In the final version of the storyboard, I was influenced by conversation with a knowledgeable friend. He suggested that as we succumb into our wishes we settle for the illusion, and maybe instead of killing the source of the desire (the ‘God’) , why not jump into its mouth. Because the mouth had always been a symbol of ‘a hero’s passway to death and rebirth’.

In the origional idea, I used the falling of a flower to lead into the view of the protagonist.

Flowers are fragile, and representing innocence. But the real story has not much to do with flowers.

Prove of concept

sorry, my files are too big, some won’t show previews

Music

My inspiration came form Chinese festival music ‘Hai dai qiang’ which is a singing technique in Yunnan allowing the singer to sing high note that can last more than half a minuet. I used erhu to replace singing, and made drum beats completely randomly. I was also fascinated by the 2017 animation ‘Shi Tu’. The Erhu in the ending, as the mood descend into overwhelming sadness, the rapid shift of notes, covering from almost screeching noises to low growls represents immense sorrow really inspired me to experiment with a song without a strong melody and sharp notes.

It was my first attempt to make music, first using FL studio make me overly perfectionist, I added too many tracks and tunes before I changed into Garage band on the ipad, which is more simplified. 

The main goal of the music is to portray an emotion. The first part of the animation is more of a performance, leading the audience and set the scene. It has only drums to set the pace and Pipa – A traditional Chinese instrument, I often associate with the fluid movement of dancing. The second scene, which is the festival. has a repeated melody which is interrupted by the burst of the illusion.