For my final 3D animation project, I was tasked with creating an abstract audio visualization experience using 3D modeling and sound reaction.
I decided to create scenes inspired by one of my favorite Netflix shows, The Midnight Gospel.
This show was animated from a series of podcasts by Duncan Trussell, who interviews someone different for each episode. The animated show was co-created by Pendleton Ward, who created Adventure Time. The music was done by Joe Wong, which is partially what inspired me to do this project. I love his work, and it makes me feel something.
The show is particularly absurd in nature, and each episode depicts Duncan traveling to a different world to meet a different podcast guest. There is a lot of space and color, abstract shapes, and imaginative characters. Duncan always comes back to his original self, a pink character with a purple witch-like hat.
I then created the background, which were shapes and colors inspired by some of the episodes, particularly the other “worlds" he visits.
I started by modeling the upper half of Duncan to create a silhouette for him to be placed in front of the scene. I created a sphere to act as a “world” behind him, which is what would react to the music.
For the next scene, I wanted it to be a wider angle of one of the “worlds” that would then react to music, while emitting other smaller “worlds.” I also wanted to include a neon grid that pops up in the show a few times. I then created another background image that suited the scene.
Once everything was in place and working, I rendered out my videos.
Although there is a lot I wish I could have added, I was able to accomplish this with my dying, crashing, and burning computer. For revisions I would like to elaborate on the scenes and redo the color/atmosphere. I also had an entirely different scene that kept crashing as I was trying to work on it, so I had to give it up for now.
For the revisions, I have learned my lesson and will use a better computer in Atlas.
Until then, I present to you: Midnight Audiovisions.
ReVisions
I then began some rEvisions. I was finally able to get into the Atlas computer lab, so I was able to render out my third scene. I also added particles and different lighting to the first one, as well as adding some hair to improve the silhouette.
I also added a short loop clip as a transition, because I didn’t like the harsh cuts, but now I am unsure if I like the color scheme differences.
There are still a few changes I would like to make for myself, but that will come with time. Here is my Midnight AudioRevisions.