Homeward Bound: Short Film and Documentary about My Journey Home to Uganda and Interview with the Brave Rangers who are working hard to protect Uganda’s Endangered Wildlife and their habitats. Featuring 4 men: a Porter boy, a Tracker, a Ranger and a Tourist Driver: each playing a part in the Conservation effort of Uganda’s natural treasures.
This was a journey that I will forever carry with me in my heart. I met some amazing people who reminded me why I love Uganda so much, and the sacrifices made by my fellow Ugandans in the conservation effort.
I created this 3D scene after going out on a date with my wife to watch “Battleship” ~ The visuals and FX in the film were so amazing, I couldn’t wait to get back home and jump into Vue and 3DS Max, and see if I could recreate some of the shots. I highly recommend Battleship, you can definitely see the fingerprints of the teams that worked on Transformers, all over the VFX shots. The sea scenes are some of the best I have ever seen in a film. I was totally inspired.
Short video clip of the above scene:
Animation Breakdown ~ Minus the Titling
Here are some wireframe renders of the scene inside of Vue Xstream. The above shot was rendered at 1600 x 900. I am working on a short animated clip to capture the motion and water effects.
Here is the Video of the Short 3D Character animation featuring a Family learning How to get Along in a Small Fictional Village called Blameville. I used Motionbuilder for the Character Rigging and animation, and 3DS Max and Mental Ray for the Rendering. Postproduction was done in Adobe After Effects.
Credits: Voice Acting by Ruth Crews, Matt Templeton and Jordan Tate, Sound Track by Jordan Tate, Script by Chris and Michael Fletcher. Manna Production Team
Below are some more renders of the making of the short film. Check out the Gallery at the bottom for some screen grabs of the scenes inside of 3D Studio Max.
The Little Boy Character, Role Playing as the Dad
This is the little Girl Character Role playing as the Mom
The Baby Character
The 3D Environment, serving as the backdrop to the entire animation.
Here are some more Renders and Screen Shots of the Behind the Scenes and the 3D Environment.
VIDEO ~ Autodesk Sneak Preview Release: In this video Solomon Jagwe shows the new 3ds Max 2013 enhancements to Hair & Fur from the customer’s perspective and how he’s been able to apply it to recent work completed for a Mountain Gorilla Conservation Film.
MACHINE SPECS: I used an ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series which has 1GB of Dedicated Graphics Memory, and my machine specs are 64Bit Dell Studio XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @2.80GHz 2.80GHz, with 8GB of RAM
When legendary film director James Cameron returned to the ocean’s surface safely after an epic dive to the bottom of the deepest location in the world — the 35,576-foot Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean — it captivated the imagination of the world. Not only is Cameron the director of blockbuster films, including “Titanic” and “Avatar,” he is also the first deep sea explorer to visit the Mariana Trench in more than 50 years. More importantly, Cameron’s successful dive to the bottom of the sea may end up defining an entirely new era of exploration, in which government no longer plays a starring role.
As cash-strapped governments around the world continue to face painful rounds of belt-tightening, be prepared for deep-pocketed investors and corporate sponsors to fund this new era of exploration. Prize competitions and market incentives will replace the command-and-control directives of the state. Tellingly, when Cameron returned to the ocean’s surface after a nine-hour ordeal, he was met by billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen aboard his mega-yacht, Octopus. The sponsor of the Mariana Trench dive was not an agency of the U.S. federal government — it was Rolex.
This same scenario is playing out in other areas ripe for the next era of human exploration — whether it is putting the first human on Mars, sending the first manned space craft to land on an asteroid, or exploring the known boundaries of our solar system. Now that NASA is no longer in the game of manned space exploration, it is the Richard Bransons and Elon Musks of the world who are testing out new manned space flight vehicles and are positioning themselves to lead the way in space exploration over the next decade. When Virgin Galactic sends its first passengers into sub-orbital flight, it will mark a triumph of the private sector over the public sector.
In language strongly evocative of the legacy of the space program, Cameron described how his journey to the bottom of the sea enabled him to experience an entirely new undersea landscape that resembled the contours of an alien planet. Cameron even described how his submersible vehicle provided a similar experience to that of an astronaut. And for good reason. As we learned from the spectacular achievements of NASA’s previous era of manned space exploration, imagination is a powerful force for spurring innovation breakthroughs. As Neil DeGrasse Tyson challenged us to consider in Congressional testimony that quickly went viral around the Web, “How much would you pay for the universe?”
