MACHINE MAKING EPISODE 5 | Car Tank Vs Robot

Here is Episode 5, A classic Ford Cougar with tank treads! 

What is Machine Making?
Each episode of Machine Making is a small project that I try to complete within one week.
 
Why are you making these videos?
I’m making these videos to learn about filmmaking, 3D art and story telling. As I go through my process I want to broadcast my experience, as maybe it will help others create something amazing.
 
What is your process?
Here is a breakdown of my process:
 
First I’ll write a little script, sometimes this is just a sentence. For this episode it was: A car with tank treads hits a small robotic creature.
 
Second is the concept stage where most of the creative decisions are made. Here are the concept images from this episode:

Car Tank Concept | With previz draw over in top left hand corner

Rabbit Bot Concept

Asset Pack Concept

​Depending on the complexity of the concept a short previz may be required. This is a quick 3D video to establish timing, the mood and define all the pieces that are needed. I might try out some lighting ideas here as well. The previz should be quick to make, almost a 3D sketch. If things are not working in Previz and the composition feels off it means something is wrong with the concept, and it is time to go back to the concept phase and maybe even the script phase. 

​If the previz is working out well and the timing feels right I move into production. First the assets and rigs are made. This stage can take the longest, depending on the complexity of the design. Although with a solid previz this can be the best part (I find). With a solid previz all the creative questions are answered, now it is just a matter of increasing the detail.

Final Car Model

​Rabbit Robot Rig And Animation Test

​Asset Pack Built For The Set

​Here is the making of for the assets:

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​Next I comp the final lighting. I’ll take the passes out of Blender and I’ll work with them in the compositor bring up the quality of the image, or even make it more dramatic

 Finally I’ll bring the frames into Premiere for a final edit, and maybe a bit of color correction.
 
The main goal here is short videos that tells a story. A short short story. If I can learn how to create a story in 15 seconds I can slowly work towards telling a story in a minute and a half and eventually a story that is 15 minutes.

This episode had a couple of new things as well. This is my first moving camera. All of the other episodes have been static cameras with moving pieces.
 
What is next for Machine Making?
 
My next big challenge is adding a camera cut. I may do a couple more episodes without the camera cut as it will add a ton of complexity to the story. It may seem small but a camera cut can be extremely difficult to execute and is an art form in itself.

In the next episode I’d like to explore medieval windmills in a post apocalyptic world.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments!