highgroundanimations

[highgroundanimations]

Attention, Lieutenant Crash on deck!

Where Tukk shines with improvisational skills, Crash stands tall as a battle-hardened soldier with unrivaled discipline, making him a valuable, and frankly much needed right hand to Tukk's leadership.

...Some might even say he's like a mentor to Tukk; after all, experience outranks everything!

#tukk tales #high ground animations #captain tukk #Lieutenant Crash #star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #241st #tukk #hill company #fan film

[highgroundanimations]

HOW SWEET IS THIS??? 😭😭🥰

Gosh I love it, that was pure wholesomeness, thank you so much for this amazing "decantation day" gift @aurathebardwife !!! 😊🩵

The way you write those characters is so fun & I love the concept of clones celebrating decantation day!

And yes, since the 241st was named after my birthday date, I've officially declared January 24th as 241st day! What that means I'm not sure yet. 😂 I was initially planning on revealing a new clone character on that day, but unfortunately couldn't get him finished in time due to having to put out some fires for my clients. Very soooon though! 😁

Happy birthday @highgroundanimations !!!

Happy 241st day to you! To celebrate I wrote you a lil something, I hope you enjoy it!

Decantation day

Unlike natborns, clones don’t celebrate the day they are born. Mainly because clones aren’t born, they are decanted, an occasion the Kaminoans don’t see as special and in turns neither do the clones. Most clones don’t even know their decantation day, they just don’t care. Checklist is one of those clones. He doesn’t care, he doesn’t see why he should care, he doesn't even know what day it is. He thought everyone on base thought the same way, Captain Tukk, Roy, and everyone else.

Captain Tukk isn’t known to sulk around. He is the one man who always has a positive outlook on everything, no matter what happens, from huge attacks to the smallest missteps. So to find the Captain at his desk poking at his datapad with a sigh and a pout is a new sight to Checklist. He has no clue how long Tukk has been sitting there but he has been waiting for a reply for some time, so it has to be a while. Checklist sighs through his nose. All he needs is for Tukk to sign off his work so he can get started on the next assignment but he already knows he will get dragged into something much more time consuming. 

“Sir?” he tries again.

“Hmmm…” Tukk replies absentmindedly. 

“Sir, I need…” Checklist starts but Tukk sighs again. “Sir?” He places a gentle hand on Tukk’s datapad to catch his attention. “Are you alright?”

“Hmm?” Finally Tukk looks up at him. “Oh Checklist. Hey, sorry I was lost in thought. Can I help you?” This is the moment Checklist can ignore the Captain’s weird behaviour and get on with his work. But the pout is still on his face and Checklist knows he can’t let it go even if he walks away now.

“I can ask you the same. Why are you sighing so much, sir?”

“Oh… It’s nothing, something stupid. Do you need me to sign off again?” Tukk reaches out for the datapad in Checklist's hand but Checklist pulls it out of reach quickly.

“It can’t be nothing if it pulled the smile off your face. Please, sir, humour me.”

“Alright.” Tukk sighs again and looks away from Checklist. “A local woman, Elvira, invited me to a party yesterday. Apparently natborns celebrate the day they are born with elaborate parties. And…” Tukk falls silent but Checklist keeps staring at him until he talks again. “It’s stupid, Checklist, ignore me.”

“Sir, please. Talk to me.” 

“Is it weird that I want a party too? I checked my file, and today is my decanting day on Kamino. But clones don’t have parties for that right?" Tukk gets this hopeful look in his eyes for just a moment until Checklist starts talking. 

“Not that I know of, sir," Checklist answers honestly. Tukk's pout continues with another sigh. 

“I thought so. Like I said, it’s stupid. Forget I said anything. What do you need me to sign?” Checklist hands Tukk the datapad and leaves, ready for his next assignment. But he doesn’t walk to it straight away. Instead he lingers near Tukk’s office and looks back at the closed door. He doesn’t care much for a party to celebrate his creation, he still doesn’t care. But Tukk does and the sad expression of the Captain bothers him. Clones never have parties for days like this but maybe Captain Tukk can be the exception?

