JOSHUA MANNS
T440 - FINAL PROJECT

Follower of the Way

This scene was actually a tangent from the original project goal I had set for myself.

I used the main character asset to create a whole new persona due to time constraints and the art direction not going the way I had originally intended.

It is supposed to be a representation of the Christian walk in that when one comes to a crossroads of decisions, there is a choice that must be made
- one being the easy broad choice, and the other is the true narrow choice. The broad choice ends in disaster.

This project allowed me to learn much about Maya especially technicalities such as expresion editors, mel scripting, dynamic simulation and keyframe blending, advanced shading networks,
lighting and rendering and compositing techniques. I spent only 2 hours animating due to time constraints, but animated elsewhere after the render was completed.

BACKGROUND:

It is set in an isolated island with two brdiges and an ocean. It was used to create an feeling of emptieness, only focusing on the decision at hand - until the consequences (bricks flying)
are seen. Colors were kept earthy to keep distraction to a minimum.

(Wireframe - Terrain)

(Solid-Wire - Bridge 'Shatter' Scene)

CHARACTER:

Where the bulk of my time went, I decided to go with a non-standard ethnic character. The clothing was really just inherited from my previous goal, but it ended up working.
I applied virtually every bit of Maya knowledge I possess (and then some too) to get this working and looking properly. I will discuss some of the techniques and various tools I used.

(Final Desided Render Quality)

(High Poly-Proxy - Wireframe)

(Skin - Example of technical problem)

(Low Poly Character Solid Wire)