Week 8

 Current Status of My Project

As I was creating a rough edit of the footage I filmed during week 6, I struggled to feel satisfied with the content I was producing. The narrative lacked meaning and was generic, there was a lack of opportunity for VFX to be implemented without it feeling forced, and I just was not passionate about the direction I was taking the short film. Although I am well into the production process, I believe the best decision for my capstone project would be to reconsider and refocus the stylistic and narrative choices I have made. I still want to make an effective horror short film with VFX that enhances the story rather than distracts from it. I will also still use the colour and themes I have discussed in earlier weeks, however the content and format in which these elements and communicated in will be different. I believe this is the best decision right now as it is not too late in the process to make big alterations and ultimately the motivation for my new idea will allow me to create more quality outputs. I am not completely abandoning what I have created this far, but rather adapting the ideas to a new style that I am more excited about. 

New Concept

My inspiration for a new idea came from multiple short films and animations I had researched throughout this project. I had considered this idea in week 1 but decided to take a more traditional horror film approach. I want to explore experimental horror through the nostalgia of 3D children's animations from the 60's-90's. Personally, I have always sensed a eerie feeling when watching these types of shows in my childhood. The poor quality, the lack of detail, the barren cartoon landscapes, the characters looking into the camera, always sent a strange undertone to audiences. I want to explore this feeling of uncanny horror further, as I was doing in my original idea. This animated form of media is a much more effective way to convey this uneasy feeling. I intend to create an eerie 3D cartoon mixed in with live action footage in a cohesive story. This way I will have a lot more opportunity for both animation and VFX than in my original footage and story. Here are a few examples of my inspirations:

Inspirations

The short film "The Kid and The Camera" by Braiden Ortiz has been my main influence for this change in style. The nostalgic feel of the 3D animation, 4:3 aspect ratio, static, and opening title really engaged me in the story. I intend to have a similar feeling in the animation aspect of my short film. Ortiz's short film has a grim and disturbing ending which may be too discomforting for audiences, I intend to have lighter subject material as my character will be an adult making rational decisions rather than a naïve kid.

The Story

The new story I have created to fit this new style involves a live action character that gets sent an old tape / DVD. When he plays it, it will transition into the animation with the nostalgic effects as previously mentioned. From here, the story will change back and forth from the live action to the animation and back again as creepy elements from the animation start appearing in live action. I believe this is a much more simpler and effective plot for audiences to follow compared to my original idea. I also consider this plot to be a more impactful horror / thriller experience as the animation subdues expectations of a traditional horror.

Story summarized: Opens with 3D 'clay-like' animation, 4:3 Aspect ratio, glitchy and static tape effects. The animation is seemingly normal, a kids cartoon featuring a girl name 'Sally'. The narrator states that sally is scared of the dark and suggests using a nightlight. The tone of the animation suddenly changes as the narrator makes mention of a monster in sally's world and footsteps can be heard before the show suddenly cuts to black. We then change to live action footage of the protagonist "Michael" who is answering a knock at the door. He received a package containing a DVD for "Sally's World" after his friend said it was one of the scariest kid's show he had ever seen. Michael is not conviced that the show is creepy as he watches an episode. He texts his friend to tell him the animation is a nothing more than a kids show. Eventually Michael falls asleep and when he awakens in the middle of the night on the couch, the show is still playing, however only now the show is called "Mikey's World". The animation is the same but now with a 3D clay like character that is reminiscent of Michael and the narrator talking to "Mikey" rather than "Sally". He assumes his friend altered the tape as a prank but when he calls him, his friend has no idea what has talking about. Michael continues to watch the tape but as more eerie things start to occur, such as strange and uncanny monsters in the show talking to Michael rather than "Mikey", he turns it off. As Michael becomes increasingly scared, he gets another call from his friend, however, the voice on the other side is the narrator from the show. He starts to narrate to Michael as if he is now in the show. The narrators warns Michael that if does not keep watching, he wont find out how to escape 'the monsters'. Michael, now unsure if this is a big prank by his friend, decides to not turn the tape back on. The short film ends with a VFX monster (a more scary and detailed version of the animated monster in the show) breaking into Michael's house then cutting to black. The credits will be in the style of the animation with a final title appearing on the screen displaying "Mikey's World! Episode: Goodnight Mikey" before the actual credits roll.

Here is the first draft of a script I have made:

Narrator - old British male voice - similar to narrations in “In the night garden” and “Pocoyo” (David Attenborough vibes)

[Opens with an old 1990’s / 2000’s 3D animation, 4:3 aspect ratio, heavy static and grain.

Title card: “Sally’s World! - A TV9 Production” “Episode: Goodnight Sally!”]

[Kid-friendly cartoon ambient music playing]

[Camera pans down from night sky to an animated house]

Narrator: 

Welcome back to Sally’s World!

     It’s Night-time in Sally’ world, and everyone is fast asleep. 

[Shots of empty animated spaces: Empty field, empty barn, empty town]

Oh - No! It appears Sally is having a hard time sleeping.

[Shot of animated character (sally) looking scared sitting up in a bed]

I wonder what is keeping Sally up?

Could it be that the trees are dancing too loud?

[Shot of trees whistling in the wind]

Maybe it's the noisy whooshing of the wind!

