Hey Junior, not much progress on my part. Like IndyFan89, my computer is crammed to the hilt (as well as my external hard-drives) so I've been doing an extensive clean-up/back-up.
About the colouring issue: Maybe we could do it in a monochromatic style? Have line drawings & shadows over washes of/solid colours? This would take us away from a Filmation look but it's just a thought...
Certain scenes could also lend themselves to the use of silohuettes. Ex. if we do 2131's New Orleans bit, apart from a few flickers of the torches to illuminate Indy's face, most of that could be done with animated silohuettes over painted backgrounds. Same goes for Lance's mummy gag. It could be pulled off by just showing the silohuettes OR shadows of Indy & Short Round. We don't really *need* to see Shorty's face to let the viewer know that it's him.
No worries. It was always going to be slow.
Colouring, nice idea but I think we should keep it to the Saturday Morning Cartoon Style.
Again, nice idea's but lets aim to get the title card out. E-mail me what you've got, in terms of layers (map, backgrounds etc) , I will do the rest.
Any updates? (Didn't want us slipping down the list)
I've been in Los Angeles for the past week (and San Diego! and Burbank!) attending to the holiday family ritual, as well as squeezing in a sneak screening of Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"; updates have been accordingly nil to slow-going.
The one thing I am settled on: opening with a "transportation montage." Specifically, the modes of transit Indy would use to arrive at his destination; i.e., a street car in New Orleans, a Pan Am Clipper, a truck in Transylvania, etc. With this as a brief lead in, I had planned on having Indy stepping off the street car in front of the voodoo shop (which should really be a curio shop).
Col. Dietrich seems to come and go on this subject, so I'll just throw this out there. While I'm not necessarily against an antagonist with facial scarring, do we want to appear to be following in Uncharted's footsteps? It could work, but it might seem too familiar given the main villain in Among Thieves.
Re: Amazon River Boat: If you have a good suggestion for another type of boat, then we're all ears, Sab! You seem to be on the case.
I'm impartial on the specific kind of boat, Stoo. It all really is going to stem from where this specific instance is set; an ocean-going vessel is an obvious no-no, but depending on the circumstances of the event there are several types that could be used.
For example, is Indy in transit between river cities? If so, he could be on something like the boat from the original (sic) Mummy. Alternately, there's the tramp steamer that Zacharaiah Sloat operated in Oganga, the Giver and Taker of Life. Personally, I opt for the latter. It might be a little easier to animate, and fits in better with the overall scheme I have been imagining.
Location: Montreal, Canada (livin' in Switzerland for 2010)
Posts: 3,775
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
The one thing I am settled on: opening with a "transportation montage." Specifically, the modes of transit Indy would use to arrive at his destination; i.e., a street car in New Orleans, a Pan Am Clipper, a truck in Transylvania, etc. With this as a brief lead in, I had planned on having Indy stepping off the street car in front of the voodoo shop (which should really be a curio shop).
Are you envisioning splitting up different parts of the set-pieces and sprinkling them throughout (rather than a more linear approach)?
Re: Orleans street car: I like it but remember that it's 1-1.5 minutes MAX. so anything new you come up with will increase the length. Carry on with your ideas and we'll figure out how everything can be condensed to keep within the timeframe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
For example, is Indy in transit between river cities? If so, he could be on something like the boat from the original (sic) Mummy. Alternately, there's the tramp steamer that Zacharaiah Sloat operated in Oganga, the Giver and Taker of Life. Personally, I opt for the latter. It might be a little easier to animate, and fits in better with the overall scheme I have been imagining.
Do you mean "The Mummy" with Boris Karloff? A Zachariah Sloat boat is what I had in mind so I'm on-board with that. FOR FUN, here's Moby Duck's in "Pacifically Peeking", from The Wonderful World of Disney TV show:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
Col. Dietrich seems to come and go on this subject, so I'll just throw this out there. While I'm not necessarily against an antagonist with facial scarring, do we want to appear to be following in Uncharted's footsteps? It could work, but it might seem too familiar given the main villain in Among Thieves.
Being unfamiliar with Uncharted, it wouldn't matter to me. Despite the old adage, "Too many cooks spoil the broth", I just want to have as many fans contribute as possible. The fight during the EEL scene will probably be the "showcase head-to-head" with a villain so let's make him really UGLY...bald & blubbery-faced, scarred...maybe even a cut-off ear! (Not to mention that streetcars & an "African Queen"-type riverboat were both already used in the recent, "Staff of Kings" game...)