When done right, and when the right incentives are provided, America’s private sector can continue to out-innovate the world. America has always been a nation where entrepreneurs are celebrated for their passion and vision, whereas other nations such as China and Russia have always relied on the state. For example, contrast the success of Cameron’s dive to similar Russian efforts to explore the Mariana Trench. Despite the presence of fearless innovators who were architects of Russia’s groundbreaking Arctic and Antarctic explorations, Russia’s deep sea exploration effort is sputtering without government funds.
We are returning to a time when brave adventurers and the private sector, not government agencies, are being called on to supply the vision for future exploration and innovation. It took us more than 50 years to return to the Mariana Trench. It’s been almost the same amount of time since the last moon landing. That’s far too long to wait for government to lead the charge. Our dreams have not changed, but our ability to live them out has.
I created this 3D Nature composition with Vue xStream using the native renderer and Photoshop for post production. The theme and atmosphere captures the challenges of survival in ever changing world, and the vulnerability of even the strongest Predators such as the indomitable T-rex. I have included some wireframe renders in the gallery below.
Here are some more renders with a focus on key composition areas. It includes the interface screen grab of Vue.
Autodesk Sneak Preview Release: This video shows current research related to the Nitrous accelerated graphics core. The goal is to shorten the iteration process and allow art directors and animators to crank out quick but nice looking animation previews with soft shadows, depth of field, transparency and indirect lighting. This particular Clip of 177 frames at 30fps, took 2 minutes to create using the Nitrous Realistic Display mode. Comparable Software render times of the same animation took close to 7 minutes to render with comparable looking quality.
MACHINE SPECS: I used an ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series which has 1GB of Dedicated Graphics Memory, and my machine specs are 64Bit Dell Studio XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @2.80GHz 2.80GHz, with 8GB of RAM
Autodesk wishes to caution you that this video reflects technology research, and that actual events or results could differ materially from the video seen here. Also, this video is not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services or features but merely reflects technology research, which may change. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on this video. Autodesk does not assume any obligation to update any statements we make to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date of this technology preview.
“Dare to Dream Big, Friends” ~ This is a quick update to this interesting path I have been on since I came to the United States in 1996, and my quest to using film and animation to tell stories and make movies that can make a difference in Africa and around the world.
At My Desk at the Manna Production team studio. I think after while, the OS fades into the background and its just you and the software.
I am back to working full time as a 3D Artist, Animator and Post Production artist. After my studio was raided by robbers at the end of 2011 (see my reflections on that here), I was stripped off pretty much all my ability to work as a Freelancer and Independent film director.
I had to do some serious soul searching. I knew I didn’t want to give up on my dream of making films, and the wildlife conservation effort was on my heart through the mental struggles of what I needed to do move forward.
So my family and I sat down and mapped a way forward. Both my wife and I are now working fulltime, and we have signed up our son and daughter to a great lady who is a friend of the family, to homeschool them. Homeschooling our kids was a priority and that’s one of the reasons I have been a stay at home dad for the last 3 years, while working on the Galiwango film and freelancing.
I was so used to working on a PC but now I am working on a MAC. Needless to say the transition has been more than interesting
I have learnt so many lessons through this challenging time. I have had to hold on to my dream even when faced with adversity and I know that the God who put all these gifts in me, will see my journey through to the end.
I continue to strive and desire to be used as an instrument to make a difference in peoples lives while I am still here on planet Earth.
I shall continue to share my testimony and hope that it will inspire other aspiring Independent film makers in Africa and around the world. We have been created for a purpose and until we harness the talents inside us to make a difference, we will continue to simply exist instead of Living out our destinies to the full.
I thank God that I have a job, especially in this economy where over 16 Million Americans are without jobs. I am grateful that I still get to do something I love and that is create 3D animations and Content
I encourage you to never give up, God is still at work in your life and he cares about every tear that you shed and the cry you send out for help.
Here is a verse that has inspired me through the adversity.
