Short Film: Update #23 making background progress

After expressing my apprehensions r.e backgrounds in last weeks post, I am pleased to report I have made an excellent start on them this week! I completed backgrounds for 21 shots, so all in all a good start.

I’ve began with the easier ones, to allow me time to get used to the process and the style, plus to give me confidence going forwards. If I can see the Premiere timeline (and my spreadsheet) filling up with nice looking backgrounds, then my confidence is definitely going to be higher than if I had only completed one or two this week and struggled through them. The ones I’m qualifying as ‘harder’ now, probably won’t seem as bad after a week or so of work on this, as I’ll have a more established workflow. Plus when they are the only ones left to do, I’ll have no choice but to do them anyway!

Though a few of the ones I currently have down as ‘completed’ still need a bit of work- after having done a few, I can clearer see what goes with the style better and what doesn’t, so some definitely need revisiting. A lot of this is a continual process and I feel I might be iterating right up until I have all of them done, to enable me to get the coherent look and feel I want to achieve. I thought it was better to get something down for each shot initially to have in the timeline, so then I can have a basis to work on for each shot. If I don’t have anything down, then I won’t even have anything to improve or build on, making the process less effective. It’s kind of like writing: don’t edit as you go, get it all down on the page first, then edit. So yeah, that’s the philosophy I’m bringing into the backgrounds!

I’ve realised I’ve barely said anything positive about them (why am I so hard on myself!), but a lot of the ones I’ve done, I do actually really like. I suppose the ones I’m not so fond of are weighing on my mind more than the ones I am proud of. This is because they aren’t quite done and dusted, therefore at the forefront of my thoughts and creating anxiety/ stress, than the ones which I have essentially put to bed and do not need to think of again for the time being… I think a few days off over the weekend will settle me and allow me to take my mind off them, and come back feeling fresh to go again on Monday. I hope! That shall be the plan…

I’ll sign off with this image of the current colour swatch:

Short Film: Update #22 background designs and another clip!

Having the majority of the outlines now out the way, the past week I mostly continued my progress with designing the background styles and colour for the film. If you have been following my progress on this blog, you may remember I posted a few initial tests at the start of this year (crazy how it’s March already)! I’ll link that post HERE to jog your memory, or indeed for if you are new to my blog and in that case, a big hello and a warm welcome!

With my new designs, I refined what I had done previously, simplifying the style in terms of how many brushes I’m using (now just the one) and creating a cohesive pipeline of creating said backgrounds. They’re conceptually close to the prior ones, still using the watercolour textured background to contrast with the smooth character style, but like I said, just that little bit more honed. I also kept in mind the colour palette I’m using: which as you’ll see, it has a pastel tone to it, something I wanted to emulate with the look. I feel this would suit both the holiday and hospital sections of the film, and be impressionistic/ atmospheric enough without being too distracting, but also have enough detail so the audience knows what is going on and where the character is. I’ll add a few below:

And a little clip of a shot I ended up cutting from the film, but didn’t want to waste, so it became a test clip:

I wanted to test the backgrounds in a variety of locations and shot size, plus a mixture of whether the character is included or not, to see how the backgrounds would translate in different situations and if they all looked uniform and from the same film. I feel they do, but I definitely will need to keep a limited/ refined colour palette when creating the backgrounds. Too many colours will lose any consistency I have across the designs.

Despite being pleased with what I have created thus far and having gone through several iterations of each test shot, I’m still just sitting with them for a little while longer before going full pelt at making all the backgrounds, incase I can think of any further ways to ‘plus’ the designs. I have already had a few days away from them, to enable my eyes to view them fresher while I worked on some other background elements, and even after three days away from them, I can definitely appreciate them in new light. And a positive light at that! I actually really like them and think they all work well together. It gives me hope for my film and to be honest, I can’t wait to see how the film plays out, once all the backgrounds are in place. I do absolutely love the look of them!

