Heart of the Machine

HEART OF THE MACHINE RAV RIECK

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T H I S I S A B A C H EL OR P R O JEC T F R O M G R A P H I C S T OR Y T EL L I N G , T H E A N I M A T I O N W O R K S H OP , VI A U N I VER S I T Y C O L L EG E.

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HEART OF THE MACHINE

A STO RY IN RE C O GN IT I O N O F AL L T H E MEN , WO MEN AN D C H I LD R EN WH O SH E D BL O O D A N D TE AR S T O WO R K LI K E C O G S I N A S O C I ET Y I N H O P ES TH AT TH E N E XT G E N E R AT I O N MI G H T B E MO R E FO RT U N AT E T H AN T H EM.

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FO REW O R D I’D L IKE TO EX TEND M Y M OS T HUM B LE THAN K S AN D APPRE C I AT I O N F O R AL L OF THOSE WH O W ER E THER E FOR M E DURI N G T H E T U RBU L E N T 6 + MO N T H S THAT THIS PRO J ECT W A S I N P R ODUCTI ON . T H E RE W E RE MAN Y T I ME S W H E RE I FELT L OST AND B EHI ND Y ET A LW A Y S HA D SO ME O N E T O G RO U N D ME AN D SE T ME BACK ON T R A CK. THOSE PEOPLE INCLUDE: MY MENTOR J OE KELLY , HI S EXP ER IENCE AN D W I SD O M N E V E R F AI L E D T O REASSURE ME THA T I W A S N’ T LOS ING COM PL E T E G RI P O N MY ST O RY. JERRICA CLELA ND, A GODS END I N THE EARL Y PRE -PRO D U C T I O N PE RI O D O F MY PROJECT A ND A LW A Y S M A NA G ED TO P O I N T ME I N T H E RI G H T D I RE C T I O N .

PETER DYRING - OLS EN, OUR I NCR EDI B LE C O -O RD I N AT O R W H O N E V E R F AI L E D TO PUT HIS ABS OLUTE A LL I NTO M A KI NG SU RE MYSE L F AN D MY C L ASSMAT E S WERE ABLE TO P R ODUCE OUR P R OJ ECTS W I T H O U T A H I T C H D E SPI T E T H E ROUGH YEAR, I ’ M HONES TLY HUM B LED A N D H O N O RE D T O H AV E H I M AS MY COORDINATOR .

ERIK BARKMAN , A ND INCR EDI B LY KIND A N D U N D E RST AN D I N G PE RSO N , H E PLAYED SUCH A N IM P OR TA NT R OLE I N THE F I RST F E W YE ARS O F T H I S EDUCATION. SOM EONE W HO IS CONS TA NT L Y SU PPO RT I N G U S F RO M BE H I N D THE SCENES. THE TEACHERS FR OM THE P R EVIOUS Y EA RS, AL L T H E K N O W L E D G E AN D TEACHINGS AC CUM ULA TED OVER THE Y EARS W E RE T H E F O U N D AT I O N F O R MY ABIL ITY TO CR EA TE A S TOR Y LI KE THI S .

MY CLASSMAT ES . I CA NNOT UNDER S TA TE H O W BI G O F AN I MPAC T T H E SE PEOPLE HAD ON M E A ND M Y P R OJ ECT. A S SO ME O N E W H O ST U G G L E D W I T H STORYTELL ING , THEY NEVER FA I LED TO IN SPI RE AN D PU SH ME F O RW ARD O N A DIFFICUL T J OUNEY OF CR EA TING A N I NC RE D I BL Y AMBI T I O U S ST O RY T H AT I WOUL D SAY W A S A B OVE M Y S KI LL LEVEL. AND FINAL LY I’ D LIKE TO THA NK TOM ER KAL K U D A, T H AN K YO U F O R SPE N D I N G COUNTL ESS L A TE NIG HTS W ITH M E OVER T H E YE ARS L I ST E N I N G T O MY RAMBLINGS A ND S TOR Y NONS ENS E. OUT O F AL L T H E PE O PL E W H O MAD E ME GROW AS A STOR Y TELLER , Y OU I NS P IR ED AN D D RO V E ME T H E MO ST .

THIS IS A BACHELOR P R OJ ECT FR OM GR A PH I C ST O RYT E L L I N G , THE ANIMATIO N W OR KS HOP , VIA UNIVER S I T Y C O L L E G E .

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A FEAT URE FILM PIT CH PROJ ECT

WR I T T EN A ND ILLUST RAT ED BY RAV RIECK

W RI T T E N AN D I L L U ST RAT E D

BY RAV RI E C K

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CONTENTS 8 12 16 26

I N T RODUCTION

GETTI N G T O K N O W T H E PRO J E C T

C HA RA CTERS

M EET T H E MAI N C H ARAC T E R AN D T H E CA S T

ST ORY

THE HE ART O F T H E PRO J E C T AN D T H E J OUNE Y W H I C H W E F O L L O W T H E MAI N CHA R A C T E R T H RO U G H

T HE W ORLD

DI S CO V E R T H E C O MPL E X AN D W ONDE RO U S W O RL D O F V O RMU N D

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T I ME B EFORE THE STORY

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C OLORSCRIPTS A ND SK ETCHES

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R EF ERENCES

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L OOKING INTO THE F UT URE

A B R I E F O V E RV I E W O F T H E H I ST O RY AN D EVENT S T H AT L E D U P T O T H E C RE AT I O N OF VO RMU N D ‘ T H E MAC H I N E ’

EA R LY V I SU AL AN D ST O RY D E V E L O PME N T

A FEW O F MY I N SPI RAT I O N S F O R T H I S P R OJ E C T

THE NE X T N T E P AN D O T H E R P OS S I BI L I T I E S

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INTRODUCTION DEEP I N THE DA R K DEP THS OF A G ARG AN T U AN W AR MACHINE, A XEL W OR KS A S A M EC H AN I C , F I X I N G MACHINER Y W I TH NO I DEA OF I TS PU RPO SE O R F U N C T I O N .

AS HE R TA KES P LA CE, S HE W I LL C O ME T O L E ARN T H E TRUTH OF THE W OR LD S HE GR EW U P I N .

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1 .

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PART OF A BROKEN SYSTEM.

LIVING INSI DE T 10

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WHAT IS THE PROJECT? HEART OF TH E M A C H IN E I S A DA R K A N D AT MO SPH E RI C ST O RY T H AT D E PI C T S T H E J O U N E Y O F OU R M A IN CHARACTER , A XEL, W HO LIVES INS I DE O F A T O X I C SYST E M W H E RE SH E ST RU G G L E S T O AC C E PT T H E T RU T H THAT THE S Y S TEM S HE GR OW N UP INS I D E I S BRO K E N .