Isaiah 40:27-29
New International Version (NIV)
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
DIARY Galiwango Film Production: October 10th Update
I have spent the day working on refining the Facial Motion Capture Rigs and Data for the Gorilla Characters. It’s crunch time, and these animations have to start rendering like Yesterday. Here is a screen grab of the Rig with one of the gorilla characters.
Check out this VIDEO ~ Behind the scenes of the Making of the Galiwango film Sound track and audio score ~ Thanks to Alan Kisaka, based in Los Angeles, CA ~ your talent is greatly appreciated and thanks for joining me in this effort to raise awareness to the plight of the last remaining mountain gorillas, and the sacrifices of the Rangers in the range states, who are working hard to protect these endangered great apes and their forest habitats.
August 24th Update:
WOW! where does the time go?? So here is an update on the Galiwango Film Audio score. My good friend Alan Kisaka has been busy at work on several tracks for the more somber scenes in the film. I am really excited at how the final is going to sound and for Alan’s generosity. I will be uploading the behind the scenes video shortly. Alan plays for a Band called The Strangers, do please check them out and show them your support! Website: http://thestrangers.org/
Galiwango Film 3D Character Profiles/Sketch: Sergeant. Muteesa: A ranger of 10 years experience. Voice Acting by Maurice Kirya ~ Mwooyo Kirya ~ Maurice is lending his talents and voice to this Character, playing as a former co-worker o Colonel Kasobeza, as a committed soldier and voice of reason, with a goal of encouraging Col. Kasobeza to abandon the Poacher ranks and rejoin the Elite Ranger Unit.
July 6th Update:
First Video look at the new 3D environment This is a test render of one of the more emotive scenes in the film featuring the sad transition from a beautiful habitat to one stripped of the forest cover ~ Undergrowth shot
July 5th Update:
This is another Galiwango Film Jungle Environment ~ In this particular scene, I am showing the gradual decline of the Jungle from a prestine and beautiful habitat, to one poluted with ash falling from illegal charcoal burning Kilns ~ a practice that is stripping the Virunga Jungles of the much needed forest and tree cover, which provides a home for many endangered animal and bird species.
Charcoal particles floating in the jungle undergrowth.
June 28th Update:
I have been up to my neck with wrapping up other projects before leaving North Carolina. Here is a quick update of the Jungle environment from one of the Scenes with the Poachers and Mountain Gorillas.
The render was done in 3DS Max with Mental Ray, the scene was setup using Vue xStream for the vegetation and some custome plants.
June 23rd Update:
I have been working on fixing the Hair Solutions, I noticed in one of the animation renders that as the Gorilla character was talking, some hairs were poking through the mouth so I had to go back in and repaint the hair solution. See the screen grabs below.
This is a test render of the New Facial Rig for the mountain gorilla characters: Emotion test.
June 2012 3D Character Update ~ Galiwango’s updated Beard 🙂 I am working on new models of the Galiwango Mountain Gorilla Characters, Poachers and Rangers.
Galiwango film Reload ~ I lost a lot of my film models, renders and environments to a robbery at the end of 2011. This is my new effort to getting back into the film pre-production and recreation. I have been working on this new model in my free time. It’s a joy to see it coming to life ~ out of the ashes and adversity. I am committed to seeing this Wildlife conservation film through to the end.
Here is a Video Preview of the 3D Galiwango, Mountain Gorilla Character.
This is Less Blurry Vimeo Version
Here is a Youtube Version (It’s a bit more blurry, something about the Youtube Compression)
If you find it in your heart to help, kindly consider a small donation to help me regain the progress I had made, and rebuild the render and animation system. The rangers, Batwa and mountain gorillas deserve their story to be shared. Together we can make a difference:
Here is a Gallery of some more shots of the refined mountain gorilla characters, with a new look and feel.
[nggallery id=15]
Galiwango Film ~ a Pre-Production and promotional Preview. The film is still in production. Thank you all for your support. Learm more about the film at: http://www.galiwango.com/
This is a recent illustration I did for the Manna Production Team, interpreted from a 2D and Photographic reference supplied. I used Vue xStream for the layout and render. The original 2D Illustration reference was created by Josh B from the production Team. I created a 30 second 3D animation to compliment the presentation.
3D Illustration 2
Final Video Presentation Still Grab
Specializing in Art and Visual Technology | 3D Modeling, Character & Vehicle Animation, Oil & Acrylic Painting, Concept Art and Illustration