But, I am going to leave doing them for real for a little longer just incase, though I’m feeling quite certain this is the way forward. In honestly, I think I might be procrastinating a little, too. I’ll admit backgrounds is where I’m least confident in, because I have never had any formal training in animation or illustration, so somehow feel like I am searching for an illusive source of validation, or someone ‘more qualified’ than myself is going to give me some magic ‘go ahead’ to press on with the backgrounds. I feel like what if [my backgrounds] are all just ‘bad’ and that no one is going to like the film because the backgrounds look rubbish or something. But in writing this down, I can see that my thinking here is nonsense. I watch 100s of animated shorts and I basically live and breathe (pardon the cliche) filmmaking/ animation/ art and have seen such a variety of different background styles. Plus I’ve created animation stuff for years and then non-moving art stuff for years before that, so surely I’m qualified myself to decide if I think the backgrounds are right for my film?! You would think so, wouldn’t you… It would be nice if I could stop having such a low opinion of myself and everything I create. Any tips for this, let me know!! Hopefully on next weeks post, I can say that I’ve made a positive start with the backgrounds- fingers crossed!

Short Film: Update #21 outlines completed- kind of!

Yep, the title: the outlines are finished!! 86 shots. About 8/9 minutes of animation. Done. Well, at least all the footage with me featuring in- I do still have a few more shots with some extras (though I’m yet to shoot that stuff). But, it feels like the film is well on it’s way to completion at long last and it feels like a pretty major landmark in making the film:

So I’m taking it easy over the next day or two, to celebrate my achievements and take stock of what I have done on the project thus far. Having a little time away from it will also allow me to come back to it after the weekend feeling refreshed and raring to go again. I’ve so far treated myself with doing a spot of embroidery: something I haven’t done since December (though feels like much longer!), plus a relaxed skate sesh, along with having planned a few cinema outings and football trips over the weekend. I also got myself some chocolate ;)

Contrary to how the last paragraph may sound, it’s not all fun and games: I am doing some light work as well, being as the project needs to keep on moving forward. So i’m having a little time to consider how to go about the next steps: backgrounds and colour, alongside gathering some reference material for said backgrounds (and a few of the extras, too). The website Pexels is an absolute saviour!

I watched the film in full yesterday (Thursday) after having completed the last shot and I am quite happy with how it played out. The story felt fairly intact, which I was super pleased about, especially being as there were no backgrounds and only extremely minimal audio to help it along. So doing that gave me a boost that my efforts aren’t going to waste and I am well on the way to creating a cohesive film. The edit definitely still needs tweaking and a few establishing shots do need adding, but it feels like the foundations are in place.

The filmmaking process is so weird, because it’s quite hard to translate the story you have on paper (or storyboard form), to the screen. You really are constantly crafting your story, even after you have a “locked” script. There’s that famous Robert Bresson quote about (I’m paraphrasing here) how a film is made or ‘born’ three times: in the writing/ scripting stage, then in the shooting stage and lastly in the edit. And it really does ring true- it was the same when creating my previous film. But suppose it’s just one of those ‘trust the process’ things, right?! And on that note, I think I am done here, I have a film to make, see you next time xo

Short Film: Update #20 NEW CLIP!!

I’ve had another very productive week:

I completed seven shots in full, with two more in the works. And I’m (finally) feeling like the end of these outlines really is in sight! As predicted in a previous post, the sequence I’m currently working on is a little ‘easier’/ faster to get through as the shots are more static than the ones in the prior sequence, which I finished on Tuesday this week. Earlier than I thought I might- always surprising in animation when you finish something earlier than expected! It also meant I felt much more relaxed last week and even had a little time off. Gasp! Though that was also partly to let the edit for the next sequence settle before I started animating it. I like to have a bit of time between edits so it’s easier to see each new cut with fresh eyes, resulting in a better final product. It’s crazy how much of an impact leaving something to ‘breathe’ can have on your project. 10/10 would recommend! Same with taking breaks and that. Have written about this kind of stuff loads on here, so yeah, I’ll shut up now!

Not much more else to say this time- I’m all out of words thanks to my mini essay last week!

