For my final animatic I included more images to give a clearer representation as to how I'd like the scene to be animated - I also flipped one of the images to make the Hobo character's position more consistent. In hindsight, I think I should have spent less time on the background and more time thinking about the character animations, as well as the camera direction.
Most of my sound design was done through the internet, rather than sound recording myself - if I had have done so, I could have had more direction in the soundtrack. However, I am pleased with my use of diegetic sound - to begin with PG can only hear the music from her headphones, while the audience is aware of all the sounds around her - I think it came across effectively, though I could have probably refined the sound design more by using a better program than iMovie, which I found became very cluttered when I introduced new samples.
I found it quite difficult to fit all I wanted to into the 20 seconds, and felt I had to compress the story in order to do so, though I still believe the core idea was put across. If I were to conduct the project differently, I would spend a bit more time on the creative writing and plot; I put most of my time into the character design and it took a while for any kind of story to become clear to me.
Overall I am happy with the project and the final animatic, though if I were to make another animatic I'd manage my time more wisely and use better software to avoid unnecessary stress.
Revised script
I've adjusted the script in response to the minor changes in my rough animatic.
“Under The Bridge”
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEY WAY - EVENING
PUNK GIRL leaves bar from back entrance into alleyway looking disappointed. She lights her cigarette, puts on her headphones and starts walking while listening to generic repetitive music. Sounds of traffic and light rain can be heard in the background.
EXT. BRIDGE/UNDERPASS
PG enters an underpass of a bridge, faint sounds of a banjo playing can be heard (although she is unable to hear due to her headphones).
PG approaches a dark silhouette of a man with a banjo, there’s a small creature on his shoulder, which she doesn’t notice.
HOBO is playing a melancholy song, watching PG as she passes and getting frustrated by her lack of response.
BAT notices earphones and flies over to remove them. Simultaneously HOBO stands up and starts to play a more up beat tune skilfully.
PG is shocked when her headphones are abruptly removed by BAT, but before she can discover BAT she instantly becomes engaged in HOBO’s banjo playing.
HOBO is pleased that PG is finally paying attention, who begins to smile as she rediscovers her love of music.
Scene ends with HOBO and PG dancing together.
FADE OUT.
Logline: An unlikely pair find common ground through their love of music.
“Under The Bridge”
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEY WAY - EVENING
PUNK GIRL leaves bar from back entrance into alleyway looking disappointed. She lights her cigarette, puts on her headphones and starts walking while listening to generic repetitive music. Sounds of traffic and light rain can be heard in the background.
EXT. BRIDGE/UNDERPASS
PG enters an underpass of a bridge, faint sounds of a banjo playing can be heard (although she is unable to hear due to her headphones).
PG approaches a dark silhouette of a man with a banjo, there’s a small creature on his shoulder, which she doesn’t notice.
HOBO is playing a melancholy song, watching PG as she passes and getting frustrated by her lack of response.
BAT notices earphones and flies over to remove them. Simultaneously HOBO stands up and starts to play a more up beat tune skilfully.
PG is shocked when her headphones are abruptly removed by BAT, but before she can discover BAT she instantly becomes engaged in HOBO’s banjo playing.
HOBO is pleased that PG is finally paying attention, who begins to smile as she rediscovers her love of music.
Scene ends with HOBO and PG dancing together.
FADE OUT.
Logline: An unlikely pair find common ground through their love of music.
Rough Animatic - Better quality
After adjusting various settings in iMovie I managed to export the animatic without the image quality suffering. I now feel confident in producing my final animatic using iMovie.
Rough Animatic
I synced sound to my final storyboard frames using iMovieHD - unfortunately I couldn't export the animatic without it becoming pixelated. I will be using a different program for my final animatic. The rough animatic allowed me to reflect on the use of time for each frame and how the sound should be placed - I'm hoping to have a little animation in the final result.
Final Storyboard
My final storyboard - I decided that shadow and lighting should be a key factor within my animatic, in order to give it an atmosphere. I spent about 10-15minutes on each frame, which I think maybe a bit much. The story also differs to the script, ending with HOBO and PG dancing together. I noticed a few inconsistencies, such as HOBO switching sides and PG's cigarette is missing in a frame.
