Page 955…
Hey guys.
I wanted to point out that I’m really proud of the LIGHTING in these next few pages.
I’ve finally come around to the theory that just because you’re in a dark room…you can’t have some lights in it.
I’ve always tried to light “naturally”, but felt they lacked any cinematic quality.
So after watching Fellowship of the Rings again…I realized that if Gandalf and gang could be in a CAVE with no electricity and no flames…and still look that nice.
Then I could play around in a sleep lab.
🙂
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So I hope you enjoy.
Oh…and some more nice reviews on some of our younger reader books.
If you have any kids…or know of any ages 5-10 that would like a fun read…please check some of these titles out at your local bookstore.
 
 
 
Hm. Those covers look very familiar… oh yeah! That’s right! I own those books! 😀
I think Alex is going to have Nicole write a note. I see he has some of Orion’s special note paper there.
You are totally right Scott. Remember that the point of a comic or any graphical story from a “camera” is made to put the audience in the setting. And in dark places, our eyes adjust, right? Very cool that you have done this. It looks great too!
I hear ya. I’ve done some 3D rendering before and I’ve noticed that getting the lighting right in a “dark” scene is pretty tricky stuff. It looks like you’re done a great job here though!
I love the expression on Alex’s face in the last panel: so much anguish
I think Alex couldn’t have said it any better than in that last panel. No drama. No talking around the subject. Just get straight to the point. I’m already anxious to see what Nicole’s reaction will be…
I think Nicole will have a majour reaction to this.
Especialy now that she saw the stuff dissapear before her eyes.
DUN DUN DUUUNN!
This is the explanation I had to wait a whole day???… 4 letters???… “Orion showed me how”???
Aaaaaa… LOTR…. you are my kind of a guys!!!
Yeah, what is that, papyrus? Wouldn’t notebook paper work just as well, as long as it’s in the medicine bag?
Unless, of course, that paper contains a note meant for Nic, which would be totally understandable, right?
A few observations.
First, I agree with Arvamas on the lighting. Yes, it’s the first time we’ve seen TDC lit this way and it is very effective.
Next, we’re 14 chapters into TDC and now for the first time some plot points happened in Dreamland that we didn’t see: Alex tells everyone his plan (presumably), Orion gives him new paper, and teaches Alex how to wake up. Did we, the readers need to see these things? Nope. But I suspect that’s because it’s taken this long before we waking-land readers are comfortable with the concept of activities going on in Dreamland without our seeing them.
To further Rebehah’s point, Alex’s expression is one of empathy as well. Quite a change from his earlier attitude of “Me first”, all the time.
jakesDad, I reckon that’s part of growing up, innit?
I like that sequence. It’s strong and full of emotion.
Yes the lighting is very well done, i am impressed!
Great lighting! And you couldn’t do much better than take LOTR as a model.
And it’s not supposed to be complete darkness, they came in through the lit doorway, and they can clearly see each other.
I just wanted to say I think the lighting looks GREAT in these panels. It definitely shows you it’s dark, while still allowing you to see everything. Nicely done.
Don’t you mean 4 WORDS???
Great page. I love that we are left to fill in the events in our own minds. I think it emphasizes the urgency that Alex is feeling.
I remember playing with lighting in 3D Studio Max, and I remember it to be quite the challenge. Indeed you did an awsome job with the lighting. Withe the LotR lighting in the caves, it still doesn’t quite make sense why some of the lighting is the way it is (shining from below on Frodo’s face), but with your scene you could always attribute it to that ray of light coming from Under the door in the Hallway, or a Street light out the window. Just b/c the lights are far away or from a small source doesn’t meen they won’t cast enough light on an object in order to illuminate it in a dark room. Keep up the Awsome, work, I look forward to it every week day morning when I get off my 3rd shift work, then I go to sleep… wish I could still go to Dreamland.
While I loathe doing night lighting, I have to admit if done right it can look a million times cooler that any day time lighting.
And you have done a great job!
Nicole’s reaction should be interesting to say the least. I think I see what they’re gonna be doing here. They get a message from Nicole, take it to Felicity and all is fixed.
Wonderful job on the lighting! And I fully agree… There’s no reason to have part of LOTR black screened just because they’re in a cave. Sure… cuts back on the budget needed, and you can say, “filmed on location” and be completely “realistic” with it… Somehow I don’t see that working for the audience or investors either…
Same goes with Dreamland… but minus the cave location… and the budget… and the… Yeah… Lighting looks awesome Scott! ^.^
~Prince Demitri
that ‘d be a poor job – albeit, I admit, letting Felicity die would darken the generally very lifted up overall attitude of the story significantly – well, but to let go of someone, to say good bye for good – it’s also part of that process called “coming of age” (is that the right set o’ words for what I wanna say? Mean growing up).
wow. Today’s page is just awesome!! From the lighting to the simple dialog, it conveys so much. Love it! 😀 Cannot wait to see tomorrow’s page & am so very glad it’s not Friday!! ;D
Thanks all!
