An experiment with creating canyons in Maya. Soon to be replaced with constructed sets













The canyon model coloured over













The rough canyon model. A camera track was added













Using the rough layout to contruct the main look

Concept of a close up of main protoganist- an illusion of speed with canyon colours flying by

Early in the first scene a tired outlaws comes to forewarn the others of the approaching bounty hunter

Reese gets off his horse ready to persuit the bandit's hideout

An alert watcher with shotgun at the ready

A scene that might be cut out for a second chapter is the scene where the bandit plays russian roulette with Reese's wife and son.

Due to history, this guy creates the idea of russian roulette but calls it 'A shot of lead'

Concept art of Canyons.
Created with 'Art Rage'

Concept of a small town in which the main bandit hides out at. Created in Toon Boom and re-drawn from the original sketched concept.

Character design of the main protoganist, Reese Wagner

A storyboard shot of a horse's running legs

Another storyboard shot of an establishing canyon with a tumbleweed rolling past the camera

Western- A Final Film

Finally it's time for a much needed update and there's no better way than introducing my final film for animation. I present to you and untitled Western that sticks to its roots of being a dry, gritty, rough story and look to reflect what once was a time of bloodlust, gunslingers, saloons and hookers. Let me tell you a story:

Reese Wagner is an honourable family man and citizen. He supports his family by catching the law's most wanted men. On this bounty hunter's next mission, it all goes caput as the bandit gets the upper hand and steals Reese's wife and son. Reese's will do what it takes to get his family back, even if that means becoming the states new public enemy number one. How far would you go to save your family?

The style has been finalised to the use of 3D built sets, modelled out of card then covered with clay and painted. The camera will run on tracks and will act as live action sequences with the characters and animals being drawn onto the film in Toon Boom.

I'll start with the concepts whist gradually making this a 'Making of' featurette. I hope you enjoy the resurrection of the traditional Western in an animated form