And if Warner Bros. does not decide to throw your 3D avatar into the main spotlight, there’s always a chance it could serve as background graffiti art in the film. These artists will receive $250 if they sign the rights to their 3D avatars over to the movie studio. Unfortunately, only one submission is allowed per artist, preventing any one individual from banking bags of money by filling up a virtual wall.
Of course, there are rules regarding to how 3D avatars can be created. Models can be created in whatever software the artist wants to use, and should be cleaned prior to submission. They can vary in poly count (but should remain within 30,000 and 250,000 poly faces), and their geometry needs to be frozen and zeroed out to world space. Avatars can consist of both organic and mechanical components, making the possibilities seemingly limitless.
To submit an avatar, artists must provide rendered front and side views in portrait mode by way of the Participate button on the Creative Invite page. These images in turn need to be at a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and in .png or .jpg format. Additionally, these avatars must also have a single texture map per effect, and there are only a specific number of texture effects with specific names that will be approved.
Other 3D avatar submission requirements include providing the actual 3D-model file staged in a recognizable 3D format along with the textures that were generated specifically for the potential (yet virtual) movie star. The 3D-model file must be submitted by way of Talenthouse’s submission portal WeTransfer here. And importantly, don’t forget to join Talenthouse using an active email address, so that the company can make contact if your 3D avatar is chosen. Also, in order to be considered, the 3D avatar must meet the Talenthouse Terms & Conditions, Creative Invite Requirements and Terms, and the Avatar Specifications highlighted above.
So what is Warner Bros. looking for exactly? Good question. The movie is based in the year 2044 and focuses on teenage Wade Watts as he moves in and out of a virtual reality realm called OASIS. Most of what takes place in the movie consists of surviving within this virtual world as he ultimately tries to unlock power and fortune. Unfortunately, other OASIS “visitors” are desirous of the same treasures, and are willing to kill for them.
That said, it seems that Warner Bros. is looking for anything creative that represents individuals in virtual reality. The fact that artists can mix organic material with mechanical components means the movie company is looking for nearly anything eye-catching and unique. Like the individuals competing within the OASIS realm, artists should be on their toes if they want to score a spot in the movie.
According to Talenthouse, artists must submit their 3D avatar by June 23, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. The selection process begins at that moment, and artists will be selected on July 7, 2016. The actual filming of Ready Player One doesn’t begin until this summer, and will be directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the bestselling 2011 novel by Ernest Cline. The movie isn’t slated to hit theaters until March 2018.
