Monroe Face Capture test from Craig Crane on Vimeo.

A longer video about the face capture process and system from Optitrack

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Was a late night last night.

As soon as I finished the day job, I set up the Mocap volume for Face Capture, and set about getting data for Tom Stones tests….

This is just a clip from a much longer video about the process. Hope to upload the whole piece at the weekend…

A small tease of a video that should come later that will show the entire face cap procedure…

Well, a nice welcome surprise in my inbox this morning…
A couple of my desired actors for various roles have sent word back via agents that they would like to discuss the project and the characters with me. I guess there must be either something about the little 12″ fella that sparks an interest, the IP, good choice of targeted talent or all three.

When looking at the actors I have in mind, I have to imagine (untill we get some voice and anim tests under way just as I am doing with Tom Stone) not only how that voice will work with the character, but also as part of an ensemble.

There are 6 main leads that remain constant across the entire series.
Then in addition there are additional characters and episode specific guest characters (who either die, get assimilated by the dreggs or see their specific story arc resolve across 1 or 2 eps…)

Lewis
Tom Stone
Mike Powers
Chatsworth
Joe
Mangled Jim
Goalie

Now, I know Lewis and Toms chosen voice inside and out. Ha! Listening to Monroes album right now as I type this… Black to Broadway

The voice of Lewis is a voice I grew up with in the late 70′s, early 80′s… and has always been the cocky cock sure, somewhat detached and aloof voice that I have always had in mind since this venture started.

Mike Powers… Well, the voice and acting chops I have in mind has made contact via his agent. This is good. Very good indeed. I really want this chap for the role. Not only can he portray mikes boyish origins, but in a beat can become the darkest of souls…. hard to pull of without being campy. And I was so in awe of his role in a recent bbc show, that his inclusion was a no brainer. Mike Powers needs that “Go F**k yourself” swagger that anyone with aspirations to dominate requires.

Chatsworth, the Talking Commander (which was originally voiced as a toy by legendary voice of the 70′s and Barrats Homes, Patrick Allen) has gone to the only voice that can pull of such an iconic role… Mr Peter Dickson. The man, the voice!

Mangled Jim…. Waiting to hear…. waiting to hear…. I hope to hear something soon…. Would also make for a great Narrator

Joe, originally I wanted the Joe voice for another role, but now I have decided to include the Moveable Fighting American Legend that is JOE:. I have approached the actor I now have in mind and am hopeful that the Legend that is Joe and Action Man fits in with his toy collecting tastes. He is renowned for his toy collecting…. especially toys of this era.

Goalie: A tough one this…. I wanted to find a sports personality that actually had depth. So many of them seem so 2 dimensional. No offence. But this one guy…. always impresses me. He is such a unique talent. If I had a son, and he was looking for a role model… this is the man I would chose.
he just seems to have a good head and heart on him, and ideally, this is just what Goalie requires. His is in the front line of the Elites defences… and as such, probably more eagle eyed than the others. Again, I have a chap in mind, and I just hope to hear something soon.

Other talent on my list? Ha! Well Brian Blessed to Billy Zane….. and many more in-between.

I hope to be able to really cement more and announce developments formally nearer the time, or when appropriate. But this is where I am.

I have noticed that new story ideas for the episodes can often inspire new characters. So, lets see what comes out of my 8 weeks in the Utah wideness.

This is probably going to be the hardest part…. writing to talent, seeking their involvement.
Its difficult in part because as the show is developed, I start to develop characters with a performer in mind. When someone asks, “who is that character like?” You answer, “Max Beesley” having a really bad day… Or such and such a character is like Ray Winstone, or Hoskins…. Another character has always been developed with Roger Lloyd Pack in mind…. but far removed from the role of Trig in Only fools and horses. This character is dark and somewhat malevolent. A million miles from Trig. Then we have other characters… all of whom I hear one or two particular vocal performances and after a while you cant imagine anyone else in that role. So, as these letters and e mails go out to agents and the like, I have to brace myself for the wave of rejections and “thanks, but no thanks… our client has decided to pass, but wishes you all the best”

Its all a part of the process.