Set Design

Bellow are shots of the sets used within the film:

 Single use- bridge shot

 Multi use- wider shot, mid shot
Establish shot of home

 Single use- running through the light within the forest.

 Single use- Dark, gloom corridor.

Character Sheets

Mazikki Poach

Mazikki Poach is a feline creature living in a small village surrounded by woodland in which both him and his wife, Annetted lived peacefully. He had always been a good natured, well established man within his village but a series of events caused him to lose touch with the world.

Annette unfortunately past on, dying from illness and a year before the series of events within the film took place. She was the love of his life, and without her, he fell apart- isolated from the village. He started to drink and loose touch of his home before hopelessly staying in bed.

He became even more distant to the real world when he meet his dream friend who declared herself as 'She'. It was up to her too pull him out of the mess he created by symbolically finding Annette and forcing him to accept her death.

'She'

She is a shadow of a feline women who treads the line between reality and dream world. The reason she came to Mazikki was unknown and never really explains who she is during the events. She communicates through very little speech, repeating or asking questions to reveal the true emotions of her friend.

Her body mass is unknown while she never stays the same shape between land and water. She remained a mystery after events, never to return to Mazikki again. He always questioned if that was Annette in shadow form but never thought to ask because of his emotional state.

Annette Poach

Annette was a kind natured feline creature, similar to Mazikki, but with delicate features. She passed on due to an unexpected illness a year before Mazikki met 'She'.

No detail is reveal about her within the film, as Mazikki could never bring himself to even say her name. He seemed to refer to her as she, similar to the shadow women, giving clues that he may have though of the shadow women to be Annette at some point.

Music Cue Sheet

FDA Music Cue Sheet

Rushes Logs

Chris Peak Participant Release Form

Release Form

Recording Session Two- 6th May

It was important during the second session to remind Chris of his character. This involved re-reading the whole script and listening to the clips.

With the accent and tone correct the session began very well. This time round was more relaxed with less issues or unnecessary pauses as before. Ultimately, all final scenes plus some repeats from before were completed.

My directing style was stronger the second time round because I was more confident in what I was doing. I had a stronger believe within my project and new my character well enough to discuss tone clearly. I also ensured that I recorded at least three slightly different versions of each line to have a better choice within the edit.

Better communication grew with a better understand of the project and Chris responded will to my suggestions. Furthermore, he also made some of his own allowing us to have an open discussion about Mazikki's character at certain points. In turn, this influenced the edit because the tone of the lines will depict what visuals I use and the pace of the imagery.

Call Sheet 6th of May

Release Form Two

FDA Release Form Two

Voice Acting Session One

Session one: 29th April 2013

This is the first session I worked with Chris Peak, the voice of Mazikki. After I reviewed his audition clips, I felt he was the best candidate because of his expressive tones and consistent accents. His pitch and tone also reflected the character well.

At first, the session began a little shaky. I noticed that his voice felt a little tight and some of the expressions felt forced. However, this was purely nerves and as we moved on he became more interactive and the expression in his voice was a lot better. He had a great deal of professionalism and understood and recording process well, leaving me with minimal editing. Chris also took direction well, when I explained an emotion or the characters present state of mind, and used this to fuel his emotions to take on Mazikki's role effectively.

My director skills were similar to Chris's progress throughout the session. At first, I wasn't as clear and concise as I felt I should of been which didn't help develop Chris's voice for his character. However, as time went on we both fitted into our roles and I was guiding his expressions. It is important within the film and animation industry to be able to make sure that you have good communication skills because it is an industry built on good, well received ideas. Also, I general lack in the ability to be concise and confident about my ideas and therefore this is a great way to polish up that skill.

The next session well begin the same time next week, due to busy schedules for both of us, in which we will complete the script and complete any lines (the first few at the beginning, for example) which are lacking the right tone or expression.

(This review can also be seen within the 'Voice Actor Profiles' tab)

FDA Media Call Sheet one

Progress review 29/04/2013

My aims within the past to weeks were:

• To complete the 'anger' scenes and shots.
• To put up revised schedule
• To mock up a storyboard of completed scenes so far. 

I have started to create a sequence within Premiere Pro to enable me to see how well each shot connects with the next. It also helps me see any inconsistency's with the colour or amount of exposure in each shot.

Equipment List

Weekly Achievements 2/4/2013

Update

Getting ahead with some of the imagery was the best thing to do the last week. Within my schedule, I wanted all the scenes done by the 29th of March but soon saw this as impossible because of the number of shots within each 'cycle'. So I have devised a new schedule that is strictly animation to keep goal orientated and on track with my progress. Other than this unrealistic deadline, the rest of the schedule going smoothly. I have auditioned and cast a voice actor for Mazikki and will post the response and audition shortly this week. In short, he can perform the melancholy style and low tones well, as well as having talents in speaking in a range of accents. This leaves lots of doors open in terms of accent for Mazikki.

Above are two more shots, the below image missing Mazikki for the moment. The shot design and inking is most time consuming while painting is a quicker task, therefore lining all shots is a good start. Animation will commence when all shots are completed.

For the rest of this week my task is simple. I am too complete at least three more shots within the isolation 'cycle'. There are only nine shots in this section with limited animations- mostly panning and establishing shots.

Weekly Achievements:

• To complete three more shots (at least lined)
• To put up voice actor profile. (New tab)
• To put up animation schedule.

Action Plan Update

Most achievements were reached with the most important (script) being completed to an adequate standard. The finalised version will be a on going task, until the voice and visuals have begun to be animated.

However, I did not manage to do a sound test with a possible voice actor, which may cause a delay in terms of recording. However, this is not a big issue because this can be completed along with the final script within a couple of weeks and does not interfere with any other tasks.

In terms of the project as a whole, there is still a threat that I may have created an idea that needs more time to work on than given. The step I will have to take to avoid this is to create a frame seeing how long it would take me to create it. It it takes too long I will have to think about 'streamlining' my script, trying to keep the story intact.

Visual Shot List

Through my second draft of my script I have not created rough ideas for the visuals. The difficultly will be the amount of shots I can afford to do before it becomes too much and re-creates the threat of being overcomplicated.
However, for now I have an estimate of around 9 shots per a chapter, which doesn't seem much but there are five chapters. The scenes themselves however can linger as it is meant to be a slowed paced 'tension builder' drama, and therefore some of the shots can be cut out. I aim to have this shot list finalised but the 29th of March.

Scheduling

 Progression update

I have been reviewing my progress so far, and it seems that my work is developing after each bit of research or video that I see. I think it is great to get inspiration from others but it is also a concern of mine because as good as research is, I don't want to fall into the trap of copying other work. I have been thinking about how to avoid such a disaster from happening and in truth I need to write down and get clear in my head what bits I want to apply and modify for my film. Only then can I feel that I am not simply recreating the same idea.

So this is what I have done. Combine sources of imagery by 'The Road', the isolated atmosphere and monochrome tone of 'She and her Cat' I want to create a slow placed edit that builds up tension to the critical phases of Mazikki's grieving. Colour itself would be added towards the end as the final stages of acceptance come into play. The animation style however would remain similar to Studio Ghibli, but the movement would be limited similar to 'She and her Cat' for production deadlines and to give the piece a dream-like quality. Even though I have taken ideas as inspiration, I want to combine them to influence my own work, writing it down makes the whole process a lot clearer.

However, this isn't set in stone. I am still continually doing research to get enough information for my script and until that is written out, my visual ideas my change. Not too drastically, however.

 Schedule

The progression of the production in more detail:

Specialist Project Schedule by

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