Thought for Food – Last Day
Ok, this is about the final chapter here. I have about 4 hours till I have to hit the final render button. Will I make the deadline for the Houdini Cook-Off?
My promises to myself include:
- Keep the title, “Food for Thought“.
- Use a brain.
- Have it be cooked and/or eaten.
- Create reusable assets.
- Make sure I’m packed and ready with my desert gear for Burning Man… TOMORROW??? We still have an RV and trailer to pack.
Progress so far…
- I started with a model I couldn’t use, because I didn’t build it, so how do you easily build a brain in Houdini?
- I tried to use MRI data to build my own brain geometry… via voxels. I got something working… BUT… I couldn’t make anything solid. It was very ghostly looking so I tried some nodes in Houdini which allowed me to create geometry, but the input data from an MRI scan is pretty dirty. I knew I need to somehow build a solid brain quickly. So, I’m stopping this R&D and I’m saving the MRI results for when I get my own personal brain scan next month (no joke). My Wacom isn’t working under windows (I know… weird), so this was helping me avoid 3DCoat for my sculpting.
- Starting over, I used a low-res smooth brain-like shaped object and painted on it. Using some procedural point operations, I created the wrinkle/sausage (gyrus?) things on the brain.
- I don’t know Houdini’s shaders well enough to make realistic looking brain bread baking, so my limited time was spent on shaders, and all I’m really looking for is more BANG for my buck. So, I’m setting aside my “baking bread brains” in coffee shops… for now! MWAHAHAHA!!!
- Serendipity occurred and I ended up filming the Vancouver Zombie Walk from last weekend. While I was there, I ran into an A&W and asked for a paper cup. I marked it up with “X”s and triangles, thinking, “Hopefully make-up covered actors won’t feel too silly… eating a paper cup.“
*note: Blanket hanging on chair in attempting to get rid of the echos while recording.
Now, here I am with some undesirables that I’m trying to overcome.
Using Windows, not Linux.
Using a small USB hard drive as my project drive.
Going to be recording my own audio (zombie acting… whaaat?)
Doing my composting in Houdini.
I changed the direction last minute (oh those crazy directors… hehe).
Vancouver Zombie Walk 2011
On August 20th, 2011, Vancouver was plagued by an army of the undead. I managed to survive the claws of the maggot invested fiends with my recorded footage.
What’s this on my arm? Aw nothin. Just a scratch. *cough* *cough* Really, I’m fine.
Two Recent Turn-Based Strategy Releases
Despite the great time I have had playing Blipzkrieg, I’ve also invested some time (and $7) on another game.
Frozen Synapse was half-off on Steam this past weekend and I’ve been playing it quite a bit… in between renders. I am certainly digging it, as it feels like a combination of Rainbow Six’s planning stages, X-COM and Jagged Alliance. Games can be completed fairly quickly, unlike most turn-based strategy games, which is a big plus for casual gamers.
It’s also worth mentioning that they’ve demoed some Jagged Alliance Online footage on Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Great game and I remember running into one of the developers while snowboarding in Vancouver
North By Northeast Festival
I was unaware of what was going on, till it was almost over. This past week was the annual North By Northeast Music & Film Festival… and Conference.
On Thursday I went to a show that started at midnight and ended at a 4am? A friend of mine recommended I join her to see Noah Pred, who did not disappoint. There’s plenty of music being labeled, “Tech House”… and I’m really liking the sound of much of what I’ve heard… especially when it stays tribal and funky. I’m tempted to call it “Minimal House”.
On Saturday I was taking a rail car into downtown and disembarked when we hit a diversion point. I soon walked past a huge line of Lady Gaga fans who were waiting for hear arrival. In Dundas Square, I was with thousands watching Devo playing on a big screen. Large, free (with donation) bottles of energy drink were being consumed by many. Even ran into , complete with illuminated logo t-shirts. Plus, all week long, many venues received a special alteration to their liquor licenses… they could serve till 4am???
On a different, but similar note… Sunday night was my first experience of Cherry Beach. Other than Tuesday night’s in Whistler, BC… I haven’t seen this many people rock it out on a School Night in a long time. What? You say this is EVERY Sunday? Oooh boy.
Two Victories for the Empire
Vader Announces Death of Rebel Terrorist
According to the Galactic Empire Times:
CORUSCANT — Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mastermind of some of the most devastating attacks on the Galactic Empire and the most hunted man in the galaxy, was killed in a firefight with Imperial forces near Alderaan, Darth Vader announced on Sunday.
Suspected Rebel “Jer” Detained
In a related victory for the galaxy, another rebel was apprehended by a squadron in the Toronto region. The unsuspecting terrorist was taken without incident. Identified as “Jer“, the rebel was armed with a concealed hot dog wrapped in paper towel and a bag full of independently financed comic books.
He was also in possession of a 20oz bottle of Coca Cola, though he denies that he was the owner. He was recorded saying, “It’s not mine!! I’m hypoglycemic!.”
He is currently being detained at an undisclosed location and undergoing “questioning” in order to determine the whereabouts of other potential rebel terrorist cells.
With two historic victories in less than a single solar cycle, citizens of the Empire have reason to be proud.
World War Z
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A commentary of the societies around the globe. What happens when our systems are stress tested? How would we survive and reconstruct after a zombie apocalypse?
If you’re curious, this is a must read. If you don’t really care, then read it anyway!
View all my reviews
PILLOW FIGHT!! Toronto 2011
On Saturday, April 2nd @ 8 PM
Yonge-Dundas Square
Newmindspace hosted their first nighttime pillow fight in downtown Toronto. The event was kicked off by a group playing out some tribal rhythms, which continued through all the pillow bashing.
Thanks to Braine for the transportation & Primo for all the sound and camera assistance.
Filmed on a Canon 60D and edited with Super Loiloscope.
Have a Reservation? Goodnight!
Last night we set out to check out a place called “Goodnight!“. It’s your classic, loungey, little back alley drinking hole that requires an invite/reservation. New York Times has labeled one of the “coolest” places in Toronto.
Upon entering, we were asked to keep our cameras put away, as not to disturb the special guests. We didn’t recognize any of the other patrons present, though we had heard that celebs (such as Dan Aykroyd) visit often. The small room used wooden pallets as walls and the long but narrow wooden shelf contained all the high-end booze you could ask for, including 1oz shots of scotch for $140. Our host opted for the $20/oz scotch.
We didn’t stay too long before we decided to change the atmosphere and visit another friend.
The next establishment was a place called Cream. Though this lounge was larger, it also required a knock at a locked door. Cream has only been open for a few months, but the decor felt otherwise. These photos don’t do it justice, as it was too dark for my phone camera. The lighting was was similar to that found in a Stanley Kubrick film. As for the design work… walking through the doors made me feel as if I was walking onto the set of Marie Antoinette. We were greeted by the owner and casually ushered to a short table surrounded by antique couches.
Everything felt authentic. The hand upholstered couches, curtains, chandeliers and… real silverware? I had one glass of red wine , that I gently sipped, while eating a filet mignon and watching a live performance of Amy Winehouse projected over a curtained wall. I’ve never been in such a stylish place, yet felt so comfortable. The owner was a great host who joined us for the last half of our meal. I could get used to this. We all agreed to return… soon.
What’s It Like Working in the Video Game Industry?
An 8 year game industry veteran’s opinion accurately describes my own game industry experience and why I’m hesitant to return.
[thx Mike Rhone]
Rendezvous – Ferrari Through Streets of Paris
I’ve been trying to hunt this video down for years. Luckily someone has taken it from the original VHS and posted it online.