Are you envisioning splitting up different parts of the set-pieces and sprinkling them throughout (rather than a more linear approach)?
Not exactly. Just the first couple of images. After that I had figured on proceeding in a fairly straight forward manner. For example, the 'final' image of my brief montage would've been of an Orleans streetcar. From there, we'd show Indy stepping off, adjusting his fedora. Next shot would have Indy quickly looking up, and we're inside the voodoo shop. Whether or not we show somebody running out before Indy is up for debate, but we'd show Indy bursting through the back door after somebody and pounding up a short flight of stairs.
This is the rough outline I had for a larger stand alone story.
----
ANGLE ON Indy bursting through the French doors, shoving them wide with a dual forearm shiver. They bang off the wall from the force of Indy's exit, as Indy bursts into
A SHORT ALLEY
and clears the space in two quick strides, and mounts a
WOODEN STAIRCASE
in mid-stride. One step, two steps, three: Indy pounds up the stairs, the wooden slats rattling beneath his steps. Another step and he crests the top of the stairs, banging another shutter off the wall as he rounds the corner onto
AN INTERIOR COURTYARD WALKWAY
CLOSE ON INDY as he looks up, panic spreading across his face. He pivots, putting the weight on his other foot ready to head back down the way he came.
INDY'S POV looking down the stairs as two pistol wielding thugs come rushing into the alley and up the stairs. Can't go that way! His gaze whips back towards the third-floor walkway.
ANGLE ON TOMMY GUN WIELDING THUG racking back the slide on his 100-round drum "Chicago Piano". In the same smooth movement he depresses the trigger, and the gun belches fire.
BACK TO INDY running like a bat out of hell. Bullets are ripping into the wall, the walkway, and sending bits of brick, plaster, and wood flying in all directions. Closed! Closed! Closed! He's running past doorway after doorway, but each set of French doors is closed with shutters in place.
INDY'S POV: There! Just ahead is a pair of French doors, with their shutters pinned back!
BACK TO INDY reaching for that extra bit. His lungs are burning, and he's gasping for breath. One step, two, and he throws himself into the doors. Glass shatters and wood splinters under the impact of his weight.
---
It seems long, but I was thinking something like ten-seconds in overall length to capture the panic of the situation. If used, this would cut out the need for at least one, if not both of the rooftop chase sequences. Plus, I think it's visually more interesting than what has become almost de rigueur in the action-adventure genre.
Once Indy throws himself through the French doors it would be a natural transition from there to the Carpathian mountain trap. We'd start off tight, then widen out to reveal the change in location. Since he's already approaching exhaustion, it should thematically fit. I'll need to reread the trap sequence, but it should transition nicely to the areo-sled bit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
Re: Orleans street car: I like it but remember that it's 1-1.5 minutes MAX. so anything new you come up with will increase the length. Carry on with your ideas and we'll figure out how everything can be condensed to keep within the time frame.
Of course. I'm attempting to keep it within the same length, while punching it up a bit. If I add something, hopefully it's still in the spirit with which what was originally proposed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
Do you mean "The Mummy" with Boris Karloff? A Zachariah Sloat boat is what I had in mind so I'm on-board with that.
No, not the Karloff version, the retread with Brendan Fraser. I was rooting 'round the 'net in an attempt to locate a snap of said boat, but I've been unable to come across one. I'm sure you know of the boat though, and have the movie for a reference point!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
FOR FUN, here's Moby Duck's in "Pacifically Peeking", from The Wonderful World of Disney TV show:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
Being unfamiliar with Uncharted, it wouldn't matter to me. Despite the old adage, "Too many cooks spoil the broth", I just want to have as many fans contribute as possible. The fight during the EEL scene will probably be the "showcase head-to-head" with a villain so let's make him really UGLY...bald & blubbery-faced, scarred...maybe even a cut-off ear! (Not to mention that streetcars & an "African Queen"-type riverboat were both already used in the recent, "Staff of Kings" game...)
Uncharted is probably the best advertisement of what the action-adventure genre can be in the modern era if it was treated properly. If you've got a friend with a PS3, give it a try; otherwise, try and watch one of those videos on Youtube that cover the whole story.
