Showreel Analysis
After viewing existing showreels of 3D environmental showreels, I realised they all share a similar structure. For instance, the showreels Escape Studios has posted display a breakdown of each example that has been shown within a 1 -2 minute video. While maintaining the same theme throughout, the showreels demonstrates a range of different skill sets such as 3D camera tracking and 3D modelling.
I attended a lecture by Steven Hatton the founder of Electric egg which discusses on what makes an effective showreel within the media industry. In his lecture, he mentions that when it comes to VFX that diversity is a key element. From the showreel examples he shown in the lecture, Steven said that having a mixture of skills of different scenarios allows more opportunities to demonstrate various techniques such as 3D camera mapping and asset modelling. By doing this will show the employer that the applicant has a range of skill sets and maximise their efficiency in terms of work flow and problem solving.
There is also an article by Andrew Price who is well rehearsed in blender and the main points he mentioned were to; make the showreel no longer than 2 minutes, not to include music, include breakdowns of every scene and show the best work. With all of these factors considered, will produce an effective showreel as it is similar to what Steven Hatton said in his lecture. In addition to this, Andrew also highlights how crucial it is to show a diverse skill set in order to widen the applicants capabilities to again, demonstrate what they can do.
So in relation to my project, it will not be longer than 2 minutes and will not include any type of music. As for what video will include is a collapsing building that has eroded over a long period of time and a computer generated environment of a dystopian landscape. The genre will be science fiction and the location that I will be using is an abandoned building found in Lincoln and a large empty field in which I will be creating this dystopian landscape.
Mood board
With regards to the mood board, I hand selected a few existing concept art that help visualise what works and what doesn’t within a dyspotian world.
For my abandoned building ideally should look similarly to the photo above. I realised that the colour pallet used in the two pictures are a mixture of brown and grey tones which is ideal for dystopian setting as it is dull and desolate. The use of debris is utilised as it is seen scattered across the floor space in both pictures to represent a sense of destruction and decay which is again, ideal for a dystopian setting where it seems like the area has not been inhabited for a long period of time. The steel beams hanging from the ceiling is also a great addition to the scene as it further builds on the atmosphere of destruction and I believe that implementing this element to my final video may also have the same effects.
As for the dystopian landscape I intend to add in my showreel, is inspired by many examples as shown above. They all visualise a different type of a dystopian environment, but they all share similar conventions. For instance, they all have a sense of desolate and isolated atmosphere and the use of destruction is also evident in all pictures. I find that the pictures that contain dunes and snow are a perfect example of extreme weather conditions as it overwhelms civilizasions. I believe that this style of a dystopian landscape is a good starting point in how I create my environment. The other photos that contain a vast amount of foliage is also something I want to implement in my final piece as it creates a sense of isolation where nature has taken back the land.
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