Minor Project: Character List & Reference Images (Meet the Zoo Crew)

After my chat with Phil I have a clearer view of how to proceed, the first thing I need to do is decide on a character list, as although my project is environment based and model-heavy, my characters are driving the environment changes, so key. 

However to stop my characters becoming mundane and falling into a flat "rinse and repeat" with meeting each one, I need to give each of them a personality, as this will add interest, which is perfect for my younger targeted audience, and will allow me to explore more options re: script writing and voice-over artists. Luckily I already feel as though each of my animals does have a personality of their own, so I just need to decide my selection of 3-5 individuals that will display a wide range of character traits. I've put together a quick list of a few of my animals and the traits that suit them. 

Meet the Zoo by Pip on Scribd

Another thing I want to take into consideration is I want this projects' outcome to be educational to those watching/experiencing my project, but not just on the husbandry front re:what sort of environment they need and what they like to eat. A few of my animals are rescue animals, taken in from less than ideal situations and brought back up to health/just made to feel comfortable by me and will not be bred. I would like to feature a few of these in my film to highlight the issues surrounding irresponsible petcare, breeding, and improper husbandry. One last aspect is what time the animals are active, all the bearded dragons and skinks are active the most during the day, and have set day/night cycles with UV and heat lights to help with body temp regulation etc. Similarly Buddy the Terrapin likes to bask and swim in the sun. Others like Stevie the leopard gecko are crepuscular, meaning they are mostly active in the late afternoon/early evening, and then a lot of the arboreal geckos, crested, gargoyle and tokay, are primarily nocturnal, coming out in the late evening/when light fades. So when choosing my characters I need to take into account they are driving the environment, so need a selection that require time to pass in the film. 

1. Boots 
2. Basil
3. Spyro
4. Pluto/Lunar
5. Stevie
6. Georgie
7. Cresteds/Gargoyles

Initially I was thinking just 4 or 5, but now Im considering a few more to give a better rounded view of my animals, and to fit with the time progression too. Modelling wise - all the snakes will be able to have very basic models, same rig, just change the size and texture, add a little nose upturn for the hognose. This is similar with the arboreal geckos, tokay crested and gargoyle, they can all have very similar model shapes, and add the details and define the species primarily with textures. 

Now on to designs!