enqore's thoughts http://partanimator.com the musings of Enqore... Zimbabwe's Animator/ digital artist. MCee posterous.com Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:06 -0700 The Concept for what maybe my most ambitious project. http://partanimator.com/the-concept-for-what-maybe-my-most-ambitious http://partanimator.com/the-concept-for-what-maybe-my-most-ambitious
Duma_first_concept

I have been going through a bit of change in my mind. A change of philosophy and just basically retaking a look at what motivates some of my perceptions. The main thing has been to contextualize all my skills to my environment. That last statement is probably a little emo and abstract, but trust me... the next few weeks will all make sense... I hope...

This is a concept of what may become my most ambitious and challenging project to date. I have had to reshuffle a lot of things n my head... slowly beginning to put it on paper.

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Mon, 21 May 2012 03:36:39 -0700 Munetsi - Number One! OFFICIAL VIDEO [Directed by Enqore] http://partanimator.com/munetsi-number-one-official-video-directed-by http://partanimator.com/munetsi-number-one-official-video-directed-by  

Video finally out! Woooooop!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Mon, 21 May 2012 03:36:27 -0700 VIDEO RELEASE: Munetsi - Number 1! (Directed by Enqore) http://partanimator.com/video-release-munetsi-number-1-directed-by-en http://partanimator.com/video-release-munetsi-number-1-directed-by-en  

This is the new Munetsi video off his upcoming album: Chaminuka - Zimbabwean Superhero!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:23:06 -0700 The way of the sage EP part 1 complete http://partanimator.com/the-way-of-the-sage-ep-part-1-complete http://partanimator.com/the-way-of-the-sage-ep-part-1-complete
456138_10150624025683736_71062

Spent the weekend mixing the remaining joints for the new project. I realised during the writing process that I had way more joints than I had planned. So I decided to make a double EP in the quiet time I had since coming back from Rwanda. Alas I ran out of time so I decided to complete at least the one part and get to work on some promo material and videos.

The part 2 is halfway done. Just a two tracks left and that should follow the release of the other EP in a couple months.

Here is the track list for the part 1:

1. Intro - Produced by T-krued and mixed by BegottenSun
2. Angit'uyazi - Produced by BC and mixed by Enqore
3. Empress Ft. Roki - Produced by Roki and mixed by Enqore
4. Akekho Ft. Squash - Produced by Squash and mixed by Enqore
5. Igama'lam - Produced by Greg loyal and mixed by Enqore
6. Outro (track preview) - Produced by Zyon Black and mixed by Enqore

That's the track list for the part one! I don't have a full tracklist for part 2 (largely because I don't know the names of the tracks yet) but it features production from Jay-P (Rwanda), Jusa (Uk), ZyonBlack (Botswana), Squash(Zim).

I should get started on the videos after Hifa when I am done with the Munetsi video and the other one I am working on then its ON!!! So expect the EP online mid may (because that's when I'll be done with a video or two and some press material... hopefully).

Other than that... I feel great about having this done! After this EP I am taking a break off entertainment and music videos to focus on setting up my new company! Stay tuned!

Enqore

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:25:58 -0700 Munetsi Video coming soon! http://partanimator.com/munetsi-video-coming-soon http://partanimator.com/munetsi-video-coming-soon

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:21:37 -0700 Partanimator Comic strip pilot #04 http://partanimator.com/partanimator-comic-strip-pilot-04 http://partanimator.com/partanimator-comic-strip-pilot-04
Pa_strip_04

Another test of the comic strip. This should be the amongst the last of this particular style test then I will be trying out other methods. Once again... Lemme know what you think!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:29:01 -0700 Partanimator.com comic strip test 03 http://partanimator.com/partanimatorcom-comic-strip-test-03 http://partanimator.com/partanimatorcom-comic-strip-test-03
Page_03

Here's a third test of the comic strip. I am now in the groove of things and I have a clear idea about how frequently I can release it and what else needs to happen.

as usual, comments and crits are welcome

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:03:23 -0700 Partanimator.com comic strip pilot 02 http://partanimator.com/partanimatorcom-comic-strip-pilot-02 http://partanimator.com/partanimatorcom-comic-strip-pilot-02
Part_02_test

This is another test for the partanimator comic strip project. using different method and altering the art style from the one before to improve it a bit before I can commit to a workflow for the series. What say you to the look and feel of this one as well as the content? PLUS! anyone who wants to write for this from time to time is most welcome! just send me an email! (it's there on the strip)

Comments and crits welcome!

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:39:32 -0700 Part animator comic strip concept! http://partanimator.com/part-animator-comic-strip-concept http://partanimator.com/part-animator-comic-strip-concept
Partanimator_pilot_00

This is a concept for a new comic strip I have been meaning to get started. I wanted to create something that writing for wouldn't be too hard because it's loosely based around conversations I have daily. I put this together quickly just to figure out a workflow as well as time-frames but also to just get a strip going so that i can figure out what would need tightening up. I intend to have this strip produced every week once I start going with it.

