About Me:
Main 2D Application Experience:
My 3D History:
I started out in 3D with Bryce 3D, which came free on the first issue of 3D World magazine, by Future Publishing.
My first animations were based on Star Trek and The Borg. The very first short, created on a 400MHz system, was pretty dodgy, it was very early days. I made part of a remake of this a year later, after I’d learned the program a little more. Then scrapped it, as the Starfleet ships were still very primitive looking.
Everything changed the day Poser 3 arrived on the cover of 3D World. Animated shorts with characters and voices were now at my disposal. Parts for a short called “Harvester Of Sorrows” came about, which I originally started as a story I made in comic form. I had to lip-sync everything manually, but it didn’t look too bad. I’ll be putting together some of that classic animation in the near future, it’d be nice to see how far things have come. I'll also be adding some new scenes to it, as I only rendered a few scenes back in 2001 while working on the project.
I created a showreel of some parts of my work around 2000/2001. It was put to Billie Piper’s Day & Night. Some have said that it’s better then the actual music video. Ha ha. The reel got the notice of Wingmakers, and I was offered my first freelance job for their DVD project. Having an aging pc, and lack of time to complete the over 5 minutes of animation, I had to turn down the offer. The mentioned showreel is now on youtube.
2002
This year saw yet another showreel. This time it was a brand new short, fully created in Bryce, with some images of my work thrown in every now and then. It started in a flooded tunnel, which I originally created for the Wingmakers project. Then moved into a bedroom with images of my work present on the walls and on a rug centred in the room. Moving water and great atmosphere set the tone nicely. I whacked the Terminator 2: Judgement Day theme to this piece. You can only imagine the difference it made, it gave it life.
April 2005
This was a groundbreaking moment, I finished my first proper animated short, Agent: The Introduction. The entire audio sequence was composed by Mark Griff of Digitalsurgery, who requested to be brought in on the project. Mark did all the work for free, and also the audio for the follow-up trailer, Agent: The Return, a project I scrapped after a lot of deliberation. What I did do I’ll put online in due course, with some added visual effects.
2007
I completed an animation job for Stroud Switchgear Ltd., three animated shorts revolving around some basic panel building. These were all created using Bryce. The shorts can be seen here:
Logo Lighting
Curious Creatures
Final Build
Or you can request the free DVD by contacting me direct. The Contracted Work page gives a simple breakdown of the design process.
This was a productive year. I also created a 30 page online comic, titled DESTINY.
I also created the short, ALIAH: An Introduction To The Universe.
2008
Wrapped up the final scenes of the comic for DESTINY: Vol.1 -Clash. Voices and audio completed. 3 songs not created by Dark Project Works have been used in this non-profit movie. They are by Local H, H-Blockx, and Linkin Park.
DESTINY vol.1: CLASH, has come to DVD! It is free to all, but supplies are limited, so contact me now for your free DVD.
Over 1 minute pre-rendered on the AGENT follow-up, NEW DAWN. Unfortunately, this won't end up in the forthcoming movie, as I've now upgraded her base figure. Check out the said animation on the DESTINY DVD, out now from myself, and soon to be online.
Had been awaiting completion of Zign Track for Poser, by Zign Creations. But I may not go down this road yet, as I feel I can lip-sync it all myself through Poser quite well anyways. New technology, so I felt like I had to have it. It's worth checking out if you are someone looking to lip-sync your Poser and/or Animation Master characters, though I feel Animation Master benefits a lot more from this app.
I've been thinking of an in-between project, merging live-action with CG. Whenever I start a new project, I try to give each a different style, to set it apart from the last.
DESTINY has done pretty well for itself since I released the vol.1 DVD. I've hinted for some time now at a vol.2, but decided to scrap it in favor of a straight to DVD feature film. I'll be going for an anime style, as I feel it would best suit a project like DESTINY.
I was going to put all my time into NEW DAWN. But been so busy, that all I've done is the face texture for Conrad Dorton. Things will pick up again in the future, right when you least expect it.
Its been a pretty unproductive year. It can't be helped I guess. In 2009 things should start to pick up again.
