Thursday, July 28, 2011

Storyboarding: Inspired by inactivity

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Last night, because I wasn't working on music or anything else worth my time, I decided I should still use my energy and work on something. So I cracked open a dusty text file with the outlines for the story of the film and read. Unable to focus long on the words, I decided to attack from a different angle and opened up a sketchbook where I have a sparse few doodles penciled in for this project. I blocked out a corner of a blank page and started to set up the opening shot of the film. Then the next block and the next and realized I could really see the story better unfolding in storyboard form.

I've only done a few cells so far but I can already feel the story making more sense. So long as I can fill in the blanks between the major moments I'm sketching, this could actually work. Of course character designs, color palates, and over all style are still nebulous. But when have I ever done a project "like everyone else?" I mean, I started with a soundtrack and I'm working backwards!

The storyboards will definitely help me see everything better and give me something to come back to when I'm not sure what to do next. Everyone else involved in this project is in the midst of other more pressing matters. One brother, Mike,  is directing and shooting a movie with one group, designing websites, and still working a day job. Another brother, John, is preparing for his first baby with his wife! (Congratulations to all three of them! ^__^) My sister Theresa is busy with a dance/performance art group and various collaborative art projects. And my other brother Jim is a full time parent and part time thinker-of-big-things who is getting ready to move his great big family to Texas. Put all our skills together on the table and this movie can definitely happen. It's just a matter of coordination between individual endeavors and life-matters and those pesky day jobs we call livelihoods.

Perhaps I'll share these early storyboards some time. Especially if they become outdated and are replaced by better work from Mike. He's the animation guy here after all! Until then, watch this beautiful 26+ minute film I found on YouTube and completely adore. It's set in a dark Steampunk world where the sky is sailed upon like the seas and monsters are waiting behind closed doors.


Also, here's a music video for a song called Eye of the Storm. The songwriter was involved in making the video as well. There's a behind the scene video as well which shows how hard they worked on this. Inspiring stuff from both videos!



Merry Steamery & Punkitude,
--dam

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