Time keeps on ticking

So its been awhile since I've posted. Sorry for that. Life seems to get the better of me. I've actually been on a sort of break for awhile from this project and I apologize, however I'm back and still going at it. I'm trying to apply to any grants to help me make this thing work out smoother so wish me luck! The link on the last post is broken cause I took down the video. (sorry!) But here is another screen shot of some progress.

First three shots.

Here is a video link to the first three shots of my animation.  Music is not what's going to stay and either is the voice, but it will give you a idea of what's going on.  I still need to animate Kial's eye blinking in the third shot.  Leave a comment of what you think.

LINK TO ANIMATION

Shot three, week three

Finished the background to shot three:
 


Now just need to add the character in there :-)

[UPDATE May 12th]

With Kial in the shot:

Shot two, week two

Here is the second shot:






This shot was a lot of fun to do, but the clothes/hair took forever to animate because the main character (Kial) is flying in the air up to space.  I think I nailed it pretty good.

Shot one, week one.

Here's the "office":


Had to put the computer and harddrive in front of the A/C unit to help keep them cool while rendering.

Here is a screen shot of the opening shot of the anime:  


(older version)

I've had to go back to this shot three times already to recolor it/change it.  I didn't like the realistic clouds I had so I made my own.  Also darkened it a bit cause it still felt too bright for daytime. I will probably go back at least a few more time and tweek. 

Introduction

Before I begin, I think it best to start at the beginning. I've been a fan of anime for about five to six years now and have found myself at a standstill waiting for the next best anime to grace my eyes. Working in the film industry in Los Angeles is like living a fairy tale where you find yourself surrounded by all the mythical creatures and characters that one would find lurking on the screen.

I've always been somewhat good at a lot of things but never great at one. So in my unending quest of glory, I've taken on a project of another kind- ANIMATION.

The closest I've ever been to animating anything was working on the Warner Bros lot for a animation company- getting their coffee. But during my time I learned the workflow and the departments and found it all slightly interesting but it wasn't anime, it was CGI with 3D characters and what not.

For the past couple of months the film work in LA has declined so I've started my own project of creating/drawing/completing a anime movie that I will release to film festivals, because, why the hell not?

Ive always enjoyed the works from Makoto Shinkai

and Hayao Miyazaki

and wanted to do something in the style of their films without the big budget, because, frankly, there is no budget for my movie.

I've got a vague outline of the story and enough free time to paint my place a thousand times. So without further ado, lets begin.

(Did I mention I gave myself only three years to complete this one hour long, 86,400 frame movie? *cough*)