"So you spend time away from your work, to comfort Tukk and now you can't let the whole party thing go?" Roy asks when Checklist approaches him with the issue at hand.

"Correct. I don't understand why he wants a party but it's hard to see him pout," Checklist says. "It feels weird to say this about the Captain, but I want to cheer him up." Roy crosses his arms with a shrug. 

"Captain or not, he's still a vod I don't like to see sad," he says and rubs his chin. "But how do we cheer him up?" There's only one way Checklist can think of. 

"We could throw him a party?" he suggests. 

"What?" 

"I don't see why not. I already looked at the holonet for information and made a list of things most of these birthday parties have."

"Let me see." Checklist opens the list on his datapad and shows it to Roy. "Decorations, food, music, a candle? Why a candle?" 

"No clue. But according to Spuzzfeed, it is a necessary part of the celebration methodes on Coruscant," Checklist explains while showing the results of his search. 

"Strange. Alright, let's throw this party. Gather what we need on base and meet me here. I'll try to find whatever food Tukk likes and get some guys to get him out of his office."

"Yes sir!" 

The list of things needed isn't long, but Checklist has some trouble finding everything on base. The music is off the list immediately, he doesn't like whatever the GAR broadcasts and decorations aren't anywhere on base. He finds substitutes for that, hopefully it's good enough. The candle is the only easy part, he finds one in an emergency kit. Everything is stored safely into a crate and dragged towards Tukk's office. 

"Stay out of sight," Roy orders and signals to a few other guys. After a quick nod they disappear. 

A few seconds later, Tukk runs out of his office in a panic. 

"DON'T EAT THAT JUMPBOOST!" he shouts as he runs away. 

"Oh, that will keep him busy," Checklist comments, knowing the tendency of his batchmate to put whatever he can find in his mouth, with varying results. 

"He's the best distraction we have," Roy says and opens the office door. "Come on." 

Checklist quickly hides behind the desk when Roy is warned about Tukk's return. A dark room, followed by the shouting of surprise is on his list and has to be checked off. Roy turns off the lights and they wait. After a short while, the door slides open. 

"I should chain Jumpboost to a medic," Tukk mutters to himself when he walks into the office. He turns on the lights. "What…" Tukk looks around his office. 

"Surprise!" Checklist shouts and jumps up from behind the desk. Roy steps out from beside the door and waves his hands. 

"Surprise," he says with a monotone voice In a way only Roy can. 

"Check! Roy. What is all this?" Tukk asks. He gestures at the homemade decorations with scrap fabric tied to strings as flags and old ship schematics cut up to form streamers. On the desk are a few small sweet snacks, drinks and a small cake Roy got someone to get in the town nearby, decorated with a single candle. 

"It's a decantation party, si— Tukk," Checklist says. "You wanted one so badly that we put one together."

"We couldn't let you suffer like that," Roy adds. 

"Guys…" Tukk smiles at them both before walking to his desk. "Thank you." 

"Don't mention it. You would do the same for us, if you had the chance," Roy says. 

"It is a tradition with most natborn celebrations to blow out a candle on a cake. I can't tell you why but it's what I found. So…" Checklist lights the candle on the cake. "Go ahead." Tukk looks at Checklist, the happy glint in his eye finally back. Checklist didn't know he missed it so much. 

"I can think of a reason why," Tukk says, "it symbolises how we as soldiers extinguish the destruction of the separatists." 

"I don't think— ugh!" Checklist starts but Roy shuts him up with a kick. 

"Sure thing, Tukk. Give them hell." Tukk leans forward and blows out the candle. 

"To another year of kicking droid ass!" he shouts and wraps his arms around his men's shoulders. "Thanks again."

