Ember Treatment 4/4/12
Sequence 1 – Man’s Prayers
The sun eclipses the majestic Mongolian mountains at dusk. The weather is blistering cold. Snow whips around the mountainous terrain. A tired, worn man walks into frame. Before him is a great monument situated in a mystical prayer circle of deer stones. The man kneels down in front of an oovoo to begin prayer. He has been here before as evidenced by the weathered area he begins to worship on. He is shown to be cold, as condensation erupts from his breath. He places an amulet with a symbol that matches the top of one of the deer stones on the ground. The man stands up and gazes at the sky. He looks dismissed to the possibility of the gods ever answering his prayers. He shivers again and dismally walks away to his shelter.
Sequence 2 – Ember’s Birth
As the clouds begin to gather above this place of worship, thunder rumbles in the distance. The sky turns chaotic and begins to encircle the area. The tempo of the storm builds as the runes in the vicinity begin to glow. With the resounding clash of lightning, one of the pillars with the Mongolian symbol for fire is shattered as the pieces fly onto the ground. The shards of stone begin to gather with one another around the amulet the man left behind. They lift off the ground following the amulet, as the symbol on the amulet starts to glow. Fire emerges from the floating core to create a creature of flame.
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Sequence 3 – Ember’s Exploration
The form of fire has fully taken shape and is looking around with curiosity. The fire, Ember, looks around his birthplace examining his new world. Ember notices the footprints the man has left behind. Ember begins his descent following the footprints. Ember travels past a huge rock at the base of the cliff and takes notice. With curiosity he touches the rock. Ember's flame rolls over, leaving a slightly blackened trail. Ember then notices a beautiful flower growing at the base of the large rock. Ember goes to touch the flower and after his flame passes through it he pulls back, shocked at what he has done. The flower has quickly become a charred stem. Ember, upset at what he’s done, wanders on following the footsteps.
Sequence 4 – Ember’s Reflection, Weakness
Following the footsteps, he reaches a riverbank where the footsteps stop. He examines the water. After bending down to look at the water he lifts his head and sees an animal on the opposite side of the river. It is drinking water from the river and when it finishes, it notices Ember and runs away. After the creature is gone Ember looks at himself in the river. He shifts his form to mimic the creature’s head and bends down to drink the water like the animal. When Ember reaches the river, some of his flame is put out as the water sizzles. He recoils in pain, meanwhile the man watches and approaches.
Sequence 5 – Man’s Meets
The man moves towards Ember in awe of his brilliant flames. The man sees the symbol of his amulet in Ember’s core and realizes that the gods must have sent him. Excitedly the man moves toward Ember to feel his warmth Ember moves away, aware of the destruction he can cause. The man notices Ember’s hesitation, and offers his staff. His staff lingers in front of Ember as Ember cautiously considers the man’s gesture. He then reaches out with an arm of flame and lights the end of the staff. As it is lit, Ember moves away quickly and then notices the man’s fascination and joy in receiving the flame. The man beckons Ember to follow him as he walks away from the water. Ember follows.
Sequence 6 – Man's Campsite
The man and Ember sit with each other, looking out onto the river next to the hut. Torches are seen behind them and Ember notices the man fall asleep next to him. The wind picks up and Ember’s flames swirl around in the wind. A part of Ember’s flames makes contact with the Hut, and it catches on fire.
Sequence 7 – Hut Burning
The man wakes up to find his hut on fire. Ember stands confused and concerned at what has happened. The fire rages on and the man drops to his knees in defeat. He glares at Ember and casts him out. Ember takes a step back then starts to move quickly away. The man continues to kneel in front of the hut as snow gusts in front of the screen.
Sequence 8 – Blizzard
A short time after his hut has been burned; the man wanders in a blizzard not knowing where to go. He is getting colder by the second. He collapses in the snow, and it is revealed that he has collapsed near the turtle stones marking the foot of the shrine. Ember rushes to his side as his consciousness fades. Ember moves close to the man but the blizzard is too strong for him remain by his side to keep him warm. Realizing what he needs to become, Ember unleashes all his power and spreads himself out as a huge crescent shaped wall protecting the man.
Sequence 9 – Man Awakens
The man’s eyes open. It is now morning, and the storm has passed. The man rises and observes the surrounding area relieved but also confused as to how he survived the night. He looks at the ground and notices the charred earth in a crescent in front of him. Snow is pushed away around the charred area. There is a faint flicker of fire left on the ground. The man notices his amulet surrounded by stones not far from him. He gently picks it up with a sad, grateful look in his eyes. He begins to walk up to the shrine
Sequence 10 – Ember’s Return
The man arrives and places the amulet in front of the oovoo. He assumes the prayer position. He looks up to the sky wishfully. He looks back down at the amulet and the glow of fire appears on his face.
I started the thumbnails immediately after finally nailing down a successful story. Granted, it would be a lot to tell for a five to six minute animated short. Here are my first thumbs.
After the basic thumbs were laid out, it was time for some more detailed storyboards and an animatic. I drafted and led the production of several animatics before we finally arrived at a final one. I will detail that process in further posts.
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