The Quartz FAQ

After months of deliberation we've decided to create an FAQ dedicated to Project Quartz. All the questions listed are real questions asked by those who've heard of our project. If you have a question drop us a line via the contact page.

What is it?

Quartz is the project name for an animated short currently under development.

Animated? How?

Blender! Quartz is an attempt at an 'open movie project' that isn't directly affiliated with the Blender Foundation. All the 2D stuff will be created and processed using The Gimp and Inkscape. We haven't picked a renderer yet but both Yafaray and Lux Render are on the cards.

So it's like a cartoon?

Nope. It's a completely 3D animated short film, but it's not specifically aimed at children, nor is it stylised to resemble a kids show.

Is the name significant?

Very. But it also has nothing to do with anything. We named it before we realised the link.

What is it for?

For fun, mostly. Quartz is a pet project of ours.

To what end?

We're designers and animators, as well as being web developers, rock stars and evil geniuses. At the most basic level we want to make something visually rich that people can enjoy, whether we get paid for it or not.

Is it loud?

It's REALLY loud.

Who's involved in this project?

Just us and close personal friends who have shown support. It's a private project, privately funded and privately developed.

What's it about?

We can't discuss details of the plot.

How long is the sequence?

On paper it's 5 to 6 minutes long.

How long has it been in production?

Quartz was dreamt up about 3 years ago and started with a completely different goal. It evolved and turned into the sequence we're developing now about a year ago. Production has been on and off, due to work for clients, for the last 6 months.

Can you tell us anything at all about what's in it?

A secondary goal of Quartz is to pay homage to our favourite films. In that respect there are tons of small touches that are nods to those films, as well as a few aspects that are more obvious references.

So are there are pictures or animations yet?

So far there are only a handful of test renders and the concept is constantly being revised to create a more finely detailed finished product. We may release some concept art and there are plans to release one or two teasers before we actually get to animating the sequence itself.

What's currently on the table?

Creating all of the assets for the sequence. That means all the stuff you see. After that we can prepare to animate it.

How much is done?

Of the two major elements one is almost 100% complete. The other has recently been scrapped and replaced, it's at about 5% now.

Is that the car that was mentioned?

Correct! We're happy to show off the promotional still of the old car now that it's not being used.

This is silly. Why the secrecy?

Even before the original concept was thought up the goal was to surprise people. We're big on the 'wow' factor and we believe that disclosing all the details will ruin that. When it's eventually done we want everyone to watch it without any knowledge of what it's for or what it's about so they can take away from it whatever they want. Maximum enjoyment, that's what the secrecy is about.

When will it be done?

The short take: We don't know :)

The longer take: The more interest there is the better. If we know we're working for a crowd that'll appreciate it we'll dedicate more time to it and throw out more details too.

… Come on, tell us something!

An established character from our portfolio is in the lead role.

The only piece of promotional material in existence for Project Quartz, as promised. It's redundant now, but you asked for it! Click the image for the larger version.