Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Premise

I'm a fair way into the "pre-production" stage of my final assignment, with character models ad shots being sorted out. I want to get as much planning done by the time we finish our Flash tutorials so I can get going as soon as I can. I get the feeling that with my computer ineptness I'm going to be making a few mistakes here and there, and I want to have enough time to make this (hopefully) a good reel piece.

So I suppose now's as good a time as any to put up my premise, and whatever else I have planned so far. I think I've got most of my script planned out as well, so that'll be up shortly.

Premise:
Marie Antoinette is about to make her final public appearance: her execution. She and her beloved hairstylist prepare by creating the most fashionable hairstyle, but Antoinette is not easily satisfied. Numerous sky-scraping coifs later, the Queen finally approves of her hair and is happily taken away by the revolutionaries. In the final shot, the Queen is fixed in the guillotine, with her flamboyantly proud friend watching from the crowd.

Total duration: 1 ~ 1.5 minutes, depending on the length of the soundtrack.

Soundtrack: Ballroom Blitz by Sweet (up to the end of the first chorus, with the last scene ending on the lyrics “ballroom blitz”)

Cuts/ Scene Sequence: The song will begin with the lyrics “Are you ready Steve?”, while which the shot will show a montage of close-ups of the 2 characters preparing (hairstylist will take out his scissors and comb, Marie Antoinette will sit in the stylist chair, etc). Then, as the song moves onto the first riff, there will be a sequence of scenes where the Queen will be in her seat, first with her back to the screen while the hairdresser works. When the hairdresser is done, she will spin around to face the audience and respond to her coif. This action will be repeated around 4-5 times, with the hairstyle getting progressively crazier and Antoinette showing different reactions each time. Finally, the song will hit the chorus, and the two will settle on a hairstyle. The camera will zoom into her happy face, and then zoom back out to reveal a change in scene. The disgraced queen is set in the guillotine, and a crowd (including the hairdresser) surrounds the podium. When the lyrics hit the words “ballroom blitz”, the blade falls and before it hits the screen fades to black.


If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, let me know! I need all the feedback I can get!

4 comments:

  1. I really like your idea for your project. I think it will be fun for you to make and fun to watch. I think the character designs you have so far are great and the song you chose will work really well with your piece. I can't wait to see it. It sounds like a lot of work, but I have seen some of your animation for other classes and you should do fine!

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  2. Wow, you are definitely very far into production! I really can't wait to see the 'numerous sky-scraping coifs.' I think some of these coifs can be something REALLY ridiculous and comical. I love your character design already, so I'm pretty excited to see more of your work. :)

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  3. Really great concept! Very funny and it seems like it plays to your artistic interests quite well. The sketches and aesthetic you have in mind looks great. I can really imagine the scenes to the music, and it sounds easy to follow. The one thing that you might need to look at is the 'conflict' in your story is hard to define. Not that it needs a clear conflict, but it's something you may want to consider.

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  4. Aah, I love that song. I can tell from all the work you've already put into this that it's going to be great. No critique here!

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