An Animation Short: Tone Poem

Titel of Project: Warm Brothers

Idea Synopsis:
“Like day and night,
two stags fight for dominance, but their natural energy soon shifts from repel to attraction. “
In “Warm Brothers” two stags are fighting for dominance and strength. First their energy
pools seem to clash, however the more they fight, the more they get drawn towards each
other. Their harsh, clashing movements soon become a dancing rhythm as the two stags
get closer to one anther. The two stags break the ice between them and open up, which
makes their antlers glow. Their two different power sources soon become one which
causes a big energy explosion. Everything is silent and black after the explosion. Out of
nothing a stag appears which is bigger and stronger than the two before. It seems like the
two stags merged into one. However at the very end it is revealed that there are in fact still
two stags. But they have grown, changed and extended to become the same power
source and are now in sync - forever.
The film will have a homoerotic undertone in which the two stags represent two muscular
men which envy for each others body and appearance shifts into adoration. Up to the point
where they let themselves go completely and surrender to their lust and passion.

Outcome: I intend to create a music based animation. That means I will time the
movement of the stags exactly to the sound and rhythm of the music piece. I am not
looking to commission a composer, but rather collaborate with one so we can inspire each
others work. In terms of my world and characters I would like them to be stylised but still
be as realistic as possible. I am especially looking into stage design and puppetry to make
my world look more theatrical. Light will also play an important part in my piece to
underline the power of the character and give the whole idea of a stag fight a modern spin.
Therefore, the music should be quite modern and electronic based as well.

Publishing Context: I am seeking to create a story telling art piece that maybe is more
abstract or avant grade and not straight forward. Which means that every person might
see a different story or meaning in this film. It is especially important to me that there is no
voices in my film, so it is understandable to everyone around the world.

Technology: Since my piece is highly focused on animation I will have to wrap my head
around quadruped animation in Maya and study movement and walk cycles of stags. To
create my actual stag characters I would like to use Mudbox, ZBrush or any other digital
sculpting software as I really would like for my stag to look quite realistic. To help develop
the look of my stag character I will also create a stag out of clay as a reference for my
digital sculpture. Lastly, I will be using Adobe After Effects for all the light effects as well as
compositing.

Timetable for the project: Over the Christmas break I want to sculpt my stag character in
clay to use as a reference for digital sculpting. I will then look into existing quadruped rigs
in Maya, to then create my own for my characters.

What are you intending to submit: For the final hand-in I am intending to submit my two
finished sculpted stag characters and ideally have a working rig for them. Furthermore I
hope I get my final music piece over the Christmas break so I can create a final animatic
that I can used as a reference for the animation.