I can get behind the idea of a "showcase" villain during the eel scene! My only thought was he would be a flunky of another villain, i.e. Pat Roach's German Mechanic, Thuggee Guard, Sherpa, etc..
And I still haven't played Staff of Kings.
I need to rewrite that above section, but check out this picture for an idea of what I'm referring to. Indy would be on the second level, and the Tommy Gun Goon would be on the third level, opposite side.
Location: Montreal, Canada (livin' in Switzerland for 2010)
Posts: 3,775
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
It seems long, but I was thinking something like ten-seconds in overall length to capture the panic of the situation. If used, this would cut out the need for at least one, if not both of the rooftop chase sequences. Plus, I think it's visually more interesting than what has become almost de rigueur in the action-adventure genre.
Sounds OK to me but some trimming would help. Personally, I'd like to avoid showing the inside of the Voodoo shop (too much research) and was originally only digging the idea of Indy simply approaching the shop with some torch-light reflection on him. (2 or 3 shots max. with no chase. All the scene would say is "See Indy in New Orleans!")
Perhaps we could stick the chase later (in a non-linear fashion)? When looking at Saturday morning cartoon openings of the period, it was either a segment unique to the credits or a montage of clips from the first 4 or 5 episodes of the series. Maybe we could go the latter route?
There were *2* planned, rooftop chases? I remember the Chinese one with Indy swinging the the clothes lines but, please, refresh my memory!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
I'll need to reread the trap sequence, but it should transition nicely to the areo-sled bit.
I know you're against synching the animation with pre-established music but there is a specific piece of the track (which IndyFan4Ever came up with) that I think works perfectly with the aero-sled bit. Will have to give another listen for the exact timing but they belong together.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
No, not the Karloff version, the retread with Brendan Fraser. I was rooting 'round the 'net in an attempt to locate a snap of said boat, but I've been unable to come across one. I'm sure you know of the boat though, and have the movie for a reference point!
Had it on VHS but not anymore. To be honest, I don't even remember a boat in B.Fraser's "The Mummy"! Anyone have a photo?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
I can get behind the idea of a "showcase" villain during the eel scene! My only thought was he would be a flunky of another villain, i.e. Pat Roach's German Mechanic, Thuggee Guard, Sherpa, etc..
Sure, it's just that I have no objections to a scar because of "Uncharted". Even Col. Dietrich in "Raiders" had a facial scar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
And I still haven't played Staff of Kings.
Nor I.
Thanks for the photo reference to the New Orleans stuff! Having never been there, a sense of geography is necessary to picture what you have in mind.
P.S. Last week, I sent JuniorJones the various elements for a title card test to see what he could do but I know he's been busy with his comic project.
P.S. Last week, I sent JuniorJones the various elements for a title card test to see what he could do but I know he's been busy with his comic project.
Sorry, I meant to get back to you. Just a little busy at work, I've got some time off so I can do the mock up of the opening sequence with Indy.
Only one problem - I can't open the After Effects file and I've got no idea what PSD file are! If you can send as flash or BMP, JPG whatever that will be much appreciated.
Do worry about my other stuff – it will all get done. Having too much fun to stop.
To be honest, I don't even remember a boat in B.Fraser's "The Mummy"! Anyone have a photo?
Oddly enough I have not yet been able to find a picture of this boat. You'd think that a major action sequence would have a bit more representation on the 'net. Anyway, I did find this clip on Hulu. You can sort of get a feel for the overall size of the thing.
I also found this picture of King Farouk's steamship.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
Thanks for the photo reference to the New Orleans stuff! Having never been there, a sense of geography is necessary to picture what you have in mind.
Or if I had written it better.
Perhaps Indy's brother wishes to come participate again?
Location: In the Map Room playing with a laser pointer
Posts: 1,378
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Saboteur
Perhaps Indy's brother wishes to come participate again?
I have been sans computer for some time, and in the short time that I have been back I have pm'd Stoo regarding my involvement in this project as Head Writer. This is about as good a time as any to say it here--I have officially/respectfully bowed out. If anyone would like me to stay on in an advisory/consultative role, I am at your service.
)
To be honest, I don't even remember a boat in B.Fraser's "The Mummy"!