A F U L L L EN GT H 2 D AN I MATED FEATURE FILM

THEMES ON A L ARG ER S CA LE THE FI LM IS ULTI MAT E L Y ABO U T H O W O U T D AT E D SYST E MS AN D O RG I N AZ A T ION S MADE DURING TI M ES OF W A R A R E A TH RE AT T O T H E D E V E L O PME N T O F MO D E RN SO C I E T Y. I T RU L Y BEL IEVE THAT MANY GOVER NM ENTS A ND S Y S TE MS C U RRE N T L Y I N PL AC E T O D AY ARE L E F T U N C H E C K E D BEC A U S E PEOPL E HAVE B ECOM E US ED TO FUNC T I O N I N G W I T H T H E M. BU T T H E E F F O RT T O C H AN G E A SYS T EM L IKE THAT SEEM S ON A S CA LE B EY OND THE I N D I V I D U AL . T H I S I S W H AT T H E MAC H I N E RE PRE SE N T S, A S Y S T EM SO BIG THAT NOB ODY B ELIEVES THEY C AN D O AN YT H I N G ABO U T I T , AN D T H E W O RK E RS/ C I T I Z E N S IN S ID E WHO ARE UNA W A R E THA T A N A LTER NA T I V E E V E N E X I ST S. OUR MAIN CHA R A CTER A XEL R EP R ES EN T S T H E ST RU G G L E T O RE MAI N H U MAN I N SI D E O F A SYS T EM T H A T TREATS ITS R ES IDENTS LIKE M A CHINES ASSI G N I N G T H E M A RO L E AN D E X PE C T I N G T H E M T O ST IC K T O IT .

ON EVERY S TEP OF HER J OUNEY , A XEL F AC E S E V E N T T H AT C O N ST AN T L Y RE MI N D H E R O F W H E R E H ER PRE- DEFIN ED P LA CE I N THI S S OCIETY I S AN D SH E MU ST RE SI ST E V E RY T I ME L E ST SH E BE C O N S U M ED BY APATHY.

T H E W ONDER A MECHAN I CA L W OR LD FILLED W I TH A L I E N E N V I RO N ME N T S AN D MAC H I N E S O N AN U N BE L I E V AB L E S C A L E, WE EXPLORE A NEW W OR LD FI LLED W I T H N E W D I SC O V E RI E S AN D E N D L E SS PO SSI BI L I T I E S.

T H E S T R U GGL E FOLL OW THE M A IN CHA R A CTER ON A N I MPO SSI BL E J O U RN E Y AG AI N ST AL L O D D S AG AI N ST A WORL D DESIGNED TO DES TR OY A ND R EP R ES S . W I T N E SS T H E E X T RE ME S O F H U MAN I T Y F RO M T H E C ARIN G T O T H E CRUEL .

T H E H OP E SOMEWHERE A T THE END OF THE J OUN E Y I S T H E H O PE F O R C H AN G E , T H E H O PE T O D I SC O V E R A WORL D ABSENT OF A B US E A ND HA R DS HIP .

T H E T RUT H AS LONG A S THEY R EM A IN W I THIN THI S SYST E M T H E RE I S N O H O PE F O R C H AN G E , I N O RD E R T O BREA K FREE OF THIS VICIOUS CY CLE, THE M A C H I N E I T SE L F MU ST BE D E ST RO YE D BE F O RE I T D E ST RO YS EVERYTHIN G ELS E.

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A X EL [ MAIN CH A R A C T E R ] W I T H D ARK E YE BAG S MARRI N G W H AT MI G H T H AV E O N CE BEEN C ONSI D E RE D AN AT T RAC T I V E F AC E , AX E L G I V E S L I T T L E H E E D T O P ERS ONAL APPE ARAN C E . ST AN D I N G AT AV E RAG E H E I G H T AN D H A IR T H A T H A S AL RE AD Y L O ST MO ST O F I T ’ S PI G ME N T D U E T O T H E E NVIRON M EN T AN D W O RK C O N D I T I O N S. AX E L W E ARS H E R MO T H E RS O L D JU M P S U IT BU T SH E D O E SN ’ T MU C H L I K E T H E C O L O R RE D O R O RA N GE S IN C E SE E I N G T H AT U SU AL L Y ME AN S SO ME T H I N G I SN ’ T W O RK IN G. AX E L I S T H E PRO T AG O N I ST AN D C H ARAC T E R W H I C H W E VIEW T H E W O RL D O F H EART O F T H E MAC H I N E T H RO U G H . AX E L T EN D S T O BE ST U BBO RN AN D C ARI N G , E SPE C I AL L Y W H E N I T C O M ES T O H ER YO U N G E R BRO T H E R BO L T . T H RO U G H O U T T H E J O U RN E Y, A XEL T RAN SF O RMS F RO M A SE L F -C E N T E RE D W O RK AH O L I C TO A N EA RN ES T O L D E R SI ST E R W H O W AN T S N O T H I N G MO RE T H AN T O MA KE RIGH T T H E MI ST AK E S O F T H E PAST .

WITH MY O W N AB I L I T Y I WI L L FA CE A L L ODD S TO REC TIF Y T H E M I S TA K E S OF T HE PA ST.

T H E WO R K WEAR CLOSELY RESEMB LES A PRISON JUMPS UI T T O S HOW T H AT I N ESSENCE, THEY ARE PRISONERS INSIDE TH E MACHI NE .

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BOLT AX E L ’ S YO U N G E R BRO T H E R AN D A BI T O F A Q U I E T PE RSO N AL I T Y, BO L T I S C O N ST AN T L Y SE ARC H I N G F O R H I S PL AC E I S T H I S SO C I E T Y AN D MO RE O F T H EN T H AN N O T F I N D S N O N E . W I T H H I S N AT U RAL -BO RN E YE SI G H T , MO ST SI MPL E F E AT S O F C O -O RD I N AT I O N ARE E X C E E D I N G L Y D I F F I C U L T F O R H I M. W H I LE T H I S H AS RE SU L T E D I N G RE AT I N T U I T I O N AN D AN I MPRO V E D ME MO RY, MO RE O F T E T H AN N O T T H E N E G AT I V E S O U T W E I G H T H E PO SI T I V E S. BO L T L O O K S U P T O H I S SI ST E R A G RE AT D E AL BU T C AN N O T H E L P BU T BE A J E AL O U S O F H E R C O MPE T E N C Y AN D C O N F I D E N C E W H E N I T C O ME S T O RE PAI RS. O F T E N K E E PI N G T O H E RSE L F , AX E L O F T E N F O RG E T S ABO U T H E R BRO T H E R O N PART I CU L ARL Y BU SY D AYS AN D L E AV E H I M I N T H E H AN D S O F T H E C O L O N Y BU L L I E S, L I AM AN D L U C AS W H O N E V E R F AI L T O BRI N G D O W N H I S C O N F I D E N C E AN D SE L F -E ST E E M.

