201 - Animating the Balloon Characters as Kids 2006

I'm publishing these in the wrong order - I think this may have been the last animation I made before I had to save myself from eviction and go out and get some temping work.

It's taken me all afternoon to find out how to 'screen record' the old swf file on my Mac, without losing the sound. I used a 'virtual audio loopback driver' called Blackhole.

You have to remember to switch the sound settings back, otherwise the successful movie file seems to still be silent. Got there in the end.

Having said all that, the voiceover was all done by me and it REALLY makes me cringe. Also the animation seems to run out before the audio finishes. As mentioned, I had to go to work, which at the time was digital content management.

I don't know why I didn't use all the animations I'd done to try and get some work with an animation company. Surely I would have found something!

Anyway here it is.

 

I had solicited some script ideas through membership of the film community website Shooting People.org and this is the one I used, written by Andy McCoy.

The Script for Balloon Kids Find A Home

Written by Andy McCoy

SCENE ONE

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

The room is in darkness.  There is a slow CREAK as a door swings open.  A sharp needle of light stretches from the open door across the room.

Stepping into the doorway, silhouetted against the light is POPPET.  She is joined by GUS and BELLA BOB.  Bella nudges Gus in the back.

BELLA

Go on then Gus?

GUS

(slightly scared)

Me?

BELLA

Yeah, you're not afraid are you?  Not a brave boy like you.

GUS

(tries to be brave)

Me?  Course not.

BELLA

(suggestively)

Well?

POPPET

Let's try somewhere else.

GUS

(brave)

No.  I'll do it.  I'll check the room.

Gus draws on all his courage, like a boxer about to take on his opponent.  Gus steps into the room.  He has a quick look around the half of the room that's in front of him.  Raising his balloon head up and down, left and right.  He turns back to the others.

GUS

It's safe.

The other balloon kids gingerly step forward, looking this way and that with their balloon heads.  They walk into the centre of the room.

POPPET

This is just what we need.

BELLA

You really think this could be our new home?

GUS

Seems safe enough.

POPPET

It's perfect.

The door behind them SLAMS shut and a light FLASHES on.  For a moment the balloon kids are dazed by it.  They blink a few times to clear their sight.  Into focus, standing over them, is stood the BAGLADY.

BAGLADY

(angry)

What are you doing here?

The balloon kids cower backwards.  The Baglady steps towards them.  They all take a step backwards.  She takes another step forward, the kids do likewise backwards.

BAGLADY

(menacing)

Well?

The kids are backed against the wall.

POPPET

(scared)

Just looking.

BAGLADY

(angry)

Looking!

The Baglady moves her face right up close in front of Poppet's and speaks calmly.

BAGLADY

Looking for what?

POPPET

(scared)

For...a...home.

BAGLADY

A home?

GUS

You see, we don't have a home.

The Baglady tips her head to one side and looks the kids up and down and slightly sad.

BAGLADY

You don't have a home?

POPPET

No.

BAGLADY

Everyone should have a home.  Somewhere to be safe.

GUS

I've never felt safe anywhere.

The Baglady rises herself up to her full height.

BAGLADY

Then my dears...

Her arms sweep downwards and she lifts all the kids into her arms and off the ground.  Hugging them as tight as can be and proudly announces to the room.

BAGLADY (CONT'D)

This will be your new home.

She gives them an extra tight hug.  In the process Poppet's head gets squashed.  She MUMBLES from underneath the Baglady's grasp.

BAGLADY

What was that dear?

Poppet forces her head out from the Baglady's grasp.  Her head snaps back into shape.

POPPET

I said, careful you're squashing my head.

BAGLADY

Sorry my darling.

The Baglady sets the kids down on the floor.

GUS

So we can stay then?

BAGLADY

Of course.

POPPET

This is going to be brilliant.

BAGLADY

There will be one or two rules.