Energeia - Character Design {stage 01}

SEM01. D E L T A. FINAL PROJECT
P R O J E C T :: E N E R G E I A
PHASE# D E V E L O P M E N T

The characters design concept in this project is base on the Chinese Gods and Goddesses. While the characters’ costume are base on Chinese Opera costume; where they wear the classical Chinese traditional costume.

Later on, once all the characters design are complete, each character will be transform into shadow play style to fit the MG concept for this project.

The first stage of designing a character is to have random sketches of different looks and feel of the character. 

Below are the first stage of character design sketches :

Characters First Draft (a)

From left : Earth, Wind, Water and Sun

Characters First Draft (b)

From left : Water, Earth, Wind and Sun

 Characters Second Draft (a)

From left : Water and Sun

 Characters Second Draft (a)

From left : Earth and Wind

Water Goddess

Transformation process of the Water Goddess

Wind God

Wind God and his huge fan

 

 

Wind God

Transformation process of the Wind God

Energeia - Character Profile

SEM01. D E L T A. FINAL PROJECT
P R O J E C T :: E N E R G E I A
PHASE# D E V E L O P M E N T

There are 5 main characters in the story. Each character's profile was created based on an existing individual and in our case, we chose few different actors and actresses as our references.

Below is the characters profile :

The Human

Also Known As : The Invaders/ The Destroyers

Gender : Male

Color : Brown

Energy Element : -

Time/ Season : -

Skills : Has the ability to create, invent modern mechanism for their civilization development.

Physical Appearance :

-          Over confident, arrogant, terrified, guilty / sad (depend on respective scene,
           these facials exp are subject to change)

-          Seems to be 30 years old.

-          Average body built with same height and size.

Usual Attire :

Wears a traditional war armor and boot.

Personality Details :

Over confident, arrogant, cowardice, regret / ashamed (depend on respective scene, these facial expressions are subject to change)

Misc. Details : -

Real Life Actor/ Actress :

Jet Li

Jet Li as The Dragon Emperor in 

The Mummy : Tomb of The Dragon Emperor

The Sun

Also Known As : The God of Sun

Gender : Male

Color : Red

Energy Element : Solar

Time/ Season : Midday, Mid Summer

Skills : Has the ability to create or manipulate heat / fire.

Nature Catastrophe : Drought

Physical Appearance :

-          Stern facial expression

-          Seems to be between 45-55 years old

-          Bulky body builds with awesome muscle tone

-          His hair on the head is the fire itself

Usual Attire :

Half naked. (Wears shoulder armory with the sun emblem on it, general boot, fiery wristlet)

Personality Details :

Strong leadership qualities, extrovert, emotional extremes, self – expression

Misc. Details :

His character was based on Chu Jung, god of fire and executions who rules over justice, revenge, and death.

Real Life Actor/ Actress :

Chow Yun Fatt

Chow Yun Fatt as Emperor Ping in Curse of The Golden Flower

The Wind

Also Known As : The God of Wind

Gender : Male

Color : White

Energy Element : Wind

Time/ Season : Late noon, Autumn

Skills : Has the ability to create or manipulate wind.

Nature Catastrophe : Tornado, hurricane

Physical Appearance :

-          Brave facial expression

-          Seems to be 26 years old

-          Slender body build

Usual Attire :

Wears a simple traveler outfit, travelling boot, and a simple designed head piece.

Personality Details :

Generous nature, value ethics cooperative, braveness, haste

Misc. Details :

His character was based on Fei Lian, god of winds who rules over storms.

Real Life Actor/ Actress :

Takeshi Kaneshiro

 Takeshi Kaneshiro as Jin in House of Flying Daggers

The Water

Also Known As : The Goddess of Water

Gender : Female

Color : Blue

Energy Element : Hydro

Time/ Season : Night, Winter

Skills : Has the ability to control or manipulate water.

Nature Catastrophe : Tsunami, flood

Physical Appearance :

-          Confident facial expression

-          Seems to be 23 years old

-          Her body is in the form of water from below her knees

-          Have 2 hair loops on her head

Usual Attire :

Wears almost see through garment. Her pants seem to be imitating the flow of water.

Personality Details :

Usually calm, constant, solitude, introspection, sympathy, mystery

Misc. Details :

Her character is based on Mazu, goddess of water who rules over sea and protector of sailor.

Real Life Actor/ Actress :

Zhang Zi Yi

Zhang Zing Yi as Xiao Mei in House of Flying Daggers

The Earth

Also Known As : The Goddess of Earth / Mother Earth

Gender : Female

Color : Blue

Energy Element : Biomass/ Geothermal

Time/ Season : Morning, Spring

Skills : Has the ability to control or manipulate anything that is from the ground / dirt.

Nature Catastrophe : Earthquake

Physical Appearance :

-          Timid, calm, serene facial expression

-          Seems to be 34 years old

-          Petit body build

Usual Attire :

Wears a traditional upper class costume along with a traditional head piece with a flowery crest on it. The dress so long it covered her feet.