2009
Everything's a go on the new DESTINY. This year so far I have also done some freelance logo designs, but my main concentration is on the new DESTINY anime styled CG movie. It's looking really good, with a teaser trailer released at the beginning of May, setting the style expected for the finished product.
I'm currently working on the first movie trailer for DESTINY: The Movie to hopefully boost some funding. Everything seen in the trailer, will be in the movie. I am also writing the screenplay, which gives a lot of background on the main character's and their relationships to each other. This is to be a huge project.
I have also (June 12th 2009) released a teaser image for the new look of NEW DAWN, which has gone for a darker version of the new DESTINY style. Details on this future project are to remain under wraps for the time being.
July 2nd 2009. DESTINY: THE MOVIE - Pre-production trailer, now online!!
September 17th 2009. I have brought Cuddles back to the site, and I'm preparing an animated short for her. Watch this space.
January 2010. A lot happened last year, but also a lot grounded to a halt.
The Cuddles short had to be abandoned due to the ageing base model. She may still have the odd image turn up every now and then, but as for any future animations.....don't expect to see anything any time soon. Unless of course, I completely remake her using the current widely used base model, Victoria 4, by Daz3D.
New Dawn is still on the drawing board, and will still be the second feature film from Dark Project Works, after the completion of Destiny.
Destiny will now be going back to its motion comic format for the movie. This will dramatically increase work flow, providing rich quality in full HD. Added movements are planned to give this motion comic movie a more animated feel, kind of like the teaser for Vol.2 of the original outing, yet the movie will all be in its current anime style. A teaser is being planned for the end of the year, which will feature these improvements.
Talking of motion comics, Desert Earth, the latest edition to Dark Project Works, has arrived. This new project, having no ties to previous stories, is set in yet another grim future for planet Earth. Anything and everything on the planet's surface has been wiped out by the sun, as the survivors seal themselves within domed cities. This is the first project ever, in which I have a starring role. Everyone playing a character in Desert Earth has their own face on screen. It's a massive project and will be taking up most of the year. The first episode arrived in January, the second arrived in April. Episode Three is due June 2010, continuing every other month until completion.
Here's Episode One: New World Order:
JUNE 2010. It's been a very busy first half of the year. I have been struggling to get motivated recently, due to a broken heart and complete frustration over the amount of time Desert Earth is taking from me. I really long for the day I finish this series.
I've also been thinking a lot about my plans for after the series. Destiny keeps coming back to me. It's been a long time since I finished the screenplay, would be a real shame not to make the movie. And then on the other hand, I have the newly retitled "The Agent: New Dawn". This is a character and story which has had so many changes since it's original release in 2005. I would really like to do something with this too.
July 2010. With Desert Earth: Episode Three, finally released, I'm thinking more about my plans for next year. I think jumping straight into another project without a break, will kill me. And trying to release an episode of Desert Earth every month, just isn't possible. So from now until the end of the year, I'll be working on all the renders for episodes 4-8 of Desert Earth. At least then when I release them, they'll be pretty much released back-to-back.
August 2010. Over the past month I've been working on some images for yet another new project. And it has been decided that this will be my main project for next year. It's called Keep Back The Night, and is planned to be an illustrated novel. Ideas are currently being worked on, hopefully it should prove to be quite good. Keep watching this space, or join the facebook page for up to date information.
Just over a week into the month, a music video competition came up. I love new projects, something to challenge me. As I've tinkered with scripting music videos in the past (Wingmakers), this is something I have been dying to do again. Not only does creating the video mean so much to me from a creative standpoint, but it'd also do wonders for Dark Project Works itself.
September 2010. The month has just begun, and the music video is complete. Which means from next week, it's back to Desert Earth.
November 2010. Time has been completely getting away from me recently. So far, only the first scene of Desert Earth: Episode Four is complete, but I am looking to release the episode in full, by Xmas. I have a lot of work to do, as it's a 5 scene episode.
I have also been working on Keep Back The Night, with new images and story insights. I have also started writing the novel! It's a long way off, but the ideas are forming well.
