Scared Silly Entry by Lyle Moore

[LittleDedder]

KrakenConcept2.jpg WIP

My concept is parents who got out of control making a costume for there kid.

They have actually dressed him up as a huge Kraken for Halloween.

I am thinking of putting the mom working on the costume behind him with devil horns.



This is my start.


It is a little boy crying .

More to come.

HeadPic1a.jpg

[LittleDedder]

WIP

OK. this is just an initial sculpt of what i am thinking.

My inspiration comes from Boo from Monsters Inc. and the little brother from the Christmas story about the boy who wanted a Red Rider gun and couldn't move in his snow suit.

Basically this little guy asked his mom to be the Kraken for Halloween and she has taken it way too far.

This is just the very start of my sculpt of the suit.

Body1.jpg

[Slosh]

That is soooo funny. I remember my stepson's Halloweens when he was still a child...one year he wanted to be a wizard, and my wife and I teamed up to make his costume. It ended up so elaborate, that he couldn't keep up with his trick or treat buddies and ended up sitting on the curb crying his eyes off. We took him home and let him change costumes (a hobo, if I remember correctly) and his night was saved.

Excellent modeling on the boy's face. Keep up the good work!

[LittleDedder]

Thanks for the comment Slosh


This is an initial sculpt of the little guys candy basket. This is going to have the topology re-done.

PumpkinSculpt.jpg

Lyle

[LittleDedder]

This is just a test render of the candy basket.

This is a small element so I just may do a bump map for it.


PumpkinTest1.jpg

[Harmonic]

That's coming along really well. Love the Concept! :lol:

[LittleDedder]

Just a question:


I want to include Gremlins in my picture.

Does this comprimise me in the contest for using copywriten material?

Also, do you think I should try and come up with my own gremlin type monster?

[dustbin1_uk]

Simple answer, if you have to ask, then don't risk it.

EDIT:

Sorry, forgot to say, that's some great work there! the idea is funny and unique. :D

[LittleDedder]

I felt the same way Dustbin_uk

this is the concept for the creatures that are going to be puttinghim in the suit.

This is still very much a WIP


GremlinStart.jpg

[dustbin1_uk]

Looks good! You say these little fellas are going putting him in the costume?

EDIT:

So who's the kids parents then Satan and his wife?

[LittleDedder]

Teeth


Teeth.jpg

[dustbin1_uk]

Looks great! Can't wait to see some RGB on this!

:tu::D:tu:

[Marsyas]

Ha! Looking cool. I like all the teeth.

[LittleDedder]

Thanks so much for the kind words.

I had a little more time to work on him tonight.

Started on the tentacles.


Tent1.jpg

[dustbin1_uk]

Oh, that poor kid! LOL

[Atwooki]

Hi LittleDedder

This concept's looking interesting - has great potential; I guess you'll be
posing the kid up later on to appear a little more 'trapped and tormented' ?

Looking forward to further updates :)

Chris

[LittleDedder]

Yes I am going to pose the face and legs to look uncomfortable.


Lyle

[elarcano]

Hey Lyle,

Cool model and very funny concept :tu:
Maybe the mom could look like the "perfect mom" without the horns -Kinda like the one I've attached- The Kraken costume could have stitches (after all it's a "home made" costume... just my suggestions ;)

Keep up the good work Lyle :tu:

[Marsyas]

Yowza! That's a crazy costume. Looking great! :tu:

[XSI Apprentice]

Thats pretty sweet, progress so far is going well, i can picture this crying kid walking down trhew street holding up traffic and other kids laughing at him. Gret work :)

[LittleDedder]

Thanks for the comments.


The suit will have stitches. I have to re-topo it and I was going to include them more in the bump map once I get the UV's done.

[LittleDedder]

I modeled the mom up tonight.

She is still rough because she ma not be fully visible in the final.
Mom1a.jpg

Lyle

[KOSOVA]

Looking good. The boys costume is realy nice.

[LittleDedder]

Thanks Kosova


Sorry no update tonight. I have been laying out UVs and starting to put together the sceen.

Lyle

[LittleDedder]

I got to laying out Uv's today and started painting up some maps.