[Sally looking out the window, scream like sound effects can be heard in the wind]

Perhaps it is too hot in Sally’s room.

[Close up of visible sweat on sally’s forehead from being scared]

Or maybe Sally just simply isn't tired?

[Wide shot of sally's room, still panicked]

I know! 

Sally is scared of the Dark! 

[Sally looks into camera and nods slowly]

Oh Sally, there's nothing to be afraid of!

Sometimes our imaginations are too powerful for our own good! 

However, we can always turn on a nightlight.

[close up shot of a green-ish nightlight flicking on] 

See, isn't that better?

[Close up shot of Sally looking slightly relieved]

Now the monster can see exactly which room to look in! 

[Friendly music abruptly stops]

[Sally’s expression quickly changes back to scared]

[Increasingly loud footsteps approach]

[Sudden VHS turning off effect]

[Black screen for 3 seconds - then a loud knock at the door sound effect]

[Transition to live action footage]

[Mikey opens the door to find nobody there, a package has been left for him. He takes it inside and opens it up - it’s a sally’s world DVD. Mikey is excited and puts it in his DVD player]

[Similar to opening sequence: title card that reads “Sally’s World! - A TV9 Production” “Episode: Sally goes to the farm!” can be seen in an over the shoulder shot]

[reaction shots of Mikey watching the old tv show]

[The next few shots are Mikey texting a friend about the show, he got the DVD sent to him by this friend after telling Mikey how creepy it was. -the texts will appear onscreen in a creative way rather than a direct shot of his phone]

[An exterior shot shows the house going from day to night]

[Camera pans in on Mikey laying on the couch asleep - Sally’s World is still playing in the background, the tv light illuminating and flickering onto Mikey] 

[Mikey wakes up confused, turns on a light, and checks his phone to see the time, when he puts his phone down he looks at the tv to see that the show now says “Mikey’s World!”. He is confused at first and keeps blinking from being tired] 

[Screen shows “Mikey’s World! - A TV9 Production” “Episode: A New Beginning!”]

[Mikey realises his friend must've edited the video as a surprise]

[He sits in front of the tv and the 4:3 ratio returns in a smooth transition]  

[Audiences are now viewing the show as it they are Mikey watching it on his screen]

Narrator:

Welcome back to Mikey’s World!

It’s a lovely day out and Mikey wants to make the most of it!

What are some things Mikey could do?

He could practice his gymnastics out in the yard!

Or, if he’s feeling creative, he might paint a picture out by the trees!

He could also go find out who’s watching him from the forest.

But he’ll probably just kick a soccer ball around the field!

Mikey really likes soccer but is worried he won’t be as good as the other kids in his school.

Mikey should know that he needs to believe in himself, keep practicing, and never give up to be the best athlete he can be!

How else will he outrun the monster outside his window?

[TV suddenly turns off] 

[(Live action) Mikey is confused and a little scared. Thinking that his friend altered the video, he calls him.]

[Phone ringing]

Friend:

Hello?

[voice is as if they just woke up]

Mikey:

I don't know how you did that but it’s definitely creepy  

Friend: 

What? 

Mikey:

The show? Mikey’s world? I mean it’s a little on the nose if you ask me

Friend: 

What are you talking about?

Mikey: 

Oh ok… sure… I'll play along. Just know that your endings could use a little work

Friend:

Ok…. whatever, it’s late, I gotta go.

Mikey:

Alright…

[Phone Hangs up]

[Mikey turns the tv back on and keeps watching]

[Another creepy sequence occurs involving monsters - unsure of details yet]

[Phone rings] 

[Mikey is hesitant to pick it up ]

Mikey:

(friends name) this isn't funny!

[After a brief pause the narrator starts speaking from the phone]

Narrator: 

It seems as though Mikey is scared to continue watching!

[Mikey is visibly scared to hear the narrator coming from the phone]

Oh Mikey, I'm afraid you'll have to turn the tv back on

You want to be safe from the monsters… don't you?

[Mikey reaches to turn the tv back on… hesitates for a few seconds then backs away from the tv in fear.]

Narrator:

Oh dear…. I'm afraid our time in Mikey’s world has come to an end…

[Slightly eerie and sinister tone ]

…but our time in Michaels world has just begun…

[Phone hangs up and beeps]

[Detailed VFX creature breaks into Mikey’s room]

[Sudden cut to black]

[End credits in the style of the animation]

[End title displays “Goodnight Mikey!”]

[Credits roll]

Tests:

Here is a test audio I made using AI and resolve effects. I recorded the narrator lines myself and used AI as a filter to age the voice up. There are some issues with the AI that I hope to work around in later developments, but for now, it conveys the tone well. (ignore image displayed)

Setting Inspiration:

I want the setting to feel familiar and nostalgic of old animated kids films and shows. I want the night scenes to be vibrant and friendly whilst having eerie and sinister undertones. The settings in these old shows often lack detail and can contribute to the eerie atmosphere as they can feel empty and isolated. The live action scenes will be filmed inside a modern home with the focus on the tv and main character.

Sketches:

Plan:

Because I am adapting a new style and concept in week 8, I have limited time to achieve a high quality output for my film. I have created a structured timetables of goals and deadlines I need to meet in order to finish the project in time. This timeline is only for this semester and will be updated next semester with new goals.