"Happy decantation day, Tukk," Checklist says with a bright smile. He's far behind his assignments but seeing Tukk laugh like that makes it all worth it. "To another year." 

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #241st #241st day #checklist #Roy #241st Checklist #241st Roy #hill company #thank you to one of my most amazing friends

[highgroundanimations]

Tukk Tales fun fact! ☝️🤓

#tukk tales #high ground animations #captain tukk #star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #tukk #241st #fan film #hill company #tukk tales fun fact #terence hill

[highgroundanimations]

Waiting for The Bad Batch season 3 trailer like...

#the bad batch #star wars the bad batch #high ground animations #tukk tales #star wars #the clone wars #fan film #tukk #sw clones #clones #star wars the clone wars #clone force 99

[highgroundanimations]

Ha! I love it! 😍😍 Thanks for making this @aurathebardwife !!

Makes me wanna dig out my Switch and start up Animal Crossing just to put it on my character, after abandoning my island for... I think almost 2 years now. Woops! 😅

Love the game though! And this made me smile, so thanks again! 😊

For all my Animal Crossing Tukk fans out there

I gift you

For all your Tukk cosplay dreams!

(and for those who want to use this to recreate more clone designs)

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #animal crossing #acnh

[highgroundanimations]

The boys are back in town! 🪶

After months of rather slow progress, I'm stoked to finally have a bit more time for Tukk Tales again! Just made the switch to Blender 4.0, revised some workflows, updated PewPew (my laser fx addon), & now am back at doing asset creation, previz & animation work. 🫡

Since the announcement teaser in April I've made a bunch of rewrites that I think really elevate the story, that's why some more assets & heavy previz rework are needed. I want to make this the best it reasonably can be! Excited to reveal some new characters soon! 😁

Btw you can get PewPew for FREE on my gumroad page.

#tukk tales #captain tukk #high ground animations #tukk tuesday #star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #241st #tukk #hill company #fan film #update #sw clones #clones

[highgroundanimations]

Oh wow, I'm extremely flattered, thank you!! 💙💙💙

Can't believe how sweet & welcoming this place is, really glad I joined!

Hi Karrd,  

I'm a big fan of High Ground Animations who is working on an independent small film of Tukk Tales (new OC clone). Really talented person and I wanted to support them, so I did an ask. This is their reply post. 

And, this is the link to a small short introducing a new clone called Tukk!

Thanks so much! 

Skellymom 

I am regularly in awe of @highgroundanimations and SO WISH I had the talent to bring my OCs to life in such a vibrant and beautiful way! Tukk is SO GREAT (as are all of their OCs), and I'm stoked they're on Tumblr and sharing work here now! Thanks so much for the rec!

Links: 1 2

Participate in Fandom Friday to show your favorite creators from this week some love! :)

#FANDOM FRIDAY #creator appreciation #animation rec #art rec #fan art #star wars #the clone wars #OC Captain Tukk #tcw #clone trooper OC #hill company #highgroundanimations #high ground animations #captain tukk #tukk tales

[highgroundanimations]

The one and only! Thanks so much @frostycatblr-fandom-files for making this, I love & appreciate it! 🩵🩵🩵

Captain Tukk 🩵

Breaking in the second page of my Clone helmet doodles with one nifty red feathered teal boi!

Captain Tukk (CT-8284) of Hill Company in the 241st belongs to @highgroundanimations - the creative genius working on the fan-film "Tukk Tales".

Art taglist: @the-hexfiles

You can find the first helmet collection page here or in my masterlist.

#frostsfanart #star wars #star wars fanart #the clone wars #tcw #the bad batch #tbb #fanmade clone #highgroundanimations #high ground animations #tukk tales #captain tukk #ct 8284 #hill company #241st #traditional art #traditional artist #doodle #mixed media #watercolor #micron marker #aurebesh

[highgroundanimations]

apologies if this has been asked before, but are Captain Tukk, Roy, Checklist (and whoever else we meet in future!) okay to draw fanart interacting with other people's SW OCs?

