Context
This tab will explain all the building blocks that formed my idea, and the necessary documents I created to make it.
Idea phase & Mood Boards
Before I could begin creating proposals and treatments, I first had to think of an idea. This section details the process I utilised when creating it.
Idea download
I knew I wanted to experiment with animation for this project and so began researching and noting down animation styles that interested me. I would then bullet point short films I could make with each style.
After researching my ideas I decided to explore each short film idea in much more detail to help give me an idea on which one sounded most interesting.
Due to my last idea, I had come to the conclusion that I would either make a film about life or about a colourful fight scene, I decided to give large rough plot synopsis' to help choose between the two.
After my research I was able to flesh out my idea and understand exactly what animations I would use.
After getting a good sense of an idea, I started creating mood boards to help give me some more inspiration and allow me to show my inspirations.
I showcased both, things that inspired my ideas and what emotions I am trying to invoke. I also linked particular scenes from the media I listed to give a clearer showcase of what I'm aiming for.
Later I added a song list to my mood board, my aim with this was to give me songs I could utilise in my film to help invoke the correct emotion I am aiming for. I also linked the songs to easily find them.
Proposal document
Course: UAL Level 3 Diploma Creative Media Production and Technology
Candidate Name: Jack Dean Anthony Mercer
Student ID: 50026632
Project Title: Interdimensional Fight Scene
Rationale
I am aiming to use 4-5 different types of animation with the basic plot being a tense fight scene. My idea is very ambitious, and I will purposely create my script in a way that makes it easy to cut out any animation scenes if I am unable to complete them. I have chosen animation as in the past actors have often cancelled last minute causing big delays and because I can take more time with each shot. Since this is my final major project, it is also my final chance to create an animation before university and I want to experiment with this style while I still can. My animated fight scene will also include two scenes in live action, I have done this as my passion is still directing and I would like to add to my experience in that title. Finally, I will try to add lots of dialogue and character moments due to my high experience in script writing and my constant strive to improve it.
Project concept
My project will revolve around two main characters in a 3–5-minute fight scene. The video will focus on spectacle of the action and the contrast between the two characters personalities. One character will be drunk, significantly weaker than the other character and won't take the fight overly seriously. The other character will be incredibly serious and will be purely focused on the goal of either shooting or arresting the other character. My aim of this project is to create an incredibly unique visual experience that's very fun to watch, I also hope to make both characters interesting and hint at the wider universe. Before I start my project, I am going to research many types of animation to better plan on the style I will use. I will also research how to write a great action scene and investigate how various famous scenes were choreographed. Once research and preplanning are finished I will likely film actors recreating many of the fight scenes as reference material for my animation. I will also film the live action opening and conclusion of the short. I will film using a tripod and DLSR camera, and I will have to use a microphone to record foley sounds. I will use adobe premiere pro, adobe and audition and possibly even photoshop to create my project. This will be a challenging project as I only have 10 weeks (16th may) to complete the research, writing, preplanning, recording, animating and editing of this project.
Evaluation
Over the course of this project, I will be making daily detailed evaluations on the work I've done, what went well and what went wrong, and I will explain what I plan to do in the future. By doing this every day throughout my project, I will have a very detailed list that shows how I progressed through it. This will make my evaluation very easy as I can read exactly what went wrong and what caused plans to change over the course of the project.
Proposed research
For my research, I will primarily focus on secondary research. I will do my research by searching and looking at various websites online about, the evolution of animation, types of animation, types of stop motion animation and easy animation styles. I will also go to my local library (Crawley, West Sussex, Library) and find books on animation to expand my sources of information and make sure I am knowledgeable enough on the subject. Once I have a great knowledge on which animation styles I will likely utilise, I will then do even more research into all the specific details on how to achieve each of my chosen animation styles. I will also do research on fighting choreography, anime action and fight script writing.
Library books I'm planning to pick up:
Cavalier, S. (2011) The World History of Animation. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
West, M. (2005) Making an animated film: A practical guide. Ramsbury: Crowood.
Harryhausen, R. (2003) An animated life: Adventures in Fantasy. New York: Billboard Books.
Roberts, S. (2022) Animation techniques. Crowood Press (UK).
