Script

With the motions now decided, and the components ready, it was time to start plotting the script for the 2 aliens, including all movements and behaviours. I now had a list of actions to attempt to incorporate, which were to act as a checklist, in addition to any other behaviours I felt would be appropriate.

I stumbled upon my first problem almost immediately: How do I open the scene?

I couldn't picture a good way of introducing the scenario. Just fading in with those 2 in a chess match seemed incredibly lackluster, and felt like too much of a 'jump' (You load the video and immediately see a game going. I felt that the audience needed a stronger 'intro'). In the PC Game 'Age of Empires 2 - Age of Kings', they were able to introduce a chess match between 2 kings by moving the camera towards them, as if someone was walking into the room to find them locked in a match. However, the strength of this approach was the scenery. The creators had a doorway to walk through, and the scene was set with a roaring fire behind them... I lack both.

After sleeping on it, I woke with an interesting idea to 'kick start' the intro. The viewer would catch the 2 aliens in a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors (To decide who is white - i.e. Who goes first). The intro would be a lot more hard-hitting than entering mid-game. All the player would see is a blank screen, only for a hand taking 'Scissors' to slam down, followed by a cut to the other side to see a hand in 'Rock' slamming down too. From here, the scene would immediately pan out to reveal 2 aliens over a chess board. It would be a nice little anti-climax from a very "in-your-face" intro. To add a bit more fun and to show their 'friendship', the 2 would also have a little Hi-5 sequence (Y'know... a secret handshake!) just before they started.

Personally, this seemed like a very strong start. Now, a chess game requires a lot of moves... and even played quickly, it can last quite a long time. So showing the entire game from start-to-checkmate was out of the question. The logical step was therefore to break the video into 'scenes'. Each showing a different segment of the game (Start, Middle, End), and as the aliens would play, the next 'scene' would fade over the top of the previous one (A common video effect to signify the passing of time). Additionally, this meant that I didn't have to plan the exact moves of an entire game, which was certainly handy!

Looking at the new plan - I could see the animation was setting itself up to last quite a while... as a result, I decided to scrap the victory dance. The collection of behaviours and expressions of the chess game and the initial stages would suffice. It seemed strongest to focus on making the chess game as engrossing as possible, rather than skimming over it to create a dance routine. An over-the-top victory dance plus several chess moves would just go on for too long. Besides, I had a better idea for the end of the video...

So the video was now broken into 4 sections: Intro (Rock-Paper-Scissors), Game - Start, Game - Middle and Game - Last. (It seemed more logical for continuity purposes to have a part on mid-game, rather than start a game and jump straight to the checkmate)

It was at this point that I decided to come up with an 8-day plan to complete the Animation over the Easter Holiday. Devote just over a week to it and get it finished. I would go over the 4 sections twice: First time around, I would animate the bones and critical movements. I would then go over all 4 again, and add in the facial expressions, intricate movements and final details. This little plan allowed me to focus on its completion without rushing it. I would have sufficient time during the day to work on each, yet have enough time off to recover for the next day's activities.

And so, I scribbled down the moves and associated actions which would act as the guide:

Game - Start

- Begins after both aliens sit down after the secret handshake:

Move #1 - Kris raises his hand, ready to make the first move, and proceedes to deftly move a pawn forward

Move #2 - Carl leans forward, crossing his arms in the process, and bold moves his knight

Move #3 - Kris also moves his Knight forward (Generic Move - Clearing the path for Kris to execute a 'Castle' - Which is basically a chess move that looks fancy)

Move #4 - Carl looks around the board, drumming his fingers, and proceedes to move a pawn forward

Move #5 - Kris moves a second pawn forward, and does so confidently (Instead of deftly lifting it, he brashly pushes the piece forward)

Move #6 - Gently taking hold of the Queen (Like in the Reference Photo), Carl nervously pushes it forward, though is somewhat doubtful

Move #7 - Kris moves the bishop forward, and leans back to adopt the 'Pinkie' pose as shown in the reference photos

Move #8 - Carl moves another piece (Generic Move)

Move #9 - Kris performs a 'Castle' (King is swapped with the Rook). This is a nice, intricate finger-play motion. The aim will be to have Kris hold the King between the thumb and forefinger, move it across and take hold of the rook with his pinkie and ring finger. He then places the king down and puts the rook on the other side of it. He then finishes this move with a confident 'flick' (It's a gesture I've occasionally seen, particularly in Scrubs by Dr Cox, where you deftly run your hand by your face, quickly brushing your index finger by the tip of your nose/lips). I don't understand why it happens - But it's a very stylish gesture of confidence.

--- Fade ---

Game - Middle

--- Fade ---

- The scene fades in with Carl resting on one hand, and Kris still in the 'pinkie' pose from the previous scene

Move #1 - Lazily moving his free hand, Carl hovers it around the board as he considers his next move, and eventually settles on a simple move. He's not overly confident about it, and sees it more as a 'move to kill time' until a stronger move is available

Move #2 - Stroking his chin and contemplating for a bit, Kris then leans forward and boldly makes his next move

Move #3 - Now unsure about his strategy: Carl performs the 'Cupped Nose' gesture from the reference pictures, brushes past his chin and then quickly makes a rash move

Move #4 - Scratching his chin and surveying the match: Kris sees his opportunity and captures one of Carl's pieces

- Scene ends with Carl scowling and looking away, with Kris smiling

--- Fade ---

Game - Last

--- Fade ---

- The scene now sees Carl clasping his forehead, leaning forward and shaking his head. He is clearly in a bas position. Kris is confidently sitting forward, twiddling Carl's captured Queen in his hand.

Move #1 - Kris looks around, and spots the Checkate move. He makes the move and then confidently sits back, folding his arms

- Carl sighs and slumps back in his chair. As he surveys the board, he spots something. He then looks up and squints at Kris.

After a pause, Carl suddenly smacks the board off of the table, and then confidently clicks his finger at Kris in a sort of "Ha! Beat that!" gesture, as Kris puts both his hands on his hips and shakes his head in disapporval.