Blending real-life references, painting and AI-animation >> so I can go into the “skin” of my character (a non-human character). This process not only enhances creativity but also allows for a deeper representation of my character.

In my project, "Dancing Through the Scars" I’m telling the story of Fennel, set in the rhythm of opera music.

My purpose is to use AI in my creative process, to capture the essence of an animation; so I paint over a photograph to create my own character—a tiny fennel. This paint-over is a common practice for me 🤭; I paint over photos of vegetables and fruits to design my creature characters.

As a teacher, I’ve seen in class how many students struggle with creativity in planning a shot, they get so narrow focused on the software itself and the technical workflow (especially in 3D) and they neglect their creativity.

😇 However, the challenge here was to AI-animate the character's transformation ✨— from an empty frightened character to one filled with leaves and self-love.

💖 Story pitch:
Fennel stands out—not for her beauty, but for her insecurities. With fewer leaves than her friends and scars that tell stories of past storms, she believes she is fat and ugly. But one day, as the enchanting melody of "The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker drifts through the air, Fennel feels a spark of joy within her. She begins to dance, her movements clumsy yet filled with a desire for freedom. Through the power of dance and self-love, Fennel blossoms into the radiant being she was always meant to be, inspiring others in the garden to see their own worth.

Music Credits:
Lauren Cuthbertson performing the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky, The Royal Ballet and Opera, UK