Animation StyleThe animation will be 2D and done both traditionally and digitally -

some shots being hand-drawn cell motion, and others hand-drawn but animated on Adobe After Effects. The content will initially be sketched out in pencil, but then the line art will be tidied up and coloured on Adobe Photoshop.

The animation style will be inspired by French animation, for example the 2D cell motion ‘Belleville Rendez-vous’.

Visual Style Moodboard

The StoryLogline: An old homeless man and his companion come across a strange briefcase in their alleyway.Message: A homeless man gets reminded of other values in life aside from money – being the loyalty and presence of his furry companion. Story: An old homeless man and his pet dog come across a strange briefcase in their alleyway, however they aren’t alone. Their neighbour Ratty shortly wakes up and tries to claim it for himself. The two fight over the briefcase, Ratty being the successful one and running off with the money. Later on in town while the old man is busking with his dog – they spot Ratty being chased by the police, the two cheekily grin at each other, and continue to enjoy their own company. To the old mans surprise, the dog then places a wad of money it had previously picked up from the case into the mans busking hat.

Target Audience and PositionTarget Audience:The target audience for this short film is families, as the narrative is simple and easy to follow for a young audience, yet can still be enjoyable for adults and teaches a lesson on greed- a timeless trait. The storyline is also satisfying and appropriate for kids, as although the style is dark and the character Ratty could be considered creepy - it ends on a happy note (as the protagonist develops hope). Again – as the message can apply to anyone, there is no specific gender, age, or ethnicity it is aimed at.

How it will Stand Out in the Industry:The animation doesn't fit in with many current trends as usually animations aimed at families are colourful and attractive for kids, but the colours in this are a lot darker (as it is showing the harsh reality of the characters and the cold streets they are living on – reminding people of the lifestyles some people face). This is a positive aspect, as it will stand out from the usual styles of mainstream animation such as Disney and Pixar. It is also 2D whereas a lot of recent animated films are 3D, however this again could be a positive aspect as it will stand out.

Oscar

Owens Initial Sketches

Owen

Oscars Initial Sketches

Oscar

Ratty’s Moodboard

Initial Character Designs

Profile Sketches

Facial Expressions

Action Sketches

Storyboard

Treatment

Relevant Legal and Ethical Issues

Production ScheduleThe animation will take 18 weeks (4.5 months) to produce, and for the crew and cast will be a total budget of £52,325.