Inn't she cute!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Story and Discourse
The Professor and the Bear is a story about how sometimes, there is more than meets the eye.
Story beats
1. Professor McCrispy, a piece of toast with a top hat and cane is happily strolling through the woods.
2. In the distance, Professor McCrispy sees a large brown bear nibbling on berries from a bush, so he walks up to introduce himself.
3. The bear, noticing the professor and seeing him as a delicious snack, prepares to gobble him up.
4. “Good morning, Mr. Bear, my name is Professor McCrispy. What might yours be?”
5. The bear, who is surprised to be in a conversation with a piece of toast, replies “Uh…I’m Poncho.”
6. “Well then Poncho, you wouldn’t mind giving me a lift to the end of the trail. I’m a bit stiff in the knees, you know how it is.”
7. Before Poncho can reply, Professor McCrispy is already on his back, out of reach of Poncho’s deadly claws. “Well come on then.”
8. Poncho, although surprised, silently agrees with a smirk on his face.
9. They begin their journey deeper into the woods, but before long, McCrispy notices that Poncho has gone off trail and the light has gotten dimmer.
10. “Poncho, I’m not sure we’re going the right way.”
11. “Oh…I know where we’re going.”
12. They continue to delve deeper in the darkness.
13. “I really think we should stop. The darkness, it…”
14. Poncho continues without a word.
15. McCrispy reaches his boiling point “STOP!”
16. Poncho stops to let McCrispy off of his back; this is what he’s been waiting for.
17. “Now see here, I-“ Poncho rear back to take a mighty swipe at McCrispy.
18. In an instant, something takes hold of McCrispy, and he becomes a savage monster, gobbling Poncho in a single bite.
19. McCrispy, dazed from the experience, continues his happy stroll through the woods.
Discourse
• The film will be animated in 2D to most easily portray the exaggerated expressions and movements of the characters. 2D is also my strong suit.
• From the beginning of the film to the end, the color pallet of the environment will change gradually to convey the growingly sinister atmosphere and mood.
• The beginning of the film will mostly consist of light blues, warm greens and browns. I want the audience to feel warm and comfortable when they join Professor McCrispy so that they can easily connect with him.
• By the end of the film, the environments will consist of a pallet of blue-greens and dark greys; cooler colors to invite a creepy atmosphere.
• The shape and style of the plants will change from the beginning of the film to the end.
• From the beginning, the plant life will be rounder and friendlier with a lot of lush leaves.
• By the end, the plants will be more jagged and the trees will have less leaves on them.
• The music score will tie in with the mood of the color pallet.
• The film will lead in with a light bouncy tune as the audience joins McCrispy.
• The score for the introduction of Poncho will be deep with the sounds of tubas and trombones. I want the music to introduce Poncho as awkward, but dangerous.
• The music will be low and creepy and will play with the sound of crickets as the two venture into the darker part of the woods.
• The art style will be soft and colorful to ease the audience into a state of comfort, so that the end twist will be more powerful.
• To keep with the personality of the characters, Professor McCrispy will have an enthusiastic British voice, while Poncho will have a deep, low voice.
• I’ll use light as both a warm, welcoming mood-setter, and as a beacon of doom.
• In the darkest part of the woods, gray beams of light will filter through the canopy to help set the atmosphere.
• McCrispy will move with quick, exaggerated movements, while Poncho will be slower and slightly more realistic. I want Poncho to be taken partly seriously to the audience.
• The story is in a sort of folk-tale style, which is partly a reason for the naming convention of the title.
• Poncho is a bear as opposed to another animal because of the contrast between him and the toast. Nobody would suspect a large, ferocious bear to be eaten by toast.
• McCrispy is a piece of toast because it’s funny. This is a comedic piece, after all.
Professor McCrispy, a piece of toast with a top hat and cane is happily strolling through the woods. In the distance, Professor McCrispy sees a large brown bear nibbling on berries from a bush, so he walks up to introduce himself. The bear, noticing the professor and seeing him as a delicious snack, prepares to gobble him up. “Good afternoon, Mr. Bear, my name is Professor McCrispy. What might yours be?” The bear, who is surprised to be in a conversation with a piece of toast, replies “Uh…I’m Poncho.” “Well then Poncho, you wouldn’t mind giving me a lift to the end of the trail. I’m a bit stiff in the knees, you know how it is.” Before Poncho can reply, Professor McCrispy is already on his back, out of reach of Poncho’s deadly claws. “Well come on then.” Poncho, although surprised, silently agrees with a smirk on his face.
