The Mirror was actually given by Manny to Neil before he was cursed. They were Friends, Neil could see the unseen. So even though Manny kinda tunes out the fact he knows Neil, somehow he knew he would need rescue, thus giving him the mirror. Home Flower Garden Faceless Neil in Fatal Flower Garden slideshow. Flower Garden; Faceless Neil in Fatal Flower Garden slideshow. Gardening - May 24, 2018. These were concept art made to pitch the feature film idea of Faceless Neil. Music credits: Andrew Bird’s fatal flower garden.
Today I wanted to talk a little about concept art. Whenever I work on a story, I either start making drawing of some of my favorite scenes or I doodle in the sketch book, sometime before I even write.
Some of my ideas actually came first visually, then once I had drawn it I start writing around it.I already had over a dozen of concept art and sketch for Neil before I started writing the feature screenplay, I had worked on it for about 2 years, so the ideas where all there, they just needed to be put on paper under the form of writing. And even though I’m not a screenplay writer, I can relate a story I know people will love because I always think about what the audience enjoy to see as well as what I use to long for whenever I was watching a animated cartoon when I was young.here some old sketches from before I start on writing.
I had written a first rough draft of 41 pages, but funny fact I do not remember when or how long it took me!All these visual elements eventually come together to make a story that is visually compelling. Faceless Neil original idea simply came from an illustration assignment that ended up looking like a concept art sheet;As you can see, I had to illustrate 4 things, they were based on sentences and everybody came up with something different but somewhat narrative. I don’t know why but I came up with that kid on a bed surrounded by monsters. I remember some of the sentences where going something like that; “They were getting closer and closer” “A strange resemblance” Once I was done, I looked at it and thought it would make a cool tiny short cartoon, that same semester I had a introduction class to flash for animation and used this concept art to make a 2 min short of the very first Faceless Neil cartoon. I got the name “Neil” from a dark reference to one of my favorite movie; “Mysterious Skin” and the opposite of that; Manny, from a British comedy called “Black book”.So you see the importance of concept art?
It can lead very far sometimes! Here I am 2 years later, still working and developing Faceless Neil’s project.Once I was done writing the feature, I had to draw an illustration for each major scene, because I know people who will read it do not have the film rolling in their head like I do, thus, visual support is primordial. Here a link to a gallery of the concept art I put together to go along with the script!till soon for more creepy adventures news! I drawn the panels in pencil and colored in photoshop.
I then worked on the animatic in Storyboard Toon boon Pro, which made it pretty easy for timing and everything. However since the action is going to be very fast I actually let some of the frame longer that they would actually be so we have a better understanding of the action.I look at 90’s cartoon opening from Bettlejuice to get a dynamic and also at some great sequence from “The Thief and the Cobbler”.Music wise, This will NOT be the final audio, I just wanted to have a little sound on it.The next step would be to print out the panels and work on sequence number so whenever I start working on the animation I can organize the files in proper order. I always wanted to make a cool Opening credit, I used to work a lot on music and focusing on animating without worrying about an actual storyline or lipsinc. So I storyboarded the opening credit, which shouldn’t be more than a minute. I draw 99 panels, maybe couple of change will occur down the road but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.After watching an amazing animatic from Gorillaz, I decided to paint the panels in photoshop, just to get a clearer reading, not as fancy as my model but definitely helpful.Once I’ll have finished coloring I’ll use storyboard pro to make the animatic and figure out the timing. There is going to be a lot of animation but very fast motion, therefore I should get away with actually less drawings!
Some scenes will be challenging but I like to aim high. Here are some of the character rotation, more to come soon.These were the original head used for the face shop, made as symbols so I wouldn’t have to redraw the crane skull time.This is one of the early character rotation for Joe. I should redo one with proper ink soon.Some more early character rotation and study for additional characters.With new characters coming into the feature project I started with some good rotation and additional study. Ellie, a young girl from the living is going to be in the feature as well as the tv show project. She’s 11 and knew Neil before he was cursed.Ellie’s little sister Emanu;Ellie’s mom Elisa. A simple sketch to get a general idea of what the character looks like.And here is Shipo, a lovely little furry lizard with a Brit accent! I always do additional sketch to show his size relating to his surrounding world.
This very first animation was a great foundation to rethink about the design (for an easier animation, notably on Manny’s mouth) and a way to think about how to develop the idea of the faceless boy into a longer tale.I was at the time listening non stop to Andrew bird, his gypsy jazzy melody reminded me of a place I’ve only seen in my dreams; new Orleans, and pictures of faceless Neil moving in an New Orleans inspired decor started to unfold in my head.
Here is an exclusive sample of the new short film’s script; ” Faceless Neil – Out of the Darkness”
“Neil shakes his head No, as Manny rubs his shoulders. Then smacks him on the back!
MANNY (CONT’D) Brainless and Faceless, yep classic case of ecto-amnesia! Can you remember your name?
Neil closes his eye sockets, tries to remember, then… SOUND: ELENA, IN THE BACKYARD, CALLS OUT, “NEIL!”
NEIL Neil, my name is Neil.
MANNY Hi Neil! So… are you a zombie?
NEIL Absolutely not!
MANNY Ok, ok… not a zombie, which is good, bunch of brain dead deadbeats always looking for a free meal.
NEIL I remember… I was falling! Somebody put me in here and… they were laughing… and loud thunder too…. Meanwhile Manny is playing spinning is head around a la Pinocchio.
MANNY Huh huh! WOOOPS! (His head fall out and roll on the floor) Ah! Not again!
NEIL (spooked) WOW! Are you ok ?!
MANNY Of course I am! I loose my head all the time!
His body slides down and put his head back in place while Neil continues.”