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 Léo — **Léo** a young wizard apprentice

human male, slender build, short brown hair, wears a blue robe with silver stars, carries a wooden staff with a glowing crystal

Sounds clear and enthusiastic.

Model sheet for Mireille — **Mireille** the wise city wizard

human female, middle-aged, tall with long white hair, dressed in a deep purple cloak with golden embroidery, wears round spectacles and holds a leather-bound book

Sounds calm and authoritative.

Model sheet for Bastien — **Bastien** the mysterious street magician

human male, lean with dark skin, shaven head, dressed in a patchwork coat of reds and browns, with a wide-brimmed hat and a mischievous smile

Sounds soft and playful.

The setting

Background painting of A misty city of cobblestones, shadows, and glowing gas lamps at twilight. — **A misty city of cobblestones, shadows, and glowing gas lamps at twilight.**

A sprawling, dimly lit city at twilight with mist-shrouded cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, and flickering gas lamps casting long shadows against weathered stone buildings. The cityscape is layered with old brick facades, wrought iron balconies, and the distant silhouette of a clock tower looming above. There is a lingering haze that softens the edges and adds an air of enigma.

charcoal grey amber deep indigo muted ochre

The plan

Léo remarque que plusieurs lampes à gaz s'éteignent simultanément dans la ville.

curious and tense wide establishing shot Léo
Léo interroge Mireille pour comprendre ce phénomène étrange.

inquiring and thoughtful medium shot Léo, Mireille
Ils surprennent Bastien en train de manipuler discrètement une lampe magique dans l'ombre d'une ruelle.

suspicious and nervous long shot Léo, Mireille, Bastien
Mireille confronte Bastien et demande pourquoi il éteint les lampes.

serious and revealed close-up Mireille, Bastien
Bastien avoue qu'il teste un nouveau sort mais ne veut pas dire s'il réussira à rallumer toutes les lampes.

uncertain and open medium shot Bastien, Léo

How it was made

Pictures drawn: 10
Words written: 1070
Generation steps: 18
Time to make: 5 min

Drawn in painterly. Written in French at level B1, for adult readers.

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