Beano Project

To begin third year, we were set a list of clients and briefs which we could work from for the semester. Some of these included DC Thomson, Glasgow Women's Library and the science department at the University of Edinburgh. I decided to work with DC Thomson as the project really suited me and I thought the strict deadlines would be useful to prepare me for later projects. I also heard that they have really good feedback and are a good client to work with. The brief is below:

"BEANO STUDIOS: CLASSIC CHARACTERS RE-IMAGINED BRIEF

Background

Beano Studios is a creative company that’s here to deliver multi-platform entertainment for kids including new film and TV programmes, digital platforms, live theatrical experiences, consumer products and the much-loved comic and annual.

At its heart, Beano Studios has built a digital network designed specifically for 7-12s - a world full of cheeky, naughty energy where kids can be themselves, have fun and live in the moment.

The network covers YouTube, Beano.com and a Beano app with a heavy emphasis on video. Traditional Beano characters live on the network but the vast majority of content is new IP.

All trademarks, characters and intellectual property assets referred to in this briefing document and/or provided to the University of Edinburgh for the purposes of this project, are owned by DC Thomson & Co Limited and licensed to Beano Studios Limited. Participation in this project will be conditional on students assigning all rights in works created as part of this project, to Beano Studios Limited.

The Brief

// Creative Brief

Working individually or in groups, reimagine or evolve existing Beano characters for a new generation - presenting new ideas, new stories and exciting new perspectives to a range of established and well-loved characters. This could include changing a character’s ethnicity, gender or age. Create an entertaining short form animation bringing your re-imagined characters to life to be published on Beano’s digital platforms.

We are open to all sorts of animation techniques and styles. We would like you to choose a technique and visual approach that plays to your strengths.

Choose from:

- Ball Boy (or Ball Girl)
- Minnie the Minx
- Pansy Potter
- Amazing Mr. X
- Baby Face Finlayson
- Ill Will and the Germs
- Biffo the Bear
- Pre-Skool Prime Minister
- The Numskulls
- Ethel Red
- Stevie Star

// Target

Kids 9 -12

// Deliverables

The key deliverable at the end of this project is a 40 to 60 second animation (1080p (Full HD) Quicktime Video H.264) featuring at least one re-imagined Beano character.

Additionally, all preproduction work and documents should be submitted to Beano Studios. Specifically:

- Concept art /character designs
- Production Schedule (PDF)
- Script (first and final drafts, PDF)
- Animatics
- Storyboards (where appropriate)

// Our brand values

Beano Studios is on a mission to banish boredom as we believe the world needs to think more kid! We are the home for big laughs, everyday rebellion and unlimited imagination.

We stand up against the restrictive forces of the grown-up world. We want kids to push boundaries and follow their dreams. We’re a brand for individuals, not herds. For mischief. For mayhem. For freedom!

We’re here to help kids tap into their vast reserves of imagination. Inspiring them to go on crazy adventures, explore the world, make stuff, be original and use their creativity to full awesome effect. We live in a world where anything is possible – if you can imagine it, you can make it happen. Unlimited Imagination is a super power in its own right.

// Content Guidance

Larger than life – big characters, heightened reality, real life but at full blast. Heightened possibilities around every corner.
Messiness rocks – celebrate chaos and create escalating events and snowballing situations.
Lob in the unexpected – build unexpected twists and turns. Bring an element of surprise.
Funny peculiar – take things and put them on their head. We love role reversal and things acting in a way they shouldn’t. Embrace the odd, strange, peculiar and bizarre.
Kind beats cruel – We celebrate people for their individuality. We are accessible, inclusive, good hearted and kind. We do not discriminate, ridicule, exclude or bully.
Comedy runs deep – Multi-dimensional characters with layered storytelling.
Everyone’s invited – multi layered comedy to serve all. For example: physical slapstick for the youngest viewers and

satire for the young at heart. We don’t want to be too clever, highbrow or elitist.

Comedy connects – characters and stories should be relatable for the audience, relevant and plugged into the now. They should not be contrived, trying too hard or inauthentic.
Serve it up fresh – Try new things. Be original and fresh avoiding stale, formulaic storytelling.
Add a bit of bite – take risks, push boundaries, take it to the edge while keeping it age-appropriate.

// For Inspiration

https://www.beano.com/ https://www.beano.com/posts/evil-laugh https://www.beano.com/posts/super-kitty https://www.beano.com/posts/monster-under-the-bed-salesman https://www.beano.com/posts/beanotoons-time-control-app https://www.beano.com/posts/beanotoons-dont-let-it-go

// Reference

Please see the character breakdown attached.

We have provided visual samples for our characters. However, these are only for reference as we would like you to develop a brand new visual interpretation of them based on their character breakdown.

We would like you to choose a technique and visual approach that plays to your strengths.

