Video Coverage Services for Weddings, Debuts, Christening, Birthdays, Corporate Events and more - Jepster Togle Videography » Transformers

“Odie” the Audi R8 Transformer

Jepster Togle — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:09:13 +0000

Well, here it is, a test animation of “Odie” the Audi R8 Transformer I’ve been working on for months. I can’t wait to insert him into live action. I’m planning to make a short video clip with Odie in it and I want it to have that Michael Bay feel just like in the movies. Anyway, enjoy watching this video which is also a compilation of everything about Odie the Audi R8 Transformer.

[See post to watch Flash video]

“Odie” Renders

Jepster Togle — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:49:17 +0000

Finally, after a few days of being very productive outside of my teaching, I have assembled the Transformer for my Audi R8. So far, so good. I’m loving how everything worked out. There were some changes based on my sketch but those changes were for the better.If you’ve noticed I’ve changed the main color to red since the pale blue color does look kind of pale. I haven’t seen a red Autobot so I guess my Transformer that will now be named as “Odie” will be affiliated with the good guys. If you wonder why I chose that name, well, maybe you should see my related topics on what car I used for this transformer. Anyway, here are the renders.

Audi R8 Robot Head Progress

Jepster Togle — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:58:44 +0000

Like I said, I’ll be working on the robot this week and here’s some progress on the head. Just click the images for a larger view. You can compare these 3D renders to the sketches I made a few weeks ago here.

Audi R8 Video Render

Jepster Togle — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Here’s a video presentation of the Audi R8 that I’m going to use for my Transformer. It’s colored red now, but the color is still subject to change but I’m really liking the red color right now. I haven’t modeled for the interiors or the engine parts since all of those objects will come along with the robot model that I will make for this Transformer. With the car body done, it’s time to chop it up and assemble in on the robot model that I will assemble this week.

So, enjoy the video and check out the rest of my progress for this Transformer project.

[See post to watch Flash video]

Audi R8 Work in Progress

Jepster Togle — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:46:16 +0000

After finishing my transformer sketches, it’s time to go back and model the Audi R8 for my Transformer. So, here is my latest progress on the Audi R8. As of now, there’s no interiors and lights right as of the moment which explains how empty the insides of the car look. The wheels were modeled in detail and not using any form of bump mapping. Hopefully by next week, the car is done and I’ll be focusing on assembling the Transformer with car parts.

Audi R8 Transformer Concept Art

Jepster Togle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:04:15 +0000

So, the one day where in I went to school even if there were no classes due to a holiday, I decided to do some sketches. Based on the winner of the poll I made some time ago, I found it quite odd that the most awkward sketch of the Transformer actually won and looks good when done digitally.

Below is a digital rendition of the Transformer head that won the poll.

The first artwork below is for the assembly of the Transformer in Robot mode. There are some detailed descriptions on where the specific car parts will go. Although it seems detailed as of the moment, all of this is subject to change. As for the artwork below the assembly art, it’s a full bodysketch with details on how the robot mode may look like.

Thanks for looking. Leave any comments or suggestions if you want to.

Poll: Audi R8 Robot Head Sketches

Jepster Togle — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:34:14 +0000

I did some sketches for my Audi R8 Transformer head. I thought of sketching a lot of studies of the head first before I proceed with making the body. The car is still also in progress because I’d like to know how to place my robot inside of the car to make it transform perfectly.

Anyway, here are the choices and the poll will be shown below.

Here’s the Poll:

Audi R8 Transformer: Work in Progress

Jepster Togle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:02:05 +0000

Click to see the full image

I just wanted to share a work in progress of the Audi R8 Transformer I was planning to do. I know that Sideways was an Audi R8 but in my opinion, the robot design for Sideways looked rushed. Later on, I’m going to sketch some robot designs that would fit the design of the Audi R8 more than Sideways did. My first Transformer looked like it was done by an amateur but after watching dozens of Transformers fan 3D animations, I think I have a better idea behind making the animation and rigging of a Transformer.

Anyway, here are some shots of the Audi R8 car in progress. So far, it’s just the body model of the car. I’ll start working on more details on Friday.