December 2010. The Keep Back The Night: Xmas Special took up a lot of my time this month, so I'm still 2 scenes short on Desert Earth: Episode 4. This will now be released in January 2011. It's not all bad though, as the episode is looking quite nice, and I've been able to use a lot of video clips I created for the recent music video.
Every episode of Desert Earth has a particular overall tone which reflects the title of the episode and is represented brilliantly in it's soundtrack. This series has been a huge trial for me with motion comics and storytelling, something that will surely develop as time goes on.
Anyways, enough from me now, see you in the new year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
January 2011: Desert Earth: Episode 4 arrived this month, and in early February I'll begin working on Episode 5!
There's been a new addition to the Dark Project Works "family", in the form of Avangeline. She'll be cropping up throughout the year as the new supermodel, filling the void left by Cuddles' departure. Here she is below, expect to see more of her in the near future.
July 2011: Desert Earth has arrived with episode seven. Only one episode to go! I'm also working on the DVD project. Only 250 DVD's will be made, so get your orders in while you can. Over 60 have already been allocated!
August 2011: I decided to release the final episode over a month early. As DVD production is in full swing, I figured it only best. Talking of the DVD, it'll be ready to ship by mid October 2011!
Personal info:
Born in Stroud, Glos., UK. Moved to Cornwall, UK, in November 1993, where I live to this date.
I have a son called Oliver, born December 18th 2007. Who I haven’t seen since December 26th 2007. All thanks to his mother.
With the way the current laws are at the moment, mostly giving the mother full rights, whilst keeping the father fighting for rights which should have been there to begin with, it doesn't look like I'll ever be able to see my son.
Basic info:
Name: Duncan Karl Farnden-Marks
E-mail: Duncan@darkprojectworks.com
Age: 28
Children: Oliver Logan
Current location of residence: Cornwall, UK
Willing to relocate: Yes, worldwide
Willing to relocate: Yes, worldwide
3D jobs I'm currently working on:
DESERT EARTH - motion comic series. <LINK>
Other work/non 3D for other people -currently working on:
Nothing for the time being.
Job Title:
Self-taught Freelance 3D artist/animator - with over a decade of experience.
Creator of Dark Project Works, which I have full ownership of.
3D Artist/Animator, Writer, Director.
Creator of Dark Project Works, which I have full ownership of.
3D Artist/Animator, Writer, Director.
Main 3D Application Experience:
Poser, Bryce.
Main 2D Application Experience:
Adobe Photoshop, Anime Studio.
My 3D History:
I started out in 3D with Bryce 3D, which came free on the first issue of 3D World magazine, by Future Publishing.
My first animations were based on Star Trek and The Borg. The very first short, created on a 400MHz system, was pretty dodgy, it was very early days. I made part of a remake of this a year later, after I’d learned the program a little more. Then scrapped it, as the Starfleet ships were still very primitive looking.
Everything changed the day Poser 3 arrived on the cover of 3D World. Animated shorts with characters and voices were now at my disposal. Parts for a short called “Harvester Of Sorrows” came about, which I originally started as a story I made in comic form. I had to lip-sync everything manually, but it didn’t look too bad. I’ll be putting together some of that classic animation in the near future, it’d be nice to see how far things have come. I'll also be adding some new scenes to it, as I only rendered a few scenes back in 2001 while working on the project.
I created a showreel of some parts of my work around 2000/2001. It was put to Billie Piper’s Day & Night. Some have said that it’s better then the actual music video. Ha ha. The reel got the notice of Wingmakers, and I was offered my first freelance job for their DVD project. Having an aging pc, and lack of time to complete the over 5 minutes of animation, I had to turn down the offer. The mentioned showreel is now on youtube.
2002
This year saw yet another showreel. This time it was a brand new short, fully created in Bryce, with some images of my work thrown in every now and then. It started in a flooded tunnel, which I originally created for the Wingmakers project. Then moved into a bedroom with images of my work present on the walls and on a rug centred in the room. Moving water and great atmosphere set the tone nicely. I whacked the Terminator 2: Judgement Day theme to this piece. You can only imagine the difference it made, it gave it life.