Bat Character
The bat doesn't really play a major role throughout the animatic, but I thought it could be used as a device within the plot to remove PG's headphones - this allows me to use less frames than I did in the initial storyboard. I decided to have some fun with the character, making him "Cute" but in an ugly and dopey way.
Script
“Under The Bridge”
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEY WAY - EVENING
PUNK GIRL leaves bar from back entrance into alleyway looking disappointed. She lights her cigarette, puts on her headphones and starts walking while listening to generic repetitive music. Sounds of traffic and light rain can be heard in the background.
EXT. BRIDGE/UNDERPASS
PG enters an underpass of a bridge, faint sounds of banjo playing can be heard (although she is unable to hear due to her headphones).
PG approaches a dark silhouette of a man with a banjo, there’s a small creature on his shoulder, which she doesn’t notice.
HOBO is playing a melancholy song, watching PG as she passes and getting frustrated by her lack of response.
BAT notices earphones and flies over to remove them. Simultaneously HOBO stands up and starts to play a more up beat tune skilfully.
PG is shocked when her headphones are abruptly removed by BAT, but before she can discover BAT she instantly becomes engaged in HOBO’s banjo playing.
Both BAT and HOBO seem pleased that PG is finally paying attention, who begins to smile as she rediscovers her love of music.
SCENE DISSOLVES
FADE IN:
PG’s headphones left abandoned on the floor of deserted underpass.
FADE OUT.
Concept
This is my final concept for the animatic, as it may look as a finished product. I wanted the lighting and shading to play a large role, as well as a rendered background.
Colour Schemes
Using my concept, I adjusted the colour settings (colour balance, hue, saturation) in Photoshop in order observe what colour schemes would work best. Whereas I really like the warm glow the yellow tones give the piece, I decided the best colour scheme would be the piece with blue overtones, as it really adds to the atmosphere and suits the script as well.
Mood Boards
Scene
This is a concept of how one of the key scenes within the animatic might look further along in the production.
Initial storyboard
Initial storyboard - I will need to condense it a lot in order to fit everything into a 20 second animatic. I found it quite difficult to draw so small within the boundaries, so I will be creating my final storyboard digitally with a graphics tablet.
The Hobo concept
I wanted the Hobo to have a creepy, mysterious air to him; that he maybe dangerous. I also tried to give him an almost shaman-like quality with the glow of his eyes. However, I want to make sure I put across that he isn't a menace and just appears that way.
"Hobo" character
I further developed the Hobo, I decided he should wear quite muddy browns and scruffy clothes, but also that he should have an air of mystery and intrigue about him. He plays a broken Banjo and wears an old Cowboy hat, and his cloak is always drawn over his face - I don't think I'll ever reveal his full facial features. His age isn't really defined, but he should have sense of wisdom and experience.
I also started to speculate as to how these characters would come into contact with one another and how they're react towards each other.
I also started to speculate as to how these characters would come into contact with one another and how they're react towards each other.
Background, context and additional characters
I started playing around with the idea of "Punk Girl" encountering another character, and this encounter would be the main theme of the piece. At first I thought about a cute character that would live under a bridge and began sketching a bat -like creature. But then I decided to include another human figure, and a rough hobo/busker type man came to mind. I also began including rough background sketches of urban environments, and decided to have most of the story take place under a bridge.
Digital Punk Girl
I wanted to generate a clear final design for future reference, which working digitally allowed me to do. I also stated using shading at this stage.
Further Punk Girl development
I began finalising the character design and bringing some context to the character. She's in her mid-twenties, smokes often and enjoys listening to music - however, I think one of her point should be is that she's become absorbed in digital or "virtual" music rather than the real thing, and has begun to get quite dispassionate.
"Punk Girl" further developed
I started using colour and fine-liner and began to try and keep the character consitent.. 
"Punk Girl" initial sketches
After scrapping the "Rockstar" character I decided to create a punk style girl - I drew influence from typical punk traits, such as coloured hair, piercings and boots as well as existing people, such as Alice Glass and Debbie Harry.
Further character sketches
I started designing a "Party animal" type man - he was meant to be a binge drinking DJ or Rockstar character, I used influences from existing people such as Peter Tosh and Kurt Cobain and also Hunter. S. Thompson. I didn't develop this character any further as I couldn't think of a suitable context for him in a 20 second animatic.
Initial character designing
Some initial sketches - exploring animal and human characters, age, style, gender and figure.
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