Hi friends of Cicada!

A brief update on what is going on with the project. Russel and I went back into editorial to flush out the remaining scenes in 3d animatic format. After the last set build I got some anxiety as to whether the book panels would flow together as well in moving picture. I stopped the builds so we could revisit those panels and essentially make all the remaining sets virtually and cut them together. 

We discovered a few bumps here and there so some adjustments are being made to make sure the film fits with itself absolutely perfect. The 3d layouts that we make for editorial serve the dual purpose in that they can be printed out as blueprints for the actual builds. Normally we have done this one panel at a time but having all the plans done at the same time will make it that more efficient in materials and time. We should be back sawing, glueing, and snacking / fighting in the coming weeks. I am glad we took the time to re-work some of the problem areas and I am excited to get back to the studio.

Here are a couple examples of what a 3d layout looks like. Working this way we can try different materials and color combinations very fast.

On other news I visited with my best friend from childhood this past saturday. It has been seventeen years since we last saw each other, just before he joined the monastery. Fresh from being a Monk, he has acquired excellent carpenter skills. It just so happens I am in need of a carpenter so he will be joining us at the studio this fall.

Talk soon,

Mauchi