Is this doable?

[zarroun]

I'm not sure if I should post it in this thread, but I have a question if an animation idea is doable.

I would like to have a nice 30 sec air battle for my demo reel that I want to work on between quarters at school. I should graduate in December, that would give me 4 weeks of vacation to work on this.

The planes involved in the scene would be my already modeled B-17 (might have to make some changes to it though), Supermarine Spitfire and Messerschmitt BF 109f. I would have 4 weeks to model and texture two planes, and then animate the three together. If you think my choice of aircrafts is not good, I'll be happy to get some ideas from you.

Is this project managable or would I just go crazy trying to finish this? Thank you for your advice!

z

[kevjon]

Each aircraft takes me about 120 hours (3 weeks) to model and texture.

[zarroun]

Point taken ;). Thank you.

[Skyraider3D]

It all depends on how much time you have. I made my Mustang in a month all in spare time (125 hours tho'). Given that you only have four weeks, how about a scene where B-17s get attacked by flak and one goes down? You could have a wing rip off and show interior detail. It will be impressive enough without having to go through the pain of modelling a new plane altogether.
Alternatively convert your B-17 into an E model ("Fortress Mk.II") and paint it in RAF Coastal Command camouflage (http://members.lycos.nl/carloslievens/Images/b17/b17fii.jpg) and have it attack a surfaced U-boot. This way you can save yourself the headache of doing 3D clouds too, but show off some particle effects instead :)

[zarroun]

Hey, that sounds like a great idea. Research on the Mk.II might be tought to get the plane right. And as far as the submarine goes, it could just not get any close ups so it wouldn't have to be as detailed. Particle effects are not a problem for me either. I seem to have a lucky hand with those.

The flak scene would give me a chance to show a big formation of B-17s to make it an impressive animation. 3D clouds would not be a big problem. C4D lets me paint clouds in the sky, and they render very fast, even with self shadow.

I still have a bit of time to think about the animation. I'll still try to model one extra plane on summer break. If I can't finish it in the first week, I'll start on one of the other ideas. I sure will be busy for the next 6 months, but it should be worth it. Thank you so much for the ideas, I appreciate that very much.

[FitArtistSF]

There is a famous, or at least very well known, piece of actual combat film that has been used in older movies and docs that have been shown on PBS and History channel, that illustrates Skyraider's idea. The exact scenario. It is shot from another B-17, and shows a Fortress being hit and starting her death dive. As she rolls over, one of her wings separates very dramatically, the right wing, if I remember correctly. (it's been a long time since I have seen the footage) I think it may have been first used in the movie, Twelve O'Clock High, with Gregory Peck. Does anyone remember the footage I am referring to? It's been used countless times over the years. I think it may have all the elements you are wanting, Zarroun.

[Skyraider3D]

This one?
http://www.ww2guide.com/b17blown.jpg
I believe it was shot during the infamous Schweinfurt raid, or so the story goes - could've been any mission really.

[FitArtistSF]

Yes, I do believe that you are spot on, Skyraider...but the whole film sequence is very dramatic to watch. I think too, there is even a second or so that one or more crewmembers gets out, but I can't remember...but if Zarroun thinks he can capture the moment in 3D animation, that could really be a good render... :cool:

[zarroun]

I will have to check with my teachers about what would be most beneficial for my reel. I might have to go for a character animation. I'm working on a second plane and adding detail to the interior of my B-17. Thank you for the idea and picture.

[Skyraider3D]

Gunners and pilots are characters ;)
Gah... everybody does characters :p

[zarroun]

That's what I had in mind, showing a waist gunner as he aims for an approaching bandit. We'll see what I can come up with.

True, there are so many characters, yet so many are the same. I actually have created a pretty cool character (Vander Friday's the name) that is pretty unique and would give me interesting animations. But I don't really want to do characters.

[kiwi123]

If you don't want to do characters, then don't.

Believe me, I've been recruiting artists for games companies and cg production houses. You get so many reels with average shite on it. Most of it is filled with crap character animation or crap zbrushed character models. You'll only stand out with characters if they are very very well done. And that hardly ever happens unless you are completely devoted to character models. If you manage to put together a reel with stunning hard body models and a piece of nice animation with fx and good movement, you'll find a receptive audience.

[zarroun]

I don't mind character animation at all, actually. IK Joe has been good to me, and my animation of him was among the best at school, if I may be so bold. Air carfts are just more interesting to me, but I don't want to end up animating oil rigs.

Thanks for the confidence boost though. I tend to forget that I should do what I really want to do, and not what I am told would help my reel.