1. What is your name, what do you do, and which film did you make?
Amanda Frens: Freelance animator & illustrator – "The Queen of Darkness"
2. What experience do you have creating art and animation?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Communication & Multimedia Design from NHL Hogeschool. I started a 3D minor at my university and found out about Motion Graphics. I think I fell in love...I always thought 2D animation would never be possible without drawing skills or frame by frame action.
3. What inspired you to pick the story you chose? Was it original or an adaptation?
I've always been a huge fan of fantasy, magic and the fairytale side of stories, and not afraid of a little bit of horror. So I was thinking about creating my own magical animation, but never got anywhere. When Things Took a Turn came on my radar, I felt like it had more of a purpose. The idea of a twist in the story also came from the anthology.
As for originality, I think it's a little bit of both. Fairytales aren't really that original but the twist made it more unique, I think.
4. What was your process for making your film?
I started with writing the basic outline of a script and some thumbnail sketches of things I wanted to illustrate. After a few passes, I had a rough idea of where the animation was going. Things did end up changing in the middle of illustrating for some more clarity. Before the illustrations were finished, I started looking for a voice-over, so I could immediately start animating it at the right timing. Animation was a bit of a rush, and I kinda mixed animating and sound design up.
5. How long did it take to make?
I think in total around 2.5 to 3 weeks.
6. How experienced were you with narrative and story-based projects before making your short?
I've never really written stories before and usually work based off of a script someone else writes. It's definitely fun to write, myself, and to try to see what fits within the animation world. As a freelancer, I don't usually work on all of the parts of an animation, but only specific parts like a storyboard.
7. What was the easiest part?
Illustrating and creating a style.
8. What was the hardest part?
writing and finishing the animation. One part in particular– the kettle was supposed to have smoke. I think I tried 4-5 different effects, but they didn't get anywhere...Sad, but I still learned how to make smoke in 4 different ways :')
9. What was your favorite part?
Creating the hand holding a rose, and turning it into a snake. I had no idea if that was going to work!
10. Do you have words of wisdom for anyone who might want to create an animated short of their own?
To finish it even though you don't like parts! This really shows how much you can grow in one project :)
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