Animatic 02

Animatic 02

Today I have finished my first batch of revisions for my story beats and animatic based on feedback for Brian Robinson.

Below is my animatic version 02.

The main changes for this is the implementation of camera movements. Most of the changes have occurred in the story beats where I have slightly altered narrative point and I have also added camera positions into the text itself. One of the more significant changes is the colour code. I decided to give each part of the narrative a colour for each different character that appears. This allows you to look at the story beats and visibly see where the character changes. I have also tried to narrow each character change down to a few core emotions and it turned out that I had somewhat the basis of the five stages of grief reflected in each of my five character changes.

Action beats

The scene starts with the singular character, Brando, appearing in this bare environment that only consists of a door as far as Brando can see. The audience discover things at the same time as the character. Before he was plucked from his life, Brando was walking down the street muttering to himself about his life. He wants better for himself but he is too comfortable where he is so doesn’t take the necessary risks for change. His mutterings consist of how he doesn’t take opportunities that present themselves.

Colour Code:

Character 01: This is the main character

                Confusion/Frustration

Character 02: This is the main characters First Body Change – Another man

                Surprise/Shock

Character 03: Second Body change – Chubby Kid

                Anger/Desperation

Character 04: Third Body Change – Female

                Sadness/Depression

Character 05: Fourth Body Change – Dog

                Happy/Acceptance

Character 06: Back to Original

                Relief/Contempt

Action Beats/Story Beats

Character 01: This is the main character

                Confusion/Frustration

1: Brando starts off in the environment with the magic door. (Ultra-wide shot)

                He is far from the door.

2: At first he doesn’t quite realise where he is. (wide shot cut)

He is now reasonably close to the door but the audience don’t see him walking towards it. This is to warp their perception of distance in this opening part.

3: He has his head down doing head movements like he is giving himself a ‘talking to’. (close up cut)

These are his emotions that he has carried over from the world he has been plucked from. He is not happy with his life and wants change for the better but he doesn’t want to leave his life that is safe.

4: He begins to realise that he is in some strange environment. (close up)

                Confusion creeps across his face.

4: a: Pauses with Brando looking at the door. (wide shot)

                Puzzled face.

5: Walks towards closed door. Pause. Thinking. (same shot)

                Confusion turns to curiosity.

6: Examines door, looks around the doorframe to only see the other side of the environment. (Tracks into a mid-shot with Brando and door, camera pans with Brando to the other side of the door with a puzzled expression)

7: Opens door and looks confused. Pause. (back to wide shot)

                Slight frustration and some more confusion.

7: b: He makes a move away from the door, not wanting to bother with whatever is happening. (Wide shot)

                His face reads of someone who doesn’t want the hassle.

7: c: He physically stops himself, then he turns around back towards the door. (Mid-shot)

7: d: He pauses for a moment, eyes closed, deep breath. (Mid-shot)

8: Takes a step through the door. (Mid-shot)

                At this point he has the appearance of “fuck it, let’s see what is going on”.

Character 02: This is the main characters First Body Change – Another man

                Surprise/Shock

9: Comes out looking different (Franklin rig). (wide shot)

10: Doesn’t realise at first, he turns around to look at the door once more. (Wide shot)

                He is a little disappointed, he worked himself up to expect something special to happen.

11: Looks down the doorframe and suddenly notices he has rather large feet. (Wide shot)

12: Movements of panic as he feels his face and looks at his hands. (Close-up)

                Horror.

13: Looks back at the door – realisation of what must have happened. (Same shot)

                Desperate emotions as he doesn’t know what to do.

14: In a determined fashion, storms through the door once more. (Same shot)

Character 03: Second Body change – Chubby Kid

                Anger/Desperation

15: Comes out as a chubby kid. (Wide shot)

16: Despair and anguish at the second appearance change. (Close up – looking up)

                Shock. Now he is really desperate.

17: He doesn’t have much hope at this point. (Wide shot)

Character 04: Third Body Change – Female

                Sadness/Depression

18: He goes back through the door and comes out as Sam (the female). (Wide shot)

19: His mood picks up a little as he admires the body but when he tries to walk it fails. (Same shot)

                He is breaking down, he is a woman and he can barely walk with the slim legs/small feet.

                Even more desperation.

19: a: He is on his knees with his head in his hands. (Mid-shot)

20: He hobbles back to the door and walks through. (Tracking wide shot – camera follows him crawling to the door)

Character 05: Fourth Body Change – Dog

                Happy/Acceptance

21: He comes out as a dog. (Camera slowly moves to other side of the door)

                (There is a pause from when the camera gets in position and when the dog comes out)

22: He chases his tail a bit and rolls onto his back. (Mid-shot of dog with the door in view)

23: The door closes. (Same shot)

A moment of silence as he looks at the door. His face also silent of emotion. Tongue out panting, wides eyes and bouncing ears is all that is given away.

24: He dashes towards the door and starts scratching at the bottom of it. (Close-up shot of him scratching)

                Panic rushes over him.

25: He realises he might be stuck forever. (Same shot)

26: He takes a few steps back and sits with his back to the door and his head down. (Wide shot – door on right of screen)

                He almost doesn’t know what to do, he has almost accepted his fate.

27: A few moments of him with his back to the door. (Same shot)

28: The door opens slowly. (Same shot)

28: a: His ears pick up the sound and his head picks up. (Same shot)

29: He quickly turns around and sprints for the door. (Same shot – camera tracks to other side of door to see next change)

Character 06: Back to Original

                Relief/Contempt

30: He comes out as his original self. (maintain wide shot)

31: He is relieved and overjoyed, he hugs himself and feels his face to double check it is him. (Same shot)

                He couldn’t be happier

32: He then confidently walks to the right of screen. (Same shot)

33: a: Before leaving, he looks back at the magical door with a wry smile. (Close up)

                Suggest he has gotten the meaning behind what has happened to himself.

33: Shot through the door looking towards Brando as the door closes slowly while he is walking away.

Summary:

Tomorrow I will present my second drafts during the mentor meeting to get feedback on them. Then hopefully I can get into Maya and begin to block out my entire animation with key poses.