They begin their journey deeper into the woods, but before long, McCrispy notices that Poncho has gone off trail and the light has gotten dimmer. “Poncho, I’m not sure we’re going the right way.” “Oh…I know where we’re going.” They continue to delve deeper in the darkness. “I really think we should stop. The darkness, it…” Poncho continues without a word. McCrispy reaches his boiling point “STOP!” Poncho stops to let McCrispy off of his back; this is what he’s been waiting for. “Now see here, I-“ Poncho rear back to take a mighty swipe at McCrispy. In an instant, something takes hold of McCrispy, and he becomes a savage monster, gobbling Poncho in a single bite. McCrispy, dazed from the experience, continues his happy stroll through the woods.
Story beats
1. Professor McCrispy, a piece of toast with a top hat and cane is happily strolling through the woods.
2. In the distance, Professor McCrispy sees a large brown bear nibbling on berries from a bush, so he walks up to introduce himself.
3. The bear, noticing the professor and seeing him as a delicious snack, prepares to gobble him up.
4. “Good morning, Mr. Bear, my name is Professor McCrispy. What might yours be?”
5. The bear, who is surprised to be in a conversation with a piece of toast, replies “Uh…I’m Poncho.”
6. “Well then Poncho, you wouldn’t mind giving me a lift to the end of the trail. I’m a bit stiff in the knees, you know how it is.”
7. Before Poncho can reply, Professor McCrispy is already on his back, out of reach of Poncho’s deadly claws. “Well come on then.”
8. Poncho, although surprised, silently agrees with a smirk on his face.
9. They begin their journey deeper into the woods, but before long, McCrispy notices that Poncho has gone off trail and the light has gotten dimmer.
10. “Poncho, I’m not sure we’re going the right way.”
11. “Oh…I know where we’re going.”
12. They continue to delve deeper in the darkness.
13. “I really think we should stop. The darkness, it…”
14. Poncho continues without a word.
15. McCrispy reaches his boiling point “STOP!”
16. Poncho stops to let McCrispy off of his back; this is what he’s been waiting for.
17. “Now see here, I-“ Poncho rear back to take a mighty swipe at McCrispy.
18. In an instant, something takes hold of McCrispy, and he becomes a savage monster, gobbling Poncho in a single bite.
19. McCrispy, dazed from the experience, continues his happy stroll through the woods.
Discourse
• The film will be animated in 2D to most easily portray the exaggerated expressions and movements of the characters. 2D is also my strong suit.
• From the beginning of the film to the end, the color pallet of the environment will change gradually to convey the growingly sinister atmosphere and mood.
• The beginning of the film will mostly consist of light blues, warm greens and browns. I want the audience to feel warm and comfortable when they join Professor McCrispy so that they can easily connect with him.
• By the end of the film, the environments will consist of a pallet of blue-greens and dark greys; cooler colors to invite a creepy atmosphere.
• The shape and style of the plants will change from the beginning of the film to the end.
• From the beginning, the plant life will be rounder and friendlier with a lot of lush leaves.
• By the end, the plants will be more jagged and the trees will have less leaves on them.
• The music score will tie in with the mood of the color pallet.
• The film will lead in with a light bouncy tune as the audience joins McCrispy.
• The score for the introduction of Poncho will be deep with the sounds of tubas and trombones. I want the music to introduce Poncho as awkward, but dangerous.
• The music will be low and creepy and will play with the sound of crickets as the two venture into the darker part of the woods.
• The art style will be soft and colorful to ease the audience into a state of comfort, so that the end twist will be more powerful.
• To keep with the personality of the characters, Professor McCrispy will have an enthusiastic British voice, while Poncho will have a deep, low voice.
• I’ll use light as both a warm, welcoming mood-setter, and as a beacon of doom.
• In the darkest part of the woods, gray beams of light will filter through the canopy to help set the atmosphere.
• McCrispy will move with quick, exaggerated movements, while Poncho will be slower and slightly more realistic. I want Poncho to be taken partly seriously to the audience.
• The story is in a sort of folk-tale style, which is partly a reason for the naming convention of the title.
• Poncho is a bear as opposed to another animal because of the contrast between him and the toast. Nobody would suspect a large, ferocious bear to be eaten by toast.
• McCrispy is a piece of toast because it’s funny. This is a comedic piece, after all.
Professor McCrispy, a piece of toast with a top hat and cane is happily strolling through the woods. In the distance, Professor McCrispy sees a large brown bear nibbling on berries from a bush, so he walks up to introduce himself. The bear, noticing the professor and seeing him as a delicious snack, prepares to gobble him up. “Good afternoon, Mr. Bear, my name is Professor McCrispy. What might yours be?” The bear, who is surprised to be in a conversation with a piece of toast, replies “Uh…I’m Poncho.” “Well then Poncho, you wouldn’t mind giving me a lift to the end of the trail. I’m a bit stiff in the knees, you know how it is.” Before Poncho can reply, Professor McCrispy is already on his back, out of reach of Poncho’s deadly claws. “Well come on then.” Poncho, although surprised, silently agrees with a smirk on his face.
