Tell me, O'Octopus, I begs, is those things arms, or is they legs?

Michaela has been working away producing some fabulous aquatic appendages for the leading lady in the 'Singing Loins' music video project. Our plan for these sequences are complex but provide an exciting challenge. We aim to composite a monstrous montage of pixilation and CG animation onto timelapse backgrounds to create a dramatic visual finale. To achieve this we began with the most complex problem in the mix, the CG animation. What follows is an overview of this process:

The creature's lower body will be created through CG polygonal modelling using the software Maya.

After the modelling process is complete, the model is prepared to be textured. This process is called UV-mapping. Textures can be created in Adobe Photoshop using images as reference material. Over this, we plan to apply a shiny, watery shade in Maya to give the impression of wetness.

Once the model is finalised, rigging for movement starts. We anticipate using two rigging methods depending on the character's movements in each shot.  Shadows can then be added to give a greater physicality to the character. Having completed the rig, the last stage is the composite in After Effects, where the CG animation will combined with the pixilation sequences in the timelapse environments to create the final terrifying result.

To read more information about the CG production process as it unfolds, visit Michaela’s 'Monsters Ashore' blog: http://cgtentacles.tumblr.com

About Michaela L. Czech
Michaela Czech is a motion designer and animator. She studied arts and multimedia at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich and is currently graduating from The University of the West of England in Bristol with a masters degree in animation. During the MA animation programme she produced the short 'Fur for Breakfast'. In addition, she worked on an animated documentary for the Bishop's Palace Trust and is currently producing a music video for the New Zealand band Moonlight Flit. She enjoys observing people's idiosyncrasies and gestures, especially when they are doing nothing in particular like sleeping, reading, watching television or trying to understand their PC. To view her online portfolio and find out more about her work, visit her website at: http://www.michaelaczech.com