An Unexpected Friend

This is my very first attempt at a short film (well...all experiments with the video camera when I was like 12 aside...).
I have always wanted to get into animation and now that I have a normal 9-6 job, it's easier to schedule time to do things like this.

Basically, I wanted to combine two things I like: stop-motion animation and silent film. I was pretty happy with the result, considering I didn't have any practice with this (The moral of the story is FORGIVE MY WALK CYCLES for now. I have a new respect for animators.).

I made the figures with aluminum wire frames (a MISTAKE to be sure...I never counted on having to redo so many shots and have to make so many repairs as a result) and used milliput for harder parts, like skulls. On the frames, I used fimo clay and liquid latex that I tinted with some acrylic paint. The eyes are also fimo clay.

The sets were just made with a cart load of diorama stuff (the art store I go to is, in all likelihood, DISPLEASED that every time I walk in there they have to reorder the mini railroad aisle), some clay, and some foam I grabbed out of the trash at work.

Anyway, I despise Apple products with at least 99% of my being, but I resorted to using one of their products for this film - All images were taken with an iPhone camera and all of the music was made with Garage Band on my iPhone as well - with the excruciatingly tiny keyboard that Garage Band gives you.
Put together with Photoshop/After Effects/Premier..................In Windows.

I'll tell you what, between new software, animation, set construction, and iPhones, I learned A LOT OF NEW THINGS undertaking this.
And I spent a ton of money and time, but it was SO WORTH IT. Yes, I know that there are improvements to be made, but I feel like this is a good start to a long journey. I hope if you watch this you are able to get some enjoyment out of it.

And if you like something I did and want to know more about how I did it just ask.

Note: Font for intertitles is from blambot.com, used under their free font license.
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Film, Music Copyright 2013 Feature Envy Productions