Monday 29 October 2012

Storyboards

After making some several changes to the script drafts, the storyboard is finally made!! To me, drawing the ending sequence was really fun!! :D

*EDIT*: changed the portable shelter from cardboard to Concrete.














Sunday 28 October 2012

FAO: Anecdote Studios Team





Meeting Suggestion:

Meet up to check on progress ;D

Does Wed  31st October @ 2pm in the baseroom sound ok with everyone? 



Narrative: Background Props 2.0


After reading Nat and Joey's comments on my last designs, the general message I got was to simplify them and get rid of all the over-complicated lines, outlines and borders.

Any feedback would be much appreciated!


Toys of the 1950s

Some inspiration to '50's Toy-up' our character

Figure 01.

Figure 02.

Figure 03.

Figure 04.

Figure 05.

Figure 06.

Figure 07.

Figure 08.

Figure 09.

Figure 10.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Script Draft No. 4.5


During our group tutorial with Alan, he mentioned that the previous iteration of the script was much too 'wordy'. The Narrator spoke too much and the actions were much too descriptive, so I've rewritten it while isolating the Narrator's Lines and rewriting the actions to make them shorter.


NARRATOR LINES REVISED AND SHORTENED:
NARRATOR:
(Male, 50s American accent) "America. Land of the free and home of the brave!"

NARRATOR:
“Though during these trying times our great country is often under attack!”

NARRATOR:
“But our best military researchers are coming up with new ways to defend our proud country-.."
NARRATOR:
"-from the forces of communism-..!”

NARRATOR:
“Nuclear war!”

NARRATOR:
“And other invaders!”

NARRATOR:
“We’re going to demonstrate, how we can overcome these threats with technology!”
NARRATOR:
“Invention number one: 'Commie-B-Gone' spray!”
NARRATOR:
One simple spray of democracy and any communists you encounter will be sent running for the hills!

NARRATOR:
“Our second invention we like to call 'The Portable Shelter'."

NARRATOR:
“This specially designed shelter will protect you from even the biggest blast waves!”

NARRATOR:
“The design of The Portable Shelter enables you to use it with ease, keeping you safe with minimal effort!”

NARRATOR:
“Our final invention utalizes the best and most advanced technology yet: the Liberty Defender 9000!"

NARRATOR:
“The Liberty Defender will protect you from ALL martian threats."

NARRATOR:
"The Liberty Defender 9000 will notify our American Military of your distress call and immediately send units to quickly eliminate the target."

NARRATOR:
"That concludes this demonstration of American home defense technology, creating a safer America for the generations of tomorrow.”

ACTIONS REVISED AND SHORTENED:
Alan is seen standing in the middle of a 50s ‘pleasentville’ style street.

Alan nods his head, puffs out his chest and waves a small American flag.

Alan drops to the floor, dropping his flag and hiding his head under his arms.

Alan uncovers his head from beneath his arms and looks up at the camera.

A soviet symbol appears over Alan’s head to the right.

A bomb appears above Alan to the left.

An alien saucer appears above Alan’s head between the bomb and the soviet symbol.

The bomb, alien craft and soviet symbol disappear

Alan stands, picks up his small American flag and waves it frantically.

Alan pulls out a spray can from behind him and a cardboard cut-out of a Russian soldier slides next to him.
Alan aims at the cardboard soldier and sprays. A red white and blue mist sprays him in the face.

He cries out and runs in circles covering his eyes. His screams are interrupted by the next transition.

Alan is in center view, folding his arms and wearing an eye patch.

Spatters of red white and blue can be seen just beneath the eye patch.

Alan wanders off-screen. He struggles to drag on a tall, hefty, hollow tube-like oblong of concrete.

Alan wipes the sweat off of his brow and tries to lift himself up inside of  it.

Alan hangs from the top rim of the shelter as it tips and collapses ontop of him.

Alan is in the center frame and he’s in a wheelchair, encased in a full-body cast and unable to move besides his head and arms.

Alan goes to roll off-set, but a small controller falls into his hand.

A cardboard flying saucer suspends by rope over his head and he slowly goes to press the button.
Alan finally presses the button and a blinking target appears on the cardboard saucer.

 Alan sighs. The controller fizzles and sparks and the target relocates to Alan.

He looks down to his body and repeatedly pushes the button.

The end of a barrel of a tank comes down into view next to Alan.

He looks down the barrel and gulps, then looks at the camera.

The camera zooms out to show a horde of American tanks, jet fighters and missles all pointed at him.

Alan holds up an 'Ouch' sign.

Everything fires on him at once, blanking out the screen with explosions and turning it white.