April 2005
This was a groundbreaking moment, I finished my first proper animated short, Agent: The Introduction. The entire audio sequence was composed by Mark Griff of Digitalsurgery, who requested to be brought in on the project. Mark did all the work for free, and also the audio for the follow-up trailer, Agent: The Return, a project I scrapped after a lot of deliberation. What I did do I’ll put online in due course, with some added visual effects.
2007
I completed an animation job for Stroud Switchgear Ltd., three animated shorts revolving around some basic panel building. These were all created using Bryce. The shorts can be seen here:
Logo Lighting
Curious Creatures
Final Build
Or you can request the free DVD by contacting me direct. The Contracted Work page gives a simple breakdown of the design process.
This was a productive year. I also created a 30 page online comic, titled DESTINY.
I also created the short, ALIAH: An Introduction To The Universe.
2008
Wrapped up the final scenes of the comic for DESTINY: Vol.1 -Clash. Voices and audio completed. 3 songs not created by Dark Project Works have been used in this non-profit movie. They are by Local H, H-Blockx, and Linkin Park.
DESTINY vol.1: CLASH, has come to DVD! It is free to all, but supplies are limited, so contact me now for your free DVD.
Over 1 minute pre-rendered on the AGENT follow-up, NEW DAWN. Unfortunately, this won't end up in the forthcoming movie, as I've now upgraded her base figure. Check out the said animation on the DESTINY DVD, out now from myself, and soon to be online.
Had been awaiting completion of Zign Track for Poser, by Zign Creations. But I may not go down this road yet, as I feel I can lip-sync it all myself through Poser quite well anyways. New technology, so I felt like I had to have it. It's worth checking out if you are someone looking to lip-sync your Poser and/or Animation Master characters, though I feel Animation Master benefits a lot more from this app.
I've been thinking of an in-between project, merging live-action with CG. Whenever I start a new project, I try to give each a different style, to set it apart from the last.
DESTINY has done pretty well for itself since I released the vol.1 DVD. I've hinted for some time now at a vol.2, but decided to scrap it in favor of a straight to DVD feature film. I'll be going for an anime style, as I feel it would best suit a project like DESTINY.
I was going to put all my time into NEW DAWN. But been so busy, that all I've done is the face texture for Conrad Dorton. Things will pick up again in the future, right when you least expect it.
Its been a pretty unproductive year. It can't be helped I guess. In 2009 things should start to pick up again.
2009
Everything's a go on the new DESTINY. This year so far I have also done some freelance logo designs, but my main concentration is on the new DESTINY anime styled CG movie. It's looking really good, with a teaser trailer released at the beginning of May, setting the style expected for the finished product.
I'm currently working on the first movie trailer for DESTINY: The Movie to hopefully boost some funding. Everything seen in the trailer, will be in the movie. I am also writing the screenplay, which gives a lot of background on the main character's and their relationships to each other. This is to be a huge project.
I have also (June 12th 2009) released a teaser image for the new look of NEW DAWN, which has gone for a darker version of the new DESTINY style. Details on this future project are to remain under wraps for the time being.
July 2nd 2009. DESTINY: THE MOVIE - Pre-production trailer, now online!!
July 29th 2009. DESTINY: THE MOVIE - Trailer 2 - The End Is Coming
August 3rd 2009. NEW DAWN - Art style teaser, preview now online!!!
August 3rd 2009. NEW DAWN - Art style teaser, preview now online!!!
September 17th 2009. I have brought Cuddles back to the site, and I'm preparing an animated short for her. Watch this space.
January 2010. A lot happened last year, but also a lot grounded to a halt.
The Cuddles short had to be abandoned due to the ageing base model. She may still have the odd image turn up every now and then, but as for any future animations.....don't expect to see anything any time soon. Unless of course, I completely remake her using the current widely used base model, Victoria 4, by Daz3D.
New Dawn is still on the drawing board, and will still be the second feature film from Dark Project Works, after the completion of Destiny.
Destiny will now be going back to its motion comic format for the movie. This will dramatically increase work flow, providing rich quality in full HD. Added movements are planned to give this motion comic movie a more animated feel, kind of like the teaser for Vol.2 of the original outing, yet the movie will all be in its current anime style. A teaser is being planned for the end of the year, which will feature these improvements.
