Project Review: Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I

 

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- The final 6K color render used for the Key Art Teaser poster.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A dark version done in Crystal edge lit.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A daylight crystal version up in the sky.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Screen Grab showing the basic materials as well as the wireframe Iso-line geometry.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader Screen Grab from the Camera viewport showing the poly Sub-D subdivided 3D model I built for the final rendering for the Teaser Posters.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader Screen Grab from the Camera viewport showing the polygon Base Mesh 3D model I built for the test animation rendering.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader Screen Grab from a low angle 3/4 view showing the poly Sub-D subdivided 3D model I built.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-A clay Shader Screen Grab from a low angle 3/4 view showing the polygon Base Mesh 3D model I built.

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-A clay Shader Screen Grab from a high angle showing the bend modifier I applied to the shield to curve it back on the sides as if it were on Superman's chest.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- One of the early 3D renders of the rooftop to the Daily Planet Building.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Ambient Occlusion / Dirt 3D Render pass to add in aging and details to the geometry for the final renders.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A 3D Z-Depth Render pass allows for 256 levels of grey as a mask for depth effects on the still renders for precise post effects.

 

 

 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A closer angle on the Art Deco eagles that surrounded the Daily Plant Globe on the top of the building.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- An Ambient Occlusion / Dirt 3D Render pass to add in aging and details to the geometry for the final renders.

 

 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-A 3D Z-Depth Render pass allows for 256 levels of grey as a mask for depth effects on the still renders for precise post effects.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Screen Grab showing the basic materials as well as the wireframe shaded view in Camera.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Clay Shader shows the 3D Geometry builds form without textures or colors. This is the Camera viewport angle of the shot.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Clay Shader view of the top of the building Deco design.

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay shader on the top deck roof of the Daily Planet building I made for the Key Art.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader close up on the Art Deco Eagles that surround the Daily Planet Globe. This was a subdivision Quad Modeling job and this is the High-rez Sub-D asset.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader close up on the Art Deco Eagles that surround the Daily Planet Globe. This was a subdivision Quad base Low-rez Sub-D asset.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A clay Shader view of the Model I made Close up on the Daily Planet Globe with the Deco text that would spin on top of the building.
 

 

 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Clay Shader screen grab pulled back on the full globe asset for the Daily Planet.

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A proof sheet of the top of the Daily Planet 3D full color renders I provided the Key Art team to build out comp ideas from. A 3D asset is built once and can be very cost effective to render out at multiple views using various lenses.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A full 7K render for the third party tie-in artwork needed for Consumer Packaged Goods "CPG", as well as to store displays as seen in a press photo below.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Though Bright Blue sky day renders were asked for I also did a nice moody night city view.

 

 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- An Ambient Occlusion / Dirt 3D Render pass to add in aging and details to the geometry for the final renders.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-A 3D Z-Depth Render pass allows for 256 levels of grey as a mask for depth effects on the still renders for precise post effects.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Screen Grab in a Clay Shader from the Camera View of the wide shot of the city with the Daily Planet.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Another Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of the wide shot of the city with the Daily Planet.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Up angle on the Daily Planet Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of the wide shot of the city with the Daily Planet.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of the wide shot of the city with an eagle spirre Sub-D taken from a Crest I built prior.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of a stepped round Art Deco building from the concept sketch.

  

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of long shot on the Daily Planet.

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of the full city layout with the buildings spaced out for the camera view composition.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- The Crystal spaceship the Superman comes to earth in. a full 3D render I did for Key Art Comp Ideas.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Ambient Occlusion / Dirt 3D Render pass to add in aging and details to the geometry for the final renders.

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- The 3D Z-Depth Render pass allows for 256 levels of grey as a mask for depth effects on the still renders for precise post effects.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-A Screen Grab showing the basic materials as well as the wireframe shaded view in Camera.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of long Crystal Spaceship. This is the Camera viewport.

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Close Up Screen Grab in a Clay Shader on the Crystal Spaceship.
 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Another Close Up Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of the Crystal Spaceship.

 

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I-Screen Grab in a Clay Shader of long on the Crystal Spaceship.

 

 
Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- The finished final Tease Poster utilizing my 3D Superman Shield.

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Blue Ray DVD Key Art poster for Home Entertainment Marketing.

