Great Grandmother has been added

I decided to do the rest of Grandma's family. I was going to make them before, but I've decided to incorperate them into the story. I wanted to keep the stop simple by only making it about the father and daughter relationship. However, I feel this'll make an even stronger emphasis on family values and what each of them lost. It's also good to show that Yuri is the rebel in the family by comparing her to her two sisters.

This is Yuri's mother. She was effected by the loss of her fine china that she had for a long time and valued them very much. Her jewelery were also taken. I gave her a green dress just for the sake of being able to easily pick her out in a crowd. Cause all of us asians look the same. Hopefully, I'll have enough time to squeeze in her story as well as Yuri's two sisters.



Just for kicks, here's my set up. This is what my room looks like clean.

Animation Test 2

I wanted to test out the new model, before going about my thesis. I still need to slow down and get some more frames in between the movements. I also need thinner wire.

Animation Test 2 from Jason Hata on Vimeo.

*Side Project: Ori Gellman's thesis

Helping out a fellow classmate, by modeling and texturing a scene for him. He modeled and rigged the arm chair, as well as the television and tv stand. He also modeled the door/door knob. I volunteered to do the rest.

Stranger completed

The "Stranger" in my thesis has been completed, meaning all six of the cast members are ready to go.





The story regarding the "Stranger" relates to the story told in the Car Model post. The Stranger is not based on a specific person, but holds the essence of the evil men back then. In terms of design, I had influences from a slick businessman type style and (believe it or not) Count Dracula. The focal point of this piece has to be the eyes. Zooming very closely, his eyes are red. I also needed them to be wide because I felt seeing so much of the whites of his eyes made him look more sinister. He represents desire and darkness.

Car Model

The model was created by Ori Gellman. To me, the car scene is one of the most important part of my thesis. This is the first time when we physically see what the executive order really did to Japanese-Americans.

During this time, those of Japanese decent had two weeks to pack up whatever they wanted in a single suitcase and that was all they could take with them. Because of this, many families had to leave behind everything else that they owned. Many would think that they were able to sell their possessions, but that is not the case. It's possible that friends of the Japanese families would buy or will be given the possessions. However, there were so many greedy men who's desire would make people's lives during the evacuation much much worse. These men/women would offer next to nothing, if any money at all for their possessions. For the most part, so much was stolen and there was nothing we could do about it. As awkward as it sounds, acceptance was the general atmosphere behind 9066.



In my thesis, a "Stranger" comes over to examine the car. Yuri's father walks over to make an offer. However, the Stranger's eyes admire what could be his. "Why pay for something, that'll just be free in a week?" He attempts to steal the car.

My Grandmother didn't really commit the following, however this action was done in reality and she kicked herself for not actually doing it. In my story, while the Stranger is stealing the car, Yuri is seen with a baseball bat and smashes up the car. The idea is that the car is going to be gone no matter what. So if you're going to lose the car...you might as why beat the shit out of it! Many Japanese simply placed the keys under the seat, in the clove compartment or under the mirror; as if saying, "Here, enjoy your car!" I wanted my Grandmother to do what everyone should have done during this time.

Little Soldier Boy completed

This is the Little Soldier Boy. He's very shy and quiet, with no dialog in the entire story (even the dog has lines)

This character is based off a real life person who helped my Grandma during this time. In the real story, my Grandfather was able to get my Grandmother out of the camps for a day or so, so that they could get married in Chicago. After they got married, Grandpa had to return Yuri back to the camps. Both of them waited at the train station, when a sheriff came by, "What are you Japs doin here?"

My Grandfather presented the paper work concerning Yuri's temporary leave from the camps. "...Well, it's a good thing you had this, or I would've thrown you two in jail." the sheriff said and walked away. Grandma was very upset and afraid. After getting married, she had to return to the racist world and horrible camps. Soldiers started to march by her. One by one, they kept on moving, until..."Thump!" Onto the seat next to my Grandmother, there was a cardboard box. Inside were rations, cans of soda, and magazines. My Grandmother was so happy, but when she looked up, all she saw were the marching soldiers. So in a loud voice, she shouted, "Thank you!" hoping the little soldier boy would hear.



In my thesis, I changed the story just a little bit. Instead of my grandfather, I had Yuri's father sitting next to her. It would've been too late to introduce another character. Plus, I needed to patch up the broken relationship between Yuri and her father, before the "train" arrives. The Little Soldier Boy sees Yuri upset on the bench, hesitates, and then walks over to quickly give her the box, before running off. To cut on time, I won't show what's in the box. I'll make Yuri's expression joyful to show whatever the contents are in the box, it has to be a good thing. His helmet is obviously too big on him. As stated before, Yuri didn't know who gave her the box. I wanted to keep that spirit and design this character perfectly to show cuteness, shyness, and mysteriousness. I want the soldier to hesitate a little, before making his way to drop off the box. I want to show that because this is such a racist time, the soldier boy might be scolded or made fun of for helping someone of Japanese decent. But for the most part, I wanted to show that whatever is in the box, it must've meant a lot to himself. By giving away his possession just to help out a Japanese girl, shows that kindness can be found among men of this time.