Personality Details :

Deductive, solid, reliable, stability, family-oriented, caring, supportive

Misc. Details :

Her character is based Hu-Tu (Hou-T'u), female deity of earth who rules over earth and fertility.

Real Life Actor/ Actress :

Koyuki Kato

Koyuki Kato as Onigen in Blood The Last Vampire

Energeia - Story Draft

SEM01. D E L T A. FINAL PROJECT
P R O J E C T :: E N E R G E I A
PHASE# D E V E L O P M E N T


The first stage of this project is to create a storyline. Me and my partner had so many different ideas when it comes to describing 'energy'. After few sessions of brainstorming, we decided to combined few bits of each different ideas that we had came up with before. After we had jotted down all the keywords and decided the tone and theme, its time to draft the story.   

Below is the story draft :

P R  O   L    O     G      U      E

The   Light   of   Life

In the beginning, the world is just a barren place; with no sign of life, always dark and cold. Then comes the Sun, the great ruler of life, descend to the barren land and shed his first light. His light, glow so radiant, almost blinding awakens Earth from her deep slumber. 

Feeling the warmth from Sun’s light, Earth surrounds herself with mountains and hills and seeds of plants to protect herself from sunburn. Taken pity on Earth, the Water who have been latent under the Earth, rouses herself and pour her tears of mercy on the land. But her tears flow so great that it began to drown the Earth. 

Being the drifter and free spirited roaming traveller, the Wind stumbles upon the drowning Earth and offers his hand. With all his might, he waves away the over flowing water as much as his pair of wings can bare and spread them equally all over the land and save Earth from drowning. 

Realizing their mistakes, Sun and Water promises their protection to Earth by granting her the gift of clouds to sheathe her from the Sun’s light of life when the days are too hot and to damp her with Water’s tears of mercy when she is parched.

With all of them working together, the world begins to live.

B O  D   Y

The    Invaders

Million years have passed and comes the fearless invaders when the dawn arrives. They drain Sun’s light and use it to strengthen their artillery so they can cut and burn down the trees, chase away the animals from their forefathers’ land. They then mercilessly pierce Earth with their monstrous claws and built themselves a concrete jungle they call a city; Leaving Earth wounded and frail.

They entrap Water in a box they call a dam and force him to flow constrictly to generate heat and light for their concrete jungle. They too, tricked the Wind into helping them before they trap him in a field full of giant fans where he will never escape. Thinking that they have successfully conquered the land, they become too proud and gladly call themselves the Destroyers.

Years have passed, the Destroyers have become too proud to be prepared when the fate strikes. The proud Destroyers have just become their own demise.

E P  I   L    O    G     U       E

Revengeful

With the sudden given of opportunity and with what was left of her strength, Earth shook her ground so hard that the land beneath the Destroyers’ feet and their magnificent city rippled and split asunder. Alas the great quakes freed Earth’s fellow guardians the Sun, Water and Wind from their confinement. Earth finally planted fears in the Destroyers’ heart.

Once free, mercilessly, Water brings forth her terrifying giant waves and swept the remnants of the Destroyers’ city; cleanse the land from Earth’s rumbles. While Wind, freed from his towering prison, unleashes his terrible gust of storm with each wave of his wings; shove everything in front Earth’s path.

Earth, walks the ugly path of vengeance claiming her revenge towards the Destroyers. Earth, who was once so beautiful, serene and kind, has become scarred by her own curse of grudge.

The Destroyers run in fear for their lives from the revengeful Earth and the angry Sun, Water and Wind. Earth, no longer cares for mercy, stomp and stomp her way through the ravaged land when suddenly an ill-fated Destroyer stumbled under her monstrous foot.

No longer have courage he could muster, the once proud and arrogant Destroyer finally succumb to his defeat and beg Earth for her mercy. The Destroyer’s admit of defeat has made example to his people and they too bows and begs Earth for her mercy.

Surprise by the Destroyers’ surrender, Earth finally comes to her sense and from her stony eyes, ran down a single tear drop of regret. Earth felt deeply ashamed of how she has let herself became ugly from her anger and grudge. Bits by bits the stone monster crumbles away and reveals Earth’s true self, hidden beneath.

With a single lift of her arms, pale green shoots erupted from the land below them, rushing towards the sky and some grew wrapped to the city ruins. The Destroyers, who were no longer a demolisher but simply the Dweller of the land; surprised and in awe to finally witness Earth true form and her glorious gifts.

Sun, Water and Wind who was driven by rage once ago have finally found themselves again. Sun, shine his light merrily enough not to burn; while Water hurl her water towards the Sun and Wind spread them around where they fall like golden rain and quench the land. The pale green shoots darkened their color, increased in size then burst into flowers and trees. Within moments, the land was surrounded by a riot of flower, and trees. The scared animals, who fled the land and gone into hiding, return once again to live amongst the trees. 