I will be introducing new characters as the strip progresses!

Comments and Crits are most welcome.

Enqore

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:44:48 -0700 New video: Dikson - Trajedy (Directed and Animated by Enqore) http://partanimator.com/new-video-dikson-trajedy-directed-and-animate http://partanimator.com/new-video-dikson-trajedy-directed-and-animate  

This is a video I have been working on on and off for over a year. Commercial work kept getting in the way and I feel I rushed certain aspects of the project but I still thought it'd be a good Idea to release it all the same. Talented piece by Dikson! In my opinion, one of the best poets outta Zim!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:07:28 -0700 New Video: Dizzy Don Featuring Bashupi and Stunner! Toi Manya http://partanimator.com/new-video-dizzy-don-featuring-bashupi-and-stu http://partanimator.com/new-video-dizzy-don-featuring-bashupi-and-stu  

One of EMG's newer productons. 

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:34:41 -0700 Making of the wasp video http://partanimator.com/making-of-the-wasp-video http://partanimator.com/making-of-the-wasp-video  

Hey there all,

Here's a video I put together on how I created the wasp render in Cinema 4D and Zbrush and it's basically me outlining my workflow and the tools I used to achieve the final model. I didn't cover much of the rendering because it was computationally demanding but it covers most of the workflow including design decisions that didn't actually make it into the final image. One of the more longer videos I have put up as well but all the footage here is timelapsed a 500% and this video is incredibly casual, so don't expect any uptight delivery I would normally do for my other tut work.

Let me know what you think and any questions you have on the comments below and I will do my best to answer you.

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:17:41 -0700 Stress testing Modo 601. http://partanimator.com/stress-testing-modo-601 http://partanimator.com/stress-testing-modo-601
Modo_test

Ok, so I took some hours out to test drive MODO and here are some of the things I noticed:

-The modelling tools are not as "intuitive" as we are led to believe. They are rather specialised. Agreed that they give you more control over even the most basic operations, which is a plus. It still leads me to wonder if that would be reason alone to move...

-I noticed a considerable hit to system performance the more I worked in it. I wonder if it has a history like XSI that may need to be emptied? if not then it has serious problems! When I was in the render view, just trying to get my camera positioned took 5 whole minutes because everything was so slow. Guys over at CG talk did express concern about MODO's ability to handle big scenes...

-Navigation is a pain! I don't much appreciate the ctrl+space bar shortcut to change views... its really hindering.

-once I got the camera in place though, tinkering with the renderer to get a decent looking image was SUPER FAST! I did that in 2 minutes! and the actual render is SD took 10 seconds. IMPRESSIVE.

OVERALL:
I have multiple reservations about MODO as a full pipeline shift though I see why most would use it just as a scene assembly tool. The instability and system performance hit was such a surprising disapointment especially given that I wasn't actually working in a huge scene. Things in C4D in my opinion that trump MODO's tools are:

The nondestructive symetry tool.
cinema's new modelling tools actually give modo a run for it's money especially the basics like extruding or beveling.(i love the curve extrude tool in modo though... so sweet!)
Navigating a scene in C4D is just way faster and it has better scene handling.

Anyways, those were my observations and I encourage all who are trying it out to post your findings and also coment here so we figure out the way forward!. 

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:58:59 -0700 Enqore Video Blog #4 http://partanimator.com/enqore-video-blog-4 http://partanimator.com/enqore-video-blog-4

Found a little quiet time to put some of the footage and images I have been taking into some kind of edit. I think I need to figure out a screen captured way to put the blogs together! LOL! 

ANYWAYS! This is the Kigali update. I have been here for around 3 weeks now and there have been some interesting challenges and great moments. I think the main challenge is the language because English maybe the main language on paper but it's something else on the ground. Also there's ADMA, the multimedia center for the training of Rwanda's most talented visual effects artists. We kicked off the first lesson last Tuesday albeit without the internet fiber connection that was delayed by the city approval and a few other hiccups but we got it off the ground and now we are chugging along quite nicely.

I miss home though, being over here has taught me quite a bit... the first thing is that Zimbabweans complain too damn much! Being over here makes me value my education ever so much and being in a place were communication in any language on the national list is not a challenge. But at the same time, I have met up with a lot of the media industry people here and they get it in HARD! Just being around these people and hearing them put together  their plans and such has been truly inspirational. It's also a great ego boost to see people's reaction to my work here, nothing better to let you know you are on the right path.

