“Tyranny” is a project for a 3D animated short film, waiting for funds and financial assistance allowing the future development of the project. It is essentially based on the possibility of working with motion capture technology and the performance of a physical actor.
Currently the project is at the pre-production research and development stage.
The story is based on the Brutus' soliloquy from the tragedy of Julius Caesar, act 2 scene 1, work by William Shakespeare.
Pitch:
While Julius Caesar reigns with absolute power, Brutus, his adopted son, plagued by doubt, convinces himself of the absolute necessity of sacrificing him for the good of the Roman people.
The Script
THE SCRIPT, INTENT AND PRESENTATION
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only The Script
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only Intention
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Assets:
(the different still frame and media here are only proposals in early stage and blocking phase and do not represent the final production)
-the environment comes from the unreal engine marketplace created by Leartes Studio.
-Metahuman identity
-Brutus face and hd texture by 3d Scan Store
(the different still frame and media here are only proposals in early stage and blocking phase and do not represent the final production)
-the environment comes from the unreal engine marketplace created by Leartes Studio.
-Metahuman identity
-Brutus face and hd texture by 3d Scan Store
Pre-production Process
moodboards to focus on the different aspects of the production (lighting, interior, buildings etc.)
Concept of the short film
The theme is about the fight against oppression. In this modern period of conflicts and political issues I would like to draw a parallel with the current global situation. Julius Caesar is a play about the power and threat of tyrannical rule and the consequences of rebellion.
Original Text: (Brutus 's monologue)
It must be by his death: and for my part
I know no personal cause to spurn at him
But for the general. He would be crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
And then I grant we put a sting in him
That at his will he may do danger with.
Th’abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power; and to speak truth of Caesar
I have not known when his affections swayed
More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder
Whereto the climber upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities.
And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg
Which hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell.
I know no personal cause to spurn at him
But for the general. He would be crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
And then I grant we put a sting in him
That at his will he may do danger with.
Th’abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power; and to speak truth of Caesar
I have not known when his affections swayed
More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder
Whereto the climber upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities.
And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg
Which hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell.
Early concept art
The tool Metahuman is used directly in the Unreal Engine for the modeling part, the rig and the animation. Brutus 's face is an Hd head model from 3d Scan Store solved with the help of the Metahuman identity.
Then an HD realistic texture from 3d Scan store is apply for a more accuracy rendering and realism
lighting test for the skin shader under the engine
Testing the lipsync with an old face mocap animation done on Metahuman Animator
With the approach in the moodboard and the help of lot of references the "Toga" (the traditional costume of a roman senator) was created under Marvelous designer. The software also will be used to simulate precisely the simulation of the cloth during the animation phase.
Brutus 's House is created by Leartes Studio, here some tests and studies to establish a first visual pass
Clothing test in this environment, importing the clothing data simulation from Marvelous designer
Layout (first version) _Blocking the first sequence (Brutus 's house_Night)
Following the initial script and after establishing the shots, a layout (early stage) propose first impression. Executed in the sequencer, all in real time, it determines the constraints of the next production phase and the importance of a future live performance recording during a motion capture session.
Still Frame
Conclusion
Through this short film the text of William Shakespeare would be presented through the prism of a graphic and personal vision. I also want to emphasize emotional feelings. In fact, the acting performance, recorded in motion capture, is an integral part of the production process.
Currently the project is seeking financial funds in order to determine the technical approach, in particular motion capture, to continue the pre-production within a team of professional artists from several fields and to allow a professionnal production.
