First, I want to express how deeply moved and profoundly grateful my wife and I are for the wonderful messages of support and reassurance we received from so many of you regarding the passing of our son Jordan earlier this month; we are overwhelmed at the kindness and concern offered us, and it has helped as we move along our path of healing. Please know we are more grateful than words can ever say, and extend our thankfulness to a merciful Heavenly Father who has sent us so much peace and comfort.
As mentioned in the backer’s update I sent out last week, Jordan had requested (multiple times) that I post more frequently, resisting the impulse to always make a full-scale production, and be willing instead to offer glimpses into the process of making The Price, be they up-beat and hopeful or frustrated and discouraging.
To honor his request, I’m sharing an image today that illustrates one of the grueling realities of using computers: they are dumb. Stupid. Imbecilic, actually.
They will only do what you tell them to; only that, and exactly that, no more and no less.
For example, you can tell them precisely what a 3D model’s shape looks like through sculpting programs (we are using Pixologic’s phenomenal ZBrush); you can also make custom wrappings for each part of their exterior (called texture maps) to give the surfaces the color and detail you want; finally, you combine those with shaders to make the maps and surfaces appear to reflect light and cast shadows as if they were actually made of the materials they represent, like skin, clothing, metal or hair. (If you’d like some examples, you can refer to this previous post.)
With me so far? Once you have the computer understanding all of that, then you have to deal with explaining what to do with your creation when you want to move it around, say, to create a specific pose by bending the arms so the character appears to be holding his hands behind his back (pondering something of great significance, no doubt). Take a look at the image below:
The rendering on the left shows what can happen if you tell the computer most of what it needs to know. If you compare it to the ‘fixed’ version on the right, you can immediately see that some crucial information is missing — like how the bones of the elbow should stay rigid and poke out from the bending muscles, and that those muscles shouldn’t look ‘deflated’ when compressed.
So, since I don’t really want the ‘Macaroni-Neil’ on the left as the star of the film, we have to keep explaining things until the computer figures out how to make the ‘Much-More-Buff-Neil’ on the right.
Without burying you in the myriad of technical acrobatics that have been attempted, suffice it to say that we are trying to find a way through the correct combination of programs and creative problem solving to get our point across to these unwieldy boxes we slavishly sit in front of each day.
I hope this was somewhat enjoyable (or even informative), but regardless of this posting’s entertainment value, I’m sure Jordan has a satisfied smile on his face. Until next time, stay strong, stay positive, and do something creative!!!
– Christopher
you are amazing– loved seeing this bit.
such a fascinating truth about computers- they are good slaves that obey their masters, us!
thank you for honoring Jordan with some updates, we all send our love to your family.
xox
Thank-you so much for everything, Cat. And again, our sympathies for you at the passing of your noble and much-loved feline-friend, Batman.
Again, my condolences to you and your family. I’m sure your son is looking on, proud that you posted an update with him in mind.
I appreciate that, C.T. I’m sure he is too!
I remember slaving away late nights during school with computer animation projects and wanting to both tear my hair out and chuck the computer far across the room, both of which would have been painful and probably gotten me banished from the program ;P So I understand the small things like this and appreciate people who have the patience to deal with them (me, I went back to pencil and paper 😀 )
I’m certain Jordan is smiling
Thanks for sharing, it’s looking superb.
Hah — banished, whipped & fined!
(If you’re not already familiar with it, please refer to fellow Gaiman-ite Patrick Rothfuss’s magnificent The Name Of The Wind to learn all about the woes of scholastic castigation!) Thank-you for the kindly words, Court!
Hi Christopher. I’m one of those patiently silent backers that you haven’t heard from yet, although I’ve been following your progress on The Price with much anticipation. Like you, Neil’s story hit a nerve with me (possibly because I’ve always been a cat lover) and I’ve read, and re-read it several times since I discovered it. I’ve always believed that authors who have true skill show their best stuff in the form of the short story. Being able to fully develop the plot and the characters in such little space is an art form in itself that few authors can truly excel at. Neil is one of them.
So, I’ve watched as you’ve worked (struggled) to bring his story to life, and I just wanted to say that the insights into the process alone were worth the price of entry. We consumers rarely get to see what goes on behind the curtain, so your insights into the process are extremely interesting and entertaining.
Like everyone, I was saddened to hear of the passing of your son. Parents should never outlive their children, but unfortunately it happens all to often. My heartfelt sympathy on your loss. And, thanks from us all for working so hard to bring this project to life despite the struggles (on and off the court as it were). Take your time. Do it your way. The rest of us are just proud to be on the journey with you and to have done something small to help make it happen.
Wow Ashley — can I just say that I really, really needed to read your comment right now! Some mornings I wake up from non-stop stress dreams, worried about what all of you must be thinking (especially in lieu of some rather unfortunate happenings in the Kickstarter/crowd-funding world). I often wonder why it is that things don’t ever seem to work out the way you have planned, or why so many little problems and obstacles crop up in your path … but that is the way of it all, isn’t it? We grow stronger as we keep going, find another way, try to think ‘sideways’ instead of straight ahead. Creativity is messy, but wonderful (when all is said and done); life can be too! Thank-you so much!!!
Here here. Well stated for all of us who often say nothing.
Neil-on-the-left may be less buff, but he does look impressively double-jointed. It’s like his shoulders and elbows are bending the wrong way. (And I agree about The Name of the Wind — good stuff!)
Hah, you are so right! About The Name of the Wind, I was lucky enough to meet Pat Rothfuss up in Seattle at a reading/signing. To my great delight, I had discovered that he had been following the Kickstarter campaign for The Price and sent me a note saying he was all ready to jump in and save the day if things got too close; thanks to all of you, he didn’t have to!