Talking of motion comics, Desert Earth, the latest edition to Dark Project Works, has arrived. This new project, having no ties to previous stories, is set in yet another grim future for planet Earth. Anything and everything on the planet's surface has been wiped out by the sun, as the survivors seal themselves within domed cities. This is the first project ever, in which I have a starring role. Everyone playing a character in Desert Earth has their own face on screen. It's a massive project and will be taking up most of the year. The first episode arrived in January, the second arrived in April. Episode Three is due June 2010, continuing every other month until completion.
Here's Episode One: New World Order:
I've also been thinking a lot about my plans for after the series. Destiny keeps coming back to me. It's been a long time since I finished the screenplay, would be a real shame not to make the movie. And then on the other hand, I have the newly retitled "The Agent: New Dawn". This is a character and story which has had so many changes since it's original release in 2005. I would really like to do something with this too.
July 2010. With Desert Earth: Episode Three, finally released, I'm thinking more about my plans for next year. I think jumping straight into another project without a break, will kill me. And trying to release an episode of Desert Earth every month, just isn't possible. So from now until the end of the year, I'll be working on all the renders for episodes 4-8 of Desert Earth. At least then when I release them, they'll be pretty much released back-to-back.
August 2010. Over the past month I've been working on some images for yet another new project. And it has been decided that this will be my main project for next year. It's called Keep Back The Night, and is planned to be an illustrated novel. Ideas are currently being worked on, hopefully it should prove to be quite good. Keep watching this space, or join the facebook page for up to date information.
Just over a week into the month, a music video competition came up. I love new projects, something to challenge me. As I've tinkered with scripting music videos in the past (Wingmakers), this is something I have been dying to do again. Not only does creating the video mean so much to me from a creative standpoint, but it'd also do wonders for Dark Project Works itself.
September 2010. The month has just begun, and the music video is complete. Which means from next week, it's back to Desert Earth.
November 2010. Time has been completely getting away from me recently. So far, only the first scene of Desert Earth: Episode Four is complete, but I am looking to release the episode in full, by Xmas. I have a lot of work to do, as it's a 5 scene episode.
I have also been working on Keep Back The Night, with new images and story insights. I have also started writing the novel! It's a long way off, but the ideas are forming well.
December 2010. The Keep Back The Night: Xmas Special took up a lot of my time this month, so I'm still 2 scenes short on Desert Earth: Episode 4. This will now be released in January 2011. It's not all bad though, as the episode is looking quite nice, and I've been able to use a lot of video clips I created for the recent music video.
Every episode of Desert Earth has a particular overall tone which reflects the title of the episode and is represented brilliantly in it's soundtrack. This series has been a huge trial for me with motion comics and storytelling, something that will surely develop as time goes on.
Anyways, enough from me now, see you in the new year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
There's been a new addition to the Dark Project Works "family", in the form of Avangeline. She'll be cropping up throughout the year as the new supermodel, filling the void left by Cuddles' departure. Here she is below, expect to see more of her in the near future.
March 2011: It's been all Desert Earth for the past month, and it's now almost complete! The episode will arrive mid-month, and I'll be starting episode 6 at the beginning of April. Hopefully an episode will arrive about every 2 months. It's looking and sounding great so far!
Keep Back The Night is also progressing well. With lack of time to write, I'm only able to do it on my work lunch breaks, which only gives me the best part of an hour 4 days a week. But I am writing it, that's the main thing, and it's looking to be quite a beefy story. So I should easily be able to create a novel worthy of being published!
March 2011 -UPDATE: Desert Earth is now online. Expect episode six in the next 2 months.
May 2011: Desert Earth has arrived with episode six, bringing the entire series full circle! I will soon be starting episode seven, which I just know will be a big pain in the ass. But hey, the series is almost complete.
I made an announcement last month about my project plans for next year. As I love anime, and Japanese character design, I have decided to created my own anime inspired series or movie. I've still to work on the story to decided whether I'm capable of doing a fully hand drawn movie at this stage, but I do have a lot of story already planned out in my mind. Basically, the story revolved around factual events that have happened in my life. The project is called The Mistake of Being Me, please view it's page for further details (though yet to arrive - visit the facebook fan page for up to date information).
