Luis Domingo | Thesis 1 | Jun SassaThe Tribals

To develop a action adventure narrative inspired by anthropology as well as current ideas or events of this decade. I want to critique the idea of identity in this narrative by utilizing masks.

” Mythology describes the world around you.”

I want to create an adventure story, that is both visually and emotionally engaging. Through my process I hope tobetter my skill technically and conceptually. I hope for thestory to be intriguing and leave you asking questions. I aminterested in �inding a subtle solution. My story must involve the use of masks.

Thesis Concept

Goal Intent

Precedents

For the setting and the art for the background I looked to Zdislaw Beksinski. Here I am interested in having a foggy, mysterious, dreary, mood. In the setting I am interested in making it look like the Roman Empire. I want it to be at a time where exploration was only for the bold. I want to be able to utilize neutral tones as well give contrast to the character animation.

In creating characters, I looked to Nick Cave’s Sound suits and tribal clothing. In making the spirits, I want to de�ine them to a speci�ic texture or material as these pieces do. The form and it’s details must talk to the personality of the character.

I want to incorporate scale into this project, not only through the background art, but in character animation. I am interested in creating a being that is much more powerful in comparison to the human.

These are several action adventure stories that have inspired me until now. A big thing I want to incorporate is the importance of a team and I want to develop a story that allows that. Yes in stories and mythologies there is always one leader, but thesupporting characters become just as important. I am inspired by Miyazaki’s Spirited Away in the sense that he has not created a obvious villain. The con�lict in the story is about how the main character is able to survive thrown into this fantastical world. In creating my story, I look to use traditional techniques, but I do want to approach it in a new way, and I do want to create something that can continue after I �inish this project.

Research

These four books are essentially about anthropology or critique the world we live in. The �irst two books, Guns, Germs, and Steel & NonZero, give a historical narrative of what the world was and how it came to be until now. One big theme is technology and power in general. In creating the story, I want to re�lect these ideas in a surreal way. Ragged Edge of the world talks about border nations and the effects two opposing socities have on a civilization at the edge of both (geographically). Here I like the idea of a �inite border and the difference between places on either side. The main character in my story can represent the civilization in between. In Invisible cities, Calvino has a profound way of interpreting our world. Invisible Cities is about the travels of Marco Polo and his writings of these cities he’s explored. The description of these cities are unreal and hyperbolized, but what is important is the character he gives into these civilizations. I like the idea of places having a personality that is derived from the people as well as the interactions taking place within.

In these four books I look to more on the development of my character and what type of hero he could be. In the mask book, research was for the design, but was also important in �inding the myth behind these mask in relation to my story. I want the mask to be important and prevalent in my story, but for what reason exactly. In reading Rashomon and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I was looking into what exactly is my character. Is he a noble, peasant, warrior, or priest? Is he evil, good, slighted, intelligent, headstrong, foolish, or determined?

Mind Map

In these four books I look to more on the development of my character and what type of hero he could be. In the mask book, research was for the design, but was also important in �inding the myth behind these mask in relation to my story. I want the mask to be important and prevalent in my story, but for what reason exactly. In reading Rashomon and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I was looking into what exactly is my character. Is he a noble, peasant, warrior, or priest? Is he evil, good, slighted, intelligent, headstrong, foolish, or determined?

Prologue// seen in a somewhat ink and silhouette style

There were eight immortal, powerful spirits who came together to create the perfect being. Four forged a world for it to live with earth, wind, water, and �re. Two gave it the breath of life and one gave it logic and reason. The last spirit, Esu, gave this being the gift of death. Angered in this imperfection, the other 7 spirits came together and sealed Esu away, hidden within the world.

End Prologue

Title Sequence enters “The Tribals”

Forest & Mountain Border

A boy is seen holding a map and looking into it. In the map you see the lay of the land and the divide between the forest and mountains. Oyo is seen sitting at its border. He continues to move forward into the mountains, searching for something.

Mountain Peak

Oyo is seen traveling through the mountainous terrain reaching the peak.

Narrator

“It is said Esu knows the secret in killing the spirits.”

Outside the Temple

Oyo continues towards the peak and �nds a worn down broken temple. He walks to the entrance of the temple and sees somewhat ideographic writings. The writings say this riddle.

” See through my lies,

and through my disguise,

re�ect on your eyes,

the curse I despise.”

Inside of the temple he �nds piles of skulls around this woven, wooden mask. As Oyo picks up this mask, narration is heard.

“Is this revenge for your tribe worth your life?”

Oyo starts to put the mask on.

” You will be put in a point between life and death. Where death stands much closer.”

Oyo �nally puts on the mask and a darkness quickly surrounds his body and constricts his movements.

Dream State// stylized in black and white silhouettes

In this possession he snaps into a dream like state with Esu sitting right in front of him snickering. Oyo stands with an axe in hand. As Oyo reaches for Esu, a battle is drawn and he begins to �ght for his life. Oyo is seen struggling in the battle, but ultimately �nds an opening in Esu’s movements. Oyo moves in for the blow to decapitate Esu. In the dream like state the light of his body slowly fades more and more as he decapitates Esu. The light fades more and more as he holds the mask of Esu once more. He is last seen putting the mask on as it cuts to the real world.

Temple// Dawn

The last scene is of Oyo’s hands in a �nal clench. His �st is seen with the darkness still surrounding it as his �ngers relax to an idle state.

Fade to black

Credits Roll

A �ashback is seen with Maigo and a younger version of Oyo. Oyo is seen on the ground with his head down surrounded by a torn down and destroyed village. Maigo pats the head of the boy and passes this map to him and says in a voice similar to the narrator.

” Find me here when you have found your way.”

Narrative

OyoA boy who is the last of his tribe, someone who’s life is destroyed by the spirits. He is a character who seeks revenge. His main interest is in finding the secret to killing these immortal spirits.

EsuThe spirit known to give humans the gift of death. It is said he knows the secret to killing spirits, as well as sealing them. He is a spirit that was banished and sealed into a mask for his knowledge. Esu is a crafty and chaotic trickster.

A voice of pure reason. He is the narrator of the story. Not much is known about him yet. He is the spirit responsible for giving the world wisdom, knowledge, logic, and reason.

Maigo

Initial Style

Initial Sketches

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