This still needs a lot of work, but it is an update.

It will have sucker on the bottom.


TentMaps.jpg

Lyle

[XSI Apprentice]

Wow, the tenticle is lookin really sweet, would look cool with a wet look on it, tho being a costume it might not have it, great progress :D

[LittleDedder]

Thanks XsiA,


This is a little update.


Lyle

StagingTest10.jpg

[Harmonic]

O my god that is way over the top! :lol: Have you figured out your camera angle yet? Just curious what the final will look like.

[LittleDedder]

I am playing with this angle right now becaue I think he is going to be in a small room.


But input is strongly welcome.

[LittleDedder]

Last post before bed.


Maid UVs for the legs and started putting textures on them.

Also, I did a render from the wrong cam and my wife wanted me to post it.

Enjoy.

Test3_ForWeb.jpg

Fun3_ForWeb.jpg

[XSI Apprentice]

Whoa, that is looking really cool, just an idea, i like the first angle, it shows the extremities close up, but thats me, but my idea, when you build the room he is in, maybe you can pose the tentacles around the room like bunching up over itself and on the ceiling so it looks like it struggles to fit in the room, just to emphasise how big it is, just an idea :)

[metrodance]

i like this queer looking octopus / man eating plant too, congrats m8

[LittleDedder]

Thanks for the comments.

The tentacles will be bent all around the room.

More to come tonight.

[monstermaker]

As A parent who is out of control when it comes to making Halloween costumes for my kids I can really appreciate where you are coming from on this piece. Looking forward to the finished version.

[LittleDedder]

Hi All,

Just some small updates tonight.

Worked on the kids face.

I was also able to model up some sucker for the tentacles but they are not in the sceen yet.

Lyle

ZBrushCryingkidForWeb.jpg

Fun5.jpg

[dustbin1_uk]

Ha! That's funny! amazing work, still interested to see where the gremlins fit into this.

[migusan76]

This is coming on along great! That child face is so creepy to me...

[LittleDedder]

Just another small update.


I am finally working on the main body and gremlin type characters now.

LyleFun11.jpg

[WoL_]

Great work!!! :tu:

[Marsyas]

Love the perspective! This is gonna be one crazy pic! :D :tu:

[Lucky_1]

wow ! Great update Lyle...poor little kid but so funny...

Keep it up !
Lucky

[-WOODY-]

I laugh my butt off every time I see this thing lol. That poor kid and his insane parents.

The texuring and detailing is cool. Just be sure to leave yourself enough time to model the rest of the scene and render.

Good luck.

[LittleDedder]

Thanks All!


Just a night of laying out UVs and dealing with displacment!

[LittleDedder]

I should have stuff to show tommorow.


Just another hard night of set-up

[Rastaman]

Very impressive. :tu:

Good theme, modeling and coloring.
Very nice.

[nightwoodwolf]

cool stuff man .. id love to see the final image.

[threetails]

I want this costume! nice work, the perspective is very good, can't wait to see how all the elements will layout in the final compostion. sweet holy tentical love.

[Blaine91555]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[LittleDedder]

Thanks for all of the encouraging comments.

I finished Re-toping the creature character tonight and laying out UVs on the costume and creature.

Lyle

GremRetop1.jpg

GremRetop2.jpg

GremUVUV.jpg

BodyUV.jpg

[LittleDedder]

Placed the first two demon characters in the sceen.

DemonPlace1a.jpg

[Sebcesoir]

Waw its comming very well! Great job so far!

[LittleDedder]

Just a little Update of the demons in the full sceen with bad lighting.


Fun40.jpg

[XSI Apprentice]

Sweet, looking good, tho the monsters look a little flat compared to the rest

[LittleDedder]

Thanks for the comment XSIA

I just put a shader on them. They have no textures and lighting. That is why they are so flat.

This is a little render before bed of the room.

RoomRender1a.jpg

[iImagine]

Outrageous outfit! Great idea and execution!

I like all the little demons clambering about too. One little thing you might sort out though is a small problem of alignment: the pumpkin can easily be mistaken for one of the little fella's heads.

[LittleDedder]

I agree.

I will move him.