But, very excited to share another clip! It’s been a while- November was the last time I did this. It’s still very much a WIP as no colour and the background needs more work (a few extras dancing etc), but I think it has the basic workings of the final outcome. And I really like the effect I used for the background: inked 16mm film, layered up to make some nice looking colours and patterns. Hope ya enjoy! See you in the next one xo

Short Film: Update #19 are we nearly there yet?!

I’m actually pleased with the amount of animation I got done this week. Yes, you heard that correctly: I’m actually pleased with the amount of animation I got done this week! I completed five shots in full and made good progress on a further four. I averaged 7 hours animating each day, hitting my target. Nice.

Because the sequence I’m working on currently is so movement heavy (it’s a nightclub scene, so yes, I did actually have to dance), each shot is taking quite long- perhaps a little longer than I initially thought. I hoped they might have all been finished by now, but I definitely need about three more full days on them. But like I said in the previous update, the remaining scene is very static, so that shouldn’t take as long. She says. I think Wed 26th might be a realistic deadline for all the outlines.

I know it seems like I keep extending any deadlines I’m setting for myself, which I guess I have been doing, but I’m not going to work 12 hours each day and burn myself out or impact my mental health in a negative way, just for the sake of creating a film. Which is meant to be a fun, enjoyable process anyway. That’s not to say I want to be slacking either- I think a nice number is around 7 solid animating hours daily, which also gives me time to do the other things I enjoy doing such as skateboarding and cinema, plus getting some walking in as well. Not a chance I’m sitting at my computer all day and not getting out for a stretch of the legs! The deadlines have been quite hard to set when it’s difficult to know how long each section might take to do. It’s easy to underestimate this kind of stuff in the world of animation and err on the side of optimism!

It also pushes my April 30th final completion date into contention. Once these outlines are done, then that essentially gives me just two months to colour maybe around 80-90 shots (not too sure on the exact figure right now as the remaining ones aren’t yet in my tracker), alongside backgrounds for said shots- though obviously some backgrounds can be used on multiple shots. I also want to do at least one other round of feedback, to see if this version of the story lands better than the one I sent out for the animatic way back when. And then potentially have extra scenes/ shots to add if the consensus leans that way. And then I still need to arrange and film the shots with the extras, plus animate those. Then there’s compositing, sound design and score to consider. And I also want to spend some time really developing the background and colour styles, which is something that won’t happen over night. So when I set it all out like this, then two months doesn’t feel enough. At all. Unless I work into the night for two months straight and forfeit anything else I enjoy doing. Which is of course not an option! Some people might be able to do that, but not me. It would have too much of an impact on my mental health, which isn’t always in the best shape as is!!

So with this in mind, I did have a brief re-look at the festival deadlines and costings and see whether it’s best to delay until next festival cycle. An idea suggested by my boyfriend. Which I think is a very valid point. This would mean the pressure is off a bit, and then I can really spend the time making it the best film it can be, without trying to cram everything into a tiny time slot. I’ve made this mistake with previous films to get them ready for unrealistic festival deadlines and therefore hampering the end product. I’m not saying I’m going to be working on my film for years and nitpicking every tiny thing and end up never completing it, but that’s not to say I shouldn’t spend a little more time on it where possible, or at the very least, not rushing it for what is essentially, an arbitrary date. I don’t want to have spent all these months working on it, for it end up falling flat or not be something I’m proud of, especially when I’m the one setting the deadlines/ timescale.

I also need to consider my intentions for the film- which is a ‘calling card’, if you like, for my feature film in order to attract funding/ producer etc. Plus also to improve on my previous short ‘Bear’ in both story and style, along with contributing to my body of work and illustrating who I am as a director. So with the above in mind, I don’t want a rushed piece of work to be a showcase of who I am. I want to be fully proud of this film and be able to screen it without any caveats. Yes it’s a little frustrating to potentially not have it in this round of festivals, but the film itself is more important than that, and if I spend a little more time on it, then it might likely have a better chance at getting selected for more festivals. So yeah, I need to re-read this post if I start doubting or getting all panicked about it! The film will be done when it’s done.

