Channel Frederator Blog

I had imaginary friends when I was little. I used to play 4 Square with them. Don’t ask…
However, I’ve never had a decapitated head for a friend. YET, at least.
Chris Nabholz gives us a very well done short which walks a thin line between Quaint and Disturbing. Chris took some time to answer a few of our Channel Frederator Questions.

1. Can you describe your process, from research to storyboarding, to achieving the final product? (which was fantastic, btw)
I came up with the story during my third year at Ringling College of Art and Design as part of the senior thesis curriculum. I spent about three months developing the story’s concept and storyboards, which were reviewed numerous times by teachers and peers. I simultaneously developed the visuals, such as character designs, environments and geographic locations. At the same time, I created an animatic.
After the story was finalized and the visual designs were working, I started modeling the 3D assets needed.

2. Who are some of your influences?
I was mostly influenced by the work of my peers at Ringling. I don’t generally try to emulate the work of a single artist; instead, I try to find inspiration through my research. For example, during the production of “Respire, Mon Ami,” I researched a lot of French engravings, as well as early 20th century photographs of French fashion, architecture, and life.

3. What were some of the obstacles and hurdles you had to deal with in the making of this film?
The single biggest obstacle was the production schedule. I had less than five months to model, rig, texture, animate, light and composite Respire, Mon Ami. Although five months sounds like a lot of time, it’s not, as anyone who has animated understands. I also had a limit as to how long it could take each of my frames to render, so finding creative solutions for rendering visually complex scenes was also a challenge.

4. Did you know that a human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it has been decapitated? Hypothetically speaking, if your head was ever cut off (We hope not!), what would be the last thing you hope to see?
I did in fact learn that during my research. Hypothetically speaking, I suppose that if I were beheaded with a guillotine, my perspective would be rather limited by being yoked in the lunette.
However, if I had a last chance to look around, I’d most want to see the bereaved expressions of the onlookers, because I’d like to think I’d be missed. Honestly though, I suspect that onlookers would be there to see a nice bloody beheading, which I would hopefully provide.

5. What are you working on currently?
Currently, I am working on Beowulf as a Lighting Technical Director at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Los Angeles. The film comes out in November and looks like it will be a lot of fun, so I hope you’ll
check it out!

(Beowulf actually looks pretty awesome!!!)
Thanks again for submitting Respire, Mon Ami Chris! Keep in touch!
-Jeaux Janovsky