[adrock]

I like the blend between the costume & a monster like thing ........Great sculpting as well...

[XSI Apprentice]

Haha, just noticed, the pumpkin could be mistaken for the guys head, hehe, with the demons, have you tried a slightly glossy or high glossy material? it might bring them a little more to life (maybe), the room is looking good :D

[LittleDedder]

This is not my final image,


Just another progress render.

I haven't started lighting yet, The demons don't have eyes, and I am going to darken the main suit.

Fun61_Alt.jpg

[LittleDedder]

Just another update before bed. Not Final


Night


Fun62.jpg

[dustbin1_uk]

It looks cool, this is one I have had my eye on since the start of the contest an I am very inpressed.

one crit, the creature jumping down, needs to have a more actiony pose. his arms could be flung up as if he is trying to slow his desent or is trying to aim his landing. Just my opinion.

Other than that, this is amazing work.

Who is this kids mother to have goblin creatures working for her, Satans wife! :)

[Dondemaker]

Looking very good. I should try to keep the room darker (more like the first render on its own or even darker), but as you say you haven't started lighting you probably haven't thought about that yet.

[LittleDedder]

Thanks so much for the great notes.


I will start addressing them today.

They are a big help!!!

Lyle

[Marsyas]

This is so crazy! (That's a compliment) ;)

Looks like you have a good opportunity to play up a lot of dramatic shadows with all that stuff.

[LittleDedder]

I Sure hope I do!!!

[AngelJ]

Littlededder,

Been watching this one for a bit among the many others. You are very talented and shows in your sculpt on this piece. For the most part I enjoy the idea, the gigantic suit on the crying child sadly is funny. I wasn't sure what the gremlins where going to be doing and how they would add to the overall image. After seeing them as much as I like how they are sculpted I was hoping for them to add bit more funnies to the image. At the moment they look like they just helping to terrorize the kid which I suppose could be construed as funny in a twisted kind of way hehe. Though I was hoping more for like maybe a few of them kinda of fearful of the kid, maybe some bowing to him paying him homeage as one of there own or something. At any rate I'm sure this will look great can't wait to see more!! :tu: :tu:

[LittleDedder]

I added the airbrush, kneedles, and thread tonight.

They are actually putting the kid in the suit.

Lyle

[AngelJ]

LittleDedder,

Ahh okies, thanks for clarifing that for me. Hrmm I'm sure you'll be able to sell that aspect as it moves closer to the final render. You got da skillz!

P.S.

Maybe a few gremlins can have some thread, maybe a tape measure and the like to add to the idea they are helping him "into" the suit?

[LittleDedder]

New Room

RoomToshow1b.jpg

[Ctrl-Z]

I hope this doesn't come across too harsh, but your image has, in a way, become the kid in that picture; unable to function under the weight of what's added.



Compare...Story 1:
Ambitiously creative parents go overboard trying to make their kid the best costume ever, oblivious to the idea that they've ruined the holiday for him.
Story 2:
A small child is eaten alive by a giant monster as five demons watch impassively.

Okay, 2's probably not what's going on in your picture, but it's as likely an explanation as any. You've lost sight of your story, and while it might retain some details from before, the central relationship you abandoned is what made the thing funny.


Take a step back and remember why you're doing this. It's not too late to turn things around...

Focus your lighting. Two renders ago, the kid was brighter than the tentacles in front of him. That was better, and could stand to go further. See, huge tentacles can show the ridiculous scope of his costume without taking over the whole image. That kid and his reaction are the single most important thing thing in this picture. If we don't notice him for the oversized costume, you've failed to communicate any part of your idea.
-
Crop in closer. You can lose a good third of your width without hurting the image, which will in turn make the kid 30% more prominent.
-
Make the Krakken green. It's further from flesh tone and will make both the kid and his pumpkin stand out a lot more.
-
Lose the demons. Put Mom in the scene. She's probably off to the right, kneeling into frame with a camera, a huge smile on her face. Or else, she's handing him the pumpkin and patting him on the head. (I don't think you're going to be able to convey "working on the costume" strongly enough in the time remaining, but these other poses will get the point across)
-
Consider cutting sleeves for his hands and feet. This will help convey that it's only a costume, and break up the color a little. You've got a whole lot of red goin' on.
-
I'm not sold on the T-Stance for his arms. I get that overly thick layes of clothing (as in a snowsuit) will force you into such a pose, but I'm not seeing that thickness in his sleeves. That either needs to be exaggerated further, or else dropped so he can flail around helplessly.
-
Why are they in an industrial warehouse? Put some color on the walls, maybe throw in a doorway to another room. Lose the ceiling fixture -- it doesn't say "home". Instead, make a lamp of some sort, which the costume is pushing over. These details you're adding should serve a purpose. Which in this case is to establish a contrast between the traumatic scene and the loving household it takes place in.
Relatively simple changes will make a world of difference.

