Meet Phi
Using Midjourney AI to create concept art for the film Shepard’s Tone
In today's edition of The Brief, we introduce Phi, and we will be conducting a graphical concept breakdown of Phi to establish their look, feel, mood, colors, tones, and more.
Phi - Philia El-Mahdi: Character Bible Summary
In the city of Aegis, a location where technology has been outlawed, resides Phi, a scavenger by trade. Phi is an athletic figure of 5’8” stature with flowing long, black hair, often tied back during her scavenging endeavors. An undeniable mark of her past is the distinct birthmark on her left wrist, eerily reminiscent of a design on a mysterious keystone she discovers. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that this birthmark may hold the secret to unlocking the keystone's mysteries. The right side of her face is marked by an azure skin anomaly, a manifestation of the disease known as "Cerulean Flux." Complicating her daily tasks, Phi's left wrist is handicapped from a neurological disorder, another consequence of Cerulean Flux - which presents as azure colored markings her face. Her clothing speaks of functionality and protection, yet carries an air of rugged style. Donning earth-toned trousers, a fitted waistcoat, and a scarf to shield her from sandstorms, every item she wears tells a tale, especially her worn-out leather boots. Phi's linguistic prowess extends to a dialect similar to that of Tunisian, giving a nod to the region's supposed heritage - more on this later.
Her home, on Aegis' outskirts, is a testament to resilience and innovation. It stands as a makeshift structure, embodying a desert Gypsy ambiance, built primarily from scavenged materials that echo tales of bygone eras. The interiors of her abode showcase various tech artifacts, mementos from her many scavenging excursions. As an outcast in Aegis, Phi's early life was marked by challenges. Born to tech traders who were later shunned, she was left to her devices from a tender age. She swiftly mastered the art of scavenging, unearthing forbidden tech treasures and selling them in the clandestine corners of the black market. A life on society's fringes has moulded Phi into a fiercely independent soul, fortified with resilience and a deep-rooted understanding of technology. Under her toughened exterior lies a compassionate heart, always willing to extend a helping hand to those in dire straits. Her journey is fraught with trials, heightened when she encounters the keystone, setting her on a course to decipher enigmas of Aegis, her lineage, and the intricate game of the Shepard’s Tone.
Cinematography
In the cinematography of Shepard's Tone, the central figure, Phi, takes center stage as the most important element to capture on film. The intent behind Shepard's Tone is to masterfully blend beautifully shot scenes with a brutally compelling storyline. The cinematographers draw inspiration from the rich visual worlds of epic fantasy and sweeping sci-fi, echoing the visual grandeur of certain beloved cinematic and television experiences. Much like the cinematography of a certain desert-bound epic and a legendary medieval fantasy, Shepard's Tone combines the vastness of its desolate world with an intimate focus on its characters. The color palette, dominated by ochre and azure, breathes life into the desolation, creating a visual feast amidst the harshness of the environment. It's a cinematographic approach that captures both the grandeur of the world and the personal struggles of its inhabitants, a testament to the inspiration drawn from the cinematographers of these renowned cinematic and television productions.
Location and Feel
Concept art plays an indispensable role in shaping the look and feel of the world in which the main character, Phi, resides within the rich narrative of Shepard's Tone. It serves as a visual bridge that connects the audience to the intricacies of Aegis, a metropolis emerging from the depths of our future, affected by climatic shifts and historical conflicts. Through concept art, the arid desert-like terrain, the monumental annual sandstorm "The Eye," the monolithic grey stone structures of Aegis, and the intricate cultural districts all come to life with vivid clarity. It's in the meticulous rendering of these visual elements that the world of Shepard's Tone takes form, offering audiences photographic-like glimpses of Phi standing amidst the towering edifices or navigating the diverse districts, making the very idea of this unique world palpable and immersive. These visual cues underscore the importance of concept art in grounding the narrative in a tangible reality, inviting viewers to become active participants in the cinematic experience.
A Brooding Mood
Concept art plays a pivotal role in establishing the mood and atmosphere of a cinematic experience, and it is no different in the case of Shepard's Tone andl character, Phi. The intent here is to craft a brooding and intense mood, evoking a sense of readiness for war in a world where survival is a personal battle. Phi's character embodies this mood, reflecting resilience and a fierce determination to navigate the harsh terrain of Shepard's Tone. The landscape itself, while barren and unforgiving, becomes a canvas for the use of colors, notably ochre and azure, to infuse beauty into an otherwise bleak world. These hues serve as powerful visual elements that create a stark contrast, emphasizing the human capacity to find solace and hope amidst adversity, while also underlining the theme that in Shepard's Tone, everyone must fend for themselves, a constant struggle for survival in an unforgiving realm.
