Overview
Title: "Good Dogs"
Type: Animation
Client: Personal Project
Individual/Group: Individual Project
Timeline: December 2024 - Current
Objective
"Good Dogs" is an animated short that celebrates the enduring bond between humans and their beloved pets and honors the dogs we've loved and lost. Through a narrative that highlights their unique personalities, emotions, and intelligence, the goal of the film is to evoke warmth and nostalgia, while portraying an afterlife that offers comfort and healing. Inspired by my deep affection for the dogs that brought joy to my life, this project aims to provide a relatable and heartfelt experience for pet owners, offering a space for reflection and peace.
Roles and Responsibilities
Lighting:
The lighting will be fundamental to establishing the mood and emotional undertones of the story. My primary goal is to create a warm and happy atmosphere throughout the video. To achieve this, I will use soft, golden lighting that evokes feelings of comfort and optimism, complemented by abundant natural sunlight and blue skies.
Daylight will dominate, with subtle variations to reflect time changes, while key moments will be accentuated by lighting changes that underscore major narrative beats. For instance, a sunrise will serve as a symbolic cue for new beginnings, representing hope, adventure, and possibly rebirth.
Modeling:
In Good Dogs, my design philosophy emphasizes emotion over detail. I aim to highlight expression rather than realism. The models will be designed with soft, flowing edges to achieve a dreamy, nostalgic feel. I also want to ensure the models are clean meshes, which will help streamline the animation process.
Texturing:
I am using reference images of my own dogs to match the colors and patterns in their fur, ensuring authenticity in the design. I also embrace imperfection; for example, the bus, roads, and buildings will be somewhat worn, but wear that comes from loving use rather than neglect. The environments will be textured to evoke a sense of peace and nostalgia. Where I simplify details in the modeling, I will compensate with more intricate texturing to bring the designs to life and enhance the overall atmosphere.
Early Visuals and Renders
December:
