JOÃO PINTO

Smartsman

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A project created in collaboration with my classmate Penny created a series of sketches that outlined the different shots, environments and character actions for the whole Smartsman short, so my job was to create a more graphically detailed storyboard based on those, as well as design the environments (the character already had a 3d model).

In tune with the sci fi theme, we opted to include a lot of polished metal surfaces, which can be seen both in the spaceship and the laboratory interior, a style which contrasts with the aliens mottled skin and thus draws the viewer’s attention to the protagonist.

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The use of colour was also something we had in mind, with the general tones being steel greys and blues, as well as white inside the scientific facility. This is a very muted pallete, that makes technological elements such as the spaceships dials and most importantly the green vat of liquid where Chiwow was being held in the lab really pop out, emphasising the most dramatic scene of the short, where the alien uses it’s psychic powers to escape its captors.

 

The exterior scenes have a very gritty feel to them, in contrast with this apparent sterility of the interiors. Grey skies, fields of asphalt and foreboding forests seem to dominate the landscape both in the crash landing scene and the later escape. However, the sun rays cutting through the clouds in the very final scene are intended to suggest that even though the hero’s journey may be harsh and dangerous, there is still hope for him.

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