Right now, I’m still deciding if he should be an Autobot or a Decepticon. Since Sideways was a Decepticon, there’s a chance that this Audi R8 will be an Autobot.

This Audi R8 Transformer will just be a part of my Portfolio but of course, I will be making a short clip of it with live footage.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

Jepster Togle — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:19:50 +0000

I’ve got to admit. I really liked this movie. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do now, but this movie is just a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish. Sure, the story may not be your unbelievable complex twist and turns like Dark Knight or dare I say it, X-men Origins: Wolverine, but I really think it was enough to keep me intrigued about the war between good and evil among gigantic robots from space.

The story of the entire film revolves around a character called “The Fallen” who seems to be one of the oldest yet menacing robots among the race of Transformers in the universe. The Fallen is out for “revenge” yet it seems like he’s just really pissed at everything that doesn’t have a metal skin or colored metal gray. Sam Witwicky, played by Shia Labeouf, is once again entangled in this conflict while he’s preparing himself for college and a long distance relationship with Mikaela, who is played by Megan Fox. The Autobots seemed to have formed an alliance with the military thus forming the “N.E.S.T.” unit that is dedicated in hunting down and disabling the remaining Decepticons on Earth. The problem is, someone from the government seems to dislike all the destruction going on due to this “hunt”. So, with Sam busy with his personal life and the Autobots dealing with a stubborn government, it does seem like a great time to attack Earth right? Well, not unless of course you have no idea where to look first.

The movie starts off with Optimus Prime once again narrating about the history of their race. A lot of things were revealed including the fact that humans of the ancient times had no sense of scale when it comes to intimidating their enemies. That introduction itself was intriguing but it doesn’t escape the fact that maybe it was better not to have it at all. Sure, they needed to introduce the main bad guy for the film but somehow I guess it would have been better if they shocked everyone with the bad guy right in the middle of film instead.

The movie then continues showing off Sam Witwicky’s personal life. His going to college, his unsteady relationship with Mikaela, and his humping dogs seem to sum up his personal life along with Bumblebee still hanging around his garage. The first film handled this very well but this time around, most of the sequences that involve Sam Witwicky and the humans around him seem to be forced and well, not really involved with the rest of the conflict of the film. I don’t think that these scenes weren’t needed but the writers could have given it more thought on how Sam really fits into the conflict and not really just mere coincidences. And besides, why would Prime mention that they need Sam more then Sam realizes it, when actually, Sam just stumbled upon most of the information that he gathered.

Story aside and knowing Michael Bay, I don’t think we really need to use our brains too much to enjoy this film. Revenge of the Fallen was supposed to be fun and a visual feast for everyone. It’s a blockbuster movie in it’s own respect and not a contender for the Academy Award (Although, if there was an award for most explosions in a movie, this would be the definite winner).

Revenge of the Fallen succeeds in giving what most of the fans of first movie are truly looking for. Action, more robots, more story and less focus on the humans are some of these things and ROTF delivers. The odd thing is these few things are the things that the fans of the first movie seem to complain a lot about in ROTF. So, next time people, be careful what you wish for. Or should I say, when you wish for something, you better know what you’re in for.

The visual effects in the film were phenomenal just like in the first film. Realistic looking robots and tons of explosions while being composited with live-action footage really make this film a visual spectacle. The animations were near to perfection especially for those awesome fight scenes. The problem though with the visuals was actually the same problem in the first film. It was hard to tell who’s fighting who except for Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. ROTF actually made this scenario worse since most of the Decepticons were colored in metallic grey. Well, even “The Fallen” was mostly grey which actually made it difficult at time to wonder if Prime was fighting an ordinary Decepticon or The Fallen.

It’s safe to say that Revenge of the Fallen is a worthy sequel to the first Transformers movie. It expands on the franchise’s mythology and also gives us more than what we got from the first movie. Sure, the story seems rather shallow or disconnected, but it’s not that hard to follow if you paid attention a lot more carefully than staring at Megan Fox’s amazing body. Revenge of the Fallen is not for everybody, but if you’re looking for a really entertaining ride, this movie is worth the price of admission.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen gets 4 out of 5 stars

[rating:4]