Narrative research.
My Idea for my narrative animation was based on a thought my workmates and I came up with. We decided that one day it would be good if we all got together(only a certain number of us) and we went on holiday to Ibiza for a week. I never thought about turning it into an animation.
Story: It follows the adventures of 5 Friends Vacationing together in Ibiza, as you follow them throughout the week you get to see what activities they do and why along with them learning new things and just plain enjoying themselves.
The research helps because once you have learned a bit about the character you can tell what they might go through in their daily lives, once you know how they'd react you can see them in a certain situation.
Using the 15 step story format by Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet helps you to break done complicated ideas in your mind that you have trouble seeing working out, it is easily presented in a way for you and others to understand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPmUIOKW6nw This is a 2 half minute video with Jose Silerio explaining Blake's beat sheet, he starts off with the first beat.
Dramatica
Dramatica is a new way of looking at a story, it goes beyond simply a sequence of beats, It explains how and why we think of telling stories, how are brains have evolved from first drawing cave paints to depict our daily adventures, Some were told by the fire with a group of us, we then when to painting stories on pottery then to using languages/ letters and writing them on papyrus, wax, scrolls and then finally paper.
When we tell a story we create characters based on our lives or experiences, often even they can show our views on what our values are and how our views on life and how we want it to be, even other stories we have also come into contact with they help to inspire us to create our own stories.
Set up (act one): It introduces the characters in public place, i.e. the airport each character is shown after they each make comment you learn a little bit about them, but not enough to think you've got them figured out.
character arc: The plane lands, the characters get to their hotel have spot of dinner. they then relax til late the each go to their respective for some sleep, once the sun rises it begins their first official day of being on holiday.
resolution : They wish they didn't have to leave but they vow to do this holiday again but maybe somewhere different.
It wasn't until i started this project that i decided that it would be a good idea as we had talked about where we wanted to go so it was relatively easy for the location pictures.
I looked at some of the cartoons I used to watch for some inspiration to help with the story side of things.
Lilo and stitch was a good example because it tells a good story, and I also like the where the movies set. My favourite part is when they all go surfing. That is going to be featured in my animation.
Cookie monster from sesame street
Artists and Styles:
Stephen Silver
The Artist who drew all the characters in Kim Possible and animated them was a man named Stephen Silver, he also was the artist behind the Danny Phantom series. (It was animated in Toon boom harmony)
He also draws animals and has a set of visual development sketches for creating your ideal villain. He has is own website where you can look at all his artwork, books he's published.(
http://www.silvertoons.com/portfolio.html)
He also teaches an online class at www.schoolism.com
Below his character designs for Kim Possible & Danny Phantom
Brent Gordon:
Brent Gordon was the original artist for the American Dragon Jake Long, he is also very well known for Sabrina the teenage witch = the animated series, and for the designs of Po and the five masters from Kung-Fu Panda . His designs are quite detailed but simplified which makes them easy to animate. You can find all his work at
http://brentgordon.blogspot.co.uk/ and
http://www.brentgordon.net/Welcome.html.
Below are some of his character designs for American dragon, Monkey from kung-fu panda and Dora the explorer.
I chose both of these artists because of their simple, yet detailed style of drawing it's easy enough to animate and they still have all the right proportions.
