Another series I've been looking at for a while in terms of inspiration is a mystery cartoon called Gravity Falls. Although I have only watched little of the show itself, I found myself drawn to the artstyle, which manages to find a nice balance between exaggerated shapes and more realistic proportions. I also found myself drawn to the artstyle due to its use of colour as I felt that a lot of the natural colours of the landscape as well as the darker tones of the lairs of monsters could be used as an influence in my own animation. In addition, the theme of the supernatural that exists within Gravity Falls also reminds me of my own animation.

Here's another quick turnaround, this time of the Prince himself! Might have to go back and re-do the behind shot - the arms look just a little bit off. I like how the front one came out though.

Here's a quick turnaround of the protagonist of my short film, Gulisa! I tried my best to make her design simple without looking boring or flat. I'm hoping I've succeeded in that regard.

Another influence on my animation project has been various Disney films, but most notably Beauty and the Beast. When trying to create my own dance sequence for the end of the film, I began looking at a number of sources before finally taking a look at the ballroom sequence in Beauty and the Beast.

Having been so influenced by Disney films while writing the original story for my animated short film, I felt it was only natural to take a look at how the film draws you into the dance between Belle and the Beast. Although I did not try to crib any of the choreography of the scene itself, simply watching how the scene plays out helped me to sort out my own dance sequence in my storyboards.

While working on pre-production for my major animation project, I've been looking at a number of different animated television shows and films. But I think, in terms of art style, one of the biggest influences so far has been Adventure Time.

I feel Adventure Time's simplified character designs have had a very strong influence over the art style I've been using on the project as it often reminds me of a child's illustrations for a fairy tale-type adventure. As a result, I feel that the art style perfectly suits the kind of story I am trying to tell.

Gulisa Character Design

Here's a coloured version of Gulisa in both her servant clothes and her dress for the ball. Just a quick colour job, but it's close to how I envision the final animation (Though definitely a lot more clean-looking!)

Character Designs

Hey there! Here's a bunch of character designs for my animation project, the tentatively-titled "Ashes to Ashes, Cinders to Cinders". Most of these designs were basically me trying to figure out the Prince's outfit and Gulisa's hair (Gulisa being the female lead if I haven't mentioned it before). 

Animation Project Script

Sorry for not uploading this earlier. I've had this done a while, but I forgot I hadn't uploaded it while I was working on my storyboards. So without further ado, here's the script for my main Animation Project! Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to fix the formatting...

FADE IN:

EXT. FIELD - DAY

GULISA and the PRINCE dance and spin around in the center of the field. As they spin the sun begins to set behind them. As they slow to a stop, GULISA and the PRINCE look into each other’s eyes and stare. They begin to lean in to kiss.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOM - EVENING

The MOTHER swings open the door, banging it. GULISA, who is holding a broom close to her, quickly begins to brush the floor. The MOTHER watches her for a moment and then shuts the door again.

CUT TO:

INT. WASHROOM - EVENING

GULISA is sitting in front of a basin with a washboard, furiously scrubbing down her clothes.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING

GULISA is washing dishes over the sink. She glances out the window in front of her to see the palace lit up. GULISA glances over to see her MOTHER is asleep in her chair. GULISA glances back towards the window and scratches her chin.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - EVENING

GULISA leaps out the front door in her dress and begins to race down the street towards the royal palace. 

CUT TO:

INT. PALACE - EVENING

GULISA arrives at the palace and stops to catch her breath. She glances around the room and spots the PRINCE. Slowly, GULISA approaches him and gets his attention. She offers her hand to the PRINCE, who accepts her hand and begins to dance with her. The two spin and dance around the hall, eventually coming to a stop. The PRINCE dips GULISA down, allowing her to look in a mirror. Noticing that the PRINCE casts no reflection in the mirror, GULISA pulls herself up and stares at the PRINCE, who grins and bites down as GULISA screams.

FADE TO BLACK.

Character Concept Sketches

Here's another update - this time, here's some quick concept sketches of the characters featuring in my short animation for Pieta House.

Pieta House Storyboards

As part of our course, we've been tasked with putting together storyboards for a short animation. Here are the initial storyboards for mine!

Pieta House Research Reference

For the purposes of figuring out what I want to do with my animation, I decided to take a look at a couple of different animations for the purpose of deciding on my art style as well as what medium I wished to use.

No. 1 - Star Wars: The Clone Wars

I decided to take a look at this animated show as I enjoyed the art style and felt a similar style might be suited to the animation. Some of the detail I feel might have to be stripped away for the sake of time, but otherwise I feel this art style is worth using, even though I do not intend to use hand-drawn animation.

No. 2 - Sym-Bionic Titan

Sym-Bionic Titan is another series I decided to take a look at. The art style uses a lot of strong shapes, which I felt would be suited to what I wanted to use for the full animation. Although again I have no intention of doing a hand-drawn animation, I felt the art style could still be used as an influence.

No. 3 - Paper Mario

Although the art style is drastically different to the two previous examples listed, I felt the art style of Paper Mario was very endearing to me as it was both simple and - due to the nature of the games - I felt it could translate easily to a form of cut-out or paper animation. As a result, I felt it was worth looking at for inspiration.

No. 4 - Terry Gilliam

As someone who is an experienced filmmaker and animation, I felt it was worth looking at Terry Gilliam's work for reference with regards to cut-out animation. A lot of his work is much more surreal than the idea I have in mind for my animation, but I feel that his art is very dynamic and full of energy.

No. 5 - Twice Upon a Time

I had not heard about this movie until very recently, but upon seeing some of the animation I found myself interested in the very stylized character designs. As a result, I decided to look at it for reference with regards to character design in cut-out animation.

