Phil Baxter

Music is something that is going to be very important for this film. The film is musically driven because it is essentially a silent film, I designed the film with the excellent Pixar shorts as a template. I want to move the story forward with character animation and music and even though I enjoy lip-sync animation, I am more concerned with emotion through movement and changes in environment.

This is where a certain young and talented musician comes in, Phil Baxter. Phil is a singer/song writer from Merseyside who currently resides in London. Phil has written many great songs and many of them can be found on his myspace page - Phil Baxter.



Phil's musical knowledge is incredible and has an amazing voice, his lyrics are thoughtful with riffs to match. Phil has been very kind in lending his services to this project and I think that this will give the film a much needed edge especially when trying to flesh out storyboards and animatics. Having Phil along with Matt, Christian and Rachel has made this project real and now has the makings of a proper team. It's all getting very exciting.

Early Character Designs

The first character has been envisioned. Herbert Jr or Herbie, is the young boy in the story. The sketches are all very simple and quick but I am still fleshing out so he will continue to change until I am 100% happy with the look. I have always been a massive fan of the way the Disney masters and so this what I am trying to recreate in these designs. The sketches were done while I have been at film school during renders using PF Track. I have neglected this film slightly over the last month and its a good feeling to have something on paper instead of living inside my head.




I have tried to design 'Herbie' with Maya in mind because the software will be the stalwart during production. The character is made up of simple shapes for instance his head is a rectangle and triangle for the mouth area and his body is stout similar to a box with thin arms and legs. I am looking forward to trying out material test for his clothes and designing the sets and locations the film will take place in. The next stage now will be simple mood sheets which will again help to character creation.

Great Animation

Posting here has been quiet from my side of the partnership, I have been waylaid with work at the big NFT and this has taken a back seat. I have begun sketching some designs for the main character and so far I am pleased with the progress, the boy is taking shape and feels like he could take the weight of the film on his shoulders. I have found some old classics that I first discovered when I studied my degree and they have remained in memory mainly because they are beautiful but now more than ever they serve as inspiration that it is possible to make a great short with a small team.

Father and Daughter (Michael DuDok De Wit)

Vincent (Tim Burton)

Iron Giant excerpt

Oktapodi

Development

Only February and life is getting more exciting and hectic by the day.

The script is underway and proving to be creatively refreshing and a lot of fun.

Samuel has left the Guerillavision office temporarily to grow his skills at NFTS learning more about Special and Visual effects that will no doubt strengthen how A beekeeping tale comes together.

On my search for Animation funding bodies I came accross Brown Bag Films (www.brownbagfilms.com). They are a company who specialise in Animation for commercial, tv serial and short film purposes.

One of their shorts

GRANNY O’GRIMM’S SLEEPING BEAUTY

was nominated for an Animation short Oscar. Great little film and very inspiring.

Excitement keeps mounting with the potential of A beekeeping tale!

Animation Styles

I have collected a few a videos of the sort of animation I would like the bee keeper to look like, obviously these films have been produced by studios with huge teams of incredibly talented people and also huge budgets - both of which this production lacks but its the inspiration that comes from seeing these, is what will keep this idea moving forward.

Ice Age - Trailer

Ratatouille - Trailer

Iron Giant - Trailer

I have also been looking at the process for character creation in animated films, I have done lots before but as I have never made a 3D animated film some of the information is incredibly helpful. Also it's great to look at how artists create mood and how lighting is crucial to setting up a scene. So this website is brilliant for looking at particular parts of the process.

The Making of Ratatouille

"There are only 26 letters in the alphabet. How hard can writing be?" :)

First Steps on an exciting journey

"For every laugh there must be a tear"

After a successful first meeting Beekeeping is well and truly under way. This project is already proving to be one of the most exciting I have ever worked on. The nature of animation is different to live action is some ways, and very similar in others but as with all great pieces of work, the story is paramount! and samuel has come up with a concept that is an absolute cracker.

This project will be a first for me in terms of the (more) collaborative nature of the project then anything I have done before which should prove to be an interesting and rewarding experience.

It is great to be working with Samuel on this, and while we have many similarities in terms of influences, likes and dislikes I think it will be our differences that truly makes the partnership (and not to mention friendship) something that will push this project into something great.

Next Step Research and Development

M

Influences

At the moment the main goal is to start writing a treatment and sample script to flesh out the story. I am currently researching the story and I found this video which coincidentally was also a big influence when coming up with the idea. It's a great little sketch from 'Eddie Izzard' and is very funny and witty and I hope that this film can also be comical BUT with some thought provoking moments.

Also the main reason I want to make an animated film comes from my love of film and one in particular is 'Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade' is one film that I have always enjoyed watching and think that the relationship between father and son is terrific and something that I wanted to include in this film. I have included the original theatrical trailer.

The proverbial ball is rolling

After our first meeting regarding the film I thought it would be a good idea to kick everything off with a quote.

'No Bees, No Honey, No Work, No Money'