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ACT I LIVING IN THE CORE S U MM ARY THE FI LM B EG I NS A S A XEL R US HES T H O U G H T H E MAC H I N E W I T H SO ME D E ST I N AT I O N I N MIN D .

AS SH E W EA VES THR OUG H THE I MPO SSI BL Y C O MPL E X PART S O F T H E C O L O N Y AN D BRI E F LY STOPS IN FR ONT OF A HUG E M ECH AN I C AL D O O R SU RRO U N D E D BY SE E MI N G L Y ABAN D O N E D MACHI NER Y , B UT QUI CKLY M OVI NG O N H E R W AY. AX E L H E AD S T O W H E RE A G RO U P O F MECHANI CS A R E R EP A IR ING A M A L F U N C T I O N I N G MAC H I N E , W I T H A G RU N T O F RE C O G N I T I ON F ROM THE O THER W OR KER S , A XEL J OINS T H E M I N F I X I N G I T . T H E SH I F T I S O V E R AN D AX E L I S G OIN G BACK TO HER QUA R TER S , COVER E D F RO M H E AD T O BO O T S I N G RE ASE AN D D U ST . O N T H E WA Y BACK S HE FI ND HER LI TTLE B R OTH E R BO L T , ST RU G G L I N G T O F I X O N E PI E C E O F MAC H I N E RY , EVERY TI M E HE FI XES S OM ETHI NG, AN O T H E R PART C L O SE BY I MME D I AT E L Y BRE AK S. SE E I NG H ER BROTHER FLUS TER ED S HE S M ILES A BI T AT H I S C O N F U SI O N T H E N G O E S O V E R T O H E L P BUT N OT BEFORE THE NOTOR I OUS TW INS , L I AM AN D L U C AS SAU N T E R O V E R. T H E Y ST ART T O MAK E F U N OF BOLT, CA LLI NG HIM A W A S TE OF S PAC E SI N C E H I S BAD E YE SI G H T MAK E S I T D I F F I C U L T T O D O INTRICA TE W OR K LIKE FIXI NG M A C H I N E RY. AX E L H AS T H E C H AN C E T O ST AN D U P F O R H E R BROTHER W HO J US T LOOKS DOW N AN D T AK E S T H E V E RBAL ABU SE , BU T SH E L O O K S T H E O T H ER WAY A S W ELL. I N THE COLONY Y OU ’ RE T AU G H T T O L O O K O U T F O R YO U RSE L F F I RST . T H E B ES T SHE M A NA GES IS TO THR EA TEN TO I N F O RM T H E O V E RSE E R T H AT T H E Y ARE N O T W O RK I N G WH IC H GETS T HEM TO LA UG H A T HER A ND W AN D E R BAC K F RO M T H E D I RE C T I O N T H E Y C AME I N . H ER BROTHER M EA NW HI LE HA S S I LENT L Y G O N E BAC K T O U N SU C C E SSF U L L Y T RYI N G T O F I X T HE MACHI NE A G A IN, CLEA R LY HOLDIN G BAC K F E E L I N G O F F RU ST RAT I O N . AX E L W AN T S T O C O M F ORT HIM BU T CA N’ T B R I NG HER S ELF TO SAY AN YT H I N G AN D J U ST H E L PS H I M F I X T H E MAC H I N E IN SILENCE. THEY A R R I VE B A CK TO THE QUA R T E RS T O SE E T H E O N L Y O T H E R F RI E N D L Y F AC E I N T H E C O L ON Y , HANS, A N OLD FR I END OF THEIR D E C E ASE D PARE N T S AN D A K N O W N MAC H I N E C O O L AN T AD D IC T (THIS W OR LDS VER S I ON OF A LCOH O L ) W H I C H MAK E S H I M AN O U T SI D E R. D E SPI T E H I S INTOXI CA TED S TA TE, HE S EES THR O U G H BO L T S RE PRE SSE D F RU ST RAT I O N AN D I S ABL E T O S A Y THE TH I NGS A XEL W A S NOT, COM F O RT I N G BO L T . AX E L , A L I T T L E J E AL O U S T H AT H AN S C AN GET THROUG H TO HER B R OTHER W HER E SH E C O U L D N O T , AC C I D E N T AL L Y L E T S O U T A SH ARP R EM A RK ABOUT HIS LA ZY DR INKI NG HA B ITS. T H I S Q U I C K L Y C RE AT E S A T E N SE AT MO SPH E RE AN D HA N S EXCUS ES HIM S ELF A ND GOES TO S L E E P E ARL Y. BO L T L O O K S AC C U SI N G L Y AT AX E L W H O REGRET S HER W OR DS A ND THEY B OTH GO T O SL E E P W I T H A H E AV Y H E ART .

