creatureinthewoodss

[creatureinthewoodss]

Research and Development-03

I did a little bit of everything this time! I finished up the Beasts turnaround, did some exploration for the mushrooms and mirrors, did a example layout, and redid one of my keyframes with the new designs. 

[creatureinthewoodss]

Research and Development-02

Honestly just some tweaks and WIPS for now as my schedule becomes super crazy before graduation! I tweaked my expression sheet to push the expressions and added shoulders as well! Then I redid my action poses to push the line of action more and explore a different perspective! The new stuff comes from my focus shifting to the beast! This time i did some color explorations since I wasn't happy with the palate I landed on last time, and I started roughing out a turn around. (MUCH HARDER WITH QUADRAPEDAL STANCE) 

[creatureinthewoodss]

Research and Development-01

To start of my refinement process I've decided to focus on Ace and their design a bit more. I ended up beginning with a simple 3 point turn around to solidify their design overall and become more familiar with them visually. 

Then I moved on with an expression sheet to explore how he features would translate into the style I've chosen.

Finally, I put it to the test with a few action poses to see how it would all flow together in a variety of poses and perspectives! 

[creatureinthewoodss]

World building and Locations-pt 1

Since I only have one physical location for the entire written story so far I decided to do a bit of digging for some reference images! To be honest I initially had the idea for a more tropical and ‘warm’ setting but it's slowly become a more daunting middle ground before dark and light.

I really liked the idea of incorporating skulls, mushrooms, moss, and mirrors as key elements to the environment of this mystical place and being pushed to fantasy-like proportions. Here is a mood board that I think captures the look and feel I'm going for overall.

I saw the ink cap mushroom and knew I would love to add them and their ink as small puddles laying around the forest floor! Here is a rough sketch I did of a section of the forest that shows slightly too curved trees, large mushrooms, the mirrors and the puddle of ink. 

Last but not least, here is a small doodle of the skull I want to possibly hang from the trees. I still need to figure out how they are attached to the tree- are they tied there or is it  connected like a fruit? I also attached a varied string of color swatches inspired by my mood board. 

[creatureinthewoodss]

Character - pt 3

Protagonist: Ace ( means unity)

Age: 22 

Pronouns: They/Them Personality: They are a very fairly calm and inquisitive character that is a ray of sunshine surrounded by the shadows they've created. Ace struggles with reality and confrontation so they tend to fit the pacifist daydreamer trope who enjoys the simple things.

Flaws: Sensitive, Anxious, Accidently Oblivious, Non pragmatic, Afraid to be Vulnerable

Strengths: Empathetic, Creative, Friendly, Reliable, Loyal, 

Hates: Loud noises, When their sock gets wet, Rude people 

Loves: The warmth of a sunrise/sunset, Spicy food, Home Gardens

Secret: They run a very popular personal blog account that no one knows its them-  their friends keep sending them their own posts and it's too late to back out now 

Deepest Desire: To find a place for themself in this world to just be. 

Worst Fear: Not living up to the expectations they’ve created by wanting to please everyone. 

Story Goal: Lost, Ace is just trying to find their way out of the forest they find themself in. Fun Facts: Ace is a Pisces and is really creeped out by clowns!

Here is my current progress on the Ace! Finally got a body shape and overall design drawn out and some possible color comps!  Antagonist: Beast

Age: ???

Pronouns: It/Its  Personality: The Beast is its own character but acts as a reflection to others. Representing the dark side in everyone, the beast is usually a more primal and volatile creature. The beast at first might seem cold and calculating but when it comes into view it can strike out and only ends up hurting itself in the process. Despite everything, the beast is also lonely and yearning.

 Flaws: Uncontrolled, Aggressive, This baby is so full of negative emotions/thoughts

Strengths: Passionate, Strong willed, Natural, Brave Hates: Expectations, Hard truths, Baths Loves: Belly rubs, Company, Predictably Deepest Desire: To find a place for themself in this world to just be. 

Worst Fear: Being Alone

Story Goal: Lost, Ace is just trying to find their way out of the forest they find themself in.

Fun Fact: The beast's favorite store is hot topic and I will not elaborate!

Here is just a refresher of what i have so far! I didn't have much time over the weekend between shifts at work to do visual development on the beast. Ace got priority since I want to design the beast around their design :3  BONUS IMAGE: Some doodles I did at work with some receipt paper and pure willpower

[creatureinthewoodss]

Character Ideas pt 1

Protagonist: Ace (means unity)

Age: 22 Pronouns: They/Them Personality: They are a very fairly calm and inquisitive character that is a ray of sunshine surrounded by the shadows they've created. Ace struggles with reality and confrontation so they tend to fit the pacifist daydreamer trope who enjoys the simple things.

Story Goal: Lost, Ace is just trying to find their way out of the forest they find themself in. Fun Facts: Ace is a Pisces and a beginning plant parent!

Here is their mood board and below are some loose sketches of some ideas.

Antagonist: Beast

Age: ??? Pronouns: It/its Personality: The Beast is its own character but acts as a reflection to others. Representing the dark side in everyone, the beast is usually a more primal and volatile creature. However, the beast at first might seem cold and calculating, but when it comes into view it can strike out and only ends up hurting itself in the process. Despite everything, the beast is also lonely and yearning.

Fun Facts: The beast’s favorite store is hot topic and it enjoys a good tummy rub!

