Post by BiG_ReD on Mar 3, 2005 0:21:25 GMT
[glow=red,2,300]I agree. This will indeed be an important movie for a lot of JW and HGW fans, and from what we've seen so far, the animators who put this together (having no previous experience in the intricacies of tri-limbed movement) have done an admirable job of bringing these iconic figures to life. The colour of the Fighting Machine (FM) in the test footage struck me as what may be used during the first sightings (during the storm), as the alloy appears a creamy white, with traces of a yellowish oxidisation (?) in full sunlight inside the JW album artwork. The gritty and dark textures are nothing short of amazing.
As for the legs, I was at first a bit unsure of the rear leg's ability to move so far under the body seemingly without much support (the strain on the actuators would slow movement significantly), but after reading Steve Dismukes Martian Technology essays ( www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/3773/waroftheworlds/martians/tech.html ) this seems to me to be an obstacle already surmounted by the Martian's understanding of electrical and mechanical systems. Though by no means official, or accepted HG Wells background, I highly recommend and endorse Mr Dismukes' website for all those interested in a little insight into our BiG_ReD friends. Especially the PC game fans who like to play as the Martians
I had noticed before, some folks speculating about the legs' ability to extend and retract. Though we can't see it in this footage, I would imagine that the legs are capable of telescopic extension, since both in the rock-opera itself, and the accompanying artwork, it is described ("it raised itself to full height, flourished the funnel high in the air, and the ghostly, terrible Heat Ray struck the tower,") and illustrated (the painting 'Parson Nathaniel' in which a frontage of FMs stride across the landscape, at different heights, in the fading light). I'm sure that they're working through that, just as they worked through the physics for the FM's movement. As mentioned in earlier posts, I agree that this would add the graceful stride observed by Wells in the story that many of us have imagined over the years.
On a side note, going back to Mr Steve Dismukes' War of the Worlds website, some sections are also devoted to Martian sociology and history. Of particular interest to me were the paragraphs detailing the creation/evolution of the 'new' martians (the heaving, tentacled monstrosities we all know and love) from the old martians (mentioned in the book as the tall, frail bipeds found in and around the cylinders).
As for the Heat Ray, it gives the effect of being almost a high-pressure liquid stream instead of the classical 'laser' look of a sweeping beam. As this footage may be as much a physics test as a good old show-off, I'm confident this feature will be removed and replaced with a proper Heat 'Ray,'
I hope.
I wanted to save my comments about the eyes until last, because I know they may not be the view that everybody shares, but I actually think that they're okay. I mean, it'd be better if they were perfect, I agree... but I can't help looking at it from a utilitarian point of view; unless the Martian's have a different refractive index of vision than humans (I know this is looking way too deep into things, but that's the kind of guy I am. If it's not for you, then please disregard this ramble), a two-lensed cowl be less than conductive to clear vision in certain areas. You could call it my traditional self arguing with my innovative self, I guess.
Overall, this footage is excellent in all areas, and I believe that a team of animators has worked very hard to put that short clip together. Although it is too early to make any concrete statements, I look forward to the time that this movie (and the two others by Spielberg and Pendragon respectively) hit Australian shores.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and attend to my RSI.
[/glow]
As for the legs, I was at first a bit unsure of the rear leg's ability to move so far under the body seemingly without much support (the strain on the actuators would slow movement significantly), but after reading Steve Dismukes Martian Technology essays ( www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/3773/waroftheworlds/martians/tech.html ) this seems to me to be an obstacle already surmounted by the Martian's understanding of electrical and mechanical systems. Though by no means official, or accepted HG Wells background, I highly recommend and endorse Mr Dismukes' website for all those interested in a little insight into our BiG_ReD friends. Especially the PC game fans who like to play as the Martians
I had noticed before, some folks speculating about the legs' ability to extend and retract. Though we can't see it in this footage, I would imagine that the legs are capable of telescopic extension, since both in the rock-opera itself, and the accompanying artwork, it is described ("it raised itself to full height, flourished the funnel high in the air, and the ghostly, terrible Heat Ray struck the tower,") and illustrated (the painting 'Parson Nathaniel' in which a frontage of FMs stride across the landscape, at different heights, in the fading light). I'm sure that they're working through that, just as they worked through the physics for the FM's movement. As mentioned in earlier posts, I agree that this would add the graceful stride observed by Wells in the story that many of us have imagined over the years.
On a side note, going back to Mr Steve Dismukes' War of the Worlds website, some sections are also devoted to Martian sociology and history. Of particular interest to me were the paragraphs detailing the creation/evolution of the 'new' martians (the heaving, tentacled monstrosities we all know and love) from the old martians (mentioned in the book as the tall, frail bipeds found in and around the cylinders).
As for the Heat Ray, it gives the effect of being almost a high-pressure liquid stream instead of the classical 'laser' look of a sweeping beam. As this footage may be as much a physics test as a good old show-off, I'm confident this feature will be removed and replaced with a proper Heat 'Ray,'
I hope.
I wanted to save my comments about the eyes until last, because I know they may not be the view that everybody shares, but I actually think that they're okay. I mean, it'd be better if they were perfect, I agree... but I can't help looking at it from a utilitarian point of view; unless the Martian's have a different refractive index of vision than humans (I know this is looking way too deep into things, but that's the kind of guy I am. If it's not for you, then please disregard this ramble), a two-lensed cowl be less than conductive to clear vision in certain areas. You could call it my traditional self arguing with my innovative self, I guess.
Overall, this footage is excellent in all areas, and I believe that a team of animators has worked very hard to put that short clip together. Although it is too early to make any concrete statements, I look forward to the time that this movie (and the two others by Spielberg and Pendragon respectively) hit Australian shores.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and attend to my RSI.
[/glow]
;D
