In today’s tutorial with my tutor, I shared a much clearer concept, the name of the show, who are the characters (their styles, names, characteristics etc.) and a synopsis of the series and what kind of adventures we can show the children are having.
She also felt, that having the characters rooted in what actually children are like in reality who make more sense and children would empathize much. The children should also act in a certain way i.e., either camera shy or full of energy when the camera is around. Another thing pointed out was that the characters need a bit more gravitas in terms on design, so she recommended me to watch a couple of films and shows e.g.,
School Disco by Brian Wood
School Disco is a short about what goes on during school prom. For example, the absurd behaviours of the teachers and how some student’s are very standoffish. Brain Wood is the same mastermind behind the beloved series, the Cramp Twins
The designs of the characters are very simplistic, and each characters has a different skin colour (maybe this represents different ethnicity and class stature). Even the background work is very linear and the colour palette is filled with pastel tones.
In terms of story, a constructive criticism was how it should revolve around one activity and each characters could have its moment to shine even if they are just in the background. Although she did like the idea about characters having names contradictory to their characteristics. I also shared some visual references regarding the execution. For example, the gumball effect where the backgrounds are raster images (real life images) an 2d animated characters added in to these environments. She advised to first make a sample animation of it before you take it into account for the final execution.
I also shared this with another tutor and he gave me some reference videos to look at and told me about a senior who attempted a mockumentary for his final project.
Playing Fields (2022) by Lawrence Bignell
Playing Fields is an animated short exploring the relationship between children, teenagers and adults in a playground setting. The film aims to bring a unique Essex flavour to the animated mockumentary format. The film tackles an absurd scenario where someone has painted penis’s over the playground and has recorded a view of citizens. Instead of the location, the nuance of the situation plays out very well and the characters themselves do not have any idea how to react in front of the camera and so they blur out anything bluntly. Even the background activities are a treat to watch.
Then next two shorts he recommended were also mockumentaries made by my tutors himself and the funny thing is that they are exactly in the feel that I am trying to achieve.
Hence, I have a much better idea of the approach I want to take and have to revise on some aspects.
References
The Amazing World of Gumball. 2011. [Film] Directed by Ben Bocquelet. USA: Cartoon Network.
http://www.youtube.com. (n.d.). School Disco (a short film by Brian Wood). [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABkRiqtZ3G4 [Accessed 30 Apr. 2023].
Widdowson, A. (2013). Pear Skins. [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/63162816?share=copy [Accessed 30 Apr. 2023].
vimeo.com. (n.d.). Hox Pops – Mobiles vs Votes. [online] Available at: https://vimeo.com/67647517?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=12176534 [Accessed 30 Apr. 2023].
http://www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Playing Fields (2022) Version 1. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLcSYjSHn7pfaKbN8TML9_1ePYcXOgMqn2&v=gk7Xe-rHFvM [Accessed 30 Apr. 2023].
Arsalan Awais 