After meticulously finalizing the character designs and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the classroom surroundings and sets through thorough site visits, I proceeded to complete my initial animatic with dialogues recorded by my friends. The primary objective of this stage was to effectively translate the intricacies of my storyboard into a series of meticulously crafted shots. My foremost priority lay in meticulously refining and locking each shot, ensuring a nuanced interplay of levels and scales. By strategically manipulating perspectives, I aimed to imbue the visual narrative with an overarching sense of grandeur, evoking the perspective of a child.
To complement the visual dynamism, I meticulously honed the character movements, ensuring that every gesture and action remained engaging. This approach was underpinned by the intention of holding the audience’s attention while catering to their inherently short attention spans. The narrative involves a playful rendition of ‘the floor is lava,’ prompting the need for multi-level structures that facilitate the characters’ avoidance of the ground. Consequently, I thoughtfully integrated strategic locations that would serve as jumping points and platforms for their interactions. These spaces were also meticulously furnished with preschool essentials such as sofas, tables, and play areas.
However, I recognized that solely focusing on character interactions with the furniture might undermine the impact of the erupting “lava.” To counter this, I strategically introduced the interior of the school with a compelling scenario. Two characters ingeniously navigate the perilous “lava” by floating on a cushion and using it as a makeshift raft. Their interaction with the surrounding environment showcases their resourcefulness and introduces the class pet, Lizzy, through an unexpected collision with her cage. This not only enhances the narrative coherence but also adds depth to the characters’ motivations.
A paramount concern throughout this phase was ensuring the seamless cohesion of shots, locations, camera angles, and scene movements. This cohesive approach was meticulously aligned with the overarching goal of crafting a visual narrative that consistently emulated a child’s perspective – one that is marked by vivid imagination and delightful exaggeration. The final culmination of basic shots, intricately designed locations, thoughtfully curated camera angles, and precisely choreographed scene movements was realized through a meticulous locking process. This ensured that the entire video resonates with the imaginative and exuberant lens of childhood.
Arsalan Awais 