OUT OF NOW HER E A LA R M S B LA R E E V E RYW H E RE SI G N AL I N G AN E ME RG E N C Y. PE O PL E SCRAM B LI NG I NTO A CTION, A XEL H E R BRO T H E R AN D H AN S RU N F O R T H E G AT H E RI N G ARE A WH ERE THE ENTI R E P OP ULA TION OF THE C O RE W AS G AT H E RI N G . T H E L E AD E R O F T H E C O L O N Y, D ROS S , RAPIDLY S ENDS P EOP LE TO VA R IO U S SE C T I O N S O F T H E MAC H I N E T O F I X T H E I SSU E , T H ROU GH OU T THIS EM ER G ENCY A FEW R ES P ECT E D W O RK E RS L O SE T H E I R L I F E AN D W H E N T H E C RI SI S PA S S ES , PEOPL E S OLEM NLY GA THER A G A IN AT T H E C E N T E R. D RO SS C AL L S O U T F O R T H E PE RSO N RESPO NS I B LE FOR THE S ECTION T H AT MAL F U N C T I O N E D , AF T E R A MO ME N T O F SI L E N C E T H E TWINS S P EA K UP A ND A CCUS E HER BRO T H E R O F BE I N G RE SPO N SI BL E F O R T H AT SE C T I O N. T A KEN OFF GUA R D B Y THE A CCUS A TION, AX E L W AN T S T O PRO T E ST AN D C AL L T H E M O U T O N T H E I R L IES BUT FR EEZES UP A S A LL EY ES TUR N I N T H E I R D I RE C T I O N . BO L T , T I MI D AN D L AC K I N G C O N F ID EN C E, IS COM P LETELY FR OZEN UNA B LE T O O BJ E C T U N D E R T H E PRE SSU RE O F E V E RYO N E ’ S AC C US IN G EYES. S I M ILA R LY A XEL W HO W A NT S T O SAY SO ME T H I N G I S U N ABL E I S F RO Z E N I N PL AC E A S H ER BROTHER IS ES COR TED TO THE FRO N T O F T H E E N T I RE C O L O N Y. H AN S, T H E O N L Y O T H E R P ERS ON WHO CA R ES FOR HER A ND HER B RO T H E R, G O E S T O ST O P T H E M BU T I S H E L D BAC K BY T H E OTHERS . A S HER B R OTHER S TA ND S, SH AK I N G I N F RO N T O F E V E RYO N E , AX E L C AN T E L L H E IS LOOKI NG FOR HER , B UT UNA B LE T O E V E N RE AC H O U T , SH E J U ST ST AN D S T H E RE , ST ARI N G L IKE THE RE S T A S DR OS S S ENTENCES H I M T O E X I L E W H I L E T H E RE ST O F T H E C O L O N Y W AT C H E S COLDLY A S HE I S TA KEN A W A Y TO W H E RE H E W I L L BE SE N T BE YO N D T H E SAF E BO RD E RS OF T H E COLON Y , NEVER TO R ETUR N. DR OS S C L O SE S T H E G AT H E RI N G W I T H A RE MI N D E R O F W H Y TH EY MUST W OR K A ND THA T THEI R S A C RI F I C E I S F O R A G RE AT E R C AU SE .

AXEL HA S NO FUR THER CHOICE B U T T O C O N T I N U E T O W O RK , T H I S H E L PS H E R G E T H E R MI N D OFF THE HOR R IFY ING S ER I ES OF E V E N T S T H AT J U ST H APPE N E D . AS SH E I S W O RK I N G , AX E L OVERHEA R S DR OS S TA LKING TO TH E T W I N S. SH E O V E RH E ARS D RO SS, W H O SE E MI N G L Y K NEW THE TRUTH A LL A LONG , S COLD TH E T W I N S H ARSH L Y AN D SAY T H E Y W O N ’ T G E T A SE C O N D CHANC E. W HEN THEY A S K W HY DRO SS AL L O W E D T H E M T O G E T AW AY W I T H I T I F H E K N E W , D ROS S CONFES S ES THA T I F HE HA D TO CH O O SE T O E I T H E R SAC RI F I C E T H E W E AK E ST L I N K I N T H E COLON Y OR 2 FULLY CA P A B LE M EC H AN I C S, H E W O U L D AL W AYS C H O O SE T H E F O RME R. U N A BL E TO BR EA THE, A XEL DR OP S THE TO O L SH E H AD G RI PPE D I N H E R H AN D , D RAW I N G T H E AT T E N T ION OF THE 3 M EN, HOW EVER B EFOR E T H E Y SPO T H E R SH E RU N S O F F . T H AT N I G H T SH E F I N D S H A N S DRINKING A LONE I N THE DA R K. OU T O F D E SPE RAT I O N SH E T AK E S A BI G D RAF T O F T H E MA C H IN E COOLANT HE HA S I N HI S CUP A ND BRE AK S D O W N I N F RO N T O F H I M, L E T T I N G O U T AL L O F T H E REPRES S ED HUR T A ND EM OTI ON S H E ’ S K E PT BO T T L E D U P SI N C E H E R BRO T H E R W AS T AK EN .

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HANS, EN COUR A G ES HER TO NOT M A K E T H E SAME MI ST AK E H E D I D AN D ABAN D O N T H O SE W H O NEEDED H I M THE M OS T A ND GO A FTE R H E R BRO T H E R. AF T E R PAC K I N G SO ME SU PPL I E S AN D A N UNEXPECTEDLY EM OTIONA L FA R EW E L L , AX E L D E PART S F O R T H E E X I T . SH E ST AN D S I N F RO N T OF T H E SAME RU N DOW N DOOR S HE W A S CO N F RO N T E D W I T H C O U N T L E SS T I ME S SH E W AS W O RK I N G ON T H E MACHINE, HOW EVER THIS TI M E S HE M U ST G O BE YO N D I T . SH E T AK E S A D E E P BRE AT H AN D ACT IVA T ES THE OL D R US TY M ECHA NIS M . THE DO O R SL O W L Y G RI N S O PE N AN D SH E I S C O N F RO N T E D BY DARKNESS . TUR NING ON HER LIG HT, SH E ST E PS I N T O T H E D ARK U N K N O W N O F T H E MAC H I N E .

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T H E T W INS

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ACT II THE VERALI S U M M ARY AXEL ENTER S A DA R K TUNNEL W HI CH O PE N S U P I N T O T H I S SU RRE AL L AN D SC APE F I L L E D W I T H GA RGA NTUAN CABLES THA T S EEM TO S TR ETCH I N T O I N F I N I T Y ABO V E H E R. W I T H N O I D E A O F W H E RE H E WEN T , AXEL BEGIN S TO S EA R CH FOR S I G NS O F W H E RE BO L T W E N T BU T C AN ’ T F I N D AN YT H I N G . D AYS P A S S OF JOURNEYIN G THR OUGH W ONDR OUS EN V I RO N ME N T S T H AT U N V E I L N E W U N K N O W N PART S O F T H E M ACHINE. AL L OF THIS GOES UNNOTI CED BY AX E L W H O I S G RO W I N G MO RE AN D MO RE D E SPE RAT E BY T H E DAY WHEN S HE G ETS LED A S TR A Y B Y F AL SE SI G N S O F H E R BRO T H E R. W I T H E V E RY PASSI N G MI N U T E T H E GUILT OF N OT B EING THER E FOR HI M S L O W L Y BE G I N S C H I PPI N G AW AY AT H E R C O N V I C T I O N .

