BLOG 16 - Inspired by a quick sequel
Or:
Why a mince pie got me in trouble…
In 2017 I had finished my film ‘Bitz- the whippet made from random stuff’. Although there had been some disappointments, making the film and trying to get it shown in festivals and screenings had generally been a positive experience. As I covered in my past blog, I decided to put the ‘short film festival’ approach to one side, instead thinking about ways to make an ongoing animation project to share with my online audience and related groups. I had used Kickstarter to help fund the Bitz film, and I wanted (needed) a new project plan to continue to use crowdfunding.
The immediate plan was to make a quick sequel to the The Bitz film. Bitz had had some good comments and interactions from the social media group (the themes and reactions relating to the Bitz film are covered in BLOG 14) but the ending, where ‘Bitz’ gets a new friend ‘Bobz’, cried out for another animation. The plan was to show B&B interacting and getting into mischief and would have a slightly lighter feel than the Bitz film - with no breaking and less melancholia. It would also be a test to see whether a ‘Bitz & Bobs’ animated series was something I could make.
It was July and I planned to make this film in time for a christmas 2017 release. I took a break (The Bitz film had been intense) to run a new Kickstarter campaign to try and raise some funds. You can check out the old Bitz & Bobs Kickstarter here
Thanks to 32 amazing supporters buying badges, posters, books and other branded merch, I reached the target to make the film. Great! But in order to make the December deadline I needed to get cracking!
*I needed to work on the set and props (I used the same ‘shed’ but added some christmas decorations).
*I needed to fix, develop and upgrade the Bitz Puppet, learning from the joint issues in the last film. And properly make the Bobz puppet (the one I had was just a very quickly built head and shoulders)
*Plus I needed to think up a story…. I had some ideas for some little sequences where B&B interacted with different objects, causing mischief along the way. I decided to use a christmas themed object for this film - a mince pie.
I didn’t think it through. Mince pie ingredients are poisonous to dogs. I was so wrapped up in the visual idea of a steaming pie on a shelf and two naughty dogs trying to steal it. The short deadline meant I had to make quick decisions so I just cracked on with the film starring the misjudged pie. Check out some making of photos below
Like the Bitz film I didn’t do an animatic or a proper storyboard - I just roughed out some sketches and started animating. I tried to develop some challenging techniques in this film:
*I animated with two proper puppets for the first time. (though Bitz DID interact with a spider in the previous film, it wasn’t a ‘proper’ puppet)
*I used ‘in-camera’ effects for the steam and the pie splat, using card and clay pieces
*I tried ‘pixilation’ (animating my hands)
*I also tried adding some other stuff ideas such as speech bubbles
*I developed compositing skills, where two or more sequences are filmed then composited on top of each other to make one shot.
Check out a few behind the scenes photos below
I also decided that if I wanted to make an animated series of films, I should look for a name I could copyright. ‘Bitz & Bobz’ was not available, due to already being a kids animation. I needed a new name! After some (loads of) thought, I opted for something that captured the idea of ‘made from bits and bobs’ along side a nod towards dogs. I decided on ‘The Whibbits’ (Whippets + bits).
Once finished, I excitedly shared the ‘The Whibbits! The Pie’ in mid December…
I started getting some likes, shares and positive comments. But then someone mentioned an issue with the pie (uh oh), that the ingredients in mince pies are poisonous to dogs, and maybe my film would give the wrong idea to anyone regards their own dogs. Obviously, metal dogs would not be endangered by any toxins but I understood and was mad at myself for my lack of thought. I got some nice support and suggestions and quickly changed the name to ‘The Meat Pie’ and added a disclaimer at the end, reminding people to only feed their dogs food that is safe. Phew. Check out the film below
In the next blog I’ll talk about a little exhibition, the next crowdfunder, how the ‘Whibbits’ idea developed further.
Thanks for reading
James
CURRENT WORK
* FILM PRODUCTION* Rox’s film as begun in ernest. I have done the drawn animatic and passed this over to the composer to make Rox’s own score. I’ve filmed some reference footage ready to do some test animating. Mainly though, I have been sourcing and making the props. Rox will be interacting with some ‘found objects’ from a metal detectorist. I have been using various paints, varnishes (and coffee grounds) to give a rusty, old effect. I also designed an ‘antique coin’ which I made a silicone cast of. I can use this to make multiples of the coin. The Rox puppet also got a check over and a tinker ready for filming
*MODEL MAKING* An all black whibbit ‘Tux’ and a whibbit with a customisable crash helmet and racing vest ‘Moto’ are available from my shop Visit my shop or message me for more info
Below are some photos of a custom Moto order. The customer chose the racing green and yellow inspired by 1960’s Lotus 33. Enjoying making this and looking forward to finishing it this week.
*MERCHANDISE/FUNDRAISING* Thanks to you all! Rox reached her target, the minimum needed to make her animation. I will leave the merch on the shop, so if you still want to get involved with badges and supporters packs please do! Every little extra helps. All products are in stock, but will only be posted out when the current lockdown/distancing measures allow. Visit my shop for more info