Script Draft No. 4

MUSIC STARTS
SHOW TITLE SCREEN: "Home Safety and You"
Next Title Screen: "Starring Alan!"
EXT. SUN’S LAMP – MORNING

PAN DOWN:

Alan is seen standing in the middle of a 50s ‘pleasentville’ style street.

NARRATOR:
(Male, 50s American accent) "America. Land of the free and home of the brave!"

ALAN:
Alan nods his head in approval and puffs out his chest proudly and waves a small American flag.

NARRATOR:
“Though during these trying times our great country is often under attack!”

ALAN:
Alan pauses and panics, dropping his flag and drops to the floor, hiding his head under his arms.

NARRATOR:
“But thankfully our best military researchers are coming up with new ways to defend our proud and free country-.." 

ALAN:
Alan uncovers his head from beneath his arms and perks up his neck at the viewer.

NARRATOR:
"-from the forces of communism-..!”

A soviet symbol appears over Alan’s head to the right. Alan looks panicked

NARRATOR:
“Nuclear war!”

A bomb appears above Alan to the left. Alan looks even more afraid.

NARRATOR:

“And other invaders!”

An alien saucer appears right above Alan’s head between the bomb and the soviet symbol.

NARRATOR:
“We’re going to show and demonstrate, how we can overcome these threats with superior technology!”

The bomb, alien craft and soviet symbol disappear

ALAN:
Alan picks up his small American flag from the ground and waves it proudly and frantically.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 1: Repellant Spray"
CUT BACK TO STREET

NARRATOR:
“Our first invention will be invaluable should the influence of communism ever overcome America. We like to call it ‘Commie-b-Gone’ spray.”

ALAN:
Alan pulls out a red, white and blue striped and starred spray can from behind him and a cardboard cut-out of a Russian soldier slides onto the set next to him.

NARRATOR:
“One simple spray of democracy and any communists you encounter will be sent running for the hills!”

Brief pause

ALAN:
One arm behind his back with a smug look on his face, Alan aims at the face of the cardboard soldier and sprays. A red white and blue mist sprays him directly in the face. He pauses for a moment and cries out in pain, running around in circle covering his eyes. His screams are interrupted by the next transition.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 2: Staying Protected"
CUT BACK TO STREET

ALAN:
Alan is in center view once again, folding his arms as he pouts, his eye covered with an eye patch. Spatters of red white and blue can be seen just beneath the eye patch.

NARRATOR:
“Ducking and covering during an aerial assault can be a real inconvenience sometimes. That’s why our best scientists have made the 'Portable Shelter'; a means of protection to be carried with you at all times."

ALAN:
Alan looks to have spotted something and wanders off-screen. A brief pause followed by a grinding of concrete as he struggles to drag on a large, tall, hefty, hollow tube-like cube of concrete.
NARRATOR:
“This specially designed shelter will protect you from even the biggest blast waves!”

ALAN:
While the Narrator tells the audience about the shelter, Alan wipes the sweat off of his brow before attempting to lift himself up inside of  it.
 
NARRATOR:
“The unique design of the Portable Shelter enables you to use it with ease, keeping you safe with minimal effort!”

ALAN:
As Alan hangs from the top rim of the shelter, it tips and collapses ontop of him with a loud THUD.

 
CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 3: Preemptive Strike"
CUT BACK TO STREET
ALAN:
Alan is in the center frame for one final time, a frown on his face as he’s in a wheelchair, completely encased in a full-body cast and unable to move besides his head and arms

NARRATOR:
“Our advances in technology through the years have given us the television, the radio and electricity. Now, with the advent of our newest and best technology, our scientists and researchers present: "The Liberty Defender 9000! This new invention will protect us from the most prominant invaders of our country: invaders from outer space!"

Hearing the phrase 'invadrs from outer space', Alan rolls his eyes and goes to roll off-set, but a small controller with a large, red button falls into his hand. A cardboard flying saucer drops down, suspended by rope over his head. Somewhat apprehensive, he steadily reaches out his finger to press the button, wincing as he does.

 
NARRATOR:
“If all other inventions fail you should war break out, the Liberty Defender 9000 will make sure that you have the edge when defending your wholesome, American home from all Martian threats.”

ALAN:
Alan finally presses the button and a blinking target appears on the cardboard saucer.
 
NARRATOR:
"The Liberty Defender 9000 will notify our wholesome American Military of your distress call and immediately send its best units to eliminate the target quickly and quietly."
 
ALAN:
Alan breathes a sigh of relief, thinking he's finally being protected, but the controller fizzles and sparks. The target relocates to Alan. His eyes snap open and he looks down to his body. He panics and repeatedly pushes the buton hoping to turn it off. A rumbling can be heard growing louder and louder as Alan repeatedly hammers the controller against the wheelchair in an attempt to turn it off.

