Clemson Graduate Candidate Stephen Jennings
Coding Samples
Code Example 1
Title: MAGMA - Multi-Artist Graphic Management Application Blender Addon
Language: Blender Python Script
Link to Code: Download Link
Note: Website would not allow the uploading of executable code, so I needed to save the code as a PDF. If this is an issue, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Video Demonstration of the code below:
Password: GRASSHORSE
Code Description:
This file should be placed at the following location.
C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\3.4\scripts\addons\magma.py
MAGMA requires both mysql and dns libraries to be placed at the following locations.
C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\3.4\python\lib\site-packages\dns
C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\3.4\python\lib\mysql
MAGMA is a pipeline tool created to organize assets and aid in file management and naming. It does require a dedicated MySQL Database along with a properly mounted file-system on the server at /media/projects/ along with apache2 web-server and a Joomla CMS environment.
This script is used in a production environment. MAGMA presents the following cascading drop-downs.
Username
Series Number (ex. 0100)
Show Name (ex. 001)
Shot Name (ex. 0001A)
Element Name (ex. dracula)
Subelement Name (ex. head)
Division (ex. modeling)
Version Number (ex. v001)
All file naming and file-system placement in Blender is controlled through MAGMA. Selecting the above drop-downs communicates what series, show, shot and/or element, is being worked on. The division communicates what type of work is being done, and the version number is an auto-incrementing number. With these drop-down menus selected the user can then perform the following functions.
New File: New default Blender file properly named and saved in the correct location on the project server.
Open File: Blender can navigate the project server to find the desired file and open it.
Save File: Blender performs a save, auto-incrementing the version number.
Pub: Blender publishes the current file as the published version for scene linking.
Set Output - PNG: The output setting are configured in Blender to render out a sequence of PNG file to the correct path on the project server.
Set Output - M4: The output setting are configured in Blender to render out a .mp4 movie to the correct path on the project server.
Because of the specialized server setup the code cannot be run standalone. If you would like a demonstration I would be happy to show you.
Code Example 2
Title: MAGMA Image Collector
Language: BASH Script
Link to Code: Download Link
Note: Website would not allow the uploading of executable code, so I needed to save the code as a PDF. If this is an issue, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Video Demonstration of the code below:
Password: GRASSHORSE
Code Description:
This bash script runs on a Linux Ubuntu computer via the command line.
The script will prompt the user to enter a series number. The script will then navigate the file-system recursively for that specific series and look for the most recent imagery. When it finds the imagery it will make both icons and mp4s for the internal Grasshorse website (MAGMA). The script will also make a high quality movie file for the portfolio folder to make future demo reels easier to edit.
This code will only run on a machine that has a configured file-system mounted as the /media/projects/ directory.
Artwork Samples
Star Wars - Clone Wars: Cave Wall Painting Scene
TRT: 1:10
An animated sequence for Genndy Tartakovsky's Cartoon Network show Star Wars: Clone Wars in which the cave wall painting illuminates the prophecy of Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side. Working with provided key drawings, backgrounds and X-sheets, I animated the entire sequence with a mix of 2D and 3D techniques. The male characters were modeled, rigged and animated in Autodesk Maya and rendered to look 2D. The 3D eyes were tracked and 2D art was applied. The female characters, buffalo, phoenix and rhinoceros were animated 2D elements with the software Autodesk Combustion.
Sgt. Red - Litter on the Move
TRT: 0:30
Litter on the Move was the sixth in a series of public service announcements created to increase awareness on the importance of keeping local creeks and streams clean. For this project I provided direction to a team of animators, co-wrote the spot and contributed creatively to the vocal performance, character design, animation, compositing, editing, and sound design. Software used was Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Blender.
Waiting for a Plane
On route to Vermont, Sabrina was burdened with concern for the health of her father, who had just suffered a heart attack. Medium was woodless graphite and mechanical pencil on paper. The drawing was composed, cleaned up and colored in Adobe Photoshop.
Blue Lady
Attending a weekly life drawing group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I created the work from a 30 minute pose with woodless colored pencils on black paper. Monochromatic blue tints and shades were used to evoke a somber mood.
Hitman Agent 47: Mad Men Video
TRT: 0:48
Inspired by the 60’s era style opening of Mad Men, I co-wrote and directed this teaser in response to a 20th Century Fox Marketing Executive’s premise that Agent 47 was the cause of Don Draper’s mysterious demise. From studying the iconic show opener, I filmed actors as reference for rotoscoping, a process where the actors were meticulously traced frame by frame. This produces animated vector masks that were colored and composited into scenes. To properly tell the story, I determined the spot should be entirely in reverse so we can end with the reveal of Agent 47 as he shoots Don Draper.
For this project, I provided direction to a team of animators, co-wrote the spot and contributed creatively to the cinematography, editing, rotoscope instruction and artistry, and compositing. Software used was Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Apple Final Cut Pro, Blender, and Mocha.
https://archive.nerdist.com/exclusive-hitman-agent-47-takes-on-mad-men/
Red Water Watch: Civilian
Civilian is the lovably ignorant goof who is always the target of Sgt. Red’s wrath. The Red Water Watch line of public service announcements were created to raise greater awareness about the importance of keeping local creeks and streams clean. I created the character design in Adobe Illustrator software. This was a team project, and I collaborated with other artists on the modeling, shading, texturing, rigging and posing of the character.
Tuesday
Attending a weekly life drawing group, I created the work with woodless graphite and chalk on toned tan paper.
Skelanimals: Diego’s Snooze
TRT: 0:10
This is a stop motion animated short Grasshorse created for Skelanimals as a demonstration of our proprietary technology, ProtoMotion. The plushie was purchased off the shelf, and for animation a wire armature and a mounting bracket were added. Character performance was initially animated in Autodesk Maya. The coordinates and rotational data were exported from Maya then utilized by ProtoMotion to coordinate character placement on a frame-by-frame basis for photography.
For this project I provided direction, animation, compositing, sound design, and software development. Software used was Autodesk Combustion, Autodesk Maya, and Grasshorse Proprietary Software.
Let’s Listen to Music
Attending a weekly life drawing group, I created the raw work with woodless graphite and mechanical pencils on paper. The drawing was arranged, cleaned up and colored in Adobe Photoshop. The color palette was designed to emphasize a strong silhouette.
Iowa Department of Public Health - What Gets Crushed When You Drink?
TRT: 0:30
This underage drinking public service announcement was created to raise greater awareness to the pitfalls of underage drinking. I filmed aluminum can reference to explore camera movements and the level of can distress. This reference-gathering process aided in the rigging, texturing, shading and animation of the cans in the Blender animation software. Extra effort went into creating the hazy party atmosphere for the spot including particles, motion blur, depth of field, fluids and color grading.
I provided direction to a team of artists, storyboards, editing, animation, compositing, and sound design. Software used was Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Blender.
Atlas
Attending a weekly life drawing group, I created the work with woodless graphite and chalk on toned tan paper.
Red Water Watch: Sgt. Red
Sgt. Red is the main character from the Red Water Watch line of public service announcements that were created to raise greater awareness about the importance of keeping local creeks and streams clean. I provided the character design, modeling, shading, texturing and rigging of the character. This was a team project, and other artists contributed to the modeling and posing of the character as well. Software used was Blender 3D animation software.
Hmmm, I’m Not Sure How I Feel About This.
Attending a Wine and Flower festival, I became enchanted with a petting zoo on site. The image is made of multiple quick sketches; llama, goats, gathered flower arrangement. The sketches were arranged, cleaned up and colored in Adobe Photoshop. The animal coloration was based on the color palette of the flower arrangement.