Outlines

As part of my main animation project, I was asked to write a number of different outlines for my story as part of pre-production. So without further ado, here's the outlines I've written:


Ashes to Ashes, Cinders to Cinders

No. 1

A Young Woman is out with her mother when she spots a poster declaring that there will be a ball at the Prince’s Palace. Although interested, the Young Woman’s mother drags her home and has her perform chores. Once the Young Woman is done her chores she sits in her room, admiring her shrine to the Prince. Outside her window, she notices people racing out to the Palace to attend the ball. The Young Woman eventually decides to sneak out to the Palace.

Arriving at the Palace in her best dress, the Young Woman is nervous to approach the Prince. Nevertheless, she manages to summon enough courage to approach him and ask for a dance. The Prince reciprocates and the two dance gracefully together. The two have the time of their lives.

As the dance comes to an end, the Young Woman glances in the mirror and notices that her Prince has no reflection. As she begins to register what this means, the Prince bares his fangs and prepares to bite down on her neck.

---

No. 2

Gulisa is dancing together with the Prince, having the time of her life. As she is dancing however it becomes clear that she is merely daydreaming as her mother yells at her to stop and has her immediately go back to her chores. As Gulisa washes the dishes she sighs, only to notice that everyone is attending the ball at the palace. Eager to join her Prince, Gulisa waits for her mother to turn her back and escapes unnoticed.

Gulisa races through the town until she arrives at the Palace. Upon arriving, she immediately becomes aware of the difference in station between her and the other guests. Many of the people around her look upon her in scorn, appearing almost demonic to Gulisa’s mind. But Gulisa manages to bravely walk up to the Prince and request a dance with him. The Prince agrees.

Gulisa and her Prince dance the night away, enjoying each other’s company at the ball. The two eventually come to a stop. Gulisa takes a moment to glance in the mirror, only to realize that the Prince does not show. As she gasps in shock, the Prince bares his fangs and prepares to bite down on her neck.

---

No. 3

Gulisa is running through the streets, clutching her dress as she runs. She hears a yell and ducks into an alleyway to hide as people run past. Glancing out from around the corner she sees an old woman - her mother - yelling for other people to find her. Turning, Gulisa sees the Palace off in the distance and begins to make a run for it.

As Gulisa runs, her mind wanders to the Prince. She pictures a sweet and goodly man. She sees herself getting married to him, but is immediately knocked out of her daydream by the shrill scream of an older woman. Redoubling her efforts, she races down the path only to find her path cut off by her mother. Her mother looms over her menacingly, but before her mother can take hold of her, a creaky rain gutter breaks off from the side of a house and smacks her mother on the head, knocking her out.

Stepping past her mother, Gulisa runs to the palace, where she meets her Prince. The Prince is at first confused, but then embraces her and the two begin to dance. As their dance comes to an end, Gulisa notices that the Prince has no reflection in a nearby mirror. Before she can comprehend why, the Prince bares his fangs.

---

No. 4

Gulisa is running through the streets, clutching her dress as she runs. She hears a yell and ducks into an alleyway to hide as people run past. Glancing out from around the corner she sees an old woman - her mother - yelling for other people to find her. Turning, Gulisa sees the Palace off in the distance and begins to make a run for it.

As Gulisa runs, her mind wanders to the Prince. She pictures a sweet and goodly man. She sees herself getting married to him, but is immediately knocked out of her daydream by the shrill scream of an older woman. Redoubling her efforts, she races down the path only to find her path cut off by her mother. Her mother looms over her menacingly, but before her mother can take hold of her, a creaky rain gutter breaks off from the side of a house and smacks her mother on the head, knocking her out.

Stepping past her mother, Gulisa runs to the palace, where she meets her Prince. The Prince is at first confused, but then embraces her and the two begin to dance.

---

No. 5

Gulisa is racing through the streets, heading towards the Palace. She is panting heavily as she approaches the Palace. At the Palace itself, an old woman stands over her two unattractive daughters as both try to woo the Prince. As the Prince looks over the both of them, Gulisa enters the ball and captures the attention of the Prince. As the old woman’s daughters glare at her, the Prince encourages her to come inside and begins to dance with her.

The two dance together in the great hall, enjoying one another’s company. As their dance comes to an end, Gulisa notices that the Prince has no reflection. The Prince, grinning, bares his fangs and prepares to bite down on her neck, but Gulisa pushes him away and races off. The Prince gives chase and the two eventually come to the kitchen. After racing inside, Gulisa suddenly realizes she has trapped herself.

The Prince walks towards her, fangs bared. In a panic, Gulisa glances around the room desperately. As the Prince jumps towards her she grabs a string of garlic and shoves it inside his mouth. The Prince recoils, writhing on the ground as the garlic poisons him. Eventually, he becomes still. Gulisa, relieved to be alive, begins to leave. As she does so, however, the Prince’s hand begins to twitch.

---

No. 6

Gulisa is outside her house, doing chores late at night. As she cleans out the stables however she comes across the Prince, who is wandering about on his own. She approaches him and notices what appears to be a cut on his lip. Approaching him, she offers him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth with.

Every night afterwards, she continues to sneak out to meet with the Prince, who continues to reciprocate her feelings. Eventually, the Prince asks her to attend a ball hosted in his palace. Gulisa accepts and begins putting together an outfit for the ball.

On the night of the ball Gulisa arrives and begins to dance with the Prince. The two dance together until eventually Gulisa begins to notice that the Prince casts no reflection in the mirror. Before she can comprehend why, however, the Prince begins to bare his fangs and bites down on her neck.

Greetings!

Not much to say other than welcome to my new art blog. This is where I'll be regularly updating everyone on my college work and particularly my progress on my main animation project this year.