Absolutely! I love seeing all kinds of takes on my characters & that includes having them meet other artist's creations! 😊

Tukk loves making new friends! 💙

Roy not so much, but he needs to be forced out of his shell sometimes. At least according to Tukk, so let's help him out! 😁

Checklist will quickly say hi & go back to work, he's got another 837 crates to go through and add to the system. Doesn't matter that he has over 20 rotations to finish the job, he knows he can do it in 12 so why waste time? That his shiny armor might finally get a few scratches in the process is just another perk of this important job!

#tukk tales #captain tukk #high ground animations #star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #tukk #241st #fan film #hill company

[highgroundanimations]

💙 It's done! 💙

My (realistic-style) Captain Rex cosplay is complete & I got to wear it for the very first time this weekend! 🥳

Built by the incredibly talented & amazingly fast-working seku_teska_cosplay & weathered by me! 💪

I'm posting more of it on my cosplay Insta: obi_jan_cosplay

Also marks the first time I wore full-body armor in general & got to experience all the sweating, restricted range of motion & constant adjustment of shifting parts that comes with such a wonderful pile of plastic attached all over your body... and it was AWESOME! ❤️

All went well, some improvements to the armor are already planned & I'm afraid the addiction has already started to take effect. 🥴

I think we're all curious to know... Who is your favorite canon clone?

@the-bad-batch-baroness

💙 REX! 💙

Rather boring answer going with THE most main character clone, I know. 😄 But having followed along his adventures for years, growing up alongside him & seeing him go through so much, it just kinda feels like he's this old childhood friend.

Also he's just frickin' cool! And the way he cares deeply for his brothers, showing both badassery & vulnerability... you just gotta love him.

(Also I'm currently working on a Rex cosplay! Can't wait to get that finished! 😁)

#captain rex #tcw rex #tbbb converses #tbb rex #the clone wars #the bad batch #star wars #high ground animations #tukk tales #501st legion #cosplay #convention #cosplayer

[highgroundanimations]

I really appreciate the excitement, but shouting at me won't make it come out faster haha. 😋

An animated shortfilm on this quality level literally takes years to make, all I'm asking for is patience, you're getting it all for free after all. 😉

It's also a personal project that I'm paying for out of my own pocket & that I'm working on alone (aside from sound) between client jobs, which makes it really hard to plan ahead & estimate when & how much I can work on it. That's why there is no release date yet.

It's gonna be a while, not this year & next year would be very optimistic as well, but there will be a lot more updates & cool previews in the meantime. ❤️

Also more character reveals soonish! 😁

I was also thinking about maybe splitting the shortfilm into two or three parts so I can release something earlier, but not sure on that yet. I really think the story works best as one consecutive watch.

Closer look at my clone's face rig. 💀

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #star wars #the clone wars #tukk #241st #the bad batch #fan film #hill company

[highgroundanimations]

Closer look at my clone's face rig. 💀

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #star wars #the clone wars #tukk #241st #the bad batch #fan film #hill company #behind the scenes #blender

[highgroundanimations]

Some Tukk Tales BTS details! ✨

visually, this is a one-man project (aside from Robert Hranitzky's awesome titles/logo), got AMAZING people for everything sound related though

I made every 3d model from scratch, textures are mostly hand-painted, everything is keyframe-animated

mostly using Blender (with some addons & my own scripts), Substance Painter, Photoshop, Blackmagic Fusion/DaVinci & Embergen

with most of the shortfilm still being in rough previz phase, all teaser trailer shots were finalized early, within less than 4 weeks & will get some tweaks/improvements for the final release

for generating the laser FX I wrote a Blender addon & put it for free on Gumroad

lots of trickery in compositing for the smoke FX to keep render times low

the music was composed just for this teaser trailer specifically, by the extremely talented Luis Humanoide who did an exceptional job in very short time. Go check out his work!

saw some people assume the voices are AI. Nope! I wouldn't be comfortable with that. That's Tyler Weston as the clones & AVeryDandyLad & I as the battle droids

all edited & mixed by my dear friend Jonas Hausotter, with some additional sound work by Kyberphonic

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #star wars #the clone wars #tukk #241st #the bad batch #fan film #hill company #star wars the clone wars #Youtube

[highgroundanimations]

He should be. He is now. I make the rules.

