Thanks

Thanks for your help, Nik, Jenny, Bob and co.

Completed Animation

All done! Thank you and goodnight!

Nearly there...

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Leonardo Rough

Leonardo Test from Steve Williams on Vimeo.

1944 to 2008

As we come out of the Rhine section I'd like to cross fade between the last WW2 scene and a Afghan Patrol. I will composite a transport chopper as indicated (crudely).

This nicely signifies the leap in time, and transforms the horsa into a chopper!

These images are taken from 2006 Photo CD, Titles Bob Maddocks. I guess they are official. Here is the info on them. Given the situation there, I wouldn't want to include a photo that wasn't appropriate - for whatever reason.

Please confirm.

Title:
Date: 6th August, 2006
Location: Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Event: Op HERRICK
Photograph: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC
Caption: A Section Commander from B Company, 3 PARA pauses while his me affect a 'break-in' to a residential compound during the Operation to secure the village of Musakala in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Sunday, 6th August 2006
The operation, code-named Op MAR CHICHEL (Snake-Bite) was intended to secure a route allowing the resupply of a coalition stronghold nearby, resulted in the death of a 19-year old British soldier from the Royal Logistics Corps, who was killed by a sniper during the latter stages of the Op.
CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED

For Further Info Contact:
Phot Cell
JMOT1
Defence Media Operations Centre
Building 400
RAF Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB10 0RZ
+44 (0) 1895 520406
9 5232 6787

Production Notes:
The camera would them Pan upwards to a clear sky to reveal the Badge. Vignettes of modern chutes activity (labelled).

This may add an extra few seconds onto the 4 minutes, but no more than 12.

The Road to Arnhem - An Illustrated History of WW2

I came across this Illustated History of WW2. Got in contact with the owner of the book.
Wish I'd found these sooner!

Cut 35

Almost done. Just working on both ends.
For the end, considering cross fading from the final 40's Para to a 2008 Afgan Para. That will emphasise the jump in years.

The badge might also go from metal badge to silver line version.

Churchill in Colour

Just a little colour. Did you know his eyes were blue?

Bruneval Map

Seeing as I have them, it made sense to use the 'new' briefing map. Much clearer!

Rough Pan Test

This is just a quick test -

Completed Holland to Rhine

Revised Panorama

After a bit more consideration, I've decided to drop the Russian link up altogether in favour of Bob's suggestion, as it makes more sense to emphasise the scale of the drop - the point of the final caption.

The three paratroopers standing to attention on the left are taken form Paradata Arnhem files given to me. Unfortunately, there are no notes with the photo to explain when it was taken. Could not find it on the IWM database.

Hope it's ok to use.

Note: this is work on progress!

Revised Final Layout

The Image scrolls from left (Market Garden) to Right (Rhine Crossing) before coming to a rest on the group shot.
Note to Bob K :
I appreciate that the link up was in the Baltic, some time after the crossing, but the group shot acts here to signify the end of the war - with the Paras centre stage, as it were. They are placed on the horizon line, to imply distance from the crossing. Perhaps I can emphasise that more.

Colourised Jeep

God! It takes ages to colourise these images!

Revised Commando

Wasn't happy with the quality of the Group shot for the Colossus commandos, so I went with a similar group from early training. Same clothing and headgear. Better view of the Whiltley bomber.

Added Churchill before start of Ringway. Changed wording to say he 'Spurred on' development.

IWM have sent better photos for Market garden soldiers, which I'm working and colourising now.

Caption Timeline:
because of the dateline going from germany 39>40>42 (Brunival), I will have to change the formation section caption which follows to some less time dependent, otherwise the timeline jumps backwards to 40-41.
So perhaps, something that says about airborne troops 'growing in strength on both side of the altlantic'?

Monty's Regiment Badge

Took ages to photograph decently - but it's just what I wanted.

Early Commando Missions

Not decided on if the colossus need some sort of title....almost done.
Nice to get RAF, red beret & Col.Frost in the mix.

Rough Cut

First Scenes is not finalised (Leonardo/parasol jump).
The last scenes aren't hand coloured yet.
The WW2 panoramas with have a certain amount of 3d/parallax depth - but not excessively so.

Rignway pt2 Slideshow

Very Poor source material to work with, but looks ok.

Arnhem to Rhine

This picks up from the Horsa Cornfield Normandy Image. Pans past the DZ to a liberated Arnhem (6 months later). Finishes at the shot of the Rhine landing with chutes dropping. Against the horizon we see Paras linking up with the Russians.


Note:
The Paras in the Russian group shot are Canadian. I have and alternative (below) with British Paras - which doesn't work quite so well.

Normandy Jumper

This only last a few seconds, but I've animated the clouds and lights in the cabin to give it some more drama - as if it needs it!