By Kimberley Davis

Story 19/20
21/02/2020
Introduction

Concept Art:
5. Theatre
8. Bill
11. Boomer
12. Sword Production Art:
14. Theatre
15. Sword
16. Bill
17. Boomer

Final Storyboards

Final Script
“From Script to Screen” is a project based on learning the values of story creation and pre-visualisation. This includes understanding story writing,
character design, production/ concept creations, animatics, soundtrack/ music score, timing and learning the bases of pre-visualisation.

To achieve all of these notions, we was given 3 key words at the brief to base our story around. These key aspects involved a job, a place and an object.
Each of these assets was to have equal value, and need to be concocted together to make 2 minute story. Our story requires following the 3 act structure
(beginning, middle and end), and work to their own beat depending on the situation. Once the bases of the story is made, a premise, a log line, and a
treatment will help in its final development.

Using a storyboard allows full visualisable communication in what is happening in each scene, and sets a timing to the actions taking place. Once armed
with a fully formed storyboard, the creation of the characters, environment and their personalities gives the narrative a more solid grounding. Cleaning up
the storyboard gives expansion into a building an animatic, and thought is required into enhancing the correct emotions though a sound track/score. The
animatic then acts as guide in creating a 3D pre-visualization in Maya, leading up to a fully rendered animation.

For “Tick Tick BOOM!”, the key articles given where a bomb disposal expert, a sword and a theatre. These lead to a story premise about a retired bomb
disposal expert called “Bill” and his playful Labrador “Boomer”. Bill served in the army as a bomb deactivation specialist in WW2, working around London
to remove un-exploded bombs. Bill is a now retired and this story revolves around him working his first night as a janitor in a small local theatre, bringing
along his excitable pup Boomer. Although based in the 1960’s (Bill is 62), there was still a lot of un-denotated bombs being found long after WW2. During
Bill’s first night, Boomer comes across a un-activated bombs, and chaos to ensures in Bill’s scramble to dispose of it.

The following art of document contains concept and production art, the final storyboards for the animatic/ pre-visualisation and the final drafted script.
Before creating any final characters/ environments, initial
sketches help in not only creation, but in the story
development. The story is set in the 1960’s, where
unexploded bombs where often found around London long
after WW2 ended. For research, I looked at small
independent theatres around London and took sketches
from them, such as the Art House and Union theatre.

For Bill, his original appearance in the story was for him to be
visiting the theatre when walking Boomer, this is when the
bomb would appear after Boomer returned from wandering
off. So, Bill original design was more civil clothing based, this
changed when he became a janitor.
 Some Initial of sketches of small
theatres, both external and
internal. In the original story, Bill
was going to be going both in and
outside of the set, but a decision
was made keep the scenery as
just to being inside. This gives
more consistency to the story and
the actions taking place.
Internal Sketches
Larger sketch of main theatre design
These are some of the initial sketches for Bill. Originally, he was going to visit the theatre when passing by with Boomer
rather then being a janitor, the theatre holding a special place in his heart causing a flashback. His clothing is still based on
the 1920’s to show the main period of his life, and there was thoughts of adding a walking stick to show his injury. His first
designs where quite stocky and study in structure, missing that almost gentle and clumsy aspect of Bill’s personality.
Once having a solid bases for Bill and his job, his appearance changed altogether. The clothing changed to a more 1920s
style janitor outfit, and the injury became not so obvious. His personality is quite friendly and kind, although a little clumsy. So,
with this in mind his shape became rounder and softer, adding more length to his legs. Design 2 became the chosen product
due to the roundness and longer legs giving that possible ungainliness.
Having a idea of Bills appearance, I was then able to play with his expressions to gain that friendly warmth needed. Bill has
a few wrinkles to show he is a older character, and rounding the eyes gave that cheeky and gently quirk. These sketches
have small glasses, they was removed as it didn’t add much to his design or character.
Boomer was originally designed as a Bloodhound and was a bit
older rather then a younger dog of 2. This idea came around
because Bloodhounds was used in WW2 to help sniff out bombs.
But, after more research, Boomer’s concept changed to a
Labrador. Bloodhounds are generally quite calm and relaxed
dogs, and so this would not work with his pre-set personality.
Boomer was to be excitable and jumpy so the change in breed
was deemed necessary. Labradors are also used in modern day
bomb detection, and their known personas fit Boomer perfectly.
Following Boomer’s breed change after the
storyboard creation, some Labrador sketches
was made. These was to try and capture
Boomers youthful and overly-excitable
personality, with a side dose of cheekiness.

Boomer was given to Bill after his original owner

couldn’t look after him anymore, and helped in
relieving Bill's loneliness after the passing of his
wife. However, Boomer can be quite a handful at
times, often running around and playing games.
 The first thought for the sword was to use it to cut the wires of the bomb, so this means it would have to be sharp and made of metal. When thinking
about the type of bomb best used for Boomer to fetch, hand grenades came to mind. However, these can not be opened easily. Moving onto another idea,
the thought of using the sword to close a stuck hatch came to light. Generally, wooden swords are used in theatre productions instead of metal ones, this
means that the hatch pole couldn't be “chopped” in half. So, making the sword wooden and splintering on impact gives another element of disaster to the
story. This in turn the causes the hatch to become unstuck du to the impact, and shuts after a short delay.
With all the initial sketches done, the next step was
to think about production art. These would be used
for creating the models appearances for the set and
characters, and gives space for any final design
changes. As more finalised pieces, planning into
colour, style and personality will help them become
much more their own character.
Final Theatre Design
Roughed up Final Design Final Design with more Wood texture Final Design
Colour testing between a blue and brown Janitor uniform, both used in the 1960’s. Also, the socks being brighter hue
gives Bill as little bit of eccentric persona. Blue became the main colour chosen.
There 3 main colour types in Labradors. These are black, brown and golden. Golden allowed a good colour contrast to Bill, and
gives room for making experimentation. The scarf around his neck is Bill’s from when he was in the Bomb Disposal Unit, and
holds a symbol of a bomb. Boomer’s larger eyes and paws gives that younger and more excitable appearance.
The storyboards acts as visual form of communication between the director
and the production team, giving an perceptible cue of what is happening in
each scene. Many storyboards will have instructions on what camera shot
are to be uses, and a written rundown of what is happening.

“Tick Tick BOOM!”s story boards are all drawn in pencil to allow a better
production flow. The act/scene, shot and camera angle all written in the
boxes along side. They are then scanned into photoshop, cleaned up and
then redrawn for the animatic. Once all placed with transitions, a music/
sound score is to be concocted to enhance the narrative.

A few of the scenes and camera angles have changed since the original
drawings, but these allow for a better flow.
The script give a written direction of what is happening in each
part of the story, working scene by scene. This includes where
the actions is taking place, speech, special effects, and any
changes in time periods.

This script doesn’t have any speech, just general noises make in
shock or surprise sound from Bill. I decided to stay away from
speech, and just wanted to capture the story by soundtrack and
noises. This didn’t make the script any shorter, and allowed
more sound effects to be used instead. There is also a
considerable amount of barking from Boomer, this gives him
more of a personality As my story only takes place in the theatre,
I had to note which part of the theatre the shot is happening in.