Mid-Project Review: Feedback

Generally, the feedback we got back from our mid-project presentation was overwhelmingly good. The panel seemed to really enjoy our original concept, and looked to be very happy with how we were handling in so far.

Some of the feedback we did receive was;
- That the story had a lot of potential, and maybe could work better as two books (however, they did say they understood why we were pushing it into one, for sales potential).
- They mentioned that they loved the idea of including the cat nip and hinting that it might be slightly drug-related, for Shrek-esque humour to entertain the adults/parents who might pick up the book.
- It was suggested to keep an eye on page count for each art era, as it could make the book repetitive and predictable.
- Building off this, I was warned to not rush each era too much, and ensure that I could get the most out of each era (eg. PMT enjoying being worshipped in the Egyptian era a bit too much to want to leave).

As always, we found all of this feedback extremely useful, and will use it to inform future creative decisions. It was also extremely validating to know they were enjoying what we were doing so far.

Mid-Project Review

This week we have a mid-project review presentation with another industry panel. This is important to make sure we are remaining on track with our work.

For this, I assured I had a clear plot outlined, as well as the art eras that will be featured. I felt it was important to include a slide with the key elements that had been decided on that I maybe hadn't demonstrated too clearly in the plot slide (as there was already a lot of text here). I also noted down the jobs each of us had done so far (to demonstrate that we were still working well as a team).

I included Katy's turnarounds and cover ideas, as well as her first animation test. We discussed how complex we wanted the animations to be and decided that simple would be the most effective, considering the character designs and our target audience. Katy's first test is absolutely perfect for what I - as the writer - had in mind, and this can be seen in the presentation below.

 

Plot Timeline

- Princess Monster Truck (our main cat) wakes up in an empty white space.
- Time traveller spawns out of a portal, panicked and encouraging a confused PMT to follow him through another portal he creates.
- PMT questions Time Traveller (who introduces himself as Gord), before noticing that OMG HE'S BASICALLY A STICK FIGURE
- They get chased by cave painting men and Gord explains that PMT being in this different dimension is dangerous for the fabric of space and time, and in order to get home, they have to force their way through different eras.
- Gord uses a lil bag of catnip to open a new portal which takes them through to...
- EGYPTIAN ERA!
- PMT startled again when he changes, Gord eye rolling and encouraging him to keep moving. Explains the dangers (styles and techniques) of the Egyptian era.
- PMT momentarily adores being in this era, being worshipped, but is quickly ushered on.
- Catnip goes down, into...
- MIDDLE AGES
- PMT mentioning that he's now weaved (tapestry), and Gord responding with a snide, exasperated comment.
- Gord explains the content of the images - battles, hints at religion. Tapestry burns at edges and they emerge through the smoke as ugly medieval cats. Gord cringes.
- Quickly throws down catnip and onto...
- RENAISSANCE
- PMT stating that he loves how pretty his coat is, Gord telling him not to get used to it, and explaining how the softness in the paintings are achieved. Immediately kicks down the catnip, into...
- NEO-CLASSICAL
- Gord explains the similarities, and that a lot of this work was in architecture, and ceiling work (to which PMT mentions he's scared of heights.
- Gord mentions that there was more expression in this stuff and that's why they both look sad. PMT explains that he's just a lil sad cuz he wants to go home.
- Gord silently throws down the catnip and moves on to...
- ROMANTICISM
- Gord explains why they're pretty and talks about artists who encouraged this and why things changed in this era. Before moving onto...
- IMPRESSIONISM
-  Spodgy-ness amuses PMT and cheers him up a bit. Mention Van Gogh. Throws down the catnip, into...
- FUTURISM
- Picasso cats. PMT makes a Picatsso joke and Gord explains that there is no place for puns in the 5th dimension. Moves into...
- DADA AND SURREALISM
- Lots of odd things that PMT questions and Gord makes a comment about how he just doesn't get it. PMT rolls his eyes and they move on...
- POP ART
Four squares of different tones, with PMT stepping out of the squares to explore and Gord scolding him for it. Saying they're almost there and putting his catnip down, and moves onto...
- STREET
- Banksy stuff. Political statements. PMT mention that he doesn't think they should get involved in this. Gord agreeing and pushing him on...
- PRESENT DAY
- On a computer, with a big selection of modern art styles (incl. cartoons, comics, photoshop) and Gord and PMT looking up at the screen in the style of furry art. Being panicked, PMT begging to get home already.
- Go through portal to white space, where Gord tells PMT to go through the final portal on the other side of the page. PMT is nervous and reluctant, but Gord promises it'll be okay and that he'll get home with a couple more steps.
- PMT goes through the portal.
- Next page is him waking up in a gallery to his owners calling his name.
- We find out that his owner is a museum curator with her daughter, coming to look for him. Finally find out his name. They mention his habit of exploring falling asleep in different parts of the museum ("at least you're not shaking like that time you fell asleep in the dinosaur room"). Tells him off because he's not supposed to be near the exhibits.
- Picks him up for a cuddle and walks him out.
- Final panels zooming into a piece of artwork in the background with a tiny lil image of Gord in it.

Selected Eras

- Stone Age
- Egyptian
- Greek/Roman?
- Middle Ages
- Renaissance
- Neo-Classical
- Romanticism?
- Realism?
- Impressionism/Post-Impressionism
- Futurism (Cubism, etc.)
- Dada and Surrealism
- Pop Art
- Postmodernism

Presenting Our Six Ideas to an Industry Panel - Feedback

Despite both being quite nervous about our presentation, we received generally very good feedback from both the panel and our classmates.

Some key points to note from the panel were:-
- They enjoyed that we intended to use animation, and host it in an exciting way.
- They mentioned that we were both very easy to understand and communicate with.
- They stated that they liked how clear and visually appealing the design style I'd used for the PowerPoint was.
- They loved Katy's art style (and how she changed it slightly to suit each story and it's target audience).
- They mentioned that the plot for the Salem Witch Trials idea was undeveloped, and that Katy's art style lent a bit towards a manga style there.
- They suggested going further with pushing tropes in George and The Dragon and making the Princess into a Prince, as well.
- They suggested making the demographic for the dinosaur book younger.
- They felt that the Daerg Due idea would be better off without animation.
- And they said that - despite me only using 'Time Travelling Cats' as a working title to be changed - they quite liked it and thought it could remain.*

We generally agreed with a lot of their constructive criticism and found it very useful. We did decide that - if we were to go with our Daerg Due idea - we would probably keep the animation aspect, as it was something we'd planned all along and Katy thought she could make into something very entertaining and fitting. Generally, I find that it is best to take on board and find value in all criticism you get (especially from professionals), but there is nothing wrong with occasionally trusting your own instincts, ideas and knowledge of your audience.

Our classmates and the panel voted on our ideas and the most popular ideas came up as 'Time Travelling Cats' and 'George and the Dragon', which Katy and I were very happy with as these were the two ideas we naturally felt the most passionate about. Due to it getting the most votes (and the fact it's so different from anything else either of us have done before), we've decided to take the 'Time Travelling Cats' idea to fruition!

*We later found out that this title is already being used and are currently (mid-October) looking for a new title.