Production notes

Every story starts as a cast and a setting. Those are drawn once, then used as reference for every picture in the story, so the characters stay themselves from beginning to end.

The cast

Model sheet for Fritz — **Fritz** the brave knight

human male, medium build, short brown hair, wearing steel plate armour with a red cape, holding a sword with a jewel in the hilt

Sounds deep and steady.

Model sheet for Lena — **Lena** the clever knight

human female, slender build, long blonde hair tied back, wearing lightweight leather armour dyed green, carrying a small bow and quiver

Sounds clear and quick.

Model sheet for Otto — **Otto** the loyal squire

human male, young and short, curly black hair, wearing simple chainmail and a blue tabard, carrying a wooden shield

Sounds youthful and earnest.

Model sheet for Helga — **Helga** the wise healer

human female, tall and strong, with grey hair tied in a bun, wearing a white robe with a silver brooch shaped like a raven, holding a herbal pouch

Sounds calm and gentle.

The setting

Background painting of A somber, medieval castle where knights face tragic fate. — **A somber, medieval castle where knights face tragic fate.**

A gloomy medieval castle with towering stone walls, narrow windows, and dim torchlight casting long shadows across the cold, grey halls. The grand hall echoes with a hollow silence, and the courtyard is overcast with a dull, grey sky looming overhead. The atmosphere is heavy and oppressive, with a sense of impending doom.

grey dark blue black deep red

The plan

Fritz, Lena und Otto bemerken eine dunkle Bedrohung im Schloss und suchen Helga auf.

besorgt und gespannt wide establishing shot Fritz, Lena, Otto, Helga
Helga erklärt, dass eine Krankheit im Schloss wächst, und alle müssen helfen.

ernst und entschlossen medium shot Fritz, Lena, Otto, Helga
Fritz und Lena versuchen, die Krankheit zu stoppen, aber Otto wird krank.

besorgt und traurig close-up Fritz, Lena, Otto
Helga arbeitet an einem Heilmittel, aber die Zeit läuft gegen sie.

angespannt und hoffnungsvoll medium shot Helga
Trotz aller Mühe stirbt Otto, und das Schloss bleibt in Trauer zurück.

traurig und still long shot Fritz, Lena, Helga

How it was made

Pictures drawn: 11
Words written: 948
Generation steps: 19
Time to make: 6 min

Drawn in painterly. Written in German at level B1, for teen readers.

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