Individual Artist Project

With this project, I hope to inform and inspire others in my regional filmmaker community to explore new ways to tell their stories. Using Unreal Engine to make short films has opened up a world of possibilities to me, and I know it can do that for others in the community. I now, as an indie filmmaker, have at my fingertips in my home office all the tools I need to create the story worlds of my imagination with limitless potential. I find this to be extremely empowering. I want this project to be an artistic proof of concept to help others find a way to translate their previously unattainable story ideas into a reality. I'll hire 3 voice actors from MN, Jessica Hayes, Sydney Summers, and Tully Morrison. Tully said in his audition email, "I have lived in Minnesota my whole life and have found it hard to find any voice acting opportunities." I'll screen the film free and open to the public at the Duluth Zinema for 64 people. I'll also screen some of my other short films, including my previous Unreal Engine film (see it in my work sample.) I'll submit the film to as many MN film festivals as I can within a reasonable submission budget. Then finally, I will make the film available for free online and share it with my large and growing MN audience online to spread the word and inspiration. This short film is based on my novel, which is set in a fictional reimagining of Duluth. I love the idea of increasing awareness of this beautiful and evocative region through my work.; Goals: 1) Make a short film that I can submit to festivals and hopefully win awards. 2) Showcase what I can do alone in my home studio with the help of voice actors recorded remotely. 3) Tell a harrowing and gripping tale about a mother trying desperately to get back home to her daughter, utilizing bravery to overcome an impossible situation. Measurable outcomes: -Make a 5-7min animated short film featuring 3 voice actors. -Direct 3 recording sessions where each actor will perform their dialogue from the 7-page script. -Make (2) 3D environments, a dimly lit concrete corridor, and a backyard with a swing. -Animate the motion of all 4 characters. -Edit the animations together, sync the vocal performances with the character movements, and add sound effects such as footsteps and wind. -Submit my short film to at least 4 film fests, including the Duluth Superior Film Fest and Twin Cities Film Fest. -Host a public screening at the Duluth Zinema. -Post the finished short film on Youtube. I wrote, directed, and animated a short horror film in July. 58 people (mostly local) auditioned for the 6 roles. I made the film using Unreal Engine. The setting is a birch forest at night, based on Duluth's hiking trails. I made the set by creating a contoured landscape and adding pre-made trees, rocks, and shrubs. I also made light poles and trail signs. I purchased the character models and props on Unreal Engine Marketplace (an online store for 3D models.) To make the film, I learned how to animate characters in Unreal Engine. Everything, from the main character's fingers, griping the flashlight to the monster attacking her, was animated by me. I've completed each step of making a short film in Unreal Engine and have the necessary skills and experience to carry this out. I've also made tutorials about Unreal Engine Filmmaking on my Youtube channel, ?Bodhi The Movie Maker.? I've already written the script and cast the actors for this project. I own the PC and software needed.; I will consider this project a success when I have: -a completed 5-7min short film that tells the story of Sheriff Constance Blackwood escaping from the clutches of a strange humanoid creature set in the eerie birch forest of North Port, MN. (Based on Duluth) -submitted the film to at least 4 film festivals. -invited 64 people to the public screening of the short film. -heard the audience's feedback after the film is over. -pressed publish on Youtube, thus posting the short film to the public for free online. During production, I will measure my progress by crossing out each line of dialogue on the script as the actors record it. I will cross out each scene heading on the script after I have successfully animated and captured the characters in that scene. I'll also assess this work through the new artistic methods and techniques I learn doing it. With each Unreal Engine project I work on, I learn more. I expect to learn more about animation, lighting, and environment design.