Mini Update: Meet The Team - Tori Davis
Hi guys! Today we are delighted to introduce you to Tori Davis, our Art Director.
Could you introduce yourself to us? What do you do at Revolution?
Hi, My name is Tori Davis (AKA 'Tori Cat') and I am the Art Director here at Revolution.
My primary job is creating and managing the hand drawn environments for the game. Working closely with our Lead Designer Nigel Kershaw and Game Director Charles Cecil, I initially draw up very loose and rough versions of a location as a "Thumbnail". I then add tone to the Thumbnail design, creating focus to the direct lighting in the scene. Good lighting creates a sense of depth and atmosphere in a location, and this is something I really want to focus on in Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse. I aim to create an exciting, vibrant game world into which the player wants to be drawn.
Once we are happy with the small thumbnail design, I create a cleaner version at full size, including important details. This is then implemented in the game, the scaling is set, and characters can then be moved about in the environment. This allows us to check the location both visually and for functionality.
I then draw the full layout in high resolution, including all the details. Next I paint a tonal guide and a colour key to pass onto our background painters. From these guides they will know exactly where to focus the lighting and what colour pallet to work with.
When the background painters have finished painting up the scene, I then add any further details that may be been left out, and make any final changes.
I love the creative process and working as part of a highly talented team. It is highly rewarding when everything comes together, and a great feeling when you see the characters interacting in the final scene.
Tell us something crazy about yourself.
I have a titanium jaw. I broke my jaw four years ago eating some chicken and have since had seven operations to try and fix it. After many failed attempts to try to correct my bite, I had jaw replacement surgery last year. So now I literally am the "Bionic Woman", the "Tor-minator", “Tin Grin-“ and whatever other name you want to call me. ;)
What did you do before Revolution?
As a Visual Development Artist, I actually come from the Animation Industry. I am traditionally trained in hand-drawn and stop motion animation and have spent most of my professional career working in animated feature films. The latest film (that I am contractually allowed to talk about) that I have worked on is Tim Burton/ Disney's Frankenweenie which is due for release in October 2012.
I started my career in the animation industry working at Blue Sky Animation Studios (the animation department at 20th Century Fox) as an Environment Designer/Vis Dev Artist on Rio. Since then I have been lucky enough to work on many other great projects like Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist, Aardman's Arthur Christmas and Shaun the Sheep, as well as a collection of kid's TV shows and commercials. Before working at Revolution, I have worked in the games industry at Sony Computer Entertainment. (Sorry but I can't spill any beans as to what I was working on there just yet.)
Throughout my career I have lived and worked in many beautiful places including China, Paris, London, Bristol, Scotland, California, New York to name a few. And now York, which is a beautiful, historic city, and for once I am fairly close to my family.
What are you looking forward to the most in Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse?
With my background in hand-drawn animation, I am a huge fan of the original 2D Broken Sword games, so I am really excited to part of the return of the hand-drawn environments. I am also really looking forward to seeing the story unfold as well as every one's hard work, late nights, blood, sweat and tears all come together to hopefully make this the best Broken Sword game yet. Charles and the writers are very passionate about storytelling. We lined up some fantastically beautiful locations and with what can be done technically these days in games (and with our incredibly talented crew), it should look stunning.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fans and everyone who has helped support us via our Kickstarter campaign. Also a very special thank you to our "Super Fan". ;)
We have been overwhelmed with the incredible amount of love there is for the return of George and Nico and we just hope that we make everybody proud.
If you are interested in seeing some of my personal art work and keeping up to date with my traveling sketch book, check out my blog:www.toricat.com
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Aug 23, 2012 -
Sep 22, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Charles Cecil 1547 friends
- Website: revolution.co.uk
Pledge $15 or more
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BROKEN SWORD SUPPORTER: • Download of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' - PC & Mac • Regular Developer Diaries, Ideas Exchange Forum & Video Updates • Access to Exclusive Digital Content: Game Artwork (inc. posters and wallpaper); and Director's commentary on previous Broken Sword games & Archive Videos
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $25 or more
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BROKEN SWORD MEMBER: All above rewards plus: • High Resolution digital Comic Books of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse', 'Broken Sword: Director's Cut', and 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered' • History of Broken Sword eBook • 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' digital Concept Art - character sheets, layouts etc. • Game's digital Soundtrack • Copy of any one previous Revolution game on GOG.com (Broken Sword or otherwise - PC only)
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $50 or more
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BROKEN SWORD SILVER MEMBER: All above rewards plus: • Exclusive digital game design content: Scripts of 'Broken Sword:Director's Cut', 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered', and 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' • Game Design Document for 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' • Archive of Game Design Documents for previous games • All Revolution Games titles on GOG.com: 'Broken Sword 1 - 4', 'In Cold Blood', 'Lure of the Temptress' & 'Beneath a Steel Sky' (PC only) • ‘Broken Sword Silver Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $100 or more