I love the way people celebrate life over here! The way they throw their parties is really awesome. the roll it out buffet style! But they have a weird fixation with giving speeches... LOL!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:44:00 -0700 The way of the Sage EP, what it'll be about, who is on it and when it will drop. http://partanimator.com/the-way-of-the-sage-ep-what-itll-be-about-who http://partanimator.com/the-way-of-the-sage-ep-what-itll-be-about-who

Enqore_sage_cover

So, this is the art direction for the new upcoming E.P (from me), The Way Of The Sage.

So, a Sage is defined as " a Stoic wise man " and unlike the Rubix Qube E.P. where I was focused on the exploration of words and Rhyme structure, The Way Of the Sage EP is all about growth, topic and delivery. This is  my personal transition from "he's a dope rapper" to "he is off the chain with it, he come nice!"

I have met so many artists, poets, MCees and singers who have changed my perspective of music. I have adopted so many different approaches as I grow and develop the skills. In order to produce a world class hit, it's going to take more that dope beats and rhymes. Afrika needs to present something the world hasn't seen before. On my path to develop a truly musical Hit, I am in constant meditation about the uniqueness of Afrikan music and figuring out a marriage between that and what the world consumes. I don't want to reproduce something an artist in america has already done, when I reach the stage in my path where I feel I have something to offer the mainstream, I would like it to be it's own thing.

Production:
This EP will feature some new faces on the side of production. Some are not yet as confirmed because I still don't know what the track list will be like fully but I will list guys I have already worked with in one way or another:
T-Krued (Bulawayo's A-list producer and overall great guy! He produced many of the Rubix Qube tracks)
Squash (Amazing producer hailing from... Gwanda! This dude is just one of the most amazing people I have met!)
Roki (We did a joint together that i much like the sound of. He will be doing some more work on this project too)
Jay-P (an ill Rwandan producer who reminds me of Flash and Take 5)
Zyon Black (one of the most talented dudes I know... he got that NEW sound)
Jusa (one of our best exports! he is in UK right now but he one of the best!)

Guest Artists:
The EP will feature some really cool people who have taken the time to bless the different records. This is not the full list as there are some Kats i want on this.

BegottenSun AKA Kane
Karizma
Aura
Squash
Roki

I will give an update on how the project will be dealt with visually in the way of videos but it will be FREE FOR DOWNLOAD!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:12:46 -0800 3 reasons why Zimbabwe entertainment struggles http://partanimator.com/3-reasons-why-zimbabwe-entertainment-struggle http://partanimator.com/3-reasons-why-zimbabwe-entertainment-struggle
Matabeleland

Once again, I have decided to take my opinion and make it public... but always remember, it's just THAT, my opinion.

So! It's no secret that Zimbabwe entertainment struggles... how do I know this? a few factors have led me to draw my conclusion. Firstly, switch on any Afrikan or international channel and you will see just what i mean. Our artists have zero visibility... no one even knows the genres of music in Zimbabwe. Now, my new-year's resolution was to call a spade a spade, and I believe the reason for this is the artists we are producing have very poor mentalities when it comes to the actual business of entertainment.

Now, I don't claim to be the end-all in this department but I have had the opportunity of sitting on both sides of the fence. I am a business owner and run a studio that services the corporate world as well as the entertainment industry and doing so for about 7 years now has allowed me the opportunity to observe a few trends. Coupled with the fact that I am a hip hop artist myself, I would like to believe my perspective and opinion are not totally uninformed,

Here are the factors I believe to be the causes:

1. Straight up unprofessional
The amount of times I have been in a conversation that started with "iwe Enqore, how come you've never done a video for me... you know... for free? it could give you exposure..." This statement seems to plague mine and many other studio owners whether they do sound, video, web or animation. The artists that normally say it are oblivious of the unprofessional nature of this request. Further more, if you turn them down they will be genuinely angry and bitter for a long while. I am not generalizing here and saying ALL artists do this... but you'd be surprised at how many of them often do. And that to me signifies a grave symptom of the culture of our modern day artists.
Now, I am not oblivious to the fact that Zimbabwe just came out of one of the worst economic climates the world has ever seen, and I understand budgets for entertainment are not what they should be... but it seems that only egos were a victim of inflation! 

2. Delusional-ness
I think often people watch MTV and Channel O then step outside and forget that they are no longer checking out the screen. People forget that we live in Zimbabwe. I think that we loose track of the fact that American music is "different" and not necessarily a standard to replicate. I have often heard "his good because he sounds like [insert american artist here]. this shameful behavior has KILLED originality and as I troll through my Facebook newsfeed and see obvious rips of a young jeezy or usher videos... and I am filled with shame for my brothers and sisters who do this. Also, most of our artists egos never fit the Zimbabwean situation. All the really big guys like Tuku will often be found at a coffee shop minding his own business and acting like a law abiding, tax paying citizen... then you have one guy who has a hit or two on radio behaving like they own the world... amazing.