Family
Concept art extends its narrative influence beyond the central character, Phi, to describe the people surrounding her. Within this visual storytelling, family holds a special place in shaping Phi's character. Concept art can depict the familial relationships, emotions, and dynamics that influence Phi's decisions and actions. Whether through intimate family portraits or scenes capturing shared moments, concept art illustrates how these connections impact her journey, revealing the depth of her character.
The People of Aegis
Furthermore, concept art has the power to convey the essence of the populace of Aegis, providing insight into the diverse crowds that inhabit this metropolis. The city's distinctive districts, each representing a faction with its unique traditions, give rise to a rich tapestry of cultures. Concept art can visually encapsulate the amalgamation of ethnic backgrounds, depicting the varied attire, customs, and interactions of Aegis's inhabitants. Through crowd scenes and bustling marketplaces, it conveys the feel of a vibrant and diverse urban landscape, underscoring the complex interplay of individuals and factions that shape the city's dynamic social fabric.
Environment, Weather, and Wind
In Phi's world, the environment stands as a formidable character in its own right, shaping the narrative and impacting every facet of life within Shepard's Tone. The releness forces of nature, marked by relentless winds and catastrophic sandstorms, take center stage as harbingers of chaos. These meteorological phenomena become more than mere backdrop; they are active participants, wreaking havoc on the inhabitants of Aegis. In the film, this tumultuous relationship with the weather is felt viscerally, from the way characters' clothing billows and twists in the relentless wind to the omnipresent shroud of dust that lingers in the air. The environment's constant presence becomes a haunting reminder of the harsh reality of Shepard's Tone, reinforcing the fragility of life in a world where even the elements are conspiring against its inhabitants.
How AI Concept Art Changes the Workflow
At first, I approached using Midjourney in my film Shepard's Tone with a hint of apprehension. The idea of relying on AI for photorealistic concept art was new territory, and I wasn't entirely sure how it would fit into our creative process. However, after diving into it earnestly, I must say that its utility is undeniable.
For filmmakers like me, it's increasingly essential to resolve intellectual property issues associated with cutting-edge tools like Midjourney because, in my mind, it's a complete game changer.
Midjourney offers a set of distinct advantages over traditional concept art crafted by human artists. Firstly, it grants directors like me the precision to communicate the precise look, feel, and appearance of characters within a scene with unparalleled detail and realism, facilitating a crystal-clear visualization of character subtleties and scene aesthetics. Secondly, the technology's ability to rapidly generate a multitude of images, showcasing various looks, atmospheres, and potential shot types, allows for an exhaustive exploration of creative possibilities. Lastly, the blazing speed at which Midjourney churns out these images significantly expedites the pre-production process, affording filmmakers more time to hone and refine their artistic vision.
For Phi’s character bible, I know have compendium of over 1,000 images. I’m currently in the process of creating concept art of every key scene in the film, for every key person she interacts with, and creating entire wardrobe, prop, and environmental concept art for the world in which she will travel as the story unfolds.
Next up Aegis, the seven districts, and the Lumen Spire.
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I release a weekly digest every Friday, tailored for professionals ranging from executives to writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, and anyone actively involved in the film and television domain. This briefing offers a comprehensive yet accessible perspective on the convergence of technology and its implications for the movie and TV industry. It serves as an efficient gateway to understanding the nexus between Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Who am I?
I'm Steve Newcomb. Functionally, I’m a recovering Silicon Valley founder that is finally old enough to have a bit of care. I’m perhaps most recognized for founding Powerset— it was the largest AI and machine learning project in the world when I founded it. It was later acquired by Microsoft and transformed into something you might recognize today - Microsoft Bing. Beyond Bing, I had the privilege of being on the pioneering team that witnessed the inaugural email sent via a mobile device. My journey also led me to SRI (Stanford Research Institute), where we laid the groundwork for contemporary speech recognition technology. Additionally, I was a co-founder of the debut company to introduce a 3D physics engine in Javascript. I've held positions on the board of directors and contributed funding to massive open source initiatives like NodeJS and even the largest such project, jQuery. My experience extends to academia, having been a senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley's engineering and business faculties. Recently, I ventured into Layer 2 internet protocols and assisted a company named Matter Labs in securing $440 million in funding to bolster their endeavors.
What am I doing besides writing these posts?
Typically, I allocate a year between groundbreaking ventures. My exploration for the upcoming project commenced in May 2023, and the sole certainty is its nexus with the film, television, SMURF, and AI domains. Sharing insights on my research endeavors helps me discern between feasible prospects and mere illusions. My hope is that for this venture, I appropriately consider the ethical and sociological repercussions.
If you are interested in contacting me, being interviewed, being helped, or yelling at me, my email is steve.e.newcomb@gmail.com.