Extended Practice Initial Planning

I plan on creating a short 2-D animated film. Roughly 4-5 minutes in length, depending on how long storyboards and animatics run. It will focus mainly on character animation and 2-D effect animation, aiming to be stylised with a cel shaded drawing style. I would like to include a segment in the animation featuring a different style or animation technique, potential for a pixel based animation in the short film. It will be supported by character sheets with details and turn-arounds, in depth storyboards and animatics, I will use Maya to create simple 3-D environments and characters to use as a guide for camera positioning and correct proportions. Animation will focus mainly on action sequences, fight scenes and large movements, leaning towards spectacle and style and away from realism. Action will be over-the-top, but not to the extent classic Disney cartoons (less massive squash and stretch, proportions stay roughly the same throughout animation). Animation will largely be done using Adobe Flash, with lighting and filters made in After Effects and sound put together through Final Cut. Would like to have a live action sequence within the animation, person talking in front of camera, potential to get an actor in, use of green screen required.

Story will be based around robots in a futuristic setting, but acting like medieval knights, using swords, protecting kingdoms etc. Robots will be mostly humanoid, potential to explore interesting designs for other robots. Robots will act intelligently, essentially they’ll be human. Story takes place hundreds of years after an AI uprising, when the machines get sentient enough to be individuals they form kingdoms and regress to ancient technology (albeit more sleek and modernised versions, laser swords, castles made of steel etc.) Robot design will be sleek with smooth casings, much like Eve from Wall-E, they will move naturally, not in a stunted robotic fashion, the robots will have personalities they won’t be just machines. Robot faces will be mostly simple with circular lights to denote eyes, their will be no voice acting for the robots. Rough plot: an evil robot warlord besieges a peaceful kingdom and steals a treasured USB which will unlock a doomsday weapon created by humans. A brave robot knight pursues the warlord and their lackeys to an abandoned cathedral where they will have a massive, over-the-top fight.

I plan to work largely on my own for this project, there is potential for other people in the course to help with character design or environment design. I will need help setting up a camera and green screen for a live action sequence in the animation, would only need 2/3 people at most. I have spoken to Lija Jursins and she is happy to help out during filming. Potentially need to hire an actor for this, though I am comfortable playing the role myself. I will need help in compositing the green screen footage and creating a digital background, as well inserting some miscellaneous effects. I plan to obtain help from outside the course to work on the music for the animation, may have to hire a professional to create the soundtrack.