Mitchell Hammond

Metal Gear Jumps WIP 6

I've come to realise, animating Metal Gear wasn't the hardest thing to animate, explosions and dust is. This is only 9 frames out of 30 so hopefully this week I can FINALLY get this thing done. Until tomorrow.

Metal Gear Jumps WIP 5

Thought I'd draw and animate the dust clouds before moving onto the tank shell explosion, which is what I'll do now. Also I'll add the usual filters and level changing to finish it off.

Metal Gear Jumps WIP 4

Finally got the jump down, now to spend my weekend drawing up the background then next week the tank shell explosion as well as dust clouds for Metal Gear's stomps.

Metal Gear Jumps WIP 3

Slowly getting there, still need to get it to it's final mark before leaping off screen, then it's onto the background and tank shell explosion. Bed time now and then back to work tomorrow... after work-work. 

Metal Gear Jumps WIP 2

Got a hop down, now to get him stomping toward the camera and leaping off screen. Easier said then done. Back to it.

Metal Gear Jumps WIP

Finally drawn everything in place now I have to get the bastard moving. The idea is for him to side step the tank shell then start running into a lowered position before leaping out of frame. I've added some doodles below I did while at work to sort of frame the initial movements out.


This will definitely be a ...

Tank Fires Complete

Wanted this finished yesterday but my mind wasn't in the right place, work and life and all that. Later today I'll upload a thumbnail sketch of the next shot; Metal Gear dodging a tank shell and leaping into the sky.

Tank Fires WIP 2

A few days ago I uploaded a different version of this (attached) but I wasn't happy as I felt it was too flat so I decided to scrap it and redo into what you see here. Tomorrow I hope to have this shot complete and we can move on, essentially it will play out the same way as the attached gif. Also I forgot to add the cannon's shadow on the grass, will get to that.

Tank Fires WIP

Haven't had the chance to work on the project much this week, but hopefully I can get around to animating this tomorrow. The way the overall shot will work is the tank will fire then the camera will quickly start panning to the right, following the tank shell as it speeds by before cutting to the next shot. Doesn't sound as interesting as I think I can make it. Well, better get started, but now... sleep.

Metal Gear meets Tank Unit

So I compiled what I've done so far into a clip, unfortunately Patreon doesn't allow for direct uploads so here's a YouTube link I've unlisted.  I've noticed the camera jerks quickly when it pans to the emerging tank but I'm only noticing this on practically every playback except the raw file so not sure what's going on there. There will always be time to fix stuff in future.

Cigarette Burns Complete

Now with the stand off done we can finally move onto the actual conflict. I'll draw up a thumbnail tomorrow for the next shot but for now, sleep world.

Cigarette Burns WIP 2

The final version will have the cigarette raising into position before the inhale begins, still need to get it all the way down to the orange point of the paper. Also - smoke, gotta add smoke. Until tomorrow.

Cigarette Burns WIP

As I mentioned in the previous post, the cigarette being ignited will act as a fuse which will explode into the up coming action sequence. The camera will follow the inhaling of the cigarette all the way down to the filter, speeding up before cutting. Will start first thing tomorrow after work.

Soldier Lights Up Complete

Almost finished with this whole stand off build up sequence, all I need to do now is the close up of the cigarette burning down like the lit fuse of a cannon, a good way to lead into the first tank firing a shot at Metal Gear. I'll post a thumbnail sketch next.

Soldier Lights Up WIP 2

Soldier's now animated, next step; drawing in the background, which I hope to get done before Monday. Let's go.

Edit: His arm disappears a little too quickly at the end there so I'll fix that.

Soldier Lights Up WIP

Need to have him actually light his cigarette, I'm still thinking about whether or not having him take a drag before the shot cuts to a close up of the cigarette so not sure yet. I took several photos of my hand doing all the movements so I could get it how I wanted, plus I grayed out the background here so you can get a better visual on the flame. Tattoo on his arm is wobbling about so gotta fix that. Obviously the background's yet to be drawn up but all in due time. 

Desert Tank Closeup Complete

No work in progress posts for this one as I decided to just take the previously drawn tank from when it first emerged a few shots ago, blew it up, added some extra shine and scratches then animated the cannon. You might be a little worried about your wallets right now what with the amount of shots I've pumped out lately but fret not, the next few shots will be dedicated to the first soldier lighting up his cigarette with a match, so suffice to say it will take a little longer to get finished....

Recoilless Rifle Soldier Closeup Complete

You may have noticed I changed the title of the previous post, it was named LAW Soldier Closeup but what he's holding is a recoilless rifle so I had to change it. Like I said another static shot, the next shot will be yet another static shot with the camera right in front of the first Tank's cannon looking down at its head. Trust me it will make more sense than how I just described it. Anywho, same old story, I'll draw up a thumbnail and post it here tomorrow.

Recoilless Rifle Soldier Closeup WIP

Thought I'd post a thumbnail sketch as I forgot to with the previous soldier, I actually drew this a few weeks ago while at work to preempt for this shot. Haven't detailed out the rocket launcher but I'll flesh that out on screen. Again another static shot so all I'll need to do today is simply draw this up.

RPG Soldier Closeup Complete

With this bastard out of the way, it's onto the next bastard, the recoilless rifle wielding soldier. Let's move it.

RPG Soldier Closeup WIP

Still need to create the background and animate the bandana flowing behind him. For now, bed time.

Gray Tank Closeup Complete

Not much to say with this one, drew it up in a few hours and like I said previously this is a static image. I've also added the thumbnail sketch I worked from. Next up, the RPG soldier's closeup, won't be entirely static as I'll animate the bandana ends flowing behind him. I'll upload a thumbnail scribble tomorrow.

Metal Gear Eye Module Complete

A rather simple shot, the next few shots will be individual close ups of each of the tank unit members and tanks. These will be static, with a few with minimal animation so I shouldn't have too much of a problem getting them done by next week. Next up is a close up on the gray tank. Until tomorrow...

Metal Gear Eye Module WIP 2

Drawn it up, now to get that head turning. Back to work.

Metal Gear Eye Module

Just a small thumbnail sketch from a low angle shot of the eye module. This will be a static shot with the eye module slowly turning right as Big Boss observes his fodder. Now to doodle it on screen.

Tank Unit Wide Shot Complete

Haven't uploaded much of the process lately, I sort of just wanted to get this shot done and finally I can get to the closeup shots of not only Metal Gear but each tank unit member, symbolising a stand off. I'll through up a thumbnail tomorrow of Metal Gear's closeup. Anywho, bed time.

Tank Unit Wide Shot WIP 2

Still need to draw the sky, and add some detail to the grass then we can get to drawing in the soldiers and actually animate Metal Gear's foot stomping into shot. Back to work tomorrow...

Tank Unit Wide Shot

Still drawing out the background, I'll draw the soldiers after I've drawn everything up. The idea is Metal Gear's foot will stomp into the foreground at the end of the take. Not too much to add, now for bed and to continue tomorrow. Toodles.

Tank Unit Reveal Complete

Sorry for the delay, I went through 3 versions of the soldier at the end before I was satisfied, attached is a version I rejected. Also the gif moves a little fast I should have reduced the frame rate a bit. Next shot will be a wide shot of the tank unit ending with Metal Gear's foot stomping into frame, I might get a thumbnailed sketched tomorrow. 

Also, I'm going to start charging again. I've lost a few patrons lately and I might lose more. But, that's the grind.

Tank Unit Reveal WIP 4

Right, done with the tank, now to draw and animate the RPG soldier and we can call this shot a day. Better get to it.