Some Thoughts on Whispers

So, as we go through recording all the sound for the master score of the film I'm also recording stuff from the scratch track (or rough sound). This includes the barrage of negative inner thoughts whispered into our hero's head near the beginning of the film. When I initially sat down to script out what I'd be saying I had to thing hard about the most clear statements that cut straight to my own insecurities as an artist. At the same time I wanted what I was saying to hit a broad audience of artists and their fears. Though I'm sure you can't make out all of them in the film I'd like to share the list with you:

-You're never gonna be good enough

-All your work is derivative

-You're better off staying put

-You'll never achieve anything

-They're all so much better than you

-You're too far behind

-You'll never be as good as them

-Everything you do is unoriginal

-You don't have the connections to make it

-You gotta have money

-You're weak

-Don't even try

-You're not talented

-You're not worth it

-They'll never notice you

-You don't have a voice-you never will

-You're not strong enough

-You're not creative enough

-Stay where it's comfortable

-Stay where it's secure

-Don't take risks-they will never pay off

-Just go back

These aren't even all the things I could think of but 22 is more than enough for the sequence.

I wanted to share the same sentiments I've had and have seen loads of other artists say to themselves. This negativity is rampant in what we do as artists and I thought it was very important to include in the film as the road block for our hero. I actually originally conceived of these two shadow characters that represented and spout this negativity at key parts of the film but had to balance and focus the plot a bit so they got left on the cutting room floor. Though those characters didn't make it I really didn't want to downplay this factor in the artists' journey.

Artists today are exposed SO MUCH ART on the internet and it can be REALLY EASY to get discouraged. Top that with the anxieties a lot of artists already feel and the weight can be crippling. I have seen it. A lot.

That's why I feel it's a very important aspect to show in the film.

I hope that this film is able to communicate how the hero's resolve and determination help him through those anxieties. I reeeaaalllly hope this encourages artists of any medium to plow through that roadblock.

Look At Some Pretty Moving Pictures!

Thought it was about time for a good dump of the shots I've been rough animating on!

I've also included previously posted shots that I went back on. Mainly I've been using the pencil tool with some texture for the roughs as many animators do to simulate that rough feel for when they go back and do clean-up animation. This all of course harkens back to good ol' pencil an' paper!

I also did some semi-opaque shades to help differentiate the character from the environment. Normally this wouldn't be so with rough animation but I believe that it's a narrative choice for the sake of better readability and an overall better film.

Cathedral Time!

As a director I love gathering all kinds of inspiration from multiple places so when I was coming up with the cathedral idea I scoured the internet for resources.

Luckily, I took a little time during my most recent NYC trip to visit a couple cathedrals. My favortie for inspiration turning out to be St. John of the Divine and I highly suggest visiting this massive bohiemoth.

Though I took a lot of pictures for reference inside the cathedral I new I would have to really sell to my designers how huge the interior is which is when I discovered this VIRTUAL ONLINE TOUR!

It's from there I set about laying out the interior to define the scale for my concept artists to work with. I came up with this basic layout and blocking:

And in case you were counting--that's over 500 desks and workers!

Concepting!

Got some great concept work on the cathedral interior by Diego Abad.

First bit of concept

aaaannnd my notes

second bit of concept evolution

second bit of concept evolution

Currently we're figuring out the best to incorporate the ideas of a dilapidated Cathedral/Warehouse inspired by these images to get the general feel:

Continually adding Members to the Production Team

If you check the Production Team Page you'll see a lot of new, bright, shining faces.

Got A LOT of great people working on the film and even more fun stuff we're producing so STAY TUNED!

New Story Reel!

It's been a while and I actually skipped updating the last one but here is the latest Story Reel!

We've progressed far enough into the animation production that the Animatic really no longer is JUST an Animatic. Now is the time we begin piecing together the film--swapping boards for animation, backgrounds, effects and the like. So, the result is called a Story Reel.

There have a been multiple updates from rough animation to the first real glimpse of our finished antagonist. So, enjoy!

THE MOST EXCITING VISUAL OF PRODUCTION!!!

I thought I'd start this week by sharing THE MOST EXCITING BITS OF VISUAL ARTISTRY IN THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION OF ANIMATED FILMMAKING!!!

GANT CHART TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, yeah, not the most visually stunning but GANT Charts are very helpful when planning an animated production with a team of workers. This particular chart is blank and I'll give an updated one sometime later in production but basically you chart out who handles what parts of what shots when alllll in this one chart. I also included shot descriptions in case it gets a bit craaazzzyy!

At the bottom of both is a key explaining the color system coding difficulty of shots as well as abbreviation and priority. Gives you a good sense of how a director assesses production to help things run smoothly.