"I am the dazzle at the heart of the pantheon, and the glint in the eyes of the mad.
I am the last thing you see before you fall into the abyss." - Mr. Ring-a-Ding
an indie multifandom/multiverse rp blog for Lux Imperator/Mr. Ring-a-Ding from Doctor Who
-written and adored by Alex (he/they)
minors dni
mun is 30+
spoiler heavy for episode Lux
rules || about || verses || PLAYLISTS
TAGS
plotting call
headcanons
don't make me laugh || meme
the last thing you see before you fall into the abyss || ooc
the glint in the eyes of the mad || episode lux
the dazzle in the heart of the pantheon || art
"Making Mr Ring a Ding" notes
Thank you so much to Elpida Kyriakou and Standish Millenas for hosting. This was a very informative webinar!
I'm going to keep all my notes under the cut because it is a LONG list, but I look forward to seeing what my mutuals will be posting too (shout out to @aangussca for staying up super late to get notes and @artscheese for getting some great screenshots!), I can't wait to compare notes! Get ready for a whole lot of trivia!
Some backstory - Framestore started off working on music videos before going on to create effects and animation for multiple productions. As we're focusing on character work here, I'll highlight their work on Rocket Raccoon, Baby Groot, Winnie the Pooh, Paddington and, my personal favourite, the Wild Things in "Where the Wild Things Are."
Elpida specifically works on modelling, texturing and lookdev (seeing how everything reacts in-scene). Notable credits include Tom and Jerry, Sandman and Cowboy Bebop (live action).
Elpida worked very closely with Ian Spendloff, director of character design, when working on Lux's 3D look, which made the transition a lot easier (still not easy due to the translation between styles, but good communication goes a long way).
Ian also painted over the 3D model to see if it translated well.
When concept art began, the main information given for Lux was blue skin, a piggy nose and "we don't know what he is."
The only parts decided prior to production was a general design and his height, specifically for eyeline and so the actors had an idea of what kind of creature they would be responding to.
Animation was done in London by both in-house animators and legends of the craft (Neil Boyle was named specifically, but also shout out to Tim Watts, Michael Schlingmann, David Lochhead, Julien Van Wallendael, Carlos De Faria and Dani Tomlinson).
The team went through many different concepts (including a less rounded look, a moustache and even a cow nose at one point)
Lux's antennae were originally strands of hair on his balding head.
Inspirations listed for the 2D look (stage 1) were Betty Boop and Popeye due to being somewhat unsettling and having good ink work.
Unsurprisingly, the smile was a HUGE part of the design, to the point that it was a big focus when modelling his 3D look in stages 2 and 3 too.
"His eyes need to look like he's always having an episode."
References for the cuter 3D stage we see for a shot (stage 2) were Pixar and even stop motion to an extent.
There was lots of insistence to keep him cute and round here, no visible creases on the face or pinching of the lips. A lot of the essence of his 2D construction is still there with how his mouth moves to keep it appealing.
Elpida often thought how it would feel to hug Lux to see if that was a good indicator that he still looked cosy.
Turntables showing how the model looked from all angles under different lighting helped to highlight any potential changes needed, and even then some were spotted later into animation.
Colour codes were used in the storyboards to show what stage of rendering was to be used at each point.
The aim for the realistic look (stage 3) was to push the realism to the point of scaring children, but not too gory (Elpida did say if the show had been 18+, she would have pushed a little more as it's always fun to do that with a design).
Main references were modern Spongebob, as well as photos of rotten teeth and skin damage (also horse teeth specifically).
"He needs to look like a man who hasn't slept, lives in his mother's basement and has never seen the sun."
Ironically, he does have a lot of sun damage in this form, as well as smoker-lines and a big ol' vein at the side.
So much dandruff, spider-leg ear hair, translucent skin, hairy antennae.
Thanks to one question somebody posed in the Q&A, I now know that they rendered his entire mouth. Props for dedication.
His shirt is also stained with an unknown substance EXCUSE ME?!
ET was used as a reference for his neck.
Made to look more boxy to highlight the difference from his bean body in stage 1.
His suit is specifically made to look like the velvet from the theatre curtains, old and dusty. His hat also no longer floats.
I just wrote the word "MOIST" at one point and I know that wasn't a direct quote but boy did they try to make this blue gremlin look vile and wet!
King Charles' hands were the primary reference for Lux's bloated, gross fingers and that is incredibly funny to me.
There is a fully rendered Lux out there with complete anatomy and this fact will haunt/amuse me for the rest of time.
The crew were all listed under the Framestore umbrella in the credits as so many people worked on the show. This sadly means they were not individually credited and I hope I've done my part in sharing the names of those I know of.
There is no confirmed plans for Lux to return, but the team are more than open to the idea (it's just not their call).
Sunshine Sally sadly did not have a larger role planned (that they knew of).
They know about all of the fanart ("Into the Inkwell" mention in the Q&A, very cool) and are amazed by just how much love the character has received (I know the 2D team were engaged with the fan reception, but it's nice to see that extend to more of the crew). They are also thrilled by the concept of the dingles. They know about us, guys! BE AFRAID!
"I can't sleep." A lie. He'd woken up and felt too independent for sleeping in the same room with his whole family...but he didn't want to be in his and his siblings' room alone, either. Frustrating.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" He looked at the screen, and immediately found the TV very boring. What? You utilize your adult powers for THIS? Ew, turn on netflix, you old.
"Guess I'm in the same boat as you," Ring said with a sheepish chuckle, shrugging. When he noticed Raven wasn't all too impressed with what was on the tv he cleared his throat and picked up the remote. Oookay, let's see what else can be watched on here!
