TOPSY TURVY – is used to describe being upside-down, head over heels, confused or disordered, not tidy or neat, and in a state of disarray; the opposite.
Questions for idea generation:
> What if the world would have upside-down gravity?
> What if the water was used as a fire instead?
> Synesthesia concept?
> Subverted expectations?
Mind map
LOGLINE – Creature, The Angler, chases down the prey, but the true preditor is not what it seems
SYNOPSIS – The Angler obliviously follows the prey, not noticing the terrified pursue, When The Angler catches up to it, it towers over them but doesn’t do anything. The light Spark that follows Angler swallows it when Angler is not looking.
Character design sketches
The Angler
For the design of The Angler, I wanted to implement Anglerfish’s luminescent headlight, Spark, as a design element and one of the light sources of the scene. But I didn’t know what kind of stature would this creature have. After playing with some different designs, I reduced the pool of options into a few key characteristics I wanted to be part of the final design:
- eyes below the mouth;
- uncommon number of eyes;
- monster/mountain-like stature;
- belly mouth
Spark
It is a sentient creature that has a symbiotic, borderline parasitic relationship with The Angler. It takes over The Angler species’ body and uses it for hunting purpose. When the prey can not run away anymore, the Spark strikes. It is borderline parasitic because based on established involuntary connection, The Angler host is provided with nutrition from the hunts, but after a while, the controlled link weakens the host.
The hosts can be identified by their eyes changing colour. They become the same colour as their spark parasite.
The prey
For its design, I wanted to make it into a small creature living in a forest type environment. Small enough to hide among the leaves and moss. It has a mossy cloak to blend in too. Main characteristics:
- one eye;
- mossy cloak;
- stick-like horns;
- no arms.
The colour of the mossy cloak is the same as the patches on The Angler. It is no coincidence. While hunting, the Spark on The Angler’s head can’t digest the moss. In this circumstance, it just grows one The Angler overtime.
Final designs
Final designs with colour and colour variations.
Turn-arounds and size
Inspirations
- The Manananggal (“self-segmenter”) is a Filipino Aswang (evil spirit) that detaches her torso from her lower half and then takes flight during the night to hunt. I wanted to use the separation concept, how two merge into one or reverse.
- Parasitic relationship in nature, When parasitic organism manipulates the host’s body to do their bidding. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/08/wasps-force-zombie-spiders-weave-cocoon-webs
Environment concept – Upside down forest
Storyboard water color process. First layer
I approached this project with an attitude of creating and designing something with knowledge of doing the best I could with the skills I have. I wanted to make something that I could learn from. And I will say: I learned a lot.
From the beginning, I struggled to come up with an idea for the overall concept of Topsy Turvy. But then the idea of using Anglerfish as an inspiration came and I started developing concepts much quicker. My goal was to not only create a storyline but build the world too. I wanted to showcase this cavern forest, where light is emanating through bioluminescent tree barks, the moss hides little creatures from their preditors, big and small.
Designing the character was challenging but fun. I used shape language to enhance them, size differences to guide the narrative. I didn’t want to make their designs complicated, I stuck to the simpler forms. But I regard them as a great fit for the story I was set to tell.
After all frames for animatic were done, the editing and soundscaping took place. After watching the documentaries and works of the foley artists, I was inspired to challenge myself to create foley sounds at home. I hadn’t had any experience in creating sound, only music. But I experimented with different materials and approaches and then I messed with them in Audacity to create the foley I envisioned in my head. I perceive my foley as an amateur and made with no beforehand experience, which is true, my I really enjoy how it enhances the world I created and makes it a little more believable.
I learned a lot while working on the project, I accomplished what I was set to do. I recognised that my research methods are still flawed, sometimes I just don’t bother to dive deeper into it. It was a hustle to not skip steps of the planning stages how I am used to while working on personal projects. I found myself restraining and burying this instinct as much as I could. Overall I am satisfied with my progress, the narrative and the world I set out to create.