They begin their journey deeper into the woods, but before long, McCrispy notices that Poncho has gone off trail and the light has gotten dimmer. “Poncho, I’m not sure we’re going the right way.” “Oh…I know where we’re going.” They continue to delve deeper in the darkness. “I really think we should stop. The darkness, it…” Poncho continues without a word. McCrispy reaches his boiling point “STOP!” Poncho stops to let McCrispy off of his back; this is what he’s been waiting for. “Now see here, I-“ Poncho rear back to take a mighty swipe at McCrispy. In an instant, something takes hold of McCrispy, and he becomes a savage monster, gobbling Poncho in a single bite. McCrispy, dazed from the experience, continues his happy stroll through the woods.
Script
EXT. ESTABLISHING SHOT - PANORAMIC BIRDS EYE OF FOREST
WIDE - FOREST ROAD
Professor McCrispy is on his afternoon stroll through the
forest, making his way to the end of the path.
MCCRISPY
(humming)
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
As McCrispy makes his way down the path, he notices
something off the path.
WIDE - PONCHO - FOREST BUSH
A large bear is nibbling at some small berries from a bush.
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
The bear turns to see Professor McCrispy staring directly at
him. He has a curious expression on his face.
CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy, although initially awestruck by the site of the
bear, puts a grin on his face and decides to introduce
himself.
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST BUSH
McCrispy walks up to stand in front of the large bear. The
bear looks both curious and hungry.
WIDE - TRUCK OUT TO MEDIUM - PONCHO - BUSH
The bear's hunger has overtaken him. He rears back to take a
deadly swipe at Professor McCrispy.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
McCrispy, not the least terrified by the bear, sticks out a
hand and introduces himself
MCCRISPY
Why hello there, Mr. Bear. My name
is Professor McCrispy. What might
yours be?
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
The bear pauses. He looks surprised to be in a conversation
with a piece of toast.
MEDIUM - OTS MCCRISPY - PONCHO
The bear kneels down to come face to face with Professor
McCrispy.
PONCHO
Uh...I'm Poncho.
WIDE - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
Professor McCrispy stands proudly as he asks Poncho for a
favor
MCCRISPY
Well then, Poncho. If you wouldn't
mind my asking, I'm trying to get
to the end of the path here. You
wouldn't mind a lift would yeh? I'm
a bit stiff in the knees, you know.
CLOSEUP - PONCHO - TRUCK OUT TO MEDIUM WITH MCCRISPY
Poncho has a confused expression on his face. He doesn't
know what to make of the situation.
PONCHO
Uh...
The camera trucks out to reveal that McCrispy has already
hopped on Poncho's back, ready to go. Poncho is taken aback.
MCCRISPY
Let's go!
Poncho stares and thinks for a second. He seems to have a
plan in mind.
MCCRISPY
Come on then!
Poncho smirks and they head off deeper into forest.
BIRDSEYE - FOREST ROAD - LIGHTS ARE DIMMING
Poncho and McCrispy are making their way through the forest.
McCrispy is humming to himself.
MCCRISPY
(humming)
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - THE FOREST IS GETTING DARKER
Poncho and McCrispy continue traveling through the forest,
but something seems strange to McCrispy. The forest seems to
be getting darker. His humming stops.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy has a worried expression.
MCCRISPY
Mm...heheh. Poncho, I don't think
we're going the right way
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
Poncho has an evil grin on his face.
PONCHO
Oh, I think we're going the right
way.
WORMSEYE - LOOKING UP TO THE CANOPY
The silhouette of a crow flies overhead, a deadly omen.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy stares up with a worried expression on his face.
MEDIUM - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
McCrispy tries once more to plead with Poncho.
MCCRISPY
Listen, I..I don't like this at
all.
CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy looks up with intense fear in his eyes.
MCCRISPY
The darkness...it...
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD - HIGH HORIZON
Poncho continues walking withought the slightest
acknowledgement.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy has a worried expression on his face. It quickly
turns to anger and he finally bursts.
MCCRISPY
STOP!!!!
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY DARK
Poncho stops with a grin on his face. His plan has worked
and McCrispy will finally be off of his back and ready to
eat. McCrispy hops off and walks back a bit to vent his
anger.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - HIGH ANGLE
McCrispy stares furiously at Poncho and attempts to express
himself, but is cut off.
MCCRISPY
Now see here! I've told you this-
MEDIUM - PONCHO - LOW ANGLE
Ponch stares down at McCrispy with a grin on his face. He
prepares to swipe and gobble up McCrispy.
EXTREME CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy looks up, frightened. The situation gets to him and
he takes on an evil expression.