The whirring of machinery can be heard as the end of a barrel of a tank comes down into view right next to Alan. He slowly looks up and right down the barrel. He gulps and looks to the camera, which then zooms out to show a horde of American tanks, jet fighters and missles all pointed at him. Alan holds up an 'Ouch' sign before everything fires on him at once, blanking out the screen with explosions and turning it white.

NARRATOR:
"That concludes this demonstration of American home defense technology, creating a safer America for the generations of tomorrow.”
CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "The End"
MUSIC ENDS

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Background Version 2


Script Draft No. 3

Since Nat recommended that I do the third draft script because I seem to know more about 50s language, I've re-written the script and tried to adhere to the feedback that was given by Alan. For some reason, Scribd isn't letting me upload my script.




MUSIC STARTS
SHOW TITLE SCREEN: "Home Safety and You"
Next Title Screen: "Starring Alan!"
EXT. SUN’S LAMP – MORNING

PAN DOWN:

Alan is seen standing in the middle of a 50s ‘pleasentville’ style street.

NARRATOR:
(Male, 50s American accent) "America. Land of the free and home of the brave!"

ALAN:
Alan nods his head in approval and puffs out his chest proudly and waves a small American flag.

NARRATOR:
“Though during these trying times our great country is often under attack!”

ALAN:
Alan pauses and panics, dropping his flag and drops to the floor, hiding his head under his arms.

NARRATOR:
“But thankfully our best military researchers are coming up with new ways to defend our proud and free country-.." 

ALAN:
Alan uncovers his head from beneath his arms and perks up his neck at the viewer.

NARRATOR:
"-from the forces of communism-..!”

A soviet symbol appears over Alan’s head to the right. Alan looks panicked

NARRATOR:
“Nuclear war!”

A bomb appears above Alan to the left. Alan looks even more afraid.

NARRATOR:

“And other invaders!”

An alien saucer appears right above Alan’s head between the bomb and the soviet symbol.

NARRATOR:
“We’re going to show and demonstrate, how we can overcome these threats with superior technology!”

The bomb, alien craft and soviet symbol disappear

ALAN:
Alan picks up his small American flag from the ground and waves it proudly and frantically.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 1: Repellant Spray"
CUT BACK TO STREET

NARRATOR:
“Our first invention will be invaluable should the influence of communism ever overcome America. We like to call it ‘Commie-b-Gone’ spray.”

ALAN:
Alan pulls out a red, white and blue striped and starred spray can from behind him and a cardboard cut-out of a Russian soldier slides onto the set next to him.

NARRATOR:
“One simple spray of democracy and any communists you encounter will be sent running for the hills!”

Brief pause

ALAN:
One arm behind his back with a smug look on his face, Alan aims at the face of the cardboard soldier and sprays. A red white and blue mist sprays him directly in the face. He pauses for a moment and cries out in pain, running around in circle covering his eyes. His screams are interrupted by the next transition.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 2: Staying Protected"
CUT BACK TO STREET

ALAN:
Alan is in center view once again, folding his arms as he pouts, his eye covered with an eye patch. Spatters of red white and blue can be seen just beneath the eye patch.

NARRATOR:
“Ducking and covering during an aerial assault can be a real inconvenience sometimes. That’s why our best scientists have made the 'Portable Shelter Suit'; a suit to be worn at all times."

ALAN:
A rubbery, black suit is thrown from off-camera at Alan’s face. He scrapes it off of his face and looks at it in confusion.

NARRATOR:
“This specially designed rubber suit will protect you from even the biggest blast waves and the effects of radiation!”

ALAN:
While the Narrator tells the audience about the suit, Alan tries to put the suit on, but it’s a few sizes too small for him. He tries to stretch it out by straining to stand up straight, but the rubbery suit snaps back and squishes him into a ball shape.

NARRATOR:
“The comfortable, form-fitting rubber is designed to be worn under any clothing, so it will feel as if it’s not even there!”

ALAN:
Alan stretches once more, but it snaps him up into another ball shape and he pings off-screen, followed by a loud series of clatters. He zooms counces past the camera.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 3: Adapting"
CUT BACK TO STREET

ALAN:
Alan is in the center frame again wearing his eye patch, but now has a new cast around his foot and a single crutch. He’s pouting again.

NARRATOR:
“In the highly unlikey If the Portable Shelter Suit failing to protect you from the radiation after the bomb, researchers have invented a pill which will instead make you immune to it.”

A small, green pill drops from above and Alan catches it in his outstretched palm. He suspiciously examines it closely. He shrugs as if to say ‘what harm can it do?’ before swallowing it and smiling happily. The lights switch off.

