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 Jack — **Jack** the captain

human male, tanned skin, tall and lean, wears a red bandana, loose white shirt, dark trousers, leather boots, a gold hoop earring in left ear

Sounds deep and commanding.

Model sheet for Mira — **Mira** the navigator

human female, dark skin, medium height and athletic, long braided hair, blue striped blouse, beige shorts, compass hanging from neck

Sounds clear and steady.

Model sheet for Tom — **Tom** the cook

human male, fair skin with freckles, stocky build, round face, wears a wide straw hat, yellow shirt with rolled sleeves, brown apron stained with food

Sounds warm and cheerful.

Model sheet for Ivy — **Ivy** the lookout

human female, pale skin, slender, short curly black hair, green vest, black trousers, sharp eyes, perched on a wooden plank with a telescope

Sounds quick and lively.

The setting

Background painting of A small tropical island serving as a pirate crew's close-knit base. — **A small tropical island serving as a pirate crew's close-knit base.**

A rugged small island with dense green tropical foliage, white sandy beaches, and rocky cliffs under a bright blue sky. The sea surrounding it sparkles in shades of turquoise, with scattered palm trees casting dappled shadows. Weathered wooden shacks and a ramshackle dock provide the base camp, bathed in warm sunlight and gentle sea breezes.

turquoise emerald green sandy beige weathered brown

The plan

Jack finds the base's water supply is gone.

concerned and busy wide establishing shot Jack, Mira, Tom, Ivy
Mira checks the maps to find the water source.

focused and hopeful medium shot Jack, Mira
Tom tries to fix the water system but it breaks more.

frustrated and tense close-up Tom
Ivy spots a hidden rain collector behind trees.

surprised and relieved long shot Ivy, Jack, Mira, Tom
The crew collects fresh water and feels safe again.

happy and calm wide establishing shot Jack, Mira, Tom, Ivy

How it was made

Pictures drawn: 11
Words written: 602
Generation steps: 19
Time to make: 5 min

Drawn in claymation. Written in English at level A2, for teen readers.

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