// Key Dates and Milestones

Brief Launch (Week of 24/09/18) – Brief presented on behalf of Beano Studios at the University of Edinburgh.

Students will be introduced via email to the client and can ask questions about the brief.

Live Pitches (Week of 08/10/18) – Live pitches from students at Beano’s Dundee Office with revised pitches to be emailed within three days if feedback warrants it. For this initial pitch students should provide:
Character designs and summary of re-imagined elements of chosen character(s)
Narrative outline for 40-60 second comedy animation
Proposed production schedule
Script Submission (15/10/18, morning) – First drafts of script submitted via email/dropbox. Feedback from Beano Studios to follow within that week.
Animatics Submission (29/11/18, morning) - Animatics submitted via email/dropbox. Feedback from Beano Studios to follow within that week.
Live Work In Progress Presentation (week of 19/11/18) – Work in progress submitted via email/dropbox. Feedback from Beano Studios to follow within that week.
Final Delivery and Screening (week of 10/12/18) – Final projects presented at Beano’s Dundee Office to wider Beano staff and executives. As part of final delivery, students will be expected to produce a final accounting of actual hours worked against proposed production schedule. "

I did a lot of research into all the characters we were given for the project to decide on which one I wanted to use.

I decided to work with Minnie the Minx as she was a character I grew up reading and enjoyed the fact she was a rebellious girl. I began by working on story ideas by brainstorming different settings and storylines. I thought about different characters that I could also incorporate in my film, for example another Beano character or an extra character to emphasise the story.

I created a few storyboards to work out different storylines before I decided on the final one.

For character design, I started with investigating one of the original designs for Minnie in the actual Beano comics. I noticed a few things whilst doing this character study.

A couple of the features of her body's design are significant. She has a round head and body, which are easy to draw and also associated with children. As Minnie is 10, she is right in-between being a young child and being a teenager. She has knobbly knees and skinny legs, both also associated with children. Her trainers are plain in design and she has black ankle length socks, which obviously have ample opportunity to roll down her legs. Her chubby cheeks are emphasised in her mouth design, usually being shown in a smile or grin.

After I did the character study of 'Original Minnie', I decided to do my own study of my 'Remodelled Minnie'.

A lot of the features are similar to the old design, notably the hair and clothing colours. I modernised the hair style a little bit by making it a bit fuller and giving it a glow. For the clothing, I shortened the sleeves on her top and made her skirt into dungarees. This links the new design back to the very first original one, as she had dungarees when she was first created. However this also modernises her as dungarees have come back into fashion and are commonly seen in both children and adults. I gave my design of Minnie a very simple face, with features which are easy to animate - like round eyes and just a line for a mouth. In another attempt to modernise her but not lose her defining characteristics, I gave her light up trainers. These are common for children to wear nowadays, but I could also keep the traditional red colouring of them.

After this I created an emotion board to show the different feelings she may have throughout the film as a reference for myself.

This is the final design for my character:

I am very happy with the design, and I think I managed to keep her traditional and recognisable elements as well as make a new and modernised character.

After I was working on character design I started on storyboards and script. The next storyboard and script go together.

I also worked on a more rough sketchy storyboard in my sketchbook.

After this I created an animatic film to show the timings and such of the film.

I have started to work on the sound design of the film and have approached a few people about collaborating with me. I want an 'elevator music' type of feel, so it is just music in the background and doesn't distract from the action of the film.

I began working on backgrounds for the film. I wanted to create a watercolour look but then decided to use pencil and pen on top to stylise the pieces more and make them clearer for the audience. I am very happy with how they have turned out and think they will look good with the character designs over them as they have been done in digital colouring.

I then was looking at having a white border around the edge of the screen as I thought my backgrounds were quite illustrative.

I prefer the images with the white border as they look like they could be from a storybook, and as my target audience is young children, I thought this would work well.

I designed the images for the inside of the gallery as all famous pieces of art, but with my own style added to them. They were done with watercolour, pencil and pen line to accent them. I included both pieces of work which are actually in the gallery and also some that are well known around the world. This would appeal to parents or older siblings watching the clip with the young children, who may not recognise the pieces as famous.

After I had completed my backgrounds, it was time to work on the characters and animation. I knew I wanted to hand draw my animation but didn't know whether to use digital colouring or hand drawn colouring. To solve this, I just tested it:

I definitely like the digital colouring (left hand side image) more as it is more clear and precise, and looks more cartoony, which is the look I am going for.

For the animation, I did some test shots of myself in my flat walking and moving like I wanted Minnie to. This helped me work out what to do for the different movements.

Below are some clips from the final film.

I like how the characters stand out against the watercolour background of the film. It shows the rebellious side of Minnie as she is so different to her background. The gallery is very prim and proper and tame, which is the opposite to Minnie.

I am happy with the outcome of my film as I worked very hard on it and put a lot of hours in. The final film is below, and can also be found on the ECA Animation server (for the tutors).