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So anyone who has known me for a good while knows that Im actually an animator at heart. And infact started of an animated series back in 2002. Called Rival. At the time flash animation had started to really take off, and cinematic stick animation had become quite popular. Rival was an over the top B movie action series. Made for many to have a laugh, and enjoy some sticks with somewhat a wild plot and over top nonrealistic action. As time went on though the series pushed for a graphical and scripted improvement. Even though unintentionally keeping the cliches which made rival popular i still get messages today about it, to complete the series

There are those who take it too seriously though, giving wild comments such as, "You can't shoot a chopper down with a gun, this is just f'n ridiculous". Yet completely fine with a Lamborghini jumping a truck in the originals. Like film critcs, people need to learn to relax with an animation or film. Take it the way it is, and take it all with a pinch of salt. It's entertainment, and entertainment doesn't have to be real.

So whats this post all about?
Well for starters, if you have seen Rival 1 - 3. Then go have a watch if you have the time. Back in early 2010 i comp'ed the first three episode together for ease of watching. These were created back in 2002-2003. When I just had begun getting used to flash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMHFhjX myv8

In 2009 I decided to try and continue the series, for part 4. As I really do feel that I should finish one project, before going onto another. But this time, try making it in 3D, using 2D Flash techniques, to keep the consistency in style. You can see part 4 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqdBTTh CaZg

Unfortunately straight after Rival 4: Demise, I admit i became a bit lazier and never continued 5 as I should have. However it doesn't mean that it's dead. Actually quite the opposide now. Rival 5, is actually back on full surge, and actually has had a regutting. I realised purely due to the sheer mass of things to do in Rival 5 it will have to be a collaboration project, and have recently recruited a partner. In my view a proffessional character animator who's skill is well up there. So im really please to have Bassam on board, he has fantastic staging ideas as well as ability and he can only raise the bar.

In addition I can see Rival 5 being the best part yet, and not only that, the concluding part to finish off the series to give everyone who has followed the series a deserved ending. Thanks to all for watching.

Technique wise we've certainly expanded. Previously it was just all flash. Then I added Lightwave to make it 3D, with after effects for compositing, with fllash animated effects. With the upcoming Rival, our visual pipeline is looked to grow even further. Consisting of the following.

> Flash and Photoshop for Textures.
> Lightwave and Maya for Modelling.
> Maya for Rigging and Animation, Effects, with MDD baked animation.
> Lightwave for Rendering, Additional Effects, and Rendering Passes
> Aftereffects for Compositing
> Adobe Premier for Editing

Compression, scripting, music, sound design, storyboard, are all using dedicated packages. But i'd just bore you I'd imagine by the process. So we have a lot to go through and a long road ahead of us, however Im really looking forward to concluding something which is easily going to be over a decade of my life.

For an example of what kind of visuals to expect, The image below shows a comparison of Rival 4, and Rival 5 environment versions. You can also see this animated in 720p here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQxllK4 4-aY

So, plenty more to come guys! Right now we're on rescripting the last episode. Next stage is concepts/actors/storyboards and thumbnails. Yes. That's right we're EVEN thumbnailingevery shotto make it is descriptive as it can be visually.

Stay Tuned!