3. Uninformed
Most artists have an overabundance of talent but fail to take advantage of it because they think they are already on top of their game. We are in 2012 and one of the few artists I have seen who may no yet be as "big" as some has taken advantage of everything 2012 has to offer. My case study here will be Tehn Diamond, he treats his music like a business. He has a website, professional looking images, well updated social media pages, videos out, press releases! The amount of artists without these things is shocking once you get to finding these things out!

All I am saying though, is could we please be a bit less ignorant, a bit more humble, a bit less arrogant, a bit more professional... that would help us ALL!

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:27:42 -0800 Getting down... http://partanimator.com/getting-down http://partanimator.com/getting-down
Get_down


A quick meme for my Zimbabwean people! LOL!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:17:25 -0800 We released the new Roki video today! http://partanimator.com/we-released-the-new-roki-video-today http://partanimator.com/we-released-the-new-roki-video-today  

The second video we have been involved in for Roki's Karmma project. We are proud to present this to Zimbabwe and the world at Large!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:01:33 -0800 EMG studios to adopt MODO 601 to it's production pipeline. http://partanimator.com/emg-studios-to-adopt-modo-601-to-its-producti http://partanimator.com/emg-studios-to-adopt-modo-601-to-its-producti
Modo-601-rendering-by-hughes-p

For a long time now, I have had multiple conversations about Modo with Shingai Mtezo, Marvel Banda and Alex Lindsay. I have long been a fan of the way Modo was coded and I have spent enough time in the interface to appreciate the genius in the architecture as well as the robust modeling and texture tools. I love the clean interface and it ran super fast on my system. It also had great support for MDD which was an attractive feature during my short lived messiah days.

With the announcement of 601, Luxology have truly outdone themselves Pixologic style! In one app you have better topo tools than topo gun (which costs USD$100), multi res character sculpting (similar to zbrush) and the best subdiv modeler and now a neat set of character tools that promise to get stuff done at a rapid pace. I have had many app-based conversations with artists and always I keep saying "yes you can use the so-called 'world-class' tools but do they work for Afrika?" I am always about efficiency. Having successfully run an animation and video production studio for 5 years as a one man band and in a collaborative environment with other artists, what I value the most is speed and efficiency. That's why I have used C4D all this time because the app gets the job done fast and efficiently and it's a stable app. My decisions are based on the fact that I don't wish to spend more time on something than what is necessarily. I need to deliver work to the client and move on with life.

With the release of the new MODO, the industry buffs are critical and the forums have statements like "it's still not as feature rich as Maya or xsi", "playing catch up is easier than pushing the boundaries". I appreciate the intellectual conversations but I LOVE the bottom line. "Is it faster?.... yes", "is it stable?.... yes", "Are the tools efficient for everyday use in a studio?(bare in mind... you wont be setting up a muscle system daily),.... yes". Modo has come through with features I love:

  1. super fast character set up with no rigging! (and the bone chain follow the mesh as you draw them??? witchcraft!)
  2. super fast weighting (I hate this time consuming stage and it always bothered me that technology hasnt given us a new alternative)
  3. super fast UV creation
  4. all in one pipeline integration for everything (the only app I forsee leaving the modo interface for is still Zbrush... but only for the really hardcore stuff... all the sculpting features in modo seem to work just fine for everyday use)
  5. super fast renderer that uses all your system resources
  6. skin shader (amongst all the other shaders)
  7. and faster render set up workflow.
  8. mograph-like tools (tools for motion graphics, which are the bread and butter of our work)

these features are not even a fraction of what Modo has brought forward to the table, these features are just what I look forward to adding the the EMG pipeline. With all that there is a price tag of USD1000, which makes it the best priced application in the market.

I believe this is now the time to jump onto the bandwagon as I am sure with updates like 602, they will address and finesse other elements that need adding. 

This doesn't mean we are are leaving our trusted C4D pipeline just yet. The crossover will take at least a year and we wouldn't like to throw away all the Knowledge we have amassed in Maxon's app over the years but we definitely see ourselves using Modo for when we eventually make a movie!

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:04:10 -0800 Progression is essential http://partanimator.com/progression-is-essential http://partanimator.com/progression-is-essential
Wasp

With this weekend project I wanted to test out the hard surface tools. Looked through a number of videos but didn't see a workflow I liked so I made my own. I have started the habit of recording all my projects as I work on them to make training for later.

Workflow was creating the basemesh in c4d then getting model into zbrush. I essentially used the model as a surface guide and begun creating the armour for the wasp using the Topo tools in zbrush  (which I think suck.). Used subtool  master to join all the peices to one mesh and then uv master for the uv's.. c4d for lighting and rendering.

Nqo

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/hcH2WF3VGHlyi enqore enqore enqore