WHEN HER S UP P LI ES R UNS OUT, A XEL I S F O RC E D T O H U N T T H E SE RO D E N T -L I K E C RE AT U RE S W H IC H WATCH HER I N THE DA R KNES S W I TH TH E I R BE AD Y E YE S. N O MAT T E R H O W H ARD SH E T RI E S T H O U GH , A XEL CANT CATCH ONE. S TA R VI NG, A LONE, H O PE L E SS SH E PRE PARE S T O AC C E PT H E R F AT E , G I V I N G IN T O A P ATHY WHEN S HE NOTI CES A S TR A NGE S O U N D . U PO N C L O SE I N SPE C T I O N SH E F I N D S A T U N N E L W H ERE T H E SOUND IS OR IG I NA TI ON FR OM . DES P ERAT I O N C L O U D I N G H E R BE T T E R J U D G ME N T SH E SQ U E E Z E S H ERS EL F INTO THIS T UB E A ND S LOW LY FOLLOW S T H E SO U N D W H I C H SO U N D S L I K E A V O I C E W H I SPE RI N G . U P ON REACHING THE END S HE FINDS A HA TC H W I T H T H E N O I SE S C O MI N G F RO M BE YO N D . SL O W L Y, PRA Y IN G FOR ANYTHI NG, S HE OP ENS THE HA TCH AN D I S W ASH E D I N L I G H T AS T H E W O RL D O PE N S ARO U N D H ER. OVERWHEL M ED, A XEL S TA R ES I NTO A D I F F E RE N T W O RL D , AN E N D L E SS C ARPE T O F C O L O SSAL W H IT E CLOUDS AND THE S KY OP EN UP B ENEA T H H E R. O V E RW H E L ME D , SH E MI SSE S I T W H E N A V O I C E C A L L S OUT TO HER FR OM THE OUTS I DE. W HEN SH E N O T I C E S, T H E F I G U RE W AV E S AT H E R, BU T BE F O R E S H E C A N WAVE TO H I M A B LA CKNES S ENVELOP S H E R AS SH E PASSE S O U T .

WHEN AXEL W A KES , S HE M EETS HER R E SC U E R W H O I N T RO D U C E S H I MSE L F AS L I N C . BE F O RE A XEL H A S T O THE CHANCE TO A S K IF HE KNOW S A NY T H I N G ABO U T H E R BRO T H E R, BO L T H I MSE L F E N T E RS T HE ROOM .

AXEL WHO W A NTS TO G O A ND EM B R A C E H E R BRO T H E R I S H E L D BAC K BY H E R G U I L T AN D BO L T WH O H A S BEEN DESPER A TELY HOP ING FOR THI S F I N D S H I MSE L F F RO Z E N BY H I S L AST PAI N F U L ME MO RY OF BEIN G EXIL ED AL ONE W I THOUT A W OR D OF HE L P F RO M H I S SI ST E R. L I N C D I SPE L S T H E AW K W ARD AT M OS P H ERE AND TAKES THEM OUT INTO W HA T HE D E SC RI BE S T O T H E M AS T H E H O ME O F C O L O N Y 3 3 O R V ERA L I A S THEY CAL L THEM S ELVES . THEY CONTI N U E T H E I R SH O RT J O U RN E Y T H RO U G H T H E N E W C O L O N Y, WIT H THE STRESS OF FINDI NG HER B R OTHER G O N E , SH E F I N AL L Y BE C O ME S AW ARE O F H E R SU RRO UN D IN GS AND THE W ONDER OF IT. A T THE END O F T H E T O U R, T H E Y RE AC H A PL AT F O RM W H E RE O N C E AGA IN T H E ENDLESS S TR ETCH OF THE S KY OP ENS U P ARO U N D T H E M. L I N C T E L L S T H E M T H AT E V E RYT H I N G T H EY ’VE KNOWN UP UNTI L THIS P OI NT IS A LI E AN D T H AT T H E Y ARE PRI SO N E RS I N SI D E T H I S MAC H I N E TH A T T H E PEOPL E ON THE OUTS IDE B UILT FOR TH E M. L I N C O F F E RS T H E M A C H O I C E O F W H E T H E R T H E Y W A N T T O STAY AND J OIN THI S COLONY A ND THEI R E F F O RT T O BRE AK F RE E O F T H E I R PRI SO N O R T O G O BA C K T O THE CORE COLONY . HER B R OTHER R EAD I L Y AG RE E S E X PRE SSI N G H I S O PE N D I SD AI N F O R T H E CORE A N D ITS RESIDENTS .

AX E L ST RU G G L E S T O AD APT T O T H E N E W E N V I RO N ME NT . WH EN SH E T RI E S T O H AV E H E R O W N O PI N I O N AF T E R SH E F AL L S IN L OVE W I T H T H E O U T SI D E W O RL D . SH E I MME D I AT E L Y I S T RE ATED D IFF E RE N T L Y BY T H E PE O PL E ARO U N D H E R AN D H E R BRO T H ER WH O H AS BE E N T H O RO U G H L Y BE E N T AK E N I N BY L I N C ’ S E V E R M ORE APPARE N T E X T RE MI ST I D E O L O G I E S. W H E N SH E C O N F RO N T H IM ABO U T I T , BO L T BE C O ME S D E F E N SI V E , T H I N K I N G T H AT S H E IS G O I N G T O ABAN D O N H I M YE T AG AI N . PRE SSU RE D BY HER C A RE F O R H E R BRO T H E R SH E RE L U C T AN T L Y C O -O PE RAT E S W H EN L IN C RE ASSU RE S H E R T H AT I T W I L L BE PE AC E F U L .

C O N F L I C T E D BY H E R MO RAL S, AX E L G O E S T O T H E O U T S ID E OF T H E MAC H I N E T O BE AL O N E AS SH E W AT C H E S T H E C L O U D S D RIF T BY. SH E SE E ’ S A F AI N T G L I MME R I N T H E D I ST AN C E O N T OP OF O N E O F T H E SK YSC RAPE R RO O F T O PS AN D W H E N SH E L OOKS T H RO U G H A SC O PE , SH E SE E ’ S A C H I L D ST ARI N G U P AT T H E MAC H I N E F RO M BE L O W . I MPU L SI V E L Y SH E W AV E S AN D T O H ER SU RPRI SE T H E C H I L D W AV E S BAC K T H E N D I SSAPE ARS D OWN IN T O T H E BU I L D I N G . T H E SI RE N S SO U N D I N T H E C O L O N Y MU S T ERS A N D BE G I N S T H E J O U RN E Y H E ART O F T H E MAC H I N E I N O RD ER T O A C T IV AT E T H E F U L L PO T E N T I AL O F T H E MAC H I N E I N O RD E R T O U S E IT AG AI N ST T H E I R I MPRI SO N E RS O F O L D AN D RE C L AI M T HEIR F REED O M F RO M T H E O U T SI D E .

