Скачать или смотреть [SFM] Envelope

Important description stuffs ahoy.

After nineteen months in development and five — count 'em, FIVE — catastrophic computer failures, I am pleased to present my latest Essefem short.

I learned a lot while making this project, particularly in the field of audio design. Thus this video is offered in High Dynamic Range™ — many volume and a good set of headphones are recommended.

Music credits, in order:

Grinspoon — Signpost
The Glitch Mob — Animus Vox
Drive A — Are You Blind?

Dash's vocal performance and motion-capture courtesy of Zanna Nicole.

A note on the wings. I started this project with the normal pony model, but I quickly ran into the same problem I had with my last video: the wings on the stock models just aren't expressive enough. The giant wings are a stylistic choice, and while they may look silly to those used to the normal pony models, it allows me to much better communicate Dash's intentions and manoeuvres, as well as the turbulence associated with high-g aerobatics. I lament the lack of an aerodynamic tail for added affect, but I couldn't make one that didn't look totally awkward (my headcanon deals with that though).

I was inspired by people who draw the ponies in their own style different from the show, particularly those who use more realistic proportions. Truthfully, ponies' wings would need to be much larger anyway to generate enough lift, but I choose to believe that it's pegasus magic at work. The same magic that lets pegasi control the weather also gives them the ability to manipulate air pressure about their body while in flight, continually creating tiny high- and low-pressure zones that act as virtual control surfaces. Thus eliminating the need for a proper tail. Ironically, I've always imagined Rainbow to have noticeably narrower wings than most pegasi, which is what gives her such incredible speed.

As for the funny lighting and obvious skybox, there's nothing I can do about that.