The Dwellers offers their pledge of sincerity and respects towards the land and its fellow guardians.  Believed in the Dwellers’ sincere pledge, Earth once again returns to her slumber beneath the ground while Water returns to her river, lake and sea. Remain true to his words, Wind continues to watch over Earth from among the clouds while far above the sky, Sun cast his watchful eyes over the land. With all balance were restored, the land begins to live once more.

Nickelodeon's Avatar : The Last Airbender

We had Avatar : The Last Airbender cartoon stuck in our head while creating the draft. Its addictive! We kept on watching the series again and again. :D

Thank god our supervisor gave us a good green light to proceed with the story. However, due to time constrain, he suggested that we cut the story short.

That won't be a problem for sure! :D

Energeia - An Energy Rhapsody

SEM01. D E L T A. FINAL PROJECT
P R O J E C T :: E N E R G E I A
PHASE# D E V E L O P M E N T

Poster of this sem's project

This will be my final project for the DELTA year before I can finally graduate and earn my degree! Yayyy!!! I can't wait to begin already!

For this project, we are free to decide the form of our project as long as we followed the theme selected for this sem, which is the 'ENERGY'. The project can be in the form of :

+ short film

+ 2d / 3d animation

+ music video
+ motion graphic

Me and my classmate, Anna decided to create a mix of a 2d animation with a motion graphic. This project was given the name 'Energeia', an energy rhapsody. The term 'Energeia' derives from the Greek word for 'energy'.


C O N C E P T
The concept that we want to convey in this motion graphic is the advantage and the disadvantage of using the world’s 4 main neutral energies and what will happen when their sources were abuse by overuse.

O V E R V I E W

In the beginning, the world is just a barren place. Then comes the Sun and shed his first light. His light awakens Earth from her deep slumber. The Water hidden beneath Earth rouses himself and pours his tears on the land. Water’s tears flow so great that it began to drown Earth. The Wind stumbles upon the drowning Earth and offers help. With all his power, he blasts away the water as much as he could and spreads it equally over the land. The Wind saves Earth from drowning. Realizing their mistakes, the Sun and Water promises to protect Earth. With all of them working together, the world begins to live. Millions years passed by and comes the invaders. They drain Sun’s light and use it to strengthen their artillery so they can cut and burn down trees, chase away animals from their forefathers’ land. Invaders then built themselves a city; leaving Earth wounded and frail. They built a dam and forced Water to flow constrictly, and wind turbines to ensure the Wind will never escape. Rather than turning into a peacemaker, the invaders have turned themselves into Destroyers. With what’s left of Earth’s strength, Earth shook her ground and destroyed the Destroyers’ city. Earth planted fear in the Destroyers’ heart. Destroyers ran for their lives from Earth, Sun Water and Wind. Once all the Destroyers left, Earth rebuilt her land with the help of Sun, Water and Wind. The land has begun its life once more.

E X E C U T I O N

There are 12 scenes in this motion graphics. Camera moves forward throughout this story. Camera only pans up, down, left and right whilst camera moves forward throughout the motion graphics.

Scene 1, The World Is Just A Barren Place. The world is empty. The view is just like on the moon but the surface is just like a desert.

Scene 2, The Light of Life. The sun god gives his light of life to the world. The scene which the sun god spread his hand and bring forth the light from his chest.  

Scene 03, The Awakening Earth. The earth wakes up from her slumber and raises the mountains, hills and seeds of plants. 

Scene 04, The Water’s Tears of Mercy. Water appears from underground, and splashes her waters all over Earth. 

Scene 05, The Drowning Earth. Earth is too happy raising her plants she didn’t realize she is drowning. 

Scene 6, Wind, The Saviour. Wind come and sweeps the water that is surrounding Earth and spread the water equally everywhere on the land. 

Scene 7, Their Gifts To Earth. Shows that the Sun is up in the sky while Water is below on the ground and in between are the clouds.  This scene represents the evaporation process, the process of how clouds are created. 

Scene 8, The Invasion. Shows the invaders come in from the side. 

Scene 9, The Destruction. Shows the destruction the human did. All the buildings and tress destroy / burnt. 

Scene 10, The Beginning of The End. Earth overheats and the nuclear reactor which the human built leaks into the crack in the ground. 

Scene 11, The Faces of Revenge. Earth wakes up and turns into gigantic monster with angry face, cracks the buildings with her earthquakes. The humans become scared and all run away. 

Scene 12, All Is Well, Ends Well. Earth replants her land and the world begins to live once again.

S U M M A R Y

The story is about how the 4 main renewable energies, sun (solar), water (hydro), wind and earth (biomass) works together in keeping the world well balanced. Later, the motion graphic focuses on how the human, being portrayed as the invaders or the destroyers of nature, destroys the world and overuses the 4 renewable energy resources causing the imbalance of nature and pollutions by abusing the world. The human’s act of selfishness later is revealed to have also become their act of self-destruct when the 4 energies rose and fought back in the name of revenge. Each of the energies brings forth their catastrophically power and cast it down to the humans and once again cleanses the world from pollutions. Towards the end, when the last of the human is gone, the 4 energies regenerate the world as they have done in the beginning.