A CT II END

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ACT III A CONFLICT OF THE HEART S U M M ARY AS THE REA CH THE COR E COLONY , FOR T H E T H I RD T I ME AX E L ST AN D S I N F RO N T O F T H O SE DOORS. UNA B LE TO B E OP ENED B Y S OME O N E N O T F AMI L I AR W I T H T H E D E SI G N . RE L U C T AN T L Y SHE OPENS THE DOOR S A ND A LLOW S T H E F O RC E T O ST O RM T H RO U G H T H E E N T RAN C E AN D I N T O THE COL ONY . TO HER HOR R OR , W HA T W AS SU PPO SE D T O BE A PE AC E F U L T RAN SI T I O N T U RN E D INTO A BLO ODY CONFLICT A S THI NGS S L O W L Y BE G I N T O D E V O L V E I N T O C H AO S. W I T H PE O PL E DYING ARO UND HER S HE LOOKS FOR BO L T W H O SH E F I N D S MAK I N G H I S W AY T O W ARD S T H E HEART. KNOW I NG THA T S OM ETHING EV E N W O RSE I S ABO U T T O H APPE N SH E C H ASE S AF T E R H I M .

AS THEY REA CH THE HEA R T/ COR E OF T H E MAC H I N E , T H E SO U N D O F F I G H T I N G AN D SC RE AMS ARE DROWN ED OUT B Y THE DEEP THUN D E RI N G H E ART BE AT T H AT I S T H E C O RE O F T H E MAC H I N E. GUARDING IT I S DR OS S W HO S TA NDS I N T H E PAT H O F BO L T . W I E L D I N G A W E APO N G I V E N T O HIM BY LINC, B OLT P OINTS I T A T DR OS S, T H RE AT E N I N G H I M T O MO V E . C L E ARL Y SE N SI N G T H E VOL ATILE S ITUA TI ON, A XEL G OES TO P U L L BO L T BAC K BU T L I N C , W H O H AD MAN AG E D T O C AT C H UP THE THEM , INTER CEP TS HER B EFORE SH E C AN ST O P H E R BRO T H E R. YE L L I N G AT H I M T O G O THROUGH W ITH IT, A XEL A P P EA LS TO T H E G E N T L E SI D E O F H E R BRO T H E R T H AT SH E K N O W S SO WEL L AND LINCOLN ENCOUR A G I NG HIM T O K I L L T H E PRI E ST AN D AC T I V AT E T H E F U L L C APAC I T Y OF THE MACHINE. B OLT HES I TA TES A ND AX E L H AS H O PE U N T I L T H E PRI E ST T RI E S T O J U MP BO L T IN HIS MOMENT OF VULNER A B ILI TY A ND O N I N ST I N C T , BO L T J E RK S BAC K AN D I N A MO ME N T O F FROZEN HOR R OR , A XEL W A TCHES HER BRO T H E R AN D T H E PRI E ST G O F AL L I N G O V E R T H E E D G E .

QUICKL Y RECOVER I NG, LI NCOLN CLI M B S T O T H E PL AT F O RM W H I L E AX E L I S ST I L L ST ARI N G I N HORROR AT W HER E HER B R OTHER FELL , T E ARS F AL L I N G D O W N H E R E YE S. E X PRE SSI N G H I S O BVIOUS FAKE S Y M P A THY , HE S A Y S M UCH T H E SAME T H I N G S ABO U T H I S SAC RI F I C E T H AT D RO SS DID WHEN HE S ENT HER B R OTHER TO E X I L E .

WITH AN EX P R ES S I ON OF A CHI EVEM ENT , E N T E RS T H E AC T I V AT I O N C O D E F O R T H E MAC H I N E I N TO THE CONTROL CONS OLE, S ETTI NG I N M O T I O N AL L O F T H E MAC H I N E RY T H E Y H AD SPE N T T H E I R ENTIRE L IVES M A I NTA I NING. B UT J US T AS F AST AS I T ST ART E D , T H I N G S BE G I N BRE AK I N G E VERYWHERE . LI NC DES P ER A TELY TUR NS T O H E R AN D W I T H A PAN I C K E D E X PRE SSI O N ASK S H E R WHAT’S HA P P ENI NG. W ITH A N A P A THET I C G AZ E AX E L L O O K S AT T H E N O W F U RI O U SL Y BE AT I N G REACTOR W HI CH S EEM S A B OUT TO EXPL O D E . AX E L F I N AL L Y BRE AK S AN D BE G I N S L AU G H I N G U NCONTROLL A B LY A ND G ENUI NELY . LI NC I S C O N F U SE D AN D ST E PS AW AY T E L L I N G H E R SH E ’ S I NSANE. AXEL TELLS HI M I T A LL M A KES SE N SE N O W , T H E MAC H I N E W AS BRO K E N F RO M T H E ST ART , NONE OF T HI S M A CHINER Y W A S EVER T E ST E D T O G E T H E R. T H E I RO N Y O F I T AL L I SN ’ T L O ST O N HER AND SHE W I P ES THE TEA R S FR OM H E R E YE S. L I N C I S F U RI O U SL Y SH AK I N G H E R T RYI N G T O CONVINCE HER TO DO S OM ETHI NG A B O U T I T BU T AX E L K N O W S I T S AL RE AD Y T O O L AT E , I N A FLASH OF W A R M W HITE LI G HT A XEL CL O SE S H E R E YE S AN D RE ME MBE RS T H E W ARM SU N O F T H E OUTSIDE AN D THE M EM OR Y OF THE G I RL O N T H E RO O F T O P F L ASH E S BE F O RE H E R E YE S AS SH E WAVES TO A XEL A ND S M ILES . THE R EA C T O R E X PL O D E S I N ST AN T L Y V APO RI Z I N G E V E RYT H I N G AND DESTROY ING THE M A CHINE.

IN THE DAR KNES S , B OLT COM ES TO HI S SE N SE S AS A BRI G H T L I G H T H I T S H I S C L O SE D E YE L I D S. AS HIS VISI ON FOCUS ES , HE S EES A FA C E O F A G I RL H E ’ S N E V E R SE E N BE F O RE ST ARI N G D O W N AT HIM FROM A GA P I N THE DEB R IS THAT C O V E RS H I M.

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END

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T H E WO R L D A WORLD OF SEEMINGLY ENDLESS MACHINERY WITH LITTLE TO NO LOGIC TO IT. CREATED AS A WEAPON, IT NEEDED SKILLED MECHANICS TO MAINTAIN IT UNTIL THE DAY IT WOULD BE NEEDED AGAIN.

