The Infernal Machine

The Infernal Machine comes from Team Awesomeness Reloaded, a project undertaken as a master project at Bournemouth University, the short film features a rag tag team who have been sent to repair, The Infernal Machine…….. “From Hell!!”, with dire consequences. We spoke to Harold Cheng to get the about the teams journey into the underworld.

Who?
Harold Cheng – Art Direction, Character Design, Modeller, Texturer, Compositor
Lai Yeow Kuang – Storyboarder, Animatics and Layout, Animator
Chua Han Xiang – R&D, Rigging, Animator
Teo Wei Yong – Music, Sound Effects

What?
Set in Hell, “The Infernal Machine” explores the relationship between two maintenance demons as they struggle to repair the titular machine, with hilarious results!

Why?
It was made as part of our Masters project at Bournemouth University. As a group we decided to put in extra effort so we could show it off as a solid, film-festival-ready part of our portfolios. We were strongly inspired by the rough, sketchy artstyle of shorts such as Bo Mathorne’s ‘Backwater Gospel’, MTV’s ‘Codehunters’ and games such as Gearbox Software’s ‘Borderlands’.

How?
The short was primarily realized in Softimage XSI, with the 2D effects realized in Flash. Programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Aftereffects, Nuke, and Premiere were used at various parts of the project. We got our distinctive art style by tweaking the lights so that there would be no falloffs in the shadows, and by painting the ‘toon’ outlines into the textures themselves.

Next Project?
We have some ideas up in the air but, because we need food money, will join forces again once we’ve all found work!