Harryhausen, R. and Dalton, T. (2008) A century of model animation: From méliès to Aardman. London: Aurum.
Furniss, M. (2008) The animation bible: A guide to everything - from flipbooks to flash. London: Laurence King.
Ternan, M. (2013) Stop-motion animation: How to make and share creative videos. London: Apple.
d'Orleans, P. (2021) Unarmed stage combat. La Vergne: Crowood.
Treatment
Name: Jack Mercer
Title: Interdimensional fight scene
Genre: short film, comedy/action/drama, PG13
Duration: 3-6 mins
Target audience:
The short will be targeted at teens and young adults around the age of 12-19 for violent imagery, suggested dark content and minor swearing.
Fans of Science fiction or animation will likely enjoy me film as it deals with various forms of animation and has minor sci-fi themes, action fans may also enjoy it as there is consistent action for most of the film however, the violence is primarily animated.
Story:
Logline: Fighting through realities
Synopsis: The interdimensional police finally locate the fugitive, now in a drunken and careless state. The fugitive and the police fight to the death as the fugitive forces them both to travel through realities.
Plot: The interdimensional police officer finds Zane tinkering with his watch in the garage. He restrains and handcuffs Zane and explains to Zane that they know about Zane's interdimensional watch. Zane breaks out and pretends to be oblivious to what the officer is saying. The police explain that Zane must surrender to them, or he will take lethal action. After Zane keeps refusing the police officer charges at Zane and bangs Zanes head on the table causing them to teleport dimensions, proving the police officer right.
The two fight, ending with Zane scrambling free and running out of the building. The police officer brandishes a pistol and chases after Zane. Zane runs into a field and hides as his watch hasn't cooled down yet. Just as the police officer catches up to Zane, they change dimension again and another fight breaks out. At the end of the fight the police officer gives one last warning to Zane and he proceeds to change the dimension once more. The new dimension turns them to clay and they both rush to the watch to change once more. One last fight breaks out and Zane goes back to the original dimension with the police officer.
The police officer pins Zane to the ground, Zane goes to change dimension, but the officer grabs his watch. Zane pleads for his life meanwhile the officer talks about how he enjoys the fear his targets get when they run out of tricks. The officer shoots Zane and walks away.
Zane: Zane is one of our two main characters; he is in his late 20s to better match the target audience and make him more impressive and reckless. He is incredibly smart but is incredibly impulsive and never takes a threat seriously. Zane has a superiority complex that makes him genuinely believe he is invincible, he believes no one can seriously hurt him and that he will always get his way. Zane is in possession of a watch that allows him to travel through dimensions. Zane has travelled through many dimensions in his time and has done unspeakable acts in those of which he has visited.
Government: I have yet to think of a good name for this character. This character is very authoritative, loyal and calm mannered. We don't learn much about this character for the majority of the animation, he is primarily used as a threat against Zane. Government is someone who will play by the rules and will always give a chance for his targets to live however, he secretly prefers when they fight. Government prefers when his targets fight as it gives him legal reason to kill them and when he does that he can watch them experience fear for the first time, one of the only things he enjoys in life.
Audio elements:
Soundtrack: I may have a fast paced and action oriented main theme to pump up the adrenaline of the fight.
Foley sounds: I will definitely include many fighting sounds utilising various objects. For example, slapping meat to make the various punching sounds. I may also use outdoor sounds for any calm moments, and powerful winds for fast actions.
Rationale
I have chosen to make a short film using 4-5 different types of animation with the basic plot being a tense fight scene. I have chosen this project as throughout my 3 years of media I have barely touched on animation (only doing one tiny project on it) and it is a style that has really interested me for years. Since this is my final major project, it is my final chance to create an animation before university and I want to experiment with this style while I still can. My animated fight scene will also include two scenes in live action, I have done this as my passion is still directing and I would like to add to my experience in that title. Finally, I will try to add lots of dialogue and character moments due to my high experience in script writing and my constant strive to improve it.
Requirements and resources:
My cast will feature two people one playing Zane and the other playing the government character. They will both have to voice act and perform live action sequences. I will do all technical aspects of the production.
I will utilise a tripod, a DLSR camera, a small lamp of some form, a lightbox, Adobe premiere pro, photoshop and adobe audition.