Rough Animatic

Character Turn Around

CHARACTER POSES

EARLY CONCEPT ART

PRE-PRODUCTION 2

I sketched out lots of ideas as far as character design and mood. Here are a few of my early sketches for Reid, the main character.

PRE-PRODUCTION 1

The first step is sketching out some ideas for character, mood and setting. In addition, references are also collected for everything from style, location and even furniture concepts. I chose to look at a lot of Tim Burton art as well as Dr. Suisse, Edward Gory and Shell Silverstein.  I wanted to incorporate very washy/ watercolor type textures with dark moody tones.

The Poem

The Seed

By: Jesse Lee McClurg

This tale amid fables,

as strange as it seems.

Is rooted in truth,

not sprouted from dreams.

It starts with a boy 

who tempted his fate, 

lured in by sweetness 

from a single fruit plate

"Cherries my love",

……his mommy said.

taste just a few

something sweet before bed."

"The taste of that cherry,

Is rewarding indeed. 

But be careful dear boy,

do not swallow the seed".

"Why then", he asked,

In a curious plea.

"Cause if you swallow that pit

you'll turn into a tree."

Time had passed on,

so he started to play.

With each passing moment,

time tick tocked away.

Distracted by toys,

and books he should read.

he couldnt stop thinking,

of that cherry seed.

He found himself captured,

and feeling quite odd.

Hypnotized by,

that shimmering pod.

And then came the moment,

there was no one around.

so he snatched up that cherry,

and gulped it right down.

But nothing had happened,

no gruesome attack.

No roots from his nose,

no leaves on his back.

He marched through the playroom,

he cheered and hurrayed!

Ecstatic he was,

at the choice he had made.

Then something felt wrong,

his excitement had stopped.

He gritted his teeth,

held his belly and dropped.

He started to sweat, 

tremor and shake.

His stomach made noises,

and started to ache.

His vision was skewed,

and walls seemed distorted.

He felt the floor fall,

the stairs grew and contorted.

Out of the woods 

and into his room

a moment to rest

from escaping his doom

And inside the darkness,

he heard his own voice

wishing time back

regretting his choice

Then..

Branches sprung from his back,

and he started to yelp!

Leaves shot from his throat, 

there was no one to help!

No stopping the flame,

at the end of this rope.

He grew and he grew,

with no glimmer of hope....

This tree still grows tall,

on a hill standing hence 

Reminding all children,

of one boy’s consequence.