2172 backers
BROKEN SWORD GOLD MEMBER - All above rewards plus: • Boxed Kickstarter special edition of the Game, includes: CD / DVD game with full packaging; printed Comic of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse', 'Broken Sword: Director's Cut' & 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered'; Large game Poster; CD of soundtrack; & Kickstarter Backer T-Shirt (shipping in US, EU and UK included) • Early access to digital Music Soundtrack • ‘Broken Sword Gold Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $175 or more
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BROKEN SWORD PLATINUM MEMBER - All above rewards plus: • Your box signed by key team members and Rolf Saxon • Printed copy of the Game Design Document • ‘Broken Sword Platinum Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $250 or more
530 backers
BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT - All above rewards plus: • Printed copy of Game Design Document signed by the Director • Signed 'History of Broken Sword' color Book • Templar Keyring Pendant • Signed Comic Book of 'Broken Sword: the Serpent’s Curse' • Private invite to Code Jam once per month – ask questions and get live answers! • 'Knight of the Broken Sword' credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $500 or more
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BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT COMMANDER - All above rewards plus: • Signed limited edition Kickstarter Backer Certificate • Signed Poster • Nico's "La Liberte" Reporter's Notebook! • Signed limited edition George and Nico Print • 'Broken Sword: Knight Commander' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
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BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT SENESCHAL - All above rewards plus: • Personal written message from Charles Cecil • Early backers' access to game assets • Special Kickstarter Broken Sword Hoodie – wrap around color, fantastic! • Broken Sword baseball cap • ‘Broken Sword: Knight Seneschal’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
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BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT MASTER - All above rewards plus: • Personal Voicemail Message from George or Nico • Invitation to Launch Party in UK (excludes travel and accommodation) • A unique Drawing of you, in a suitable pose, with either George or Nico (your choice) • Broken Sword Knight Master Jacket – wrap around color, ultra high quality! • 'Broken Sword: Knight Master' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
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BROKEN SWORD GRAND MASTER - All above rewards plus: • Broken Sword Grandmaster Jacket (replaces 'Knight Master' jacket) – wrap around color as above, best quality – the ultimate! • Original pencil Storyboard Sheets (option to be signed) • Exclusive high quality Aluminum-printed Poster • Lunch and Studio Tour plus hands-on sneak peek of game in development (includes accommodation but not travel) • Invitation to the Wrap Party in exotic game location with key team members (includes accommodation but not travel) • All Broken Sword Grandmasters are drawn into the game in a group photo, that George and Nico can get a close up of and comment on! • 'Broken Sword: Grand Master' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
Comments
Creator Joana Lisa Dungca on September 21, 2012
Good day! Would like to know what rendering tool you are using for the backgrounds?
Creator senzacoda on September 21, 2012
I just can't help but <3 you and your work.
P.S.: a cat with a titanium jaw? This is an interesting idea for a cartoon parody of metal gear rising!
Creator Lisa Downey on September 20, 2012
Great news! Can't wait to see what the total amount will be. So pleased all my t-shirt designs were picked :D
Creator Georg M. (Broken Sword - A Fan Blog) on September 17, 2012
@Oksana No hard feelings. We're all here for the same reason, and yeah, Broken Sword is the best! ^^
Creator S.D. on September 17, 2012
@Georg, Oksana: Haha! You crazy kids...
Creator -gizmo- on September 17, 2012
I think that your work is awesome and your style is perfect for the new Broken Sword :D.
The backgrounds distill novelty and, at the same time, the graphics reminiscent of the first game in the series. The pictures are truly colourful, pure nostalgia.
Creator Oksana Kostiv on September 17, 2012
@Georg M.
Awkwaaaard...
sorry, I'm sure you're doing a great job, it's Broken Sword alright! :)
Creator Georg M. (Broken Sword - A Fan Blog) on September 17, 2012
@Oksana Kostiv: Thanks. xD
Creator Oksana Kostiv on September 17, 2012
To my understanding "superfan" is some guy that created a blog 'bout Broken Sword. Not too interesting though.
Tori herself is soo beutiful :) almost as beautiful as her art
Creator Tom on September 17, 2012
Love your work Tori. You've managed to capture the feel and look of the previous Broken Sword games terrifically.
Creator Georg M. (Broken Sword - A Fan Blog) on September 17, 2012
Interesting interview! I really want to watch "The Illusionist" now and I'm already looking forward to "Frankenweenie" - and to "The Serpent's Curse", obviously. ^^
...and thanks for the shout-out, Tori! ;)
Creator JuanitaD-Obsidian Goat of AGL589 $7.77+8 on September 17, 2012
Nice to meet you, Tori! (You look so much like a friend I have from Birmingham that it's scary! OK, she's a little older than you, but you could be her time-traveling twin. Hmm... You don't happen to know a guy that travels around in a blue box, do you? Just wondering.)
Creator Paul Ulrick on September 16, 2012
I should add that i never would of guessed you broke your jaw, you look great.
Creator Moeez Siddiqui on September 16, 2012
Does Tori's jaw help out during a game's Crunch Time?
Creator Paul Ulrick on September 16, 2012
Who's the Super Fan?
