The Browser:
After stumbling upon the Mozilla Firefox Ad Contest in early February, I immediately began working on my submission, almost instinctually. I have always been a supporter of this browser, referring nearly 98% or more, of people I come in contact with, to it. I'm enthused, and excited to see the submissions derived from all participants!
I have always been more than appreciative of the Firefox browser ever since the day I discovered it. As any web developer will tell you, there is a true beauty in a browser that interacts, and properly displays websites adhering to web standards. The promotion of this browser, is nearly a revolution, one that the average person would never be able to fully grasp.
For years, developers like myself have had to write additional code, and in many circumstances, break perfectly valid code, in order to have our designs display in a browser that nearly 90% of web users had been using. Even worse yet, was the fact that those additional codes and broken segments, would not display properly, or even display at all, in the other 10% of browsers, and because of this, a monopoly was beginning to occur. This monopoly of sorts has been unseen by the public eye, but suspiciously realized, and voiced by many who for years went unheard. The inconsistency of code due to this, has been holding us back from advancing into the full potential of how we utilize the internet.
To me, FireFox is much more than just a faster, more secure, easier to use, customizable, and free browser. It is a landmark, that will pave the way to advancements in internet technology. Already beginning to take place, websites are no longer functioning simply as a means to display information, but have begun to act as standalone executables, producing new innovations in the way we see and interact with our world.
Now, with the importance of Web Standards being realized, and with a browser that adheres to them while still providing the content in all its glory, it is my belief that internet content and functionality will evolve. It will take on an organic formation, made up of millions of people worldwide, all working with a universal structure and language, breaking the limits of what the internet can do, and discovering new ways to utilize its awesome potential. Entire operating systems can manifest.
Whether the developers realized this or not, is irrelevant. The fact is, Firefox supports one of the most important aspects of the internet today, and it is my hope that people worldwide will begin to see this, and do the right thing.
What has driven me more than the prizes, and any other additional benefits that may ensue, is my utter belief in this product, and the desire to bring its beauty into the spotlight. It is this passion that is the undying motivation behind my work in progress, and furthers my determination to squeeze 150% of my creative talents, skills, and knowledge into 30 seconds of film.
As a participant, I have realized that I come from a very unique position.
Unlike many of the participants that have posted, I'm working with very limited resources, but I refuse to let that deter me from making the best 30 sec spot possible, utilizing what I have, and pushing the limits and capabilities of what little I have to work with. In many ways, this has become an opportunity for me to prove to myself, and others, that even with what little I do have to work with, greatness can still be achieved. And I hope that this may possibly help to motivate others who may have given up hope, due to lack of equipment and resources. Take inspiration from the people of Mozilla! If they can go up against the big guys, and successfully compete as they have, then why can't we! If there's a will, there's a way!
Every aspect of my production so far has been built from the ground up, with only myself, and a single computer to work with.
After jotting down a few storyboards and scripts, it became quickly apparent that without a camera, many would not be possible. However, one in particular, stood out from the rest, and possessed solid, impactful words, and imagery, that I felt confident in being able to produce successfully without the use of a camera.
I began the process of building the submission, using 2d images, and animating them, adding effects and lighting, to achieve the imagery I was seeking originally, and to moreover gain a more solid direction of where I was going with it.
Without going into too much detail of my script and what the spot will fully contain, here are frames of my original workings, using the 2d images:
This early test, although somewhat agreeable, lacked the depth and impact I was seeking. Now realizing that in order to achieve what I was after, would have to be done outside of the 2d software I was used to working with, and I found myself now exploring a realm that up until now, I was unfamiliar with... 3d.
After much trial and error, I was able to produce and animate a Photo-Realistic rendering of a 3 dimensional Earth.
Here shown are 4 frames from that sequence:
Now, satisfied with the quality and render, it now became time to integrate other aspects that would intensify, and better voice the imagery related to the voiceover script, and help accent the tones. The hardest part of my project thus far, has been the time consuming rendering of the 3d objects. Needless to say, rendering nearly 900 frames, of 3 dimensional images containing anywhere from 988-4067 polygons in the objects, tends to make any computer a little slower than normal. With the rendering complete, I can once again channel my creativity back into the piece.
With nearly all scenes completed in my piece, soundtrack and voiceover complete, editing nearly finished, I will most likely continue tweaking, and fine tuning every aspect.
Thank You Everyone @ Firefox Flicks, and Mozilla, for the opportunity to share my work, and for providing such a great product!
Christopher Richard Kunferman
CRK Design
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