I know it’s a little early to start decorating for Halloween (although you wouldn’t know that from a casual perusal of your local grocery store), but I had a rendering test that I decided to turn into a desktop image I thought you might find intriguing…
I’ve begun using an incredible rendering program called KeyShot that has allowed me to get all of the intricate detail out of the digital characters than Ryan Peterson created for The Price. He sculpted these amazing pieces in Pixologic’s ZBrush, but the sheer size and digital complexity of these models made it difficult for other programs (needed to control the lights, materials, and camera angles) to handle without compromising the integrity of design and balance that Ryan worked so hard to achieve. (In fact, KeyShot is so effective in rendering ZBrush models that the two companies have joined forces and announced that the next version of ZBrush will include the KeyShot renderer for a fraction of the price of the stand-alone program!)
Even though this image has very dramatic lighting, you can still see the astounding realism in the anatomy of the hands — you wouldn’t think that would matter for an imaginary creature, but the more that looks intuitively “right” to the viewer’s eye helps add credibility even to a decidedly fantastical creation.
In other words, if you can believe in it, then you can be scared of it.
And on that ominous note, I hope you enjoy both the image and your weekend! 
I love everything about this shot.
Well…you are very gracious (and seemingly easy to please)! 😉 I’ll tell you a secret Knox: I love it too!!!
That hand is human and “spiderish” at the same time. I can’t imagine anything more creepy.
Oh, I can Cecilia; just you wait and see…
I am loving all these updates, it’s getting me all excited! And this is a very fantastic shot
Thanks Court (that’s the idea, btw)!
I’ve loved watching this project grow. It has given me a new perspective on the complexity and difficulty of bringing one story to life. Thanks for sharing with us, educating us, and allowing us into your life.
You are very kind, Bridget — and exceedingly patient! I’m very happy you have elected to come along for the ride, and promise it will be worth the wait!!!
Wow. WOW. Utterly fantastic render – this is truly becoming more exciting by the moment, watching this being brought to life. My hat’s off to you for the amazing job you’re doing!
Thanks Anna! I am thrilled to finally be able to share these images with you…more to come!
Just wondering… I know animation always takes time, especially for a small team, but based on progress to date (and allowing for scope creep) do you have any guess (within a several year bound) when we’ll see The Price in final form? I’m not trying to rush you; “no” is a legitimate answer… but I’m looking forward to the day when I’ll be able to hold an actual DVD and say “in a small way, I helped make it possible.”
Hey Joe, I appreciate the gentle way you asked (strikingly different than a few other “inquiries” I’ve received). At this point I am hesitant to give a specific completion date and then have yet another impediment knock my optimistic legs out from under me, so I’ll just say this: the film is coming sooner than you may think! 😉
Deliciously creepy! And the devil (pardon the pun) is in the details — the veins under the skin, the wrinkles in the skin that suggest the movement of the hand, and the etching in the claws that suggest the monster is very very old.
Also reminds me of the description of the spidery hands of the Other Mother in Coraline.
Wow Liz, how extraordinarily observant of you (I especially like the “Other Mother” connection)!
Came back for another look and just noticed how the shape of the hand/claw is very similar to the shape of the tree trunks in the background.
I am going to have to watch the finished piece one frame at a time to soak up all the lovely spooky details!
Uh-oh, you’re catching all of my tricks! (And a frame-by-frame analysis doesn’t create any additional pressure or anything…) 😉
This gave me goosebumps! I know this is going to terrify me – I started reading Stephen King at WAY too young an age, and I’ve had an overactive imagination ever since!
I feel your pain only too well, Lea!
I read Mr. King’s work (specifically ‘Salem’s Lot & The Shinning) while still in the 7th grade. Oops. (Seriously, I can’t use a bathroom with a claw-footed tub to this day.)
Wow, that looks AMAZING!! I am, as always, both enthusiastic to see the finished work, and happy to ride along on your shoulder to watch the effort and craft that goes into creating a finalized digital-film creation.
I’m glad that technology has caught up with the character design, and it’s exciting to know that the full level of detail/complexity of the ZBrush sculpts will be conveyed into the film itself
Thank-you Ashbet! After so much trial-and-error investigating different production pipelines, it really is satisfying to finally have the ability to achieve the results we were after (especially when you’re not a high-end animation/FX house filled with tech directors and software engineers who can develop their own tools).
Whoa. Creepy. Love it!
A man of few words…but very good ones! Glad to elicit a “whoa” whenever possible, kind sir!