I, along with a small group of animators and special effects artists, will be animating through the last year of our course. With help from character designer and layout artist Lucy Clay, I have been able to create a story with colourful characters and backgrounds before animation has started to get under way.
Proposal:
My plan is to gather information first, taking primary photographs and videos of various locations to gain inspiration for the layout of my film. Then taking images from the internet, build up an image of my characters that will show what that characters personalities will express, as my film will have no speaking roles, and will depend solely on the actions and appearances of the characters. I understand that as the term moves along, the characters and film will develop, depending on the input and feedback I get from my tutors and peers. These will also affect the story/plot of the film, so this may change too.
I then plan to do the storyboard, which will be done in photoshop. I developed a way of creating storyboards in photoshop by drawing each shot on a separate layer instead of in a template with 6 boxes, as it is easier to put these into an animatic later on. From this it will be easier also to animate.
Proposal:
My plan is to gather information first, taking primary photographs and videos of various locations to gain inspiration for the layout of my film. Then taking images from the internet, build up an image of my characters that will show what that characters personalities will express, as my film will have no speaking roles, and will depend solely on the actions and appearances of the characters. I understand that as the term moves along, the characters and film will develop, depending on the input and feedback I get from my tutors and peers. These will also affect the story/plot of the film, so this may change too.
I then plan to do the storyboard, which will be done in photoshop. I developed a way of creating storyboards in photoshop by drawing each shot on a separate layer instead of in a template with 6 boxes, as it is easier to put these into an animatic later on. From this it will be easier also to animate.
STORY SYNOPSIS
- Opening Scene: Water of the river flows gently as the title of the film 'River Man' fades in over the top.
- The weather is not very sunny, but not dull enough that there aren't some heavy shadows cast on the scene. It is a little breeze and cold enough to wear a scarf and coat. About late Winter to early Spring.
- Camera pans up from the river to a far away view of a man (Average Joe) leaning on an large old bridge looking out.
- The man looks ordinary with common fashion, a wool coat with a wool scarf, slim trousers and pointed shoes. His hair is mid-short and messy, his eyebrows are thick and he has a long triangular nose. Underneath his eyes are signs of tiredness.
- There are two old lanes either side of the river and some trees in the surrounding.
- New shot: Right profile of the man leaning on his arms on the bridge looking out towards the river.
- The man looks sad as a breeze blows his hair gently. His arms are folded.
- He looks down at his left hand and (camera angle is now close to his hand) unfold his arms to take a look at the wedding ring on his finger.
- Camera is now in front of him as he lifts his spread hand up to eye level and looks at the ring. He then lowers it and the camera is now focused on his hands taking the ring off.
- Camera goes back to his upper half and he angrily looks at the ring now in his right hand and throws it into the river, where the camera is now far away from the bridge and the ring drops into the river close to the camera.
- He has folded his arms back and leans on the bridge once more as he hides his face in his arms and sighs.
- (Camera behind him at an angle: right) He stays in that pose for a few seconds before suddenly, the ring comes back up out of the river and onto the bridge behind him.
- (Closer) Upon hearing the sound of the ring's 'clink' on the road, he lifts his head in surprise and looks behind him to see it.
- The camera shows where the ring has landed.
- Back to man who looks confused and turns to look back at the river.
- He leans over the edge with the shot looking up at him.
- Camera changes to his reflection on the surface of the river.
- After a few seconds, the River Man (RM) jumps out from the river towards the camera.
- RM kisses the man who is taken by surprise.
- The kiss lingers a little and the man eases up a bit.
- RM pulls away and smiles to the man, who, understandably, is in shock, and stares back at RM.
- Spots of rain start to fall.
- RM then winks at the man and falls back into the river.
- The man wanting to see where RM went, rushes back over to the edge of the bridge and looks over, frantically looking for RM, but he is not seen beneath the water.
- It starts to rain heavier.
- Despite this, he runs from the bridge (towards the camera) and runs down the road at the side of the river, with the camera now behind him.
- The camera shows the man running on the opposite side of the river.
- He stops and still tries to look for a sign of RM.
- The man not looking where he is going, turns to run back to the bridge, when he bumps into another man who holds an umbrella walking in the opposite direction. He spins round and looks annoyed at the man.
- The other man stands and looks at him. (The other man wears a large sleeved jumper and leggings. His hair is dark brown and long.)
- Main man looks confused as the other man looks a little familiar, thinking that it may be RM, but isn't too sure.
- The other man smiles back to him and then opens his hand to reveal the wedding ring that was presumably left on the bridge.
- Realising that it's his wedding ring, he looks shocked, thinking how he had forgotten about it, and how the other man had brought it down from the bridge.
- He reaches to take the ring, when the other man holds onto his hand and they stand looking at one another.
- The man snatches his hand back and looks away in embarrassment.
- The other man smiles in understanding, and in concern, hands the man his umbrella.
- The man looks confused, and gives a questioning eyebrow raise.
- But the other man insists, and so he gives in after rolling his eyes.
- He takes the umbrella. He then gives a questioning look towards the other man as if to say 'why?'
- The other man simply winks and walks away.
- Realising that it was RM, he stands and watches in awe. Then with a feeling of happiness, he turns and starts to walk back towards the bridge.
- He walks towards the camera, but stops when he hears a loud distinctive splash.
- Without turning around completely, he smiles broadly and continues over the river.