[highgroundanimations]

How old are you?? What made you decide to dip your toe into animation?

As of now (2023) I'm 26 years old, next birthday is on January 24. 😁

Also great question! I'll go a little more in-depth below if anyone's interested. 😊

I've been interested in animation, art & story-telling in general ever since I could think! Starting with drawing & crafting a LOT in kindergarten & making flipbook & stopmotion/brickfilm animations in elementary school. Eventually got into shooting fun little shortfilms with friends & adding visual effects to them (those films were WEIRD, but soo fun to make! 😄).

That got me more & more into 3d animation as a hobby which turned into a career once I finished school & started a 3 year apprenticeship as audio-visual media designer at an advertising agency (I was 16 back then). After that I worked there part-time as 3d generalist for 3 more years while starting to freelance on the side. Eventually made the jump to full-time freelancing & that's what I've been doing the past 4 years.

Love the creative freedom of often times being booked as "one man studio" by my clients & the variety of projects is fun! Advertising has to move fast & you're never stuck with one project for too long.

Being a freelancer also makes it possible for projects like Tukk Tales: The Rescue to happen, because I get to chose what I want to work on & when I want to work on passion projects (as long as I'm not broke lol).

And of course one of the biggest sources of inspiration & motivation throughout this journey was our beloved Wars in the Stars! ⭐⭐ I've been a Star Wars fan ever since elementary school & been drawing characters from it constantly, especially droids & clones. And then came THE CLONE WARS! I don't think I would've followed through actually teaching myself how to use 3d software back in 2008 if I hadn't seen the Clone Wars movie around that time. A full-CG, stylized show with my favorite characters in my favorite era? Sign me up! I was so intrigued by how a show like that was made, I HAD to find out!

If you have seen my Youtube channel, there are still some The Clone Wars animation videos on there, from back when I just started learning how to use the 3d software Blender: https://www.youtube.com/@HighGroundAnimations/videos

So The Clone Wars kept me going, inspired me to learn this, to be able to create my own scenes from that universe. But then, eventually you want to grow beyond that, so I wanted to try other styles, other ideas & especially once I started working, I just didn't have as much time for personal "fun" projects anymore. So very little Clone Wars from now on. Fast forward a couple of years, it's the pandemic & the perfect time to go back into hobbies! The animated Star Wars shows have progressed & met a new bar of quality with Clone Wars season 7. What an inspiration! I really wanted to try & see what I could do with all the skills & knowledge I had accumulated since last time & a project like that seemed like a great chance to further strengthen my skills as generalist. So that's when I started again, December 2020 & the name High Ground Animations was born, along with a dedicated Instagram, a renamed Youtube channel & more. No Captain Tukk yet, or any plans for a shortfilm, all that developed during the many months after that. But I've been at it again ever since & there are no plans for stopping anytime soon! 🤘

#captain tukk #tukk tales #high ground animations #star wars #the clone wars #tukk #the bad batch #241st #fan film #hill company #backstory #if you read all this thank you <3

[highgroundanimations]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! 😍😍😍

Thank you @tobythefanboy !

finished this last night. i cant wait for more tukk content <3

@highgroundanimations

#star wars fanart #high ground animations #captain tukk #tukk tales #the clone wars #digital artist #star wars #artists on tumblr #artwork #artist #digital art #drawing #art #fanart #241st

[highgroundanimations]

Into the mist