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 Ewan — **Ewan** the loyal captain

human male, tall and broad, wearing shining silver armour with a blue crest on his chest, short brown hair, clean-shaven

Sounds steady and commanding.

Model sheet for Mira — **Mira** the young squire

human female, slender build, wearing a simple tunic and leather trousers, long red hair tied back, bright green eyes

Sounds eager and clear.

Model sheet for Garrick — **Garrick** the seasoned archer

human male, lean and wiry, dressed in a green hooded cloak over a leather jerkin, with a quiver of arrows on his back, a scar across his left cheek

Sounds rough and quiet.

Model sheet for Bran — **Bran** the gruff blacksmith

human male, muscular and stocky, wearing a soot-stained apron over dark clothes, bald with a thick black beard, holding a hammer

Sounds deep and gruff.

The setting

Background painting of Heist unfolds within a vast, shadowed medieval castle under torchlight. — **Heist unfolds within a vast, shadowed medieval castle under torchlight.**

A sprawling medieval castle with imposing grey stone walls, towering battlements, narrow arrow slits, and heavy wooden doors. The great hall is illuminated by flickering torchlight casting warm orange glows on ancient tapestries. Narrow, shadowed corridors and winding stone staircases lead to secret chambers. The courtyard is a cobblestone expanse with muted green ivy climbing the walls; in the dusk light, the castle looks both formidable and full of hidden secrets.

grey dark green warm orange earthy brown

The plan

Ewan and his team learn the treasure has been moved within the castle and plan to steal it under torchlight.

tense and focused wide establishing shot Ewan, Mira, Garrick, Bran
They enter the castle quietly, but Bran knocks a metal tool, causing a loud noise.

nervous and urgent medium shot Ewan, Mira, Garrick, Bran
Guards hear the noise and start to search; the team hides in the shadowy archways.

worried and tense long shot Ewan, Mira, Garrick, Bran
Garrick uses his skill to distract the guards while Mira finds the treasure room.

hopeful and clever close-up Ewan, Mira, Garrick
They take the treasure and escape just as the guards catch on, with help from Bran's strong arms.

relieved and triumphant medium shot Ewan, Mira, Garrick, Bran

How it was made

Pictures drawn: 11
Words written: 1071
Generation steps: 19
Time to make: 6 min

Drawn in charcoal. Written in English at level B1, for teen readers.

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