He also asked me the question he says makes him crazy: “When are you gonna be finished?” (He grinned like the Cheshire Cat when he said it, too.)
Be sure to thank Jordan for getting us another update. Look at that: he’s being a good son even now!
I can only imagine how tough things are over there. I lost my father when I was 20, so understand all too well how heavy loss can weigh on the mind. But hold to God’s promises and remember that this life is far from the only sphere in which we may chance to walk, and find solace in your work as you move through the chaos. I know the work has often been that meditative place of rest for me, even when it’s a little more negative or self-indulgent than it ought to be. Ray Bradbury famously wrote that “you must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” I believe this holds true for most artistic disciplines.
At the very least know that we’re all with you, we still support you and your vision, and Ashley had it right: don’t rush, don’t fret, just keep at it. We’ve got your back.
Your posts always make me wish I could lend a hand. I suppose industriousness inspires industriousness in others as much as it begets itself in the same person. The glimpses into your life and work that you’ve offered us through these blogs and updates have only reaffirmed my confidence in the choice to invest what I did in your project, even now at a time when I’m going back to school, bumping around life like I’d more realistically have done 12 or 13 years ago, constantly wondering what happened to my savings account. But just as with a large sum I loaned my best friend when she was in dire need, money that I know I won’t see again for decades if I ever do, it was an investment in someone that I believed deserved to have their faith rewarded, a help in life when what they had wasn’t quite enough to propel them into the vision they were working toward. God knows I’ve been there, and when we can see that person’s vision near as clearly as our own, what can we do but try to help? I think the world could use more of that.
I just wish that in your case money wasn’t all I had to offer. Even at this distance I’m glad to know you, and if my encouragement ever seems a touch hyperbolic or overzealous, I suspect it’s just because I know that ultimately, despite being the means to so many ends, money is often the least of all things, especially when what we need is the right word, the right shoulder, the right friend. But it looks like you have those in ready supply, which is good news for The Price; for those are the true catalysts for art that outlives its first stage of life in the artist’s mind, or the formative period when it strains so much to become a real thing in the outside world. How many works never get so far!
You truly have a remarkable gift with words my friend! I kept nodding in whole-hearted agreement to each elegantly-stated point, and continue to feel overwhelmed by your generosity and faith.
I have appreciated the many gentle sentiments conveyed to our family throughout this past month regarding Jordan’s passing, but have come to especially prize those from people like yourself who reach out from their own experiences with loss to lend support, and who can genuinely understand what we are going through.
Nothing you say seems overzealous, and (for me at least) a little hyperbole goes a long way towards soothing artistic insecurity!
As ever, Michael, I remain in your debt.
Friendship knows no debts, brother. All you owe me is a handshake at the premiere, which I trust will be a more than satisfying night for all of us. I’ve actually been hoping to have a tangible something for you and Neil as a way of saying thank you for all the artistic inspiration—just as a gesture, if no more, but that will likely be the only opportunity I’m ever offered—and I’m still working on getting the final draft to my tentative publisher.
Er, which is to say… hey, no rush. =)
I can’t wait!!!
Well, to paraphrase Mr Gaiman: You are not our b*tch. 😉 I have to agree with Jordan, ANY update is a good thing. I know us creative types enjoy watching the processes of other creatives, even the frustrating parts.
I am so sorry for your loss, and send you and your family my sincerest sympathies and deepest condolences.
Hah, okay Mary, that’s a good thing for me to keep in mind.
And thank-you as well for the kind words.
Oh my goodness, you poor things. Give yourself time to grieve.
Thank you for thinking of us.
x
Thanks Maggie — we are pulling together as a family, and have been blessed by the kindness of so many (including you).
I too am a patient backer who is watching this project with interest.
Firstly though, my condolences on the passing of your son, and please take the time for you and your family to grieve and heal, that is most important.
I was put onto your project by my friend Martin Niedballa and I am sure glad he pointed me your way. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product, whenever that may be. It looks so beautiful and fun.
All the best,
Lynne
Thank-you Lynne, I appreciate your kind words & support — and how wonderful that you know Martin!
I too have stayed quiet, (except to offer my sympathy) but your work updates are always exciting to get; they are interesting and informative in a way that people outside the process rarely have a chance to share in. Thank you for the work you have done and are doing to do justice to the story. I would rather wait for a project well done than be disappointed in one quickly but poorly executed.
the other
Thank-you Catharine. I am happy that you enjoy these updates & find them interesting; I have always been fascinated by the creative process itself (regardless of the medium or discipline involved) and I am making these articles with that in mind.
Christopher, another patient backer here. Again, condolences to you and your entire family. What you have gone through is something I have no understanding of. I just wish you didn’t either.
I do want to chime in with the others. Don’t rush it, take the time to do it right. Rushing leads to spaghetti Neil and we don’t want that! When it comes to kickstarter projects, there are those that deliver on time and those that deliver much later, sometimes years later. I’ve backed both types. Eventually it will all work out and we all want the best you can do and that will take time. The fact that you keep us updated makes all the difference. You’re doing a great job.
The passing of our son has been life-changing in multiple ways, many of them much more positive than I could have imagined. Your comments (and those of many other backers) are like surprise patches of sunshine that come out of nowhere on a cold and discouraging day; they are rejuvenating in a distinctly personal way, and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to write & share them with me.
It has also been a tremendously enlightening process to work on getting this film made, right from the very beginning, and seems analogous to earning a degree in a highly specialized field. When I think about all that I’ve learned so far, and then look forward to everything that still lies ahead, I feel a huge amount of gratitude for the opportunities I have been blessed with, and thrill at the possibilities. I want more than anything to honor this story, which has come to hold great significance for me personally, and to share it with as many people as I can. Thanks for making my day that much warmer and brighter, Susan!