Week 11 Outside of Class

This weekend we had to draw our characters in 5 different full body poses. We also needed 3-6 backgrounds. Here is what I drew:

First I drew my two main adult characters so I could get a good idea of what their faces would look like. The husband has 2 forms, human and alien. Since I am doing more of a horror comic, I wanted him to look pretty scary as an alien, but still have some humanistic features.

Then, I drew just Vala. I have never drawn a pregnant character before so it was interesting figuring that out.

I drew the husband, who I came up with a name for - Eli. I wanted him to be menacing and scary in his alien form, but lovable and nice in his human form so I tried to convey that through my different poses.

Finally, I drew my last character, who is the baby. The baby also has an alien form, so again, I wanted it to be creepy.

The three scenes I drew were from the laboratory, the bedroom, and the bathroom. These are probably the more common scenes that will be in the comic, so that is why I chose them. I think I could make them a little more futuristic looking. However, color will probably also help a lot with this.

Finally, this weekend I rewrote my script to accommodate the new story. Here is the new script:

PAGE 1

Panel 1:

Vala is seen standing in a laboratory over some beakers and test tubes. She is wearing a sterile looking uniform, which is primarily composed of one zip-up jumpsuit, boots, and a white coat. The lighting is fluorescent and everything is clean, bright, and white. A digital clock hangs behind her on the wall.

Panel 2:

The shot has zoomed in closer to the clock, which displays the time – 11:47 P.M.

Vala: Oh, no! It’s terribly late. Time has escaped me again.

Panel 3:

Vala is seen in the light of the doorway as she exits the now dark laboratory.  Her shadow is cast on the ground from the lighting of the hallway outside the lab. In this scene, it is evident she is very pregnant.

Vala: Another day completed.

Panel 4:

Vala is seen opening the door to her home. It is clean with a slightly futuristic aesthetic. The only light comes from the sconce which is to the right of the door. Moths fly around the lamp.

Vala: Now to sneak in quietly to bed.

Panel 5:

This panel shows Vala in bed wearing part her lab uniform, fast asleep. Next to her is her husband, also sleeping. Next to their bed is an alarm clock with the time which reads 12:41 A.M.

Panel 6:

This panel is a wider angle shot from a different perspective. The POV is like that of where a security camera would be placed. It shows the various screens in the room light up with a blueish glow. Across the screens scroll letters and phrases from a foreign, alien language. The clock from the previous panel reads 3:33 A.M.

Panel 7:

 Vala is sitting up in bed next to her sleeping husband looking at all the screens. She looks confused.

Mysterious voice: In less than a year’s time, your life will change forever…

Panel 8:

                The room is dark and Vala is shown back asleep. The clock reads 3:35 A.M.

Panel 9:

This shot shows a closeup of Vala lying in bed with her husband behind her. The alarm is going off and she hits it. The time reads 6:30 A.M. The room is bright, and the sun is being cast across her face. You can see on her wrist lies a silver bracelet with a mysterious insignia, one she has worn for years.

Vala (mumbling): What happened last night? Was I dreaming…?

PAGE 2:

Panel 10:

Vala’s silhouette is seen behind the shower curtain as she takes a shower. The room is steamy. On the mirror are more strange symbols like those seen in the dream.

Panel 11:

                Vala stands in front of the mirror with a towel looking at the symbols with curiosity and fear.

                Vala: Eli! Come here please!

                Eli (from another room): What is it? Is everything okay!?

Panel 12:

                Eli is seen in the door frame, also looking at the mirror.

                Vala: Are you playing tricks on me?

                Eli: No honey, of course not! That sure is creepy, but I’m sure it’s just from the steam.

                Vala: Whatever you say…

Panel 13:

                Vala, now freshly made up, is in the kitchen where her husband is cooking breakfast. The point of view is from across the room.

                Vala: By the way, did you notice anything strange last night?

Panel 14:

                Vala’s husband turns to her holding a frying pan. The camera sits behind Vala, as though the viewer were standing behind her.

                Eli: No, why?

                Vala: I woke up and saw all these strange symbols on the screens in our room, and then I heard some weird voice tell me that my life was going to change in less than a year.

Panel 15:

                Eli turns his back to Vala, resuming cooking.

                Eli: I’m sure it was just a dream, honey. You know how pregnancy can affect things like that.

                Vala: You’re probably right. I’m sure it was nothing.

Panel 16:

                Vala sits at her computer doing work, it is late at night. The time is 12:32 A.M. The POV is at a distance from behind. The light from the computer casts a long shadow.

                Narration: 2 months later…

                Vala: Another late night, time for bed.

Panel 17:

                Vala is seen in her pajamas, asleep next to Eli. The time says 1:03 A.M.

Panel 18:

This panel is a wider angle shot from a different perspective. The POV is like that of where a security camera would be placed. It shows the various screens in the room light up with a blueish glow. Across the screens scroll letters and phrases from a foreign, alien language. The clock from the previous panel reads 3:33 A.M.

Panel 19:

 Vala is sitting up in bed next to her sleeping husband looking at all the screens. She looks terrified. She places a hand on her husband, but he doesn’t wake up.

Mysterious voice: Everything you know is a lie. Soon enough you’ll see…

PAGE 3:

Panel 20:

                Time has progressed. Vala smiles as her husband plays with the baby.

                Narration: 7 months later…

                Vala: You’re such a great father. I always knew you would be. You make it too easy for me.

Panel 21:

                Vala is woken up at the sound of crying from another room. Eli is not next to her. The POV is from above as she looks over at the cracked door, light streaming in.

                Narration: Later that night…

                Vala (mumbling): He is so good, always caring for the baby.

Panel 22:

                It is nighttime again and both parents are in bed. The POV is from a corner of the room. The baby is crying from another room. Eli is sound asleep.

                Vala: I guess it is my turn to check on the baby.

Panel 23:

                Vala peeks in the door of the nursery, it is dark and only the silhouette of the baby sitting up in the crib can be seen. The baby continues to scream.

                Vala: It’s okay, mommy’s coming to get you.

Panel 24:

                The POV changes so that the baby can be clearly seen. It looks different, with horrifying alien features. It continues to scream.

Panel 25:

                The camera angle pans back to Vala, who looks incredibly shocked, a hand cover her mouth.

                Vala: Wha-!

Panel 26:

                The camera angle shifts so that the door can be seen behind her, a shadow is in the hallway.

Panel 27:

                At the same angle as before, the scene now shows Eli’s silhouette in the door.

Panel 28:

                Eli, now in alien form, runs at Vala, his hands reaching out to grab her.

                Vala: Please, no-!

I like this script a lot better and I think the story makes more sense. I decided to leave it on a cliff hanger because it is a horror comic and I think it allows for the reader to decide how they think it ends. I am feeling much better about the direction of my comic now.