A Rockwork Orange [WIP: In Nature]

Timelapse for building the first set

The Brick And The Dead [WIP: In Nature]

NEW FILM PROJECT

It's been about a decade since my last foray into filmmaking. In the past few weeks I've started work on a new project: "In Nature" a short horror film using LEGO stopmotion.

I have ambitious goals for this project: including zero use of generative AI, and creating a theremin-based score. At the same time I've learned from my previous experience with LEGO filmmaking and have written the script more carefully, using a smaller cast and fewer locations.

Sets were designed in Bricklink Studio...

...and arrived looking like this

Colour-sorted and ready to build

Bird On The Wire [work in progress: Peahen]

[Peahen, modelled in Blender 2.76]

[Animation test]

This is a work in progress, there's a lot of work still needed on the jerky movements and some issues to straighten out (literally) with the blanket simulation. I started modelling this character in Blender for a project that has now changed direction. I may develop it further and use it in a different project in future.

Upwardly Mobile Highway [work in progress]

A short test of the dashboard and road animation.



[Produced in Blender 2.76]

Devil In The Detail [work in progress]

Working on various assets for the road animation:

[produced in Blender 2.76]

The Road Is Long [work in progress]

Continuing to work on the car scene, trying out some different colour schemes. Animation trials to follow - Freestyle rendering is a bit slow so it may take some time to get together enough frames to animate.

This project could go in several different directions from here. I've enjoyed gradually building up the car and adding detail to the road, and I could quite happily keep on doing so forever.  The end result could be an unstructured film or music video, or just something to do on a rainy day.

However I do have an almost-complete script as well and this was part of the reason I started modelling the car. So it might also be good to complete the script, get some voice over talent together and make a more traditional short. The script does call for some more work on modelling and animation.

I also have some serious plans for the soundscape - it needs some old-school weirdness and I know just the thing. Watch this space.

[produced in Blender 2.76] 

Wheels On Fire [work in progress]

Continuing to develop the car-and-driver scene:

[produced in Blender 2.76]

Objects In The Rear View Mirror [work in progress]

Continuing work on the dashboard and starting to think about the driver. Staying with cartoon style for now...

[produced in Blender 2.76]

I Like Driving In My Car [work in progress]

Update - dashboard with some optional extras

[produced in Blender 2.76]

Paradise By The Dashboard Light [work in progress]

Modelling a dashboard in Blender:

Also starting to consider render style for this project:

(produced in Blender 2.76)

Work in progress: welcome to Erewhon

Landscape, forest and villages

Test render

Closer view

Broken Bird (Ariel Undine) - Music Video

"BROKEN BIRD"
Written and performed by ARIEL UNDINE
(C) Ariel Undine 2012

"BROKEN BIRD" Music Video
Directed and Animated by Joshua Westbury
produced by Ariel Undine and Joshua Westbury
production assistant Laszlo Almasi
(C) Ariel Undine 2015

ARIEL UNDINE
Ariel on Facebook
Ariel on Reverbnation
Ariel on SoundCloud


Filmed on location in Somerset
The tower seen on the horizon is King Alfred's Tower, built in 1772

Special thanks to
Nicola and William Gething

Broken Bird pre-release trailer

"Broken Bird" (Ariel Undine) - trailer for music video.

Ariel and I shot the visuals for this music video last year and I've been working on the animation and final edit  - the full version will be released very soon. To find out more about Ariel Undine or listen to more of her music go to her Facebook page here. You can also find my blog articles about the making of this video here: part 1 and part 2.

"Steampunk Girl" Screening: London Independent Film Festival

Some great news: "Steampunk Girl" is on the official selection for London Independent Film Festival 2015! This will be my second LIFF screening (the first was "2007" shown at LIFF 2012) and I'm really looking forward to being back. I'll post details of the screening and festival programme as soon as they become available.

"Steampunk Girl" Screening: St. Albans Film Festival

I am absolutely thrilled to report that "Steampunk Girl," my lyric video for the song by John Anealio, is on the official selection at St. Albans Film Festival 2015. I loved being part of this festival in 2013 and am looking forward to this year's event. I'll post details of the screening as soon as they are available.

Work In Progress: Redhead

All of this will make sense soon...

[produced in Blender 2.72]

Work In Progress: Ravenclaw

A more detailed bird model for a close-up

Work In Progress: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Adjusting the mesh, adding auricles, coronary vessels and other details

Combining some procedural textures

Inner glow...

[produced in Blender 2.68]

Work in progress: Heart of the Matter

Modelling a heart in Blender, for use in the Broken Bird video

Basic heart mesh

Adding the major vessels. More detailed work to follow...

Work in progress: Broken Bird

Modelling a stylised dove for Broken Bird.

 Trying out some basic materials. Still working on the mesh.

Rigging wings for flight.

Modelled in Blender 2.68