Episode 11 Update - 12/02/24

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Unfortunately, I've not finished scene D. I've gotten further, but based on where I am now, I do not think I'll be able to have this out before the end of the year. An early 2025 release seems likely.

The main special effects of Scene F are now complete and have been passed back to me. All the particle effects (water, dust, etc.) are looking correct and in place now. However, the files are HUGE and I'm having trouble working with the sheer scale of it. As of writing this, I'm having trouble getting it working at all. Seeing as the "final" effects will make this scene even bigger and more complicated, I am contemplating holding off on the "final effects" part until the lighting/camera stuff is finalized, which I'd planned on doing alongside the final animation pass of the entire episode. But I'll decide that when I get a better handle on the files. I thought the Snow fight had some complicated things going on last episode, but I seem to have outdone myself in terms of complexity. I'm getting fantastic results, but very slowly and with great effort. I am thankful to have found an excellent and cost-effective effects guy to work with this time around.

I have not received word from my music guy, other than reassurances that he'll get to finishing what he's doing for me. Despite still not needing the music yet, I anticipate turning to my other resources to finish it off. It's unfortunate, because he does great work, but he seems overwhelmed. Similarly, my sound guy cannot work until Scene D is finished. The post production process is all still being largely bottlenecked by Scene D being incomplete.

Additionally, in an effort to secure the particular merch that I wanted to release alongside the episode, I've sought out and hired specific freelancers to create certain art for me. Unfortunately, this process was not as straightforward as I'd anticipated, and working with and correcting the freelancers has taken more time and energy from me that could have gone into the episode. At the end of the day, I think I'm going to get exactly what I want out of this, but it's really annoyed me how long and drawn out every aspect of what I'm doing seems to be. Here's an in-progress preview of art from one of the shirts being worked on:

I'm trying to progress with my mental health as well, but have faced some challenges this past month. I've made sure to make time for family without neglecting the work. Despite everything, things are improving steadily. I'm not where I want to be, but things are better than before.

I am fairly confident that Scene D will be finished this month. I have to. It needs to become the goal of December. If I can lock down this scene, it's downhill from there.