NARRATOR:
“This pill will give your body little doses of radiation over a period of time so that it can get used to the full effect.”

A gradual silhouette of Alan can be seen filling up with a glowing green substance. The light switches back on, revealing a slightly green, glowing Alan, still smiling proudly as if nothing had happened. His hair suddenly ‘poofs’ and falls out and to the floor in a cloud of hair. After a brief pause, Alan looks up towards his bald head, still smiling. The smile instantly disappears.


CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 4: Preemptive Strike"
CUT BACK TO STREET

ALAN:
Alan is sat on the floor on the side-walk, pouting and frowning at the loss of his hair.

NARRATOR:
“For our next invention, we’ll be dealing with the ever-present threat of invaders from space-…”

ALAN:
Hearing the word ‘invaders from space’, Alan rolls his eyes and gets up as if to say ‘you’re crazy, I’m done with this’ and hobbles off-set.

NARRATOR: 
“Scientists have always wondered if we're alone in the universe and have also wondered if that life wants to invade our world. Should such an event happen, researchers have come to a solution: take them out before they take us out. That is why they have invented the "Apple-B-Pie"!

ALAN: 
After hearing the word ‘pie’, Alan pokes his head in from the edge of the screen and hobbles back into center frame with a grin on his face, licking his lips. The pie falls from the sky and into Alan’s palm. He takes a bite out of it, but just as his teeth hit crust, a large explosion fills the camera. The smoke clears, revealing Alan covered in black soot and his mouth still wide-open from biting into the pie. The fence is completely blown apart, holes are blown in the cardboard set background and black soot also covers the area around his feet. He stands there, eye twitching for a moment before he finally falls back, feet in the air.

NARRATOR:
“The Apple-B-Pie, short for the Apple-BOMB-Pie, will send those pastry-craving Martians back to their mother ship faster than you can say ‘Boom’.”

CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "METHOD OF SAFETY NO. 5: Always Be Prepared"
CUT BACK TO STREET

ALAN:
Alan is in the center frame for one final time, a frown on his face as he’s in a wheelchair, completely encased in a full-body cast and unable to move besides his head and arms

NARRATOR:
“Our advances in technology through the years have given us the television, the radio and electricity. Now, with the advent of our newest and best technology, our scientists and researchers present: "The Home Defender 9000!"

Just as Alan goes to roll off-set, A large rocket bazooka-type weapon falls from the sky and thuds in Alan’s lap, weighing down his wheelchair so much that he can no longer move and wedging itself between the arms of the wheelchair.

NARRATOR:
“If all other inventions fail you should war break out, the Home Defender 9000 will make sure that you have the edge when defending your wholesome, American home.”

ALAN:
Alan is covering his face and cowering in fear of the Home Defender, scared of it injuring him somehow. The Home Defender hums with power, but then sputters and coughs smoke. Alan pauses and looks down at the Home Defender, breathing a sigh of relief. The Home Defnder suddenly comes to life and explodes like a rocket, carrying him and his wheelchair as it launches off and repeatedly flies past the screen multiple times, knocking over the cardboard set pieces as he goes.


NARRATOR:
"That concludes this demonstration of American home defense technology, creating a safer America for the generations of tomorrow.”

Alan whizzes past the camera, the fiery rocket exhausted turning the screen white.

CUT TO TITLE SCREEN: "The End"
MUSIC ENDS


How to make a Plasticine Shader in Maya


Narrative : Style Suggestion

I've mentioned this to the group and I think we're agreed on it, 

Claymation Style - but all CG

The Character looks like he's made of Clay as there was a big boom of stop motion animation in the 50's
And the background looks like its made of card as it's a nice simple background and gets broken as things happen in the story









Monday 15 October 2012

Cartoon backgrounds of the 50s.

 Backdrops of cartoons in the 50s very much along the lines of an art-deco style with blocky colours, abstract shapes and an almost collage-like appearence to them, particularly some of the work of Chuck Jones.








Here's my take on this idea. Whatchya think?


Narrative : Clay Character

I wanted to get a feel how it will be to model our character, so I made his bust in Polymer Clay - It was great fun!

Figure 01. Finished.
He reminds me of a guy that runs the Bates Motel

Figure 02. Wire Skeleton Front

Figure 03. Wire Skeleton Side

Figure 04. Mesh Side

Figure 05. Mesh & Stabilisers 

Figure 06. 

Figure 07.

Figure 08.

Figure 09. 

Figure 10.

Figure 11.

Friday 12 October 2012

Narrative : Script : Draft 01




Yes, it's 6 pages long so it will need sifting, but we have a first Draft

Narrative : 50s PSA - Don't Blow yourself up with a model rocket

Look at the weird facial movements in the way this guy talks....
That would be a funny animation....