*Update*

WELL.

Talk about it being about time for an update!  If this happens again, we are going to have to start calling these bi-annual updates.  Humor aside, even though we are not posting updates constantly, we have NOT by any means stopped working on the film.  On the contrary, we have been diligently getting the props, animation, and VFX as pristine and polished as we possibly can. 

As you might have guessed, the film will not be finished by this August (as we had originally planned). When making this film and predicting its date of completion, we forgot to take one factor into account – LIFE.  As both of us get older, we find that we are assuming more and more responsibilities and consequently have less and less time to work on this film.  From me (BuilderBrother John) graduating from high school and starting college last year, to both me and BuilderBrother Daniel looking for and having summer jobs, our lives have been hectic to say the least.

Since it has been so long since our last update though, it is only fitting that we show a few behind-the-scenes shots.  Here is a before and after scene we were editing recently:

Here is a behind-the-scene look at a trick we used (to make animating easier) to make the Squire appear to be walking up steps:

And finally, here is a step-by-step demonstration of the effects we put into one of our shots:

Please note that that both the horse and background are moving, so that is why we added the background blur.

Also, on a side note, we will be going once again to Bricks by the Bay this year.  Like last year, we will be giving a talk on Saturday about Brickfilming (for attendees only), and our castle will be there along with the village as well.  We are also excited about showing off the village since we have made quite a few changes to the setup and even motorized a few elements.  We would post pictures, but we are still working on getting it completely ready for Bricks by the Bay.

Hopefully next update won’t be so delayed, and let us know if any of you are going to make it to Bricks by the Bay, either as an attendee or as a visitor on public day.  We would love to meet you!

At this point I think we're all expecting this film to be nothing less than epic; I am so excited!

Youtube Channel

Yeah, the annual update has arrived!

Anyway, kidding aside, it looks to be coming along quite well.

I do have a question, while using so many visual effects/filters does give it a certain, very polished, look, what was your reasoning behind doing the movie like that? I'm sure it causes headaches for whatever brother is doing the post-work, and takes a lot of your already limited time. That's not to say I don't like it, or that it doesn't look fantastic, I'm just curious. (Mostly because I lean to the other side of the spectrum, and try to do everything in-shot as possible.)

I noticed that you didn't mention a new release date, or a guess at how much is completed. While I'm the same way with announcements, it would be nice to know roughly how much is done.

The stair trick is a great idea, and the scale of this project is fantastic. Can't wait to see more, and can't wait to count the number of lenses flares in the final thing.

I think most of what the BuilderBros. are trying to do would be nearly impossible and/or ridiculously long/hard to do in camera. The scale of their film is also rather large so to avoid having to purchase extra software or Lego, they just decided to use computer effects (Albeit, AE and C4D both cost into the 1000's). Personally I think it currently enhances the film, although I certainly hope that other aspects don't suffer due to additional emphasis placed on the effects.

The frames look good, BB. I do think that the effects might have been a little too heavy for this shot, but I'll wait until the release to see it in motion.

*Special Update*

Though this doesn't directly pertain to The Squire and the Scroll, we thought this was important enough to go in this thread.  After a very long wait, we finally got to go on a tour of Pixar!  We all had a great time, and it was awesome to have Andrew Gordon, one of the supervising animators at Pixar, as our guide.  We got to have lunch with him in the Luxo Café (Pixar's private cafeteria), and then he took us all over the main building and even showed us a little of the stuff in the development building.  Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in many areas, but here are some pictures we were allowed to take:

Outside the main entrance with our Pixar hats on:

Under the "Monster's University" arch right inside the gate:

In front of an enormous mural in the development building with Andrew Gordon himself:

Next to "Luxo," the Pixar lamp mascot:

We also got to go into Andrew Gordon's not-so-secret secret room, Lucky 7 (aka the "Love Lounge").  Overall we had a great time, and it will definitely be an experience that we will not be forgetting any time soon.

I don't use Facebook, so thanx for posting here as well!!!!!

Would you mind if I borrowed this technique? It's the answer to a lot of problems I've been having.

BTW I've been coming back to this thread every few months, and I'm really excited for the finished film! Any idea when you'll be able to release it?

"Nothing goes down 'less I'm involved. No nuggets. No onion rings. No nothin'. A cheeseburger gets sold in the park, I want in! You got fat while we starved on the streets...now it's my turn!" -Harley Morenstein

Oh yeah, I think I remember that. Guess it's just old hat to pros like you guys!

"Nothing goes down 'less I'm involved. No nuggets. No onion rings. No nothin'. A cheeseburger gets sold in the park, I want in! You got fat while we starved on the streets...now it's my turn!" -Harley Morenstein

Well, I'd say that it appears you're going to end up being on time for that bi-annual update.
jk. I'm sure you're both quite busy with school and life and stuff. I just hope you guys haven't decided to give up, as you've put so much effort into this already. If you're still working on it, I can't wait to see the next update (whenever it shall be).

2nd place Darkness and Light entry: The Tree
Behind the Scenes