You've got a great idea. You're telling a great story. So, get back to it already!

[Ctrl-Z]

New RoomMuch improved! But still the wrong setting. ;)

(see notes in previous post. you don't need a creepy mansion any more than you needed an industrial warehouse)

[LittleDedder]

Actually,

I was thinking a lot of the same thing.

This is my first time doing something like this and I am looking at it as a time to learn.

Most of what I do is put with live action.

This is what I needed and as I said I was feeling much of the same thing.

[LittleDedder]

Mom isn't ready to go In and I don't have time by friday. I will just do what I can.

[LittleDedder]

As I said I was thinking of much of what you wrote over the last couple days.


I think I have an idea that will make it better and keep much of what I wanted.

[Slosh]

Dedder, I agree that your original story is a bit lost, but I can't say much because I totally changed mine from day one....

I love the concept of the giant costume. As I said in an earlier post, my wife and I had a similar overzealous costume making for our son.

I hope you are not getting discouraged with all the recent comments. The scale of your costume is great because it really exaggerates the frustration of the kid, but I do agree that you can come in closer to the kid...the tentacles can go off screen more so that you can focus on the boy more. Ctrl-Z suggestion that the color scheme takes focus away from him is also a valid point. Angel's tip that some sewing elements would help convey your theme is helpful, too.

As a whole, I think you are doing great. Definitely someone to watch out for!!!

[LittleDedder]

I am going to do all I can to finish strong.

[Ctrl-Z]

I threw a few of your images into Photoshop to see how your original idea might have turned out, but my test comes across sad rather than funny. Maybe if the characters were more exaggerated and over-the-top, it could work. Or maybe whatever you have in mind now is a much better idea.

Anyway, here's that:
maybe.jpg

----------------

Don't be discouraged, and don't forget to sleep. You've built some really great assets, and you're going to tie them together into a really great image.

Worst case, forget the deadline -- you've pushed your work into a new realm, and you owe it to yourself to keep the momentum going. But, it hasn't come to that, and there's no reason it has to.

Just get your bearings, and decide which way is forward. We'll all follow you there.

[dustbin1_uk]

Don't knock yourself LittleD! you've done an amazing job! Just take a couple of hours breather, ask a friend to help you look at the image a fresh and go for the finish line! The image is there, I can see it and it's awsome! A winner!

You're an excellent artists who deserves a winning entry, and I know with a little reordering you'll do it! :D:tu:

[LittleDedder]

I'm haveing a blast doing this.

All I was saying is that the comp needs a change.

Will see how it looks on Friday.

it may be ok or it may be :o .

[-WOODY-]

This is a great piece, I love it too. I agree with a lot of what Ctrl-Z said earlier.
I know that you are probably reluctant to crop your image because you don't want to lose all of the detail and work you've done with the tentacles, but in the end, it may help to frame the child better.
I know it would be painful to do, but sacrifice is sometimes needed to create great art........remember Vincent van Gogh! Of coarse he was nuts, but that's another story.

Maybe if the mom was bigger and in behind one of the tentacles leaning over to take a picture of the boy's face would help in conveying the loving yet crazy family and the distraught child.


Here's a very quicky example

Just an idea to help. I hope you're not offended by my taking liberties with your jpeg.

example.jpg

[LittleDedder]

Great ideas all.

I think I have another angle I want to try, so that you can see the little guys face better.

I still don't know about the mom.

We will see.