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - DARK FOREST
As Poncho begins to swipe, McCrispy's body momentarily
enlarges and gobbles up Poncho in a single bite.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY
McCrispy seems confused. He shrugs it off, however and
continues his merry stroll offscreen.
WIDE - FOREST ROAD
Professor McCrispy is on his afternoon stroll through the
forest, making his way to the end of the path.
MCCRISPY
(humming)
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
As McCrispy makes his way down the path, he notices
something off the path.
WIDE - PONCHO - FOREST BUSH
A large bear is nibbling at some small berries from a bush.
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
The bear turns to see Professor McCrispy staring directly at
him. He has a curious expression on his face.
CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy, although initially awestruck by the site of the
bear, puts a grin on his face and decides to introduce
himself.
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST BUSH
McCrispy walks up to stand in front of the large bear. The
bear looks both curious and hungry.
WIDE - TRUCK OUT TO MEDIUM - PONCHO - BUSH
The bear's hunger has overtaken him. He rears back to take a
deadly swipe at Professor McCrispy.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
McCrispy, not the least terrified by the bear, sticks out a
hand and introduces himself
MCCRISPY
Why hello there, Mr. Bear. My name
is Professor McCrispy. What might
yours be?
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
The bear pauses. He looks surprised to be in a conversation
with a piece of toast.
MEDIUM - OTS MCCRISPY - PONCHO
The bear kneels down to come face to face with Professor
McCrispy.
PONCHO
Uh...I'm Poncho.
WIDE - MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
Professor McCrispy stands proudly as he asks Poncho for a
favor
MCCRISPY
Well then, Poncho. If you wouldn't
mind my asking, I'm trying to get
to the end of the path here. You
wouldn't mind a lift would yeh? I'm
a bit stiff in the knees, you know.
CLOSEUP - PONCHO - TRUCK OUT TO MEDIUM WITH MCCRISPY
Poncho has a confused expression on his face. He doesn't
know what to make of the situation.
PONCHO
Uh...
The camera trucks out to reveal that McCrispy has already
hopped on Poncho's back, ready to go. Poncho is taken aback.
MCCRISPY
Let's go!
Poncho stares and thinks for a second. He seems to have a
plan in mind.
MCCRISPY
Come on then!
Poncho smirks and they head off deeper into forest.
BIRDSEYE - FOREST ROAD - LIGHTS ARE DIMMING
Poncho and McCrispy are making their way through the forest.
McCrispy is humming to himself.
MCCRISPY
(humming)
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - THE FOREST IS GETTING DARKER
Poncho and McCrispy continue traveling through the forest,
but something seems strange to McCrispy. The forest seems to
be getting darker. His humming stops.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy has a worried expression.
MCCRISPY
Mm...heheh. Poncho, I don't think
we're going the right way
CLOSEUP - PONCHO
Poncho has an evil grin on his face.
PONCHO
Oh, I think we're going the right
way.
WORMSEYE - LOOKING UP TO THE CANOPY
The silhouette of a crow flies overhead, a deadly omen.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy stares up with a worried expression on his face.
MEDIUM - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD
McCrispy tries once more to plead with Poncho.
MCCRISPY
Listen, I..I don't like this at
all.
CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy looks up with intense fear in his eyes.
MCCRISPY
The darkness...it...
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - FOREST ROAD - HIGH HORIZON
Poncho continues walking withought the slightest
acknowledgement.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY ON PONCHO'S BACK
McCrispy has a worried expression on his face. It quickly
turns to anger and he finally bursts.
MCCRISPY
STOP!!!!
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY DARK
Poncho stops with a grin on his face. His plan has worked
and McCrispy will finally be off of his back and ready to
eat. McCrispy hops off and walks back a bit to vent his
anger.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY - HIGH ANGLE
McCrispy stares furiously at Poncho and attempts to express
himself, but is cut off.
MCCRISPY
Now see here! I've told you this-
MEDIUM - PONCHO - LOW ANGLE
Ponch stares down at McCrispy with a grin on his face. He
prepares to swipe and gobble up McCrispy.
EXTREME CLOSEUP - MCCRISPY
McCrispy looks up, frightened. The situation gets to him and
he takes on an evil expression.
WIDE - PONCHO AND MCCRISPY - DARK FOREST
As Poncho begins to swipe, McCrispy's body momentarily
enlarges and gobbles up Poncho in a single bite.
MEDIUM - MCCRISPY
McCrispy seems confused. He shrugs it off, however and
continues his merry stroll offscreen.
Art Direction for The Professor and the Bear
Character Designs for Poncho and Professor McCrispy
Forest Environment Concept
Mood/Color Board
Forest Environment Concept
Mood/Color Board
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