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A WORL D OF I A ND WAR

I N AN ALT ER NA TE TI M ELINE OF OUR P L AN E T , T H E I N D U ST RI AL AG E

PROGRESS ED A T A N I NCR EDI B LE S P E E D . C O U N T RI E S AL L AC RO SS T H E G L O BE BE G AN DEVELOPI NG A T B R EA KNECK S P EEDS I N O RD E R T O BE T H E MO ST T E C H N O L O G I C AL L Y ADVANCED A ND OUT P ER FOR M EA CH O T H E R. I N ST E AD O F SL E E K , ST RE AML I N E D DESIGNS, DEVELOP ER S OF THA T TIM E O PT E D F O R Q U AN T I T Y O V E R Q U AL I T Y. INEVITABL Y THE INTENS E COM P ETI TO N SPARK E D A G L O BAL W AR, O N E O F W H I C H T H E WORLD WA S UNP R EP A R ED FOR . THE W O RL D W AS N O W I N A H E AT E D ARMS RAC E , TURNING THE FA CTOR IES FR OM DEVEL O PI N G C ARS, T O T AN K S. CENTURIES P A S T A ND THE W A R HA S RAV AG E D T H E PL AN E T . AL L I AN C E S H AV E BE E N FORMED, M A NY NA TI ONS HA VE B EEN C O MPL E T E L Y W I PE D O U T AN D SI G N S O F AN E N D STILL L OOK DIS TA NT. IN A LA S T DITCH E F F O RT , T H E E U RO PE AN E MPI RE BRI N G S AL L O F THEIR MEC HA NI CS A ND W OR KER S ON T H E O N E F I N AL PRO J E C T :

VOR MUND ( TH E PRO T E C T O R) THEIR ATT ENTI ON DI VER TED FR OM TH E BAT T L E F RO N T , T H E E U RO PE AN E MPI RE SUFFERED EXTR EM E LOS S ES I N B OTH T E RRI T O RY AN D L I V E S. H O W E V E R J U ST AS H O PE SEEMED LOS T, I T W A S COM P LETE. A G ARG AN T U AN MAC H I N E O F SH E E R D E ST RU C I O N .

SUPPOSED LY A R M ED W ITH NUCLEA R W E APO N RY T H AT C O U L D W I PE O U T A C O U N T RY WITH A SI NGLE R OUND, I T ONLY TOOK O N E L O O K AT SU C H A G ARG AN T U AN C RE AT I O N TO END THE W A R W HICH HA D LA S TED F O R O V E R 3 0 0 YE ARS. AS THE WO R LD ENTER ED A N TR EP ID E RA O F PE AC E , N O W W AS MO RE I MPO RT AN T T H AN EVER TO E NS UR E W A R NEVER B R OKE O U T AG AI N . T H E PL AN W AS T O SE N D A H I G H L Y SKILL ED POP ULA TI ON OF M ECHA NI CS I N SI D E V O RMU N D T O MAI N T AI N I T SO T H AT I T WOULD ALW A Y S B E KNOW N THA T IF T H E N E E D ARO SE , T H E MAC H I N E C O U L D O BL I T E R ATE A NATION IN A M OM ENTS NOTICE. AGAINST THE FR EE W ILL OF M A NY , M E C H AN I C S AN D O T H E R T RAD E PRO F E SSI O N AL S WERE EFF ECTI VELY S ENTENCED TO LIF E I N SI D E T H E MAC H I N E . T H E D I ST U RBI N G O RD E R BUT NONE COULD R ES IS T. A ND S O TH E F I RST C O L O N Y E N T E RE D T H E MAC H I N E .

UNKNOWN TO THEM , THE M A CHI NE H AD N E V E R BE E N T E ST E D AN D I N ST E AD O F E NDOWING THEM W ITH THE I NFOR M A TI O N T H E Y’ D N E E D . I N ST E AD T H E Y SPL I T U P T H E COLONIES TO LIM IT THE FLOW OF I NFO RMAT I O N T O PRE V E N T AN YO N E F RO M AC T U AL L Y REALIZING THE M A CHINE W A S NEVER I N T E N D E D T O F U N C T I O N PRO PE RL Y.

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F I N DU STRY THE BREIF HISTORY OF VORMUND (THE PROTECTOR)

VORMUND WA S DES I G NED TO B E A S TA TI O N ARY ROTATING SHERE W ITH THE CA P A CITY FOR SE L F -SU STAINABILITY. 1000X THE VOLUM E OF THE T AL L E ST BUIL DING ON THE P LA NET, THIS M EG A S TRU C T U RE POWERS ISELF US ING A VER Y S P ECI A L R E AC T O R WHICH CL OS ELY R ES EM B LES A HEA R T

THE COLONIES WERE SPLIT UP INTO DIFFERENT SECTIONS SO EACH GROUP COULD SPECIALIZE AND GRADUALLY BECOME PROFICIENT IN THE FUNCTION WHICH THEY WERE ASSIGNED

2116 E12R 35767M(2)

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E N V IR ON MENTS

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THE SETTINGS Y OU’ LL FIND I N HEA R T OF T H E MAC H I N E ARE A C L O SE MI X O F T H E I N D U T RI AL 1 9 6 0’S A N D C L A SSIC EARLY 20 00’ S S CI - FI DES I G N. I W A NT E D SO ME T H I N G T H AT F E L T F AMI L I AR YE T AL I E N AN D U N KN OWN A T THE SAME TIME. THE W OR LD I TS LELF TA K E T H E T I T L E Q U I T E L I T E RAL L Y, I N C O RPE RAI N G A L O T O F ORGA N IC DESIGNS AND ELEM ENTS . THE CA B LES OF T H E MAC H I N E RE SE MBL I N G V E I N S RU N N I N G F RO M T H E A L IT ERA L BEATING MEC HA NI CA L HEA R T A LL A DD TO T H E W O N D E R AN D MYST E RY O F T H I S W O RL D .

THROUGHOU T THE S TOR Y THE CHA R A CTE R W I L L E X PL O RE MAN Y D I F F E RE N T E N V I RN ME N T S. MO ST OF WH IC H BEING EITHER A B A NDONED COLONIES OR ABST RAC T L AN D SC APE S O F C ABL E S AN D MAC H I N E RY. EA C H C OL ON Y IS DISTINCT IN I TS LOCA TI ON, LA Y OUT, S HAPE L AN G U AG E AN D C O L O R SC H E ME .