[AleksanderA]

Try this! :D :eek:

Regards,

Aleksander

[LittleDedder]

It looks like everyone is waiting to see what I will do.


I may not post until Friday.;)

[LittleDedder]

I have a final comp I like and am rendering passes.


I will post it on Friday.

[Ctrl-Z]

Way to keep us in suspense!

[LittleDedder]

Let me just say that it is better than I ever imagined;) :o:confused:

[nightwoodwolf]

since you feel good it about then it will look good ... good work n best luck

[Rory_L]

Ive been silent on this thread, as the picture was clearly in good hands. I would like to say now, before the thread is locked that I too am much looking forward to seeing the completed image, particularly after the thoughts you've had on the composition.

Good luck!

R

[LittleDedder]

I was able to get all of the render passes I wanted done last night.:rolleyes: :o

[LittleDedder]

This is not my final image.


Just a comp test.
CompCheck1.jpg

[Marsyas]

Very cool lighting and depth blur! Great color too. :tu:

[LittleDedder]

Just another color test.


Not final

I am experiencing a big color shift between my computer and Zbrush central.

Does anyone know if a LUT and ICC profile is applied when uploaded.

I am creating a Lut to fix the problem.

If some can post what each image looks like it would be a help.

I am pritty happy with the second one.

CompCheck2.jpg

CompCheck4_CF7.jpg

[ironlion37]

Great job, I was worried. I couldn't figure out how you could possibly make the composition work after seeing some earlier posts. But you did it! Fabulous decision....

[LittleDedder]

please have a look at the images above.

[Seavannah]

wow that's awesome love the texturing and the tentacles.

[XSI Apprentice]

Very cool dude, love the materials used. the lighting is pretty good, and i love how the depth of field has drawn you into the face of the kid. :D

[LittleDedder]

I'm still working with my render passes.

can you try and tell me what the two images look like on your side.

I am having a little color managment problem that I think I fixed.

Oh, and thanks for the kind comments.

[Ctrl-Z]

WOW!

Love the lighting, love the angle, love the render quality.

My only suggestion at this point would be to cut holes at the end of his sleeves for human hands and feet to stick through. I know I'm repeating like a broken record, but... The stitching you added (to clue us in that it's only a costume) is all but cropped out now, and you've done such a great job of making the thing frightening that it's hard to believe this is not a real monster, rising from the ground to swallow the kid whole.

I think the story at this point might be that his costume came to life, or that we're seeing through the eyes of a little boy who is afraid of his halloween costume. Either way wouldn't be harmed by faking-up the sleeves.

Then again, it's a very striking image, and anyone who glances upon it will probably stare long enough to figure out what's going on. The laugh doesn't come immediately, but it's definitely there.

*shrug*

I'm sort of torn between the two renders. #1 is more dramatic, and feels like a better picture. But his feet are lost in shadow, and they're pretty important. Which is a problem I'd probably solve like so:

merge-interface.jpg

Hope this helps?

[Ctrl-Z]

Actually, disregard a lot of that. I just installed new video drivers on my PC, and everything's displaying very dark. Just checked things out on my Mac, and nothing's lost in shadows. Though, I do still prefer the first pic there.

[LittleDedder]

My problem was on my screen and my screen at work it looks like image 2, but when uploaded looks like image 1.

[LittleDedder]

Another color test

I may sleep on this and look at it in the morning.


CompCheck4_CF9.jpg

[LittleDedder]

going to sleep on it now!:o

[Lucky_1]

Looking great so far Lyle:

one thing: I think you are losing the fact that it's a kid in a Halloween costume: this happens because his (human) arm/legs are dissapearing in the render... anyway I think if you give them a slightly other ( ligthter) color will fix this...
edit: Ctrl-z has maybe a better suggestion: show the hands...

Good luck

[Rory_L]

Ditto Lucky and Ctrl-Z comments. Maybe a change of material for the arms? The cloth wrinkles can pass for regular clothing sleeves.

The newest render is looking good on my main monitor here at work. On the other one it is black, but then all images are like that on that monitor; I think you can trust this image.

