I recently posted the second scene of The Ring Master | Episode 1 (link to that post here), and I wanted to talk about this project in a bit more depth.
The Project
The Ring Master is a fantasy animated TV saga I am working on in my new media production company, Kodakrome Creations. The show itself has been in development in my head for over 10 years, and now I’m working to make this passion project a reality.
Animation is expensive and unfeasible for me and my single-member LLC at the moment, so to grow an online community around The Ring Master, I’m starting the project in phases. For at least the first 2 episodes, I will release the script one scene at a time in a weekly fashion. As traction grows I want to remake the scenes into web comics first, then audio dramas, and finally, the finished animated product. Obviously this is an ever-changing long-term plan, and even the current scenes are works in progress. I will make edits as needed and constructive criticism is always welcome so long as it stays respectful.
The Scene
I want this show to accurately represent reality while still being a fantasy show. Here’s what I mean.
Scene 2 taught about the real-world physics of explosions. Physics follows rules, while animation doesn’t have to. But the best animations are the ones where the writers establish their own rules and are bound by them, forcing them to come up with creative solutions to problems. Avatar: the Last Airbender is a great example of this (and a major inspiration for the show).
I want my show to be like that. I want my characters to figure out solutions to problems with whatever they have on hand; and sometimes, they don’t find a solution! It’s also fun to let the characters sit in the aftermath of their actions, even on a small scale, so we can see how they respond. Creative problem solving is one of my favorite things as a writer because it encourages the audience to immerse themselves in the world, coming up with their own solutions and asking more questions about how the world works and what might happen. This starts to come into play in Episode 2, Playing with Fire, where we incorporate more fantastical elements, like magic and spells.
Combustion is not a topic I know a lot about, and while academia isn’t the main point of the show, I want to include informational tidbits like this to teach stuff in an interesting and engaging way. When I have more resources I want to consult a professional scientist, chemist, and/or pyrotechnic to make scenes like this as accurate as possible. I intend to make this the precedent for all research in this show.
Scene 2 reveals that the town has a wide range of cultures, and it’s an important point. Multicultural representation is a big deal for me, and right representation is a major theme in this show on the whole. If you’ve read one of my earlier posts (linked here), you know this show follows Carmen as he goes across the multiverse. The world building of each dimension will be based on either a real world culture or historical time period. Much of the fantasy elements will come from their legends and lore, and the music and designs of these worlds will be inspired by the cultures or time periods themselves. I really want it to feel like you’re actually there.
While these early drafts may not have the most accurate representation, (like the hearing aid “volume”; no clue how that actually works), I put these things in as placeholders to show that I’m trying. I want to give a sense of what the show is trying to do and how it’s eventually going to look. It also acts as a reminder for me, reminding me what research I have to do when I get the opportunity. Like I said, everything is a work in progress!
The point here is to show how everyone is human. No matter who we are, what we’ve done, or what we’ve been through, we all deserve to be treated like a human being; with dignity, respect, and love. That’s what this show is all about. That’s what Kodakrome is all about.
Patreon: patreon.com/kodakromecreations