headbin

The State Dog Visor designs are similar to the way i saw them. I especially like the idea of using a doberman, they have a fantastic shape and build, i think that the first visor design coupled with the shape of the doberman is the way to go. Not sure about the 'jacket', but what do you think to a kind of simpler 'colar' to attach in some way to the visor?

1) & 2)

The activist HQ has to be indoors. They're not camped in the sanctuary. I think the tone here is too hippy. These guys don't look like they'd be any threat to the State. They have to be credible otherwise why would the State mount such an elaborate ruse to get rid of them.

Need to think Direct Action workshop in a warehouse rather than Festival gathering. I'd lose the guitars.

Notes on this from Mich (my Direct Action mentor) - "all painted in rainbow colours is not realistic. Yes, propaganda spread everywhere! Yes, rainbow coloured flags/banners - maybe 1 van with a rainbow design.... Not running around, loping around maybe."

3) & 4)

Cool. I like the alsatian and doberman "models". I originally saw Alsation/Visor #2 but the doberman is definitely cool. Would like to see the design more integrated with the head though, less slip-on then suggestive of being surgically attached.

Si's collar attached to visor interesting.

I saw a jacket, some kind of cloth body armour but definitely no wording.

Ok cool, now I have a more detailed brief to work from. Just out of curiosity, other than what you have written here, are there any briefs for the concept artists or is the script the only guide? I've yet to have a proper search of this site. Cheers .. Jez

Jee whizz, I had a few cents' worth to chip in too... maybe too late for this round, but here goes:

Activists
- Not sure I'd believe that these people were capable of building complex technology like the nanobats and launching quasi-military operations...

Dogs
- pick of the bunch for me is the Dobermann as well. I like that it's looking down the lens, gives it more menace. It's graceful yet strong poise almost implies that it's superior to it's handlers, no? Why not run with that; make the dogs much more threatening than the handlers, make the dogs the army, the troopers merely there to attempt to maintain some level of human control - ties in nicely with the whole disruption/misappropriation of nature theme.

Armour
- I actually really like the flak-jackets, it makes them more believable as front-line troops. Doesn't seem to provide much cover on the chest, stomach and haunches, however.

Headsets
- Wow. Where to start...

When I first read the script, I envisaged a Cyclops-from-X-Men look, as per concept [B]. However, now that I see it next tothe others, I'm not sure. It seems too slick, and what we want above all is functionality.

The symmetrical goggles look, [A] looks a little too much like the dogs should be swimming or flying World War I biplanes for my liking.

Preferred of the three details has to be [C]. Being asymmetric implies functionality over style, spot on; the strap arrangement is rather crude, implying that this is basically prototype equipment, straight out the lab and attached to the dogs in the simplest and most direct way - ergonomics have yet to be refined. How about pushing the boat out and having one lens green (night vision) and one red (infra-red)? Might be way too much, but I think it would be worth exploring the option, if only to eliminate it.

However, my personal favourite has to be the monocle visor as on the Dobermann. The concept of having one eye benefitting from technology and the other free to see the world first hand really says enhancement to me (both eyes covered suggests control/slaves to me). This ties in with the whole 'dogs more menacing than troopers' thing mentioned above. There would also be a great opportunity to play with shot angles, revealing/hiding the exposed eye or the enhanced eye to all sorts of different effect. I would love to see a detail of this one, maybe a few from different angles.

Not my place to say, however. If you haven't yet, point your mouse in the direction of Syd Mead's dog mechas:

http://thequality.com/flics/10weeks/blog/archives/001605.html#001605

Not sure what (if anything) you'll take from it, but might give you some inspiration...

Agree with Ken. The doberman shape is awesome. Predatory and lean, all muscle and slick lines suggests these are animals are bread for a purpose...which leads me thinking maybe the visor could be integrated at a physical level? Maybe its not just attached but almost biomechanical? And one eye covered the other not is definitely something i am gonna explore, as ken said think about the shot possibilities! Don't think that the dogs should be more intimidating than the troops though, that would imply a weakness on behalf of the state troopers, almost "come out from behind your dogs and fight for yourself" I just think that every aspect of the state would technically superior, not neccesarily beautiful to look at but definitely cutting edge.

Hi all,

Main thing with dogs is that their implants are wet-ware ala Gibson. Open to interpretation but inspired by dubious experiments we see around the place (e.g. cockroach, rat implants). Ken's collating some cools reference pics. I'm trying to track down the original shot I saw - side-on view of cockroach on workbench with a big chip implanted in its back. Think it was in The Face.

Jeremy,

The "brief" as it stands are various posts in the Imagery category.

In the midst of setting up the forums system so we can all discuss stuff better and get a feel for what gaps need filling.

Imagery category
http://thequality.com/flics/10weeks/blog/archives/cat_imagery.html

Activist-specific brief
http://thequality.com/flics/10weeks/blog/archives/001758.html#001758

Rules of the world(s)
http://thequality.com/flics/10weeks/blog/archives/000531.html#000531

Fantastic, this definately gives me alot to work with. I have to admit, I only read the script once before doing these sketches so I missed alot and didn't fully understand what was going on...e.g the activists etc. (Am I bad) I've got a much broader perspective of the project now so will get gracking on some more concepts. I might have a go at those nano bats also. I love this stuff! I like the idea of the nano-bat being more of a floating sphere although this has been done to death. Will do both. Thanks all for the input. Just one last thing...can the dogs be completely mechanical or are real dogs being used? This would change things...

Are you bad? No! {:-)

Dogs can't be completely mechanical. This is near-future.

Don't think the dogs should be completely mechanical, same as i think the the nano bats should retain a 'bat-like' form. Personally i think that things have a better impact on all levels when something which we recognise ie a dog or bat has obviously been 'tampered' with as opposed to completely redesigned or altered...shows a kind of sinister intent and disregard for things natural and what we perceive as 'comforting'...

Further to what Si said, the relationship of the State to nature should contrast with the relationship the eco-activists have to nature.

--- THREAD TRANSFER ---

Please continue discussion in the new Production Design forums, referencing images from the Gallery.

If you need help on posting images (embedded or thumbnails), let us know.