Look, he wasn't as tech literate as everyone else was. Yet.
That dangerous grin on Lux's face made Hook shiver, there was something so tantalisingly handsome about it... A thrill. Oh if only he could watch the toon in action...
He leant back into the bed, sighing, contently, somewhat relaxed at the fact that those sickos would get what was coming to them. Not that they didn't get something from him already... Perhaps some broken ribs, a broken nose and missing tooth... and a hook to someones chest.
"I'll be waiting," he smiled up to the ceiling of his bed, letting his eyes drift close as he found himself slowly drifting off.
Lux didn't often get his hands dirty, so to speak, but he could make an exception. At least near the tail end of the little...massacre he'd caused. His influence had drawn madness within the group. The alcohol and violence from before made them very susceptible as he watched just out of view from the public.
But his light was persistent, and these men were not going to get any rest. Not with his meddling. Eventually the frantic fighting happened between the group, Lux grinning as they mistook friend for foe - or perhaps, they never saw themselves as comrades at all! How quickly mortals turn on each other! Fascinating. And all it took was some irritating visuals and confusing audio haunting them.
When only one man was left standing, Lux gave a slow clap as he made himself known, where the man panted and glanced frantically around himself before settling on the confusing sight in front of him. "The...fuck is this? Shit - fuck, were we drugged?!" The man nearly dropped the knife in his hand when he realized what he'd done in a moment of clarity.
Lux caught the hand, however, suddenly taller than he had been a moment ago, his eyes a feral glow of malice despite his friendly smile. "It's rude to ignore a guest," he crooned.
The lights in the room began to flicker, and the sounds of screams soon followed. No one dared walk past the apartment building.
--
When Lux returned to the pirate ship, he was pristine, as if nothing had happened. He had, however, brought something back with him. Dropping the severed arm of the same man who'd stabbed Hook, he let it land on the end of the bed as he took a seat, lighting a cigar while he waited for the captain to wake up.
The god of light was in a far better mood, leg bouncing with energy as he hummed a little tune to himself.
Send 🏳️🌈 + A muse to get a headcanon about a facet of their queer identity
Since Ring's 'memories' of living inside his films were essentially falsified by Lux, Ring hasn't actually been in a romantic relationship with anyone yet.
He remembers dating Sally, but again, they could be argued to be fake, since he only came to life the moment Lux took over.
Discovering he's bisexual is very new to him, and so is the aspect of dating in general. He's looking forward to it, though, when he's not plagued and exhausted by a certain death-god's nightmares.
Send 🏳️🌈 + A muse to get a headcanon about a facet of their queer identity
Ring -
It's been pretty complicated for Ring to really know what he is. Technically he was made in the 30s, not exactly treated well in and out of media. If anything, they were usually jokes or subtle between the lines to get around censors. He was mostly 'written' to be a flirt with the ladies. He's certainly more familiar with the women, but since he's been 'real' and allowed to interact with the world outside without Lux's influence, Ring has been able to more freely express himself and, well, work on discovering himself.
In main verse he might have a crush on a certain cat-man but shhh, he's still working that out.
He went on a date with Hook in our verse too hehe >: ) so he's certainly not afraid to take chances! He's a romantic at heart!
Lux -
Hmm, this one's tricky because i've talked a lot about him in the past. What could be new and interesting? Ah - as I've been writing him in various relationships, I have definitely found that while he is curious about intimate activities, he really doesn't consider it the first option. Touch is very important to him, obviously, but it's not always sexual. Not to say he won't get easily flustered by attention, and he certainly enjoys kissing! Like Ring, he's a sucker for romance. He's affectionate. But if his partner is wanting more, they're going to have to suggest it first more often than not.
Just his flavor of asexuality! Even if he doesn't really consider labels all that much in his god-brain.
Lux, meanwhile is nonbinary and biromantic/panromantic asexual. While he appears as Ring he prefers he/him pronouns but he's not opposed to they/them.
as for myself i'm a mess lol Nonbinary? more masc identifying, sometimes genderfluid. bi/pan ace. he/they preferred but i'm not upset if she/her is used.
look below for my super cringe Glowblin expy Lux/Ring-a-Ding for my Neon Odyssey game!!!
his name is Lumen Nary, he's a Holostar Icon and wears a pair of glowing antennae on a headband. very radical. used an 80s suit for reference. It's so awful adsfgd
once again i always detest my coloring and think the sketch uncolored looks better but the colors make the whole glowblin thing...make sense. but whatever lol
look below for my super cringe Glowblin expy Lux/Ring-a-Ding for my Neon Odyssey game!!!
his name is Lumen Nary, he's a Holostar Icon and wears a pair of glowing antennae on a headband. very radical. used an 80s suit for reference. It's so awful adsfgd
my sleep schedule is such absolute ass right now BUT
i've lost like uhhh over ten pounds in the last month and a half now since i got diagnosed pre-diabetic again and was put on some new med.
been semi working out, eatin different. still tired as FUCK but i'm down from 231 to 217 and i'm feelin pretty good with myself. hoping to keep myself at 150 eventually.
anyway, life's been a rollercoaster lately. battling depression, the new diagnosis, migraine meds and getting used to tHAT - i'm tired so much ofthe time and pushing myself. dealing still with brain fog.
i really want to get back into writing but my head is just not quite there yet to focus on plots. and i know people are waiting on those and it sucks because i WANT to write them!
anyway just an update. i'm not dead. i'm not /leaving/. i'm just kinda lurking for now until my brain lets me get back into things and maybe the right song comes along i can hyperfixate on to get the ball rolling again.