Wow, that was a long speech! I guess I just needed to get it out my system… Anyway, I suppose you know where I’m at with it now. I’m thinking I might try and get a clip out for next week, so there’s that to look forward to- after all it’s been a while. Right, I’m all out of words now, see you next time! x

Short Film: Update #18

I’m going to try and keep this one pretty short, because I am a little behind with how much animation I achieved this week:

I did have a few other commitments going on though, such as that panel I did in Manchester, so that took up the majority of the afternoon, with travelling etc. Alongside the day after feeling a little tired and not the most productive, due to returning home long after my usual bedtime! The panel was great, by the way, a fantastic discussion with some really lovely filmmakers. And I’m not just saying that- it was genuinely a very nice evening. I also spent a fair chunk of time editing all the footage I shot the week prior, which is now almost there- it just needs a few tweaks. And then I took an afternoon out to watch ‘The Brutalist’. Naughty of me, I know, but it was so very worth it! I was also working on a couple of poems, in prep for my next open mic night on Tuesday coming (6.30pm, Showroom Cinema, if interested)! To make up a bit of time though, I did actually forfeit football yesterday to enable me to put in a decent shift with the animation. And I’m really pleased I did.

I feel the end is in sight now with all the outline work- I reckon one to two weeks, so shall we say Friday 21st Feb as my estimate/ deadline? Though it’s really hard to know how long each section might take, I think there’s about two minutes of footage to go. Which is still quite a significant amount. And one section there is quite a lot of movement, though the other is quite static, so I guess that balances it all out?!

Anyway, the more I ponder over how long it all might take, the less time I have to actually animate it, so yep, that’s me done here. See you next time!

Something a Little Different...

Over Christmas we had a family day out to the Museum of Royal Worcester (Worcester Porcelain factory) to do some pottery painting of our own! We finally received the fired versions back last week and I think they all look amazing! It was a super fun experience and was nice to do something creative but not attached to any of the ways I usually create stuff. It also reminded me how much I love painting- I have some ideas of things I'd like to paint, though those will have to wait until after my animation is finished... Spoiler alert: they're skateboard decks (quelle surprise).

Below are the results- I painted the super cute fox mug, because why wouldn't I?!

Instagram Handle Update

...Basically just that!

The previous name was something I created in 2018, when I was going down the whole animation production company route, rather than just being 'me'! That idea only lasted a short while before deciding that doing so wasn't for me and I was better off as just myself. Aren't we all, eh?! Though the username remained unchanged as I thought it was too much hassle to change it, with it being linked in a lot of places and was concerned no one would be able to find me afterward. But this morning I was just like ah f*ck it, it's no longer relevant, so you can now find me at @floramartyr over on IG!

Short Film: Update #17 aaand that's a wrap!

Ooh she’s only gone and completed all the filming! Well, to the best of my knowledge at this point- the story may require some pick ups or additional scenes later on, but at current, it has all been shot. And I couldn’t be happier! The remaining few shots were definitely hanging over me, so it’s great that I have them all ready to edit and animate.

As these things always do, it didn’t all go quite to plan and I had to rethink a location for one of the scenes. It has actually been rethought (wow, had no idea that was actually a word!) twice now, but I am happiest with the location it has ended up being: it was initially meant to be a shot on a train, but then I felt that was too close to the ending of my previous film ‘Bear’. It was then meant to be in the back of a taxi. Which is what I tried to film on Thursday morning, but getting the angle I wanted in a car was proving difficult, alongside the fact that it was absolutely freezing and extremely windy. So it was safe to say the conditions were not the best for figuring out camera logistics. Never mind trying to get a good performance once I had worked out the shot. Luckily I quickly realised that it wasn’t going to work and I’d have to go back to the drawing board with it, so we hastened home for a hot drink and cosy clothes!

