I was tasked to create a visual development scene set within a dark fantasy world, with the treatment referring to that of a boy exploring a shipwrecked longboat to discover an ancient relic, a weapon of immense power. Upon his exit from the ship, his pathway is blocked by the mythological creature, the Dohbar-chu. His only option is to battle his way out.
My first design decision was determining the extent of how deep within the realm of fantasy the boat would be, and what style of vessel to act as the environment. I settled on that of a Viking longboat, which added a more claustrophobic environment, which added a deeper sense of peril to the scene.
After meeting with the writer of the treatment, it was mutually decided a grander longboat design would be the preferred pathway forward. I conducted additional rounds of overdraws to better establish the best point-of-view and contextual elements that would make up the props within the setting and scene.
I struck a balance on how worn down and broken the vessel would be, and strategically placed spotlights within the boat to provide more interesting lighting dynamics and enough shadow to create an impending sense of mystery and danger.
I managed to create a successful scene that satisfied the writer's vision as described and perfectly captured his brief by bringing his imagination to life through attentive listening, detailed exploration, and thorough research.
My first design decision was determining the extent of how deep within the realm of fantasy the boat would be, and what style of vessel to act as the environment. I settled on that of a Viking longboat, which added a more claustrophobic environment, which added a deeper sense of peril to the scene.
After meeting with the writer of the treatment, it was mutually decided a grander longboat design would be the preferred pathway forward. I conducted additional rounds of overdraws to better establish the best point-of-view and contextual elements that would make up the props within the setting and scene.
I struck a balance on how worn down and broken the vessel would be, and strategically placed spotlights within the boat to provide more interesting lighting dynamics and enough shadow to create an impending sense of mystery and danger.
I managed to create a successful scene that satisfied the writer's vision as described and perfectly captured his brief by bringing his imagination to life through attentive listening, detailed exploration, and thorough research.
I decided against having the action scene happening on a lower deck as I wanted the boat to be more accurate to that of a long boat and therefore wouldn't have a lower deck.
After feedback from the writer of the treatment for this scene, I was advised to make the creatures blocking the path, the mythological Dobhar-chus, larger as they are written as creatures that are 10-15 feet large. I also decided that changing the background from sea to land would be beneficial as this ship is meant to be wreaked on the coast with only the broken bottom of the boat submerged.