 

 

 

Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- Another Blue Ray DVD Key Art poster for Home Entertainment Marketing. You will se a variety of these Metropolis 3D renders  used on Cable for the Movie on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc still.

 

 Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I- A Press Event in Beverly Hills with Brandon Routh (Superman), and Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane) pictured here with my City render in the store display window at the event.

 

Project Review: Superman Returns 2006- Key Art and 3D Illustrations PART I

 

Client:  DC and Warner Brothers via The Cimarron Group
Creative Direction: Calvin Sumler and Joseph Stamper Jr.
Project Date:  June 2005.

     In the Summer  of 2005, I was in house at The Cimarron Group as the 3D Design Director and I got another dream project working on Superman Returns a film by Bryan Singer rebooting off the original films from the 80's from Richard Donner. I grew up watching those films, some of the first superhero  films that set the stage for an explosion of films in the 2000's. This work was done just over 2o years ago now, but seems like yesterday.

 

     This work was very early in the production process before any principal photography was done, so we had very little to go off of. I started with the main Icon, the Superman Shield. There was a really small 3D image done by another vendor, but the Director was not going to use it. A number of Agencies were on the project including my old agency BLT Communications. There was a lot of competition for this as the film was getting a lot of attention, and the Icon was the first image they wanted for a Comic Con debut surprise by Bryan Singer.

     I started with the main Icon. I made it as a subdivision model so It would have perfect surfaces. The first pass from the other vendor was a NURBS based model with some sharp edge issues and the reflections made it look very CGI. As a Transportation Design graduate, this was an advanced surface design with curved surfaces blending into flat ones with a little crown on each to control the reflections better as they laid out on the "S". I also added a slight curve to the build as the Icon laid out on Superman's barrel chest so it had about 7 degrees of curve that is seen in the Clay Shadier above.

     Once the Icon Debuted Bryan Singer was so happy with the design he awarded our team the whole project. A very rare occurrence, so I continued to build out much more.

     Next I built out the Art Deco inspired Daily Planet with a high poly rooftop as well as the full building to the main entrance. I also had to build out a full wide Metropolis skyline from a single concept art illustration as no CGI was done at the time we were working on it. I love building out hard surface models especially architecture, and Art Deco is a favorite style of mine so this was really fun work. 

    Finally, I had to design out the Crystal ship he arrived on earth in, and for this I only had a concept Art sketch to work from. I had a production shot of the land built out of hexagonal crystal designs, so I built out the space ship using this design piece and blocked it out with the starburst center and long tail all crystal material ship with an internal light source glowing with warmth inside.

    All in all I spent well over a year on this project doing a variety of Metropolis city shots, Spaceship angles, and a lot of rooftop views. I also did extruded 3D text titles along with animations for online mobile and web. This is the only project where my 3D work went in the film itself, The 3D Shield model was used in the film itself as Imaginary Forces asked us for the files to animate it for the Film title opening. I remember making a DVD -ROM cover for it for the deliver and got it sent over at Warner Brothers approval and shared request. This too was very rare as agency's usually do not share 3D assets. WB was very glad we did, and we ended up doing a lot of WB work while I was there.

     I am still currently doing freelance as I still hunt for a full-time place to work at, so if you need a bid for a 3D Illustration or 3D Logo, or a 3D Model feel free to contact me for a quote. I am open to Hourly gig's, Work Retainers, Part-time, and of course a Full Time opportunity [ Open to relocation ] would be best. I have worked remote since 2009, so I am ready and experienced to help you.

                                 Cheers, THOM

Project Review: Ghostbusters III- 3D Title treatments for Print and MGFX 2008

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- The final main Icon 3K 3D render.

 

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- A Clay Shader Camera View Screen grab in the base ultra low poly build. My background came from Real Time, and I made this 18 years back so I went that way then. Today, I would go with more polygons if I was to do this again.

 

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- A Clay Shader Camera View Screen grab in High Polygon count as a Subdivided [ Sub-D] asset.