Keep Back The Night is also progressing well. With lack of time to write, I'm only able to do it on my work lunch breaks, which only gives me the best part of an hour 4 days a week. But I am writing it, that's the main thing, and it's looking to be quite a beefy story. So I should easily be able to create a novel worthy of being published!
March 2011 -UPDATE: Desert Earth is now online. Expect episode six in the next 2 months.
May 2011: Desert Earth has arrived with episode six, bringing the entire series full circle! I will soon be starting episode seven, which I just know will be a big pain in the ass. But hey, the series is almost complete.
I made an announcement last month about my project plans for next year. As I love anime, and Japanese character design, I have decided to created my own anime inspired series or movie. I've still to work on the story to decided whether I'm capable of doing a fully hand drawn movie at this stage, but I do have a lot of story already planned out in my mind. Basically, the story revolved around factual events that have happened in my life. The project is called The Mistake of Being Me, please view it's page for further details (though yet to arrive - visit the facebook fan page for up to date information).
July 2011: Desert Earth has arrived with episode seven. Only one episode to go! I'm also working on the DVD project. Only 250 DVD's will be made, so get your orders in while you can. Over 60 have already been allocated!
August 2011: I decided to release the final episode over a month early. As DVD production is in full swing, I figured it only best. Talking of the DVD, it'll be ready to ship by mid October 2011!
Personal info:
Born in Stroud, Glos., UK. Moved to Cornwall, UK, in November 1993, where I live to this date.
I have a son called Oliver, born December 18th 2007. Who I haven’t seen since December 26th 2007. All thanks to his mother.
With the way the current laws are at the moment, mostly giving the mother full rights, whilst keeping the father fighting for rights which should have been there to begin with, it doesn't look like I'll ever be able to see my son.
May 2008
I've found out that he is mine. Now onto visitation. I'll finally be able to see my son. No-one can believe how evil-minded his mother has been, and I know from experience that she's only going to get worse.
October 2008
And worse it gets. Since my son's mother has forced this to court, there's nothing I can do but fight through the courts to see my son.
Not a road I wanted it to go down, as the money it's costing for everything that's happened this past year should've gone on supporting my boy. But she has made it very clear that she doesn't want me to be involved in my son's life.
Looks as she's getting her wish, as I haven't the funds neither to get this heard by the court.
Isn't it about time parents rights were made equal from day one?!
I've found out that he is mine. Now onto visitation. I'll finally be able to see my son. No-one can believe how evil-minded his mother has been, and I know from experience that she's only going to get worse.
October 2008
And worse it gets. Since my son's mother has forced this to court, there's nothing I can do but fight through the courts to see my son.
Not a road I wanted it to go down, as the money it's costing for everything that's happened this past year should've gone on supporting my boy. But she has made it very clear that she doesn't want me to be involved in my son's life.
Looks as she's getting her wish, as I haven't the funds neither to get this heard by the court.
Isn't it about time parents rights were made equal from day one?!
I've had a lot of support from friends and family throughout all of these difficult times.
Nigel Hicks, manager of Quicker Property Buyers (and also a DESTINY vol.1: CLASH voice actor), for the help with the DNA cost. I would've had to wait even longer to know if Oliver truly was mine if wasn't for your help. Thank-you so much.
Ken Barry, one of my shift managers. Everything got to me so much (April 2009), that I had a breakdown during my shift. I discussed with him about what had happened, and he helped turn things around and showed me that I have a lot of good things going on in my life that outways a lot of the heartache with my son.
And countless others, I thank you all for your support.
Nigel Hicks, manager of Quicker Property Buyers (and also a DESTINY vol.1: CLASH voice actor), for the help with the DNA cost. I would've had to wait even longer to know if Oliver truly was mine if wasn't for your help. Thank-you so much.
Ken Barry, one of my shift managers. Everything got to me so much (April 2009), that I had a breakdown during my shift. I discussed with him about what had happened, and he helped turn things around and showed me that I have a lot of good things going on in my life that outways a lot of the heartache with my son.
And countless others, I thank you all for your support.