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EARLY D E V E

C O L O R SCR I P T S EARLY DESIGNS REFERE NCE S 32 HOTM.indd 32

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V E L O P M EN T

T H U M B NAI L S INSPIRATIONS

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SKE T CHE S

33

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TU MB NAILS AND COLORS CR IPT S 34

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INSPIRATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT

THE VER Y FI R S T CO N C E PT SK E T C H E S E V E R D O N E F O R T H I S PRO J E C T

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THE IDEA ORIG INA LLY CA M E A FTER LI S TEN I N G T O AN O BSC U RE ‘ G AME O F THRONES’ ROC K COVER . I W A S S I TTI NG A L O N E AT 2 AM AN I MAG I N E D T H I S STORY OF A S M A LL G R OUP OF P EOP LE P RO T E C T I N G A K I N G W H O UNKNOWN TO THEM W A S LONG DEA D. I R E ME MBE R C RYI N G W H I L E IMAGINING THE END A ND THEN P R OCEED I N G T O L I ST E N T O T H E T RAC K ANOTHER 2 0 O R S O TI M ES UNTIL I W R OTE D O W N E V E RY BI T O F MAT E RI AL I COULD COME UP W ITH. AT THE TIME I W A S CR EA TING A S CI- FI W O RL D O N T H E SI D E SO SO ME H O W THESE TWO ID EA S M ELDED TOG ETHER A ND BE C AME ‘ H E ART O F T H E MACHINE’ WHICH I S A TI TLE THA T HA S S TU C K W I T H ME E V E R SI N C E I CREATED THE S TOR Y .

AS I DEVELOPED THE P R OJ ECT THE S CA L E BE G AN T O G E T BI G G E R AN D BIGGER UNTIL I W A S NO LONGER DEA LIN G W I T H A SI N G L E C O L O N Y BU T AN ENTIRE WOR LD W I TH I TS THEM ES ENT W I N E D T O G E T H E R. T H E W O RL D BEGAN CREAT ING ITS ELF A ND I T TOOK J UST ABO U T E V E RY O U N C E O F SE L F CONTROL I HAD TO R EIG N IT I N IN OR DER T O MAK E A C O H E SI V E ST O RY. FROM THE BEG INNI NG I A LW A Y S KNEW TH AT T H I S W O U L D BE A D ARK SETTING. I HAD N’ T IDENTI FI ED W HA T S P EC I F I C AL L Y BU T I W AN T E D T O D E AL WITH THE IDEA OF LI VI NG I NS I DE S OM ETHI N G SO BI G T H AT T H E POSSIBILITY O F A W OR LD OUTS IDE DIDN’ T E X I ST . I N T H I S C ASE I T W AS A GIANT MACHINE A ND NA TUR A LLY THE R ESI D E N T S O F SAI D MAC H I N E W E RE MECHANICS. BECA US E I W A S S TA R TI NG FR O M T H E W O RL D BU I L D I N G SI D E OF THINGS THE S TOR Y HA D TO GO THR OU G H MAN Y MAN Y I T E RAT I O N S BEFORE IT FELT NA TUR A L.

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C HARAC TE R D

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R DESIG N ‘AXEL’

WAS O RIG IN A L LY ‘ BOLT ’ BE F O R E S ET T LI N G O N A FEMALE LEA D .

THE CHARC TE R C O N STA N TLY H A D A N AF R O D U E T O T H E S TATIC ELEC TRIC ITY G E N E RATE D F ROM T H E MAC H I N ES .

THIS IS S TI L L IM PL IM E N TE D BU T O N A LES S EX T R EME S CALE AND M A IN LY W H E N SH E ’ S W O R K I N G .

I WENT BACK A N D F O RTH BE TW E E N L I N E AND LINEL E SS BE F O RE G O IN G W ITH L I N EART S INCE THE L IN E L E SS STYL E W E N T A G AI N S T T O GRITTY/RO U GH STYL E TH AT I H A D E N VI S I O N ED .

THE FINAL STYL E ITSE L F IS H E AV ILY INFLU EN C ED B Y J APANES E M A N G A U SIN G A M IX O F THI N LI N ES AN D S TYLIZED FE ATU RE S. I F IN D TH IS C O M B I N AT I O N WAS A GOOD CHOIC E TO O F F SE T TH E D A RK NAT U R E O F T H I S S TORY TO M A KE IT A PPE A R M O RE FA NTAS T I C AL T O DETATCH P E O PL E A BIT F RO M TH E H E AVY T H EMES S O IT’S NOT S O D IF F IC U LT TO WATC H .

THE CHARC TE RS W E A R H E L M E TS O U T S I D E T H E MAIN COLON Y BE C A U SE TH E O XYG E N I S T O O T H I N .

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R EFEREN C E S

OLD SUBMA RIN E IN TE RIO RS

ART OF TAT SU YU KI TA N A KA

AKIRA - KATSU H IRO O TO M O

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KIGHTS OF SIDONIA T S U T O MU N I H EI

MO EB I U S

G H O S T I N T H E S H ELL - MAS AMU N E S H I R O WHE CREATIN G TH IS W O RL D IF O F TE N F O U N D MY S EL F LO O K I N G FO R I MAG ES AN D S T O R I ES WITH A B IG S ENSE OF SC A L E A N D TH E SE A RTISTS AR E J U S T A F EW O F MAN Y T H AT I N S P I R ED T H E S T O RY.

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A M Y R IA D OF POSSIBILIT IES

WHIL E HE A R T OF THE M A CHI NE IS P RI MARI L Y I N T E N D E D AS A F E AT U RE F I L M, T H E C O RE O F T HE P ROJEC T LIES IN TH E W O RL D I N W H I C H T H E ST O RY I S SE T .

YOU CO ULD J US T A S EA S I LY S ET A G AME , A N O V E L , A C O MI C SE RI E S O R E V E N A L O W BU D GET A KIRA KNOCKOFF INS I DE OF THI S M ECHA NI CA L N I G H T MARE O F A U N I V E RSE ! J U ST E X PE C T YO U R 3 D T EA M T O H OL D A GR U D G E O N C E PRO D U C T I O N ST ART S. . .

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TH ANK YOU F OR R EAD ING!

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T H I S I S A B A C H EL OR P R O JEC T F R O M G R A P H I C S T OR Y T EL L I N G , T H E A N I M A T I O N W O R K S H OP , VI A U N I VER S I T Y C O L L EG E.

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HEART OF THE MACHINE RAV RIECK

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