HAPPY LAND update

lwaxana · Post by **lwaxana** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:28 pm

Hmm... I spent so long writing up my post that you posted twice! lol So I hadn't seen these new ones when I wrote that. They are really nice.

I'll have to think about them a bit to see if they outrank #3 and #4.

lwaxana · Post by **lwaxana** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:32 pm

Yep. I like the house one.

[edit] almost as much as #3. agh.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:56 pm

Ha ha. Thanks, you're almost as indecisive as me.

I'll give it some more tinkering. Sooner or later I think I'll get it. Thanks for the feedback man.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:24 pm

Wahey! Guess what - some more:

(removed)

There is something nice about the snow. Makes me feel fresh too.

lwaxana · Post by **lwaxana** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:30 pm

Yeah! I'm loving this direction.

tonym · Post by **tonym** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:15 pm

Lovely work, as always, Mikdog.

Maybe try a colorful backgound, all sorts of colors, and then lighten it and desaturate until the colors are hazy and pastel, so the background will become very distinct from the characters.

Also maybe try graduating the sky, from light blue at the horizon to blue at the top. I can understand the characters and trees and whatnot being flat colors, but if the sky were graduated, you might create a pleasant sense of depth.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:20 pm

Here's a test with one of the backgrounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbwhDtxgb4E

Still, mountain colour means Heavy gets lost sometimes. Doh.

Acochran_89 · Post by **Acochran_89** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:34 am

Hmmm...i'm not too fond of the flat super simple mario like backgrounds for this. That super nintendo platform game look just seems...boring. Where as most of your work is very alive and unique. I dont know...I stand by saying you should go in more of a direction that captures that unique yet brilliant style of yours. I do think that the background is going to need to greatly depend on the short. For instance, that simple mario like background look would probably work really well for the one you posted with the guy jumping on the spikes.

Who knows

Good luck!

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:38 am

Ya. I don't like any of them. Sigh.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:56 am

Another attempt:

The squares indicate pan and scale. Reminds me of Sonic the Hedgehog.

And I'm considering going back to dead simple:

I know it runs the risk of being too cold and abstract which may not work well with kids, but at least its simple and clear.

Still haven't ruled out doing custom backgrounds for each short:

And this works pretty well in action. I did this then realized that's exactly what tonym suggested. Thanks:

So for the moment its either hand-drawn backgrounds or the grey line.

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:41 am

Then there's the original Happy Land background that my one buddy suggests I stick with which I may just do:

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:05 am

I put up a clip using the original pilot background:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyR-QgCSPfc

I'm pretty happy with this.

Post by **Víctor Paredes** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:05 pm

Mikdog wrote:

I loved that style. Sorry don't being as constructive as the rest, but I love that one.

Triune · Post by **Triune** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:31 pm

Really enjoyed your work
Keep up the good work!!

ulrik · Post by **ulrik** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:23 pm

selgin wrote:
Mikdog wrote:
I loved that style. Sorry don't being as constructive as the rest, but I love that one.

I have to agree, this is the best looking in my opinion.
Great work!