How About Them Pigeons?

So strange to have our official updates on Fridays now rather than Mondays. I suppose it makes more sense as we get to reflect on the week and discuss what we did but it just seems off to me. Probably cos we haven't done any time plans yet. Or at least I haven't. I should probably do something about that soon.

Anyway, time to share my latest progress. Last time I updated I basically found and shared a boatload of pigeon videos, had tweaked my script ever so slightly and added one new pigeon to the cast. Since then, we've had group critique (which I was one of the few to show up for... no 10% deduction for me!) where we discussed our ideas and presented our progress. However, even though we had less people, there still wasn't enough time to go around everyone in detail so there wasn't a lot of time to really tell the story I was starting to create. I think I managed to give everyone the general gist though.

Dave had no problems with my animation and ideas but did stress that I should show variety with side projects in my portfolio, as I have worked with pigeons before. Shouldn't be too much bother I imagine as I often draw or doodle or even animate things in my spare time, just to give myself a small break from a major project and draw something different. You can never draw only one thing all the time. Drives you buggy.

Like this for example. I actually drew this when I stayed the night in Minneapolis airport because something was wrong with the plane. Thankfully the airport folk were very friendly and helpful. I basically drew something random and nutty to cheer my sad self up. I don't condone kicking your pets though. Seriously, don't do that. It ain't cool, brah.

I'd probably use this as a kind of 'technical difficulties' image if I get my own website one of these days...

Anyway, I suppose I better get on with the task at hand. We're supposed to talk about the character designs that inspired our own but to be honest, I've already discussed that I think. Probably about two or three blog entries back. So instead, I'll talk in more detail about the characters I have and how they've developed since I came back to college.

Blue
Blue has changed in the way that her personality has become slightly more developed and that there's more to her character than trying to help Lilac and Green wake Pink up. Blue is a female pigeon but, compared to Lilac, she is more stocky and built, so is often mistaken for male, which makes it very difficult for her to find a mate. Seems pigeons are more picky where she's from. She is generally confident with herself, likes the fact that her boyish figure makes her less vulnerable to potential dangers from males and finds it easy to stand up for herself and others. However, she hates conflict and is often lonely, which is why she clings to anything relating to friendship. While having a mate isn't exactly a priority to her (food always comes first to a pigeon), it would be nice to have someone to share breadcrumbs with.
She does get the occasional bit of attention from females though, which is how she ends up meeting Lilac. To ease the awkwardness, Lilac offers to introduce Blue to her brother, who also has a similar problem to Blue- misleading figure and plumage. Sadly, Pink is unfortunately numb after losing his limb to a cat, Lilac is riled and Green is fried chicken. Not the best way to meet people.

Pink
Pink is a male pigeon with a girlish figure, due to his half dove heritage, and pink feathers. Because of this, he often feels he has to prove his man(pigeon?)hood by being overly confident, competitive and trying various death defying stunts and dares, often egged on by his friend Green and scorned at by his sister Lilac. He is generally fearless and isn't afraid of getting the occasional injury or two. However, he is rather naive and believes a silver tongue will evade the ruthless claws of an angry cat. He isn't prepared at all for the consequence of losing a foot, which sends him into a state of shock that Lilac and Blue find difficult to waken him from. He is an optimistic and upbeat pigeon that, despite his plumage, finds it incredibly easy to make friends. However, he is positive to a fault, in which he rejects any form of negativity, including vigilance which would help him judge a situation and keep his wits about him. Hopefully he'll be able to snap out of this state soon and stop the chaos between Lilac and Green. Plus, that blue fuzz looks pretty friendly...

Lilac
Lilac is Pink's generous and thoughtful yet no nonsense sister. She is half dove half king pigeon, which explains her expandable body mass. When in a neutral state, her body is slim yet puffed out in the right places. When excited, proud or very very angry, she is puffed out everywhere. And the latter does seem to be quite often.
Lilac often doesn't get to share the calmer extent to her personality as she is always stressed about her brother and that fat green friend of his. The two of them often get into scrapes, Pink's insecurity about his appearance driving him to do every crazy thing known to pigeon and Green constantly egging him on. It all comes to a head when Pink loses his foot and snaps into a semi permanent state of shock, leading Lilac to get her claws out for Green.
Lilac isn't afraid to her her feelings known. She will share when she is happy, apologise when accidentally causing offence and attempt to kill Green any chance she gets. The narrator of the documentary seems to mistake Lilac's actions for courting when she chases after Green. Not too shocking as pigeons do flap their wings and chase each other (although that is often initiated by the male; Lilac seems to like to take matters into her own claws in that case. Although it could be argued that Green DID initiate her actions... ). However, when Lilac actually tackles Green and proceeds to smash his beak repeatedly unto the ground, one does wonder how the narrator continues to believe such a preposterous thing.


Green
Green is the pigeon that everyone would point out to their friend and label 'the fat one', which doesn't cause him much offence provided they provide offerings afterwards. He always enjoys having a laugh and providing entertainment, which is why he takes Pink under his wing and encourages him to go mad with his stunts. This is the main reason for the tension between Lilac and Green. Green believes that Pink's sister is too uptight and controlling and often tells him to defy her, only aggravating her more. He will then coo at her to lighten up and have fun, puffing her up even further. And then when she turns her back on the two for one minute, he tells Pink of the fearsome cat that lurks around the nightclubs and how no one has had the courage to steal a whisker from it and come back alive. You can see where it goes from here.
While he doesn't intend on being a jerk, he can get a bit pigheaded and believe that his way is the right way. He misreads Lilac's care and compassion for her brother as overprotectiveness and stifling their fun, not realising that HE is the reason she is so overprotective. Hopefully he'll have time to mull it over while she's pounding his face into the ground.


Tweak
There isn't a lot known about Tweak. He is the classic stereotypical prophet that runs around, announcing on the impending apocalypse that will doom us all. Or in this case, the army of eagles that will swoop down and pluck off the pigeon population one by one. Which to be fair, is a true story- to lower the population, eagles were set on pigeons. However, it is unknown if Tweak has actually witnessed such a horrific sight through his own eyes or is just completely and utterly paranoid. As far as the other pigeons are concerned, the latter seems the most likely.
Tweak's appearance is very bedraggled to say the least. He moults feathers constantly due to stress, he has a completely bare patch on his neck, he keeps himself thin due to the belief that eagles won't find his skin and bones form worth eating, his pupils are always contracted... long story short, in looks and appearance, he isn't exactly what one would consider sane. He often tries to avoid eagles in any way necessary, hiding in crisp packets and various other articles of litter. His hobbies and intrest including screaming about eagles and screaming to other pigeons about eagles. Also eagles.

So yeah, thats a basic rundown on everybody so far. I'm considering writing up a small detail for the army leader pigeon (potential name Tommy) but he isn't in it very much and his personality isn't much other than a nod to the history of carrier pigeons in the war. I do need to finalise a design for him though so at least you'll see that.

In the meantime, I need to write up a report about some potential careers in the animation industry I might shoot for. So I shall leave you with some concept art I did a few days ago, featuring Green and Tweak. Gee, I wonder what Tweak is yelling about...

"You're ripe for the picking! They'll be coming for you..."