe even more important.
The third and final item is to continue the process of creating, new stories and new ideas. It’s OK to take a break for a few days and just have fun creating something new or play around with a new idea. When I return to the last scene I was working on I feel refreshed and I see sometimes things that i had not seen before. I may have taken time to study new materials or watch tutorials and that new knowledge now helps me move the project along.
I’m a storyteller and that will never change. The world inside my head is a strange one, full of exotic worlds and creatures. Maybe I never gave up my imaginary friends from childhood, instead I brought them along with me and allowed them to invite their friends.
Only a few weeks away from the release of episode 2 – Dawn of the Fallen. I’m currently working on the last few minutes of the episode and then just final edits and sound mix.
I personally feel this episode is much better than the first, both visually and story wise. I’ve made so many improvements in various areas since I’ve started this project, it’s wild looking back and seeing what I didn’t know in the beginning compared to what I do now. However, that has always been the point to improve, learn, grow and expand.
My approach to projects and learning new things has always been just jump right in with both feet. Wrong or right that’s the only way I can personally learn something and enjoy the process at the same time. Many people will tell me that I shouldn’t approach things like that, especially in an area like animation. Sure I could spend years working on small little things, like bouncing balls and faceless characters walking around in blah grey voids. I could also spend years writing short scripts and stories about bears wearing hats eating picnic lunches and stress about trope, and cliches and if I followed this rule or that rule. The problem is that’s not fun. It does nothing to push me forward and want to keep working and creating.
I’ll study and I’ll learn along the way. My stories will be told and new ones thought of as I move along. Those who don’t agree with my methods and criticize my reasons, I understand and honestly nod my head to their opinions. It’s what they feel and believe about creating and story telling and whatever creative endeavor they are involved in. I think that’s great, everyone needs to pursue their dreams in any manner they see fit. I will however continue doing it my way and offering it up to anyone who wants to see it.
As always you can watch the previous episodes, trailers and teasers at the following places.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uayMWWzN9oqvtl5gONkgw
https://www.facebook.com/sevengateswhereangelsfall
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.
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.
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.
The final full version of Episode 1 is released and ready to watch. I combined the new edited version of part 1 to this episode instead of releasing an edited part 1 and then part 2. This was done due to some rearrangement of scenes and dialogue changes made to the flow of the script that I felt made more sense all as one combined episode.
I learned a lot during this process and hope that it will show in episode 2. I feel that its noticeable through the first episode from beginning to end, which I feel met the goal of this being a project about learning . I also feel that it shows others its the experience of creating that matters to me. The process of taking my writing from novels to animation was a learning curve to say the least. Since I taught myself animation and studied as I worked, I found I learned a lot, so much that I cannot wait to dive into episode 2. Was it the best idea to self teach myself animation and take on a large project like this at the same time? Probably not, however for me that is the only way I can learn and stay focused and motivated.
Many in the cast may wonder where a few scenes went. The scenes have just been moved to the beginning of Episode 2, after a few reviews of the story’s flow they seemed more appropriate at the beginning of the second episode then the ending of the first.I really want to extend a huge offering of thanks to the cast, they are awesome and extremely talented and could not have done this without their contributions. I also want to thank Dale and Alan for allowing me to use their music in this project I hope it does there amazing talent justice.
The look and feel of the final episode was done in an attempt to give the series it’s own feel and tone. It’s a matter of debate if I accomplished that or not. I have had lots of feedback and suggestions since the release of part 1. I worked through all of the suggestions and ideas and tried to make the needed corrections. I am also aware that somethings are a matter of personal preference and tastes. It’s my hope that everyone enjoys the episode and finds something they can take away from it.
RK Animations 