 

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- Close on the Shaded Screen Grab a bit to the side. Such a fun sculpture to make.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- An Ultra High Rez Subdivided Ghost 3D Model in a side view Screen Grab in the Clay Shader showing without transparency.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This Screen Grab with Materials shows that all pieces are transparent.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- Screen shot of the two main materials I created for the concept 3D icon I made.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008-The Z-Depth 3D Render pass for realistic distance based camera and saturation work done in Post typically done in Adobe Photoshop for Print, and After Effects for MGFX.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- The Ambient/ Occlusion 3D Render pass for realistic lighting affects added in post.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008-A worm's eye view lower angle on the test render for the ghost material I made for the main Logo Icon design in 3D.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- Another different angle on the test render for the ghost material I made for the main Logo Icon design in 3D.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- A Teaser One sheet using various pieces put together into a single render for the Key Art Print work.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- The final render of Slimer's overlay of drops for the Poster Key Art.

 

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab Clay Shader shows the High Poly Subdivided [ Sub-D ] model for these drips.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab Clay Shader shows the Low Poly Base model for these drips.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- Shader viewport Camera View ready to render out.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- For Materials I had the green environment map center lit, as well as the the shiny transparent slime. I had a higher reflection for better read on the highlights.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- A 3/4 view screen grab Clay Shader shows the levels of the drips for this overlay render.

 

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- The final finished 3D render of the Slimer Wall with the refraction's and reflection's dramatically lit from below. The bubbles were one of my favorite additions to this piece.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab shaded showing materials in frame from the Camera viewpoint.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab Clay Shader shows the displacement in the various running down levels, a custom bitmap was made for this effect.

 

 

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab Clay Shader shows the wall and the air bubbles behind it as a side perspective angle.

Key Art 3D Logo Proof of Concept Ghostbusters 3 2008- This screen grab wireframe shows the air bubbles behind the displaced plane used for the running Slimer goo.

 

Project Review: Ghostbusters III- 

3D Title treatments for Print and MGFX 

October 2008

 

Client:  Judd Apatow produced via The Cimarron Group
Creative Direction: Myself
Project Date:  October 2008.

     Back in the Fall of 2008, I was still in house at The Cimarron Group as the 3D Design Director and I got a dream project that landed on my desk for a rebooting back up of the Ghostbusters franchise. This work was done nearly 2 decades back, and since then their have been 3 additional films made. This was attached to Seth Rogan and Jud Apatow. A few years later in 2012 there was a table read with cast attached, this was prior to the Paul Feig film from 2015.

 

     I also did some work on the Girl Boss version in 2015 Ghostbusters:Answer the Call over a decade back for a few agencies. As to the most current ones from Jason Reitman, he used the original logo on both Ghostbusters:Afterlife, and Ghostbusters:Frozen Empire, so no 3D used.

 

     This work posted today was very early in the production process and Bob Farnia, the Owner at Cimarron wanted us to take a stab very early on the work. This was our proof of concept work for both the Theatrical Print, and Motion Graphics teams so I was off to work.

     I started with the main Ghost Logo and sculpted out the Ghost in 3D to match the original 2D Illustration used in the 80's. Once I was satisfied with the design in a full Quad Sub-D build out, I spent a few days working on a ghost material. I landed on what you see posted above making sure it had legibility. I used a blurred frosted glass like material with no reflective shine to it, so it was matte finished with some color bounce refraction inside the ghost.  It had a falloff material with the transparency fading to the edges, yet still visible. I posted a few angles but the front original match angle is what was preferred.

 

     I also made the red "No Circle" transparent as well in red with shine added to the shader so this was a time consuming 3D render back then as everything was transparent.Render times were long 18 years back, today this could be previewed in a viewport with a nice CUDA card.
 

    For MGFX I used the Icon along with the proposed release date. This was an animated Film rez file I delivered to the Motion Graphics team for the presentations. I have posted the final frame after all the parts came together for the year 2010 above.

    I also built a full running wall of Slimer's green slime using a displacement map on a mesh object with 3D modeled air bubbles at various distances behind the transparent goo. This along with some depth of field on he Camera in the 3D render added to the depth to the material.

   Finally, I did one poster mock up one sheet as well with just the big icon, as at this stage there were no assets at all,  and all we had was a moving date that "Got Slimed" with Slimer's green goo basically on everything in the design.

     I am still currently doing freelance as I hunt for a full-time place to work at, so if you need a bid for a 3D Illustration or 3D Logo, or a 3D Model feel free to contact me for a quote. I am open to Hourly gig's, Work Retainers, Part-time, and of course a Full Time opportunity [ Open to relocation ] would be best. I have worked remote since 2009, so I am ready and experienced to help you.

                                 Cheers, THOM