After some further mulling over, I was able to shoot it in the comfort (and semi warmth) of my home, for it would now become an airport departure lounge. Or waiting area, or whatever it’s actually called- I seldom travel by air if that isn’t already obvious at this point! Regardless of semantics, I feel this decision is the right one anyway, as it suits the setting of the story better and I feel it works well on an aesthetic level, too. I guess in filmmaking change is something to lean into rather than push against. There’s always going to be logistical difficulties, especially when shooting low budget, which can force you into different directions and sometimes for the better. I suppose a lot of making a film is deciding when it’s fine to compromise or change direction, but also knowing when not to and when you should persevere with your original plan. I think these kind of decisions come with experience and practise. So if you want to improve, then my advice is to just make a lot of things.

Below is an image of one of the exterior shots I was able to get before the whole car fiasco and a shot I didn’t compromise on. Though the shorts and t-shirt were NOT fun considering the weather conditions! At least I was running though, but still… Seriously, I am making my next film to be set in autumn or winter because those seasons are a whole lot easier to dress for in this country!

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

As filming/ editing was my primary focus this week, the animation has taken a bit of a back seat, so I didn’t a whole lot done. It’s not like I didn’t do any though and I did finish a quite big shot, amongst a few others. Though I feel with all the filming now out the way, I can just crack on with a load of animation and hopefully at this point in two or three weeks time I can say that all the outlines are complete- we shall see…

I touched on celebrating each landmark/ milestone of my film in last week’s update, as to recognise ones hard work is important. So to celebrate the conclusion of the filming, I treated myself to a double bill at my local World of Cine, to watch ‘Saturday Night’ and ‘Hard Truths’- the latter being the one I was most looking forward to, as it was directed by the legend that is Mike Leigh. And I urge you all to go out and watch it- it seems to have a fairly wide release. It’s hard to stop myself from spending so much time at the cinema these days, especially with my unlimited pass! But I really must focus on the animation now or I will struggle to hit my deadline of April 30th. She says, having already booked a matinee showing of ‘The Brutalist’ (3+ hours) next week… Though honestly, that was not one I was willing to watch in the evening or I’d likely fall asleep long before it ends! But I do try and watch the films I want to watch at the end of the day or evening, so I can maximise time spent animating. See you next time xo

Short Film: Update #16 closing in...

I didn’t get quite as much animation done this week as I’d have liked (I don't know if I ever do), but I did manage to film several more shots/ sequences (including one I was super nervous about), so I guess that sort of balances it all out. I now only have two shots left to shoot- well one shot and one (two camera set up) sequence. Which, hopefully, I’ll get to do next week if the weather plays nice- they are both exterior scenes. In fact, there is one more shot actually in addition to what I outlined above, but that’s with extras only (I am just behind the camera on that one). Though that shot always slips my mind because when it’s not me in front of the camera, I find it nowhere near as stressful!

With closing in on the filming, I feel like that’s such a weight lifted and I can solely focus on the animation.

There isn’t actually a load of outline animation left now, though despite it being nearer completion, for some reason it feels even farther away. I just can’t picture it being done if that makes sense?! But suppose I just need to keep plugging away at it one line at a time and it will eventually be finished. Plus I think one reason it feels so distant now, is that I know finishing the outlines is only one element of it- there’s still the colour, the backgrounds, the compositing and all the other bits left to complete. So I’m probably seeing the finishing of the outlines as only a third of the way through the full film completion, despite it being a big landmark in creating the film.

I should still make sure I celebrate each stage of completion though and appreciate/ acknowledge how far I’ve come, rather than just moving straight on to the next bit. Perhaps I’ll treat myself to a nice day out somewhere once all the outlines are done! Mid February as a realistic target for that sounds good- though it’s always hard to predict with animation as some shots take a lot longer than what you think they might and it’s usually the shots that you don’t expect!

Right, I think that’s all for now. I’ll leave a screen grab down below of one of the clips I shot earlier in the week of what will become the balcony shot. Plus the storyboard image from that scene and the makeshift prop balcony I formed from a clothes drying rack and piece of dowling shoddily taped on! Enjoy!