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Posted on 20/06/20 1:49:16 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply  |
My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Last week I got to be 6 years old again with my Peppa Pig submission. Today I get to be back as a 12 year-old. During the lockdown I felt that I needed a fairly hefty animation project to keep me occupied and here it is. For those of you not familiar with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson a brief explanation. They were the British husband and wife team behind, arguably, some of the best sci-fi puppet series during the 60s and 70s. Notable amongst these series were Thunderbirds, Supercar, Captain Scarlett and The Mysterons, Joe 90 and, of course, Fireball XL5. Whilst walking my dog, Rags, near the beginning of the lockdown I was musing about what my animation project might be; by the end of the walk I had what amounted to an entire storyboard in my head. Software used was Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Hit Film, Audacity and Poser (not my favourite piece of software). Robert the Robot was built and animated from scratch in Cinema. I used some of the original footage as a template and basis for the initial part of the film. I used the original tv soundtrack. After that I left it to my own imagination for the second part of the film. I have attached this piece of video for you to see my starting point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ifS2nP53Zs Below is the new, reimagined piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it. http://vimeo.com/431039260 
_________________ Time flies like an arrow but fruit flies like a banana. |
Posted on 20/06/20 2:48:10 PM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Fantastic Gordon, a great piece of work and good to see you managed to improve on that old rickety launch track. How on earth Fireball XL5 managed to stay on it is a miracle! Being a late 50's kid, I remember Supercar, XL5 and Thunderbirds very clearly and before that Torchy the battery boy. I had a red model Supercar, which flew all around the house and garden and it even ended up with me at bath time. I bought the box set of Thunderbirds and still watch them today. The Andersons were so incredibly creative and I'm still amazed at the realism they managed to achieve with the sound and visual effects. Are you planning any missions for Steve and Robert? In the meantime, thanks for bringing back some great childhood memories. Nick |
Posted on 20/06/20 7:33:35 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5526 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Lovely Gordon! Beautifully done. Lots of work in there. Interesting you should choose to animate what, in its original incarnation, was string puppetry. I am a little too old for it to have really been part of my childhood but I did get to shoot a commercial using the Thunderbird puppets and working with the Andersons. They were charming and lovely to work with, as was their team of puppeteers. It was like a big family. Wonderful couple of days! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 20/06/20 10:07:10 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Thanks Nick and David. Nick - I hadn’t thought of a follow up but I’ll give it some thought. I think I may have exhausted this theme though. _________________  |
Posted on 21/06/20 06:23:49 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Perhaps a cheeky visit to Mars where they find some Aliens, or Robert could possibly find a female robot and fall in love. The opportunities are endless! Nick |
Posted on 21/06/20 08:27:46 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
It's certainly a possibility but my character animation skills are not exactly up to Pixar standards. I will give it some thought, though. _________________ Always remember that you are unique - just like everyone else. |
Posted on 21/06/20 10:33:25 AM |
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tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 2884 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Gordon, that was totally mesmerising. Absolutely loved it. I think you will be getting a call from Dreamworks soon. Fantastic job..I bow to you - well done 
_________________ Dorothy: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore |
Posted on 21/06/20 11:19:16 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Thanks Anna - coming from you that is praise indeed.
Nick You have planted a seed and it has already started to grow. I’ll have to write out a storyline first. I could grow to hate you for this  _________________ Always remember that you are unique - just like everyone else. |
Posted on 21/06/20 11:57:00 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
I do hope not Gordon!! With so few planes flying around and needing controlling these days, just thought you may be getting bored  |
Posted on 21/06/20 12:38:26 PM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3092 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
I checked it out and Fireball XL5 was shown in the USA from 1963 through 1964. Like David, I was somewhat older and I had never heard of it before now. Great work Gordon, your use of the shadows (especially in this part - see screenshot) really enhance the feeling of movement.  |
Posted on 21/06/20 2:51:15 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Thanks Loyd _________________ Always remember that you are unique - just like everyone else. |
Posted on 21/06/20 8:25:14 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 6987 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Glorious, Gordon. Beautifully done. Now build me a Thunderbird 2. |
Posted on 21/06/20 9:28:04 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
OK  _________________ |
Posted on 22/06/20 08:07:35 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
He did - in one hour three minutes including posting and what a glorious result. You are incredibly good as this Gordon! Nick PS Can you please build us the International Space Station, three Shuttles and Thunderbird 5 by teatime? |
Posted on 22/06/20 08:46:01 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Sorry but I’m going to be busy at teatime - would lunchtime be ok? _________________ |
Posted on 22/06/20 10:20:39 AM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3092 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Thunderbird 2 is great! Looking forward to lunchtime for the others... |
Posted on 22/06/20 12:31:36 PM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
12.30 now and no images. C'mon Gordon, we're chomping at the bit! |
Posted on 22/06/20 2:11:23 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3959 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Of course I didn’t actually specify WHICH lunchtime  _________________ Always remember that you are unique - just like everyone else. |
Posted on 22/06/20 8:36:08 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5526 Reply |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
Stand up to the bullies Gordon ....... _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 24/06/20 11:05:37 PM |
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Frank
Eager Beaver Posts: 1733 Reply  |
Re: My 'Lockdown Project' Fireball XL5
"Fantastic"work Gordon - and indeed a lot of work.That production would surely eat up a good amount of lockdown time. Hope to get back into animation in the fall when I have more time (and hopefully because of winter and NOT a second wave) |
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