The Proposal

Working Title: Mendel’s Nation title sequence

Outline:

I'm going to create a 2D title sequence for my original animated series, 'name goes here'. The sequence will be approximately 50-60 seconds. The sequence is going to be a role call based title sequence, with heavy focus on acrobatic, gymnastics and martial arts sequences. The style influences come from classic 80's cartoons and 90's comics, as well as a slight Steampunk vibe. I intend to investigate various methods for capturing and creating the best possible fighting and acrobatic sequences, including motion capture, rotoscoping and filming live.

The concept for the cartoon is an alternative future. A world war during the 1950's pushed governments to go to desperate measures to strengthen their armies. Geneticist Dr. Mendel created a serum to toughen soldiers and make them more aggressive by altering their DNA. The serum was secretly laced into men's products. However when 6 months after the release, the DNA continued to mutate and the men lost all sense of reason or control. With few uninfected men remaining, women (who seemed to be immune) were forced to fight for their own survival and become their own defenders.

The cast consists of a band of feisty female warriors from the 'academy', warring with not only the harsh environment and infected population, but also their opposing military enemies, as they continue to search for a cure.

The cartoon focuses on the new civilization rather than the original war or outbreak. They've adapted to the disease, built new cities and new systems. Their academies train their females up to the age of 15 (when they're no longer susceptible to the disease) and are then given a role in the system. A new war now rages on against the Alliance trying to use 'in's' as soldiers once again.

Rationale:

I have chosen this project due a strong interest in fighting and acrobatic animation, as well as 2D character design and animation in general. I have a background in gymnastics and feel there is a very limited amount of 'cool', accurate, and well-animated sequences in this area.

I will incorporate knowledge I learnt from my 2D and 3D animation modules like the principles of animation, in addition to modules such as character design and preproduction. I want to develop not only my animation technique but also the way in which high movement and acrobatic scenes are animated in the 2D industry. This also gives me an opportunity to improve my knowledge and use of animation principles and practices, which are applicable to 2D and 3D.

Research Element:

For my research element, I’m going to research various referencing and pre-production techniques for movement, such a rotoscoping over video footage, live filming, and possibly motion capture. Although these techniques are unlikely to feature in my final animation, they will still provide me with a greater understanding of the movement, and develop my 2D animation skills.

Other areas for investigation:

For this project I will need to research gymnastics, Parkour, and various martial arts for the animation side, as well as looking at other 2D/3D animations that portray similar things. I also want to research title sequences in depth, in particular 80's and early 90's cartoon and animated series to see the style but also the layouts.
As I'm also designing my characters, I'll need to look into various areas such as the Steampunk genre, Comic book women and weapons and firearms.

Literature Review:

Books I have found that will be useful to my project include; The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, and Michael Mallory's Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, I'll also be using a variety of blogs, such as acmepunched.blogspot.co.uk, and youtube tutorial channels such as www.youtube.com/user/eubasaban.

Methodology:

I already have some concept ideas so I'm going to build and develop these ideas through further research, while starting my research into movement and acrobatics. The character designs, poses and model sheets for all 6 main characters should be completed before starting the layouts or storyboard for the actual animation. By this point, all my reference material and research for the animation itself should be finished, allowing me to know how far I can push my animated sequences, and give me inspiration for the sequences. Once I've completed a storyboard for the title sequence, I'll create an animatic and use that to get feedback from various focus groups before making the final 2D animation. I will need plenty of time for finish and perfect the animation, as I don't want the quality to suffer due to poor colouring.

Target Audience:

The target audience is from mid teens up young adults, as I think this will appeal to the older gaming/convention culture as well as teens.

Ethical/Social Issues:

 I want this series to show equality for the LGBT society, as well as race, however there might be some social/ethical issues regarding the feminism and female dominance in the series, with men mostly being extras and 'home-men'. Although they won't be obviously talked about in script, I think the series concept raises some interesting point of discussion for society as a whole, with regards to issues such as gender and race equality, environmental destruction, and war.

There may be ethical/legal issues with the soundtrack, so I will have to research what music I can use, or perhaps find an appropriate small indie band that are happy to grant me rights to their track. Any violence in the title sequence will be suitable for my target audience and shouldn’t need ethical approval.

I feel it’s very important to investigate gymnastic and parkour moves, as I want to see the boundaries of what the human body can actually do in the these moves, and push them in my animation in order to create something that seems natural yet still awe-inspiring.

Product:

My product deliverables will include a Concept art & Character design document for all main characters and environments, and a 2D animated title sequence. The final animation will be 50-60 seconds long, 720x1200 Quicktime file, as it’s a realistic amount of animation to complete in my given timeframe, and Quicktime is widely used. The design document will be a PDF document containing 5 to 6 full character designs, poses for each with their weapon designs and environment digital paintings.

Plan:

10^th October – 22^nd October – Background research & Moodboards

23^rd October- 1^st November – Further Concept art & character work

1^st November -15^th November – Final Character Designs

^15th November – 1st December – Storyboard

1st December - 15th December - Animatic/Previz

References:

Thomas, F. and Johnston, O., The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, 1997, Hyperion.

Mallory, M., Hanna-Barbera Cartoons,