R

[GregV]

Following up on Lucky_1's (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/member.php?u=5973) commnet about it being a kid in a costume, I noted that his legs are extending out of the costume at the bottom, and maybe if you made them painly "flesh" and less shadowed, the costume effect would be clear. Cheers:tu: Greg

[LittleDedder]

great!

final will be up later today!

[threetails]

i like the final composition you've gone with. Going in tight makes it clostriphobicand and as uncomfortable for the viewer as the kid looks. the render and materials look good as well, they give the surface of the beast suit the feel of looking through an electron microscope, i like the direction you've taken it. good luck.

[dustbin1_uk]

Wow! I've somehow missed this one all day. This look fantastic now and I am really looking forward to the final render.

[LittleDedder]

This is my final image!

I will do a nice write-up in about 1 hr.

Lyle Moore

LyleMooreFinalCompSmall.jpg

[sasquatchpoacher]

cool render!

[Dondemaker]

Cool render indeed!! That mini-crisis you had a couple of days ago helped push you to greater heights :tu:

[Atwooki]

I just LOVE this image Lyle :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

TOP-QUALITY all-round for everything, from sticking with the title theme, and your undoubted fluency and proficiency of ZBrush execution :)

STUNNING!

best of luck with it, and gets my vote for sure ;)

cheers

Chris

[nightwoodwolf]

very beautiful .. good luck :tu:

[Marsyas]

Great work! Love the render. :tu:

[fizzy]

Wow what a difference a few days make. This look great, so much motion expressed there.

Well done, really really good entry.

Pete B

[LittleDedder]

Hi all,

Some info about the image :)

I just wanted to do I little write up to shed some more light on this image as well as what happened during this week.

This image almost didn't happen.

I wanted my final render to come out of mental ray for Maya. Unfortunately, with the amount of elements in the scene and calculating displacement a 32 bit computer couldn't utilize enough RAM to render the scene. Mental Ray was also causing other weired problems that I was fighting, so for the longest time I couldn't show you real renders. I tried limiting Mental Rays memory usage but it would only let me render less than half resolution, some of the time.

Fortunately, I have a great boss and wife. My boss let me stay late and work on the image, therefore not getting home to my wife until 2 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.

Tuesday: Changed the composition and lit the scene (no proper lighting in the scene till this point)

Wednesday: Render, Render, Render. All night to get the passes I wanted.

Thursday: Comped the scene

Friday: Minor tweaks

I couldn't have finished this image if my computer at work wasn't opened up to me.

And again thanks to my wife for putting up with me not being around this week.

O.K. Now to talk about the image:

Everything went through Zbrush for modeling, shaping elements, painting of color,bump, displacement, spec and other mattes. Maya was used for initial modeling as well and for the final render.

I used Zapplink v3 with Photoshop to aid in the painting of maps.

Most UVs were laid out in Headus Uvlayout.

I rendered in Mental Ray for Maya, multiple passes including beauty, spec, shadow, diffuse, ambient occlusion, Z depth, Separate lights, and element maps.

And since I was now at work final composition was put together in Nuke for Zdepth pass, After Effects and Photoshop.

All and all in was a frantic four days! During the contest I also worked on two feature length films.


Now about the final image:

Something weired happened to me and this image over the past four days that has never happened with art I have done before.

What happened was I started to see myself in the final image.

I will explain further...

For my whole life I have been trying to do the biggest, most outlandish things ever and be as good as I can at them. This has also caused me to have many failures and I have become really good at getting back up and trying again.

Much like this contest. When I decided to take part I was going to put at least as much time into this image as it would take me to earn enough money to buy the first prize freelancing. I think I over doubled this. But when stuff started going wrong I was just going to keep on fighting and see what happened.

I would often have big ideas of doing things like this little guy in my picture when I was young and unfortunately reality never really allowed it. This is why I think this image looks a little dream like. Somewhere between reality and sleep.

The other thing I love about this image is that it is very close to what I saw in my head when I started.

I am going to call this image “Myself as the Kraken.”

People who know me will find this both scary and funny and I hope you do as well.

Thanks to everyone who followed my work, made suggestions, and enjoyed this image.

And this is way more artsy fartsy talk than I would ever like to admit I wrote.

I learned so much and can't wait for the next contest!

Lyle Moore