Playing soldiers

I'm currently orchestrating the four second long scene where we fly over the battleground. Here's a screenshot showing the armour and infantry in action. The tanks are basic low-detail models for this shot.

Also, there's a single frame from the opening action scene, where the tanks are creeping into position.

Setting the mood

I've started to work on the final scene set-ups for the trailer. Here's a snapshot of the colour and mood for the opening shot on the battlefield that November morning in Cambrai. I'll add a little more light to the final shot - but not much more.

The shape in the foreground is a British MarkIV tank that's just passed underneath the camera on it's slow, lumbering way to battle. The large shape on top is a fascine - a massive bundle of logs which will be dropped into the German trenches to enable the tanks and men to cross them.

Noises of war

Today is an audio day. I'm picking out sounds for the trailer's scenes. Of course there's tank engines, machine-guns, shell explosions - but I'm also looking at subtle sounds -  wind noises, nervous whispers before the assault, maybe even some distant birdsong. We'll see what seems appropriate.

Starting battle scene

I'm laying out the battlefield scene for the fly-past shot, and notice a soldier running through the shot at about 60mph. He may need his keyframe scale looking at.. lol

A little more animation

Here is a quick look at the 2d drawn element of a track-in shot featuring Gilbert lying wounded in a shell crater. Still to add is the CGI background, lighting elements and practical effects (smoke/fog).

https://vimeo.com/50998257

..and the band played on..

I've just had confirmation that the Yorkshire Volunteers Band will allow me to use their music for Gilbert's War. They are the band of  the Leeds Rifles, Gilbert's regiment.

Great news, and I'm indebted to David Stephenson and the band members for their fabulous performances.

The trailer (to be released Nov 11) has already been paced out with a music track, but I'm looking forward to having the band's stirring and atmospheric marches running throughout the final film.

The band have a great history going back to 1860, and you can find details of that here:

http://www.yorkshirevolunteers.org.uk/band.htm

After the Strategic Defence Revue of 1998 the band formed part of the Yorkshire Volunteers Regimental Association ensuring over 150 years of "True Yorkshire Grit".