Creator Adam on September 16, 2012
With my defibrillator and your steel jaw, we can take over the world!
Creator Mike Ward - Order Of The Goat - 3 Sevens on September 16, 2012
Sorry about your jaw Tori! Not that I'm a guilt-ridden chicken or anything. From what I've seen so far, I'm loving what you're doing here. Anyone ever told you that you bear more than a a passing resemblance to Heidi Range? That's a good thing, by the way ;)
Creator Henri S on September 16, 2012
Really like the fact that you are going back to 2D environments, hope you'll do characters as well!
The 3D characters in the trailer looked quite nice, but I really prefer the 'warmth' of a hand drawn character.
Creator Guillermo on September 16, 2012
Broken Sword team is not A team, is THE team.
Creator Gus Daniel - Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 16, 2012
Awesome! Only the best for our beloved series. The return of the series back to 2D was the best decision they could have made
Creator Tom Allen on September 16, 2012
Just checked Tori's blog - wow, that's some great stuff - Raccoon Climbing A Washing Machine is my favourite! Seems like a great fit for creating a beautiful Broken Sword game - can't wait! :D
Creator Erik Grape ⊂ Orders aplenty on September 16, 2012
I read your blog early into this kickstarter (kickstart?) and I can only say that I admire your strength and determination (as well as your fantastic work)! With such a dedicated and talented team I'm sure BS5 will be great.
Creator Evert Jonker on September 16, 2012
Wow amazing, you have quite a career going on :) Keep up the good work.
Creator Rinu on September 16, 2012
Her drawings are beautiful. I'm very happy she's a part of BS:tSC team, the result will be stunning for sure :).
Creator Yohmi on September 16, 2012
My dream would be that you animate the characters… hand-drawn animation has such a different feeling… :)
Creator Juho Sorvali on September 16, 2012
Nice interview. So is Tori the same lady as in the beginning of the kickstart video and in the update video too?. And yes, I would also like to know a little more details about the jaw breaking chicken accident :)
Richard: Nice observation about Emily Ketch and "Jaws". Caribbean is one of my favorite locations in all BS games. Bronson, Rio, Emily, The old ladies.. Very nice part of BS 2.
Creator David Swallow on September 16, 2012
I'm sorry, you BROKE your JAW on CHICKEN???
Creator speedster annelid dreamer $6.13 on September 16, 2012
Pollo Diablo found Tori eating chicken strips and applied a sharp right jab to the jaw as a lesson! Unfortunately Pollo Diablo has more strength than control...
Creator Leonard Challis OotG - serpentscurse.com on September 16, 2012
Oh wow, I LOVE the Illusionist film. Looking at the various work you've mentioned here, I have no doubt you and the team will be able to create the scenes and environments that will have the same kind of feeling and emotions as the first hand drawn Broken Swords and your various other work.
One thing I didn't realise before all these mini updates is how incredibly talented each individual Revolution team member is in their own right. Charles certainly knows how to put a team together.
Creator S.D. on September 16, 2012
Was the chicken El Pollo Diablo itself?
Creator dave00dance - Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 16, 2012
Brokenjaw the chickens curse ;)
Creator Stéphane FERNANDEZ @Order of the goat on September 16, 2012
Your art is so good.The game will have such great locations an details .Thank you so much from France.
Creator LosT_SouL_VL on September 16, 2012
Nice work Tori, I especially like your tiger and lions art.
Creator Crabby - Harlot of the Obsidian Order on September 16, 2012
Quick question: Was the chicken wearing platemail? :P
Creator Brad on September 16, 2012
I've gone right off chicken now. And your art is beautiful. Really great stuff.
Creator Nikos Patsiouras on September 16, 2012
why Super?did anyone pledge 10k in the paypal or sth?
Creator Richard - 'Order Of The Coal Black Goat' on September 16, 2012
Can I ask, and I REALLY want to know, how do you break your jaw eating chicken? We need more details! Also, this reminds me of the little girl in the Ketches museum that calls George 'Jaws', hehe.
Creator Wild@x on September 16, 2012
I really like your Paris backgrounds and your works in general.
Creator Emma *Princess of the Goat* on September 16, 2012
Thanks for sharing Tori! You are incredibly talented, and I hope your jaw is now fixed permanently, I can sympathize more than I would like to this, bless you!
Creator Stew - OotG Knight & OotGC Krazy Dreamer on September 16, 2012
Really Cool job Tori, fascinated by your Titanium jaw too! I'm tempted to ask if you Bite. lol
Love your work though, great stuff.
Creator Ben Salmon on September 16, 2012
Super fan? Colour me intrigued...
Creator Darren Singleton - Order of the Goat on September 16, 2012
Nice one, awesome work Tori!
Creator Ronald Lust on September 16, 2012
How do you break your jaw when eating chicken? Was it alive at the time or so? ;)
Creator Vladimír Nekvasil - Order of the Goat on September 16, 2012
Thank you Tori for your contribution!! :) Your art works are just beautiful!