SO glad you liked it. And so glad you get what I’m trying to do.
Hope you have a wonderful day. All of you.
🙂
Three words to explain the light in the cave. Gandalf’s Beard Glows.
Excellent lighting. Using LOTR as an inspiration is also a plus. Totally amazing how much love and effort went into those movies.
The lighting looks amazing. I love it!
Wow. The lighting is amazing, Nicole jumping into the light in the third panel was brilliant, and the emotion on Alex’s face in the fourth panel is perfect. Judging by the third panel, Nicole won’t fight this new breach of reality too-too much and quickly agree to Alex’s plan, and once again we won’t see the contents of the letter. Scott definetely read Priness Bride alright.
Great job Scott… also.. got the cards in the mail yesterday, thanks!
hehe, i love how Nicole is putting away the electrode thing in the first 2 panels, and then suddenly jump into the conversation in the 3rd panel XD
Great. Thank you. Hope you liked the sketch.
🙂
Tomorrow on Dreamland Chronicles… Will Alex be able to get back to Dreamland in time to help Felicity…? or will he arrive seconds or even hours too late since he has no control over how much time passes for him being away from dreamland in comparison to how long he is awake?… Stay tuned for more…
I wondered back when he bailed off the tower with Felicity and he woke up if Felicity would already have made it to the ground when he slept again or if he would come back at the exact instant that he left Dreamland and thus be able to save her as well. This instance will no doubt be similar; He’ll probably come back in the knick of time to save Felicity once more with his own plan this time instead of Dan giving him the idea to cut the castle wall in half. I hope Nicole has some inspiring words for her old childhood friend.
impatiently waiting for the end of this storyline wiht felicity, wanna read it in one big rush^^
Superb job on the lighting! One must remember that in any of the theatrics, total natural lighting would rarely be enough to show the audience all they need to see. Special lighting has the purpose of conveying mood, and ambiance, as well as visibility. It can guide the emotions and provide a whole new dimension to a scene. Sometimes one even has to cheat a little, to make a picture seem real. I’ve heard it said that some scenes need to be “larger than life”. Great work, Scott!
Lighting? Epic and more movie-ish. You can be on your way in making that movie Scott.
Really well done page – the lighting is very effective.
I wonder if anything from this world could cross over in the pouch? You’d think it’d be worth a try, like a small photo of Nicole for Felicity, or her old childhood sketch. I also wonder if anything besides the paper could cross over from Dreamland, like the ring Nastajia gave Joey. Probably simplest for all concerned if it’s just the paper that can make the crossing.
I can’t wait to see how Nicole responds – but I guess I’ll have to. 🙂
Nice work as usual, Scott.
“Orion showed me how.” Amazing how the proper motivation got Alex to learn something so fast.
wow, nice excuse to light up the dark!
lol ur crazy u know!
dang Alex is sooooo cute! i would totally date him if it weren’t for Nastajia.
good grief! too much suspense!!!!
Come on, save Felicia! Help me, Nicole-Wan, you’re my only hope! ::on pins and needles, wondering how this is going to pan out::
I give you major props. I was in torment while I was away on vacation in July and couldn’t read a week’s worth of pages, and it wasn’t during a cliffhanger arc either.
What will happen next? And how did Alex learn to wake up? Scott, you are the master of mini cliffhangers (and regular ones too)!
Alex is going to turn into a narcoleptic kid now! Soon he’ll learn how to fall asleep and wake up on cue! xD
I’m actually surprised Scott that it took you this long to “master” the lighting technique for dark areas. Not complaining though, what came out was excellent! Just thought you’d figured it out some time ago, but better late than never! Also like how you fixed the Jukebox. Keep up the great work.
Lighting is great. People wouldn’t appreciate “natural lighting” if it was truly used in indoor scenes in movies. Just about every scene in a movie is unnaturally lit in ways to highlight the elements in the scene you want to see. Same goes for good 3d renders (certainly for mine). I probably would have lit the scene differently, but this way’s quite nice!
I got my cards too — thanks, and you’re welcome!
BOOOO!!!
possibly because hes been drawn without a single skin imperfection…
.. if you want a boyfriend like that take him to a plastic surgeon
Ah yes, I do remember now how Orion helps him wake up at will 😀 and yeah good job on the lighting. It does look like how it would after the eyes have adjusted.
Not to mention that hospital (or sleep lab) instruments can put off a surprising amount of light.
😉
Lighting = good.
Shocking! Felicity! You can’t die! Not yet at least!