Here is the mood board for the beast and the animals I mainly want to take inspiration from!

[creatureinthewoodss]

Story-Revised

Beat Sheet:

Main Character (MC) opens eyes and sees a magical forest with scattered mirrors

MC sits up and looks confused

Sees mirror and gets up and walks to it

Mirror seems normal until MC sees they have no reflection

Taking a step back from the mirror MC looks around and realizes they are alone in a massive forest and skulls hang down from the branches like fruit

MC starts walking to find a way out and the forest

Stops to look at strange/ large plant

Pollen poofs into MC’s face after they touch plant and they sneeze loudly

Forest goes silent as the sneeze echos audibly

Behind MC the Beast appears in a mirror and MC turns around when they hear growling.

Beast lunges at MC and slams into the mirror

Screen goes to black

MC blinks back to consciousness like they did in the beginning

Looking down MC sees blood on their shirt and they feel their face to realize they have a nose bleed.

Hearing whimpering MC looked up to the mirror to see the beast still in the mirror trying to paw at its face

The beast’s nose is bleeding too

MC gets up no longer afraid and approaches

Beast notices MC and pulls back

MC locks eyes with the beast and raises a hand to the mirror and the mirror starts to glow and ripple

The beast looks resigned and at peace with their fate and the light takes over the screen covering both of them

END

Story:

A softly lit canopy slowly comes into view as they blinked awake. Huh. Something wasn't right. Slowly sitting up as the grogginess faded it became clear this wasn't where they fell asleep. If they fell asleep at all. They didn't remember how they slipped into the comfort of sleep but they quickly woke up as they slowly turned their head. They were in a forest, weird. A glint catches their eye and they search for its source, eyes landing upon a weathered mirror the size of a wall that was propped up several tree trunks. Too curious to resist, they sigh and push themselves to their feet, meandering over and still not sure of the reality around them. It took a moment to realize what was wrong- there was no reflection of them in the mirror. The forest was there clear as day and the plants even moved with the gentle breeze that floated through the layers of foliage. They were just, invisible. A small bird like creature caught their eye as it seemed to hoop around the forest floor in the mirrors reflection. They turn their head behind them to see the creature and there was nothing there. Ah ok, this is only going to get weirder. They turn back to the mirror and the ‘bird’ gets spooked and flies right at them! Scrambling, the world almost turns upside down as their heel makes solid contact against a root and they flail to keep themself upright. Chest heaving and hair now going in every direction, it took them a moment to collect themselves from such a fright.

[creatureinthewoodss]

Story

Beat Sheet:

Main Character (MC) opens eyes and sees a magical forest with scattered mirrors 

MC sits up and looks confused

Sees mirror and gets up and walks to it

Mirror seems normal until MC realizes they have no reflection

MC notices creatures of all kinds that pass in and out of mirrors around them as if its natural

Flying creature spots MC in the mirror they are looking at as rushes out at them to fly away

Startled, MC stumbles back and almost trips over a root

Gathering themselves, MC looks around and realizes they are alone in a massive forest

MC starts walking to find a way out

MC witness’s some of the whimsical/fantastical properties of the forest 

A large beast appears in the mirrors behind MC as they walk

MC notices and picks up the pace carefully

Beast gets closer and closer

MC starts running and beast catches up and starts to leap

MC falls after running face first into large branch/leaf 

MC curls up and tenses on ground waiting to be eaten with a bloody nose

Pause of stillness

MC peeks up to see the beast snarling in mirror unable leap out

Beast flinches back when MC gets up no longer afraid and approaches 

MC locks eyes with the beast and then notices that it also has a bloody nose

Looking between them MC raises a hand to the mirror towards the beast and the mirror starts to glow and ripple

The beast looks resigned and at peace with their fate and the light takes over the screen

END 

Story: 

A softly lit canopy slowly comes into view as they blinked awake. Huh. Something wasn't right. Slowly sitting up as the grogginess faded it became clear this wasn't where they fell asleep. If they fell asleep at all. They didn't remember how they slipped into the comfort of sleep but they quickly woke up as they slowly turned their head. They were in a forest, weird. A glint catches their eye and they search for its source, eyes landing upon a weathered mirror the size of a wall that was propped up several tree trunks. Too curious to resist, they sigh and push themselves to their feet, meandering over and still not sure of the reality around them. It took a moment to realize what was wrong- there was no reflection of them in the mirror. The forest was there clear as day and the plants even moved with the gentle breeze that floated through the layers of foliage. They were just, invisible. A small bird like creature caught their eye as it seemed to hoop around the forest floor in the mirrors reflection. They turn their head behind them to see the creature and there was nothing there. Ah ok, this is only going to get weirder. They turn back to the mirror and the ‘bird’ gets spooked and flies right at them! Scrambling, the world almost turns upside down as their heel makes solid contact against a root and they flail to keep themself upright. Chest heaving and hair now going in every direction, it took them a moment to collect themselves from such a fright. 

[creatureinthewoodss]

Logline and Theme

Logline: 

A person tries to find their way out of a magical forest out while avoiding a lurking creature.

Theme:

Self acceptance- not only has this been an overall theme of my life but this also represents my journey through SCAD and becoming an artist and person in my own right. Hopefully through this story I can bring people to wholly embrace themselves and add a sense of whimsical wonder to their experience.