This year I directed a short film called Sun. It was actually an idea I came up with about six years ago but never got around to making. Finally at the end of 2012 we had some spare time at A Productions. So I was able to employ the skills of Phil Parker, one of A Productions’ resident animators.
Using my thumbnail storyboard Phil started animating each section of the film. I don’t think we even created an animatic. The timing was just adjusted as we went along. Phil worked in black and white using Flash.
Once we were happy with the animation I set about adding colour and various painterly effects in After Effects. Although, I did like the plain black and white version.
I was then put in touch with a young composer called Joe Donohoe who built up the score from my basic instructions. “More bass. I want a cello. Can we have bass drums? Bass!”
Finally I added a few sound effects to the mix. Many of these involved me tapping or dragging my fingers on the carpet. A bit strange.
I’m very pleased with the film and I thank Phil and Joe for their hard work.
My task now is to enter it into some festivals. It’s already been accepted at Encounters Short Film Festival and has even made it into their, 90 seconds or under, Depict competition. Please go and take a look for yourself and if you are very nice why not rate it while you’re at it.
Thanks
Below you can see the first and only sketchbook notes that I made for the film all those years ago. The idea basically came out of my head fully formed.
