I was thinking about just starting over completely, then a friend sent me to this lovely little Russian cartoon, and I think I'm getting the faith back.
But this story thing is killing me. I think I can tell a story, but I've been working at it so hard, I can't see the forest for the trees.
It's two weeks til I present again, and I'm going to take that time away from story and start working on something else. I've got these basic characters -- a hero, a mirror, a hut and a witch.
I'd like to try just working on creating these elements. I think if I do a good job realizing them, I won't need to worry about story. Or at least, I won't need to worry about story as much. I've got a hut right now. That's a starting point. The witch is next.
So that's my plan. No storyboards, no animatic, maybe not even any computer work at all. Just drawings, and if I'm happy with my progress, I'll start trying story again. But a written outline, a proposal, something to give me some form before I storyboard again. I hate this mishmash I've gotten into. It's making me punchy. That's no good.
Okay, that's it for now.
Hopefully the next time I post, it'll be fantastic amazing drawings.
6 comments:
I really love your story, even though you seem to be frustrated with it! I can tell when you're presenting that it is really important to you to keep this story that you love involved in your thesis. I think your idea of moving away from story right now will give you a fresh perspective. Is there a way you can shorten the part of the story that you animate in your thesis? Maybe have a scroll giving the first part of the story in text and explaining the myth? Then you can pick up your animation from there. Maybe even start off with a character reading a mythology picture book, with text and still images of your story, so you don't have so much animation to do, than jump into the story and animate it when the action begins. Just a thought. Anyway, good luck with everything!
keep chugging away, the answers are bound to come sooner or later! and i like your abilities, i think yours will be great
Love your drawing of the house!!!! very nice! I think this is the most captivating part of the story, you could just have the house start off stationary and then slowly get up and run away all while the girl is distracted wtih the mirror. Its not the original story... but we get to see the house come to life!
Frustations could help make this a great subject. I can't wait to see this, you should check out the French film Fantastic Planet
The main difficulty with the story is trying to establish the myth without taking up too much time.
Nicolette's idea of presenting the story could work if executed well.
Also, you need to somehow establish that the mirror is magical, so that using it doesn't seem to come out of the blue. Perhaps the mirror always has a slight ghostly reflection of a lake.
In any case, I'm totally for your idea of designing characters before story. Simply seeing your characters come to life in images will eventually lead to personality and characterization, and story will naturally flow from that.
Claire, a little struggling will def pay off but I would also encourage you to remain open minded with the story's development. It seems like you have ideas related to the story that you want to express and are feeling constrained by this specific version of a story related to very old and deep-rooted mythological ideas and symbols that still exist for us in modern times today. Also, this may sound contradictory to above but not everything in the story has to have some greater mythical meaning. This is your story so do whatever you like. I love the image of Baba Yaga as a sage imparting some kind of elder wisdom to her visitors. This is a great choice of ideas so keep going and I'm sure your fantastic imagination will do the rest.
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