For this project, my main role is modeling. All the models that we used are original work. The chess pieces in the chessboard scene are mainly built with revolve tool in Maya. Since we decided this is a realistic scene in the story, the chess pieces will not be animated other than sliding on the chessboard, and they are mostly cylinder-ish objects, so making revolved object would be more efficient. For the more irregular chess piece partials, I manipulate the vertices and using boolean differences to detail the models. All the models in bedroom scene and gym scene, are made of basic objects from the tool shelf by manipulating the vertices and surfaces, extruding surfaces, duplicating objects. Also, I used cut face and boolean difference to detail the doors because they have regular shaped dent. For character modeling, I extruded the body out of a cylinder object. Our character’s head is made of a sphere object, and deleted some surfaces to make space for the eyes and mouth. The challenge here is to make the face look more nature. Because of the surfaces I deleted are squares, so I have to move the vertices around those areas to become rounded edge loops. I found that using soft selection and reflection to manipulating vertices when detailing the face. However, it does not work properly sometimes. Therefore, to work more efficiently, next time I will model half the head first and duplicate it, so I can make changes to only one side to save some time. Also, for the facial expressions, I used blend shape which I found easier to use than making a controller for the face for this time consuming project. But, it can be easily break during animating. Making a controller for the facial expressions is more professional and flexible method to make more natural expressions for animation. I would like to learn and use that if I have time to improve it. The only movements for our character are jumping and bending, so I only use a single chain of joints for the character.
Script
Background:
Our story surrounds the game of Chess with the Pawn as the main character. The goal of the game is to kill the enemy’s king to win the game. The pawn serves to protect the King to prevent the enemy from killing their own king. It is difficult for the pawn to reach the very end of the board on the other side in the enemy’s territory. Therefore, if the pawn does reach the very end, they are awarded with a more valuable position, with the choice of becoming a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.
The pawn sees himself as an inferior being and aspires to be someone who is more important and valuable. As he stands in front of the mirror, he sees a king as his reflection, which is a symbolism of importance. To work towards that goal, he trains and studies hard in hopes to become a man of value. For every moment that he is studying and exercising, he is gradually improving himself, which is portrayed through an advancing step on the chessboard. Finally, on the last step before the end of the chessboard, he stands before the King of the opposite team, sadly he is over-powered by the King.
Plot:
Main character: Pawn
Minor character: King
Sub-characters: Other chess pieces
Settings:
Chessboard scene (Establishing shot) from pawn’s over the shoulder
Pawn advancing a step on the board
Pawn standing before the almighty king
Symbolism: (Chessboard)
Chessboard (symbolism of him moving forward through hardwork)
Bedroom (looking in mirror, reading, studying)
Gym (training)
