now onto the backstory! this is a bit of a simpler scene but still had a lot of character moments. I looove drawing box vox, he's such a little cutie. and actually in the initial version I had Alastor way meaner/unhinged but was told to pull back a bit hahah

i think these are up for personal interpretation! I can only interpret the script according to what I understand of the scene :) but i think it's safe to say everyone can be unreliable narrators in their own way

no worries! storyboarding is a super fun process so im glad you're interested in hearing about it

i dunno i still think drawing is easier on my arm than painting. but also after multiple rounds of physical therapy im very strict abt maintaining my daily drawing time boundaries...

haha it was just thumbnails/preliminary acting. the dialogue didn't change - I was just told that Alastor and Vox have a good relationship before this moment and not to make the rejection too cruel/crazy. the giggle was specifically noted to be added in to show that!

yess I didn't think I'd have a lot to say but turns out I do. im glad ppl enjoy reading all the little thoughts we have while boarding. so much of this scene is Vox building up something and Alastor sneaking his way in to tear it down/annoy him 😂

oh i can't take credit for most of that - there are sooo many artists who work together to create and scene. im just lucky my boards were used as a jumping off point!! animators, color stylists, compositors etc theyre all amazingg

I think a lot of this is up for interpretation, tbh! for my part this is when Alastor and Vox have a relatively good relationship (like he's giggling at Vox's impressions) so these brief touches from Vox are tolerated. he doesn't initiate and Vox keeps them brief (he IS trying to do it more tho)

this is more of an example of pinned back ears. i dont necessarily think they only mean fear, it's also more like an overall tense/heightened emotion

they prick up more when he realizes Vox isn't just hanging out but wants to discuss something, to show that he's paying attention. this is just how I boarded it, but ofc the animators and other artists have contributed more details and have their own emotions they wanna express

using alastor's ears to indicate emotion is finding a balance between keeping the design language intact and expressing his emotions. so for most of this, his ears are not so much pinned back flat (that would be more noticeable) but more loosely held to indicate he's relaxed and comfortable

yess that's really the point of it all. to support and enhance the story by providing the little details and framing to our minds

hehe i was soo happy to be assigned this section 😭 im glad it hit for you!!

and yes this meme expression was specifically requested thru notes xD. it's pretty much a confession/rejection scene, so I really wanted to make those emotions hit. the animators added a lot of flair and specificity into the acting which made it all come together soooo well <333

and I love me some good hand acting, so I wanted Vox's outstretched hand to really represent his vulnerability. he's going out on a limb, y'know. so Alastor really zeroes in on it to reject him. then I mirrored it with Alastor's hand in the FG, as a kind of mockery of Vox's actions

...contrasted with the following downshots that also reflect how small he's feeling as soon as Alastor completely blasts him.

they've been on pretty even territory in the composition until now. so when Vox is trying to amp himself (and Alastor) up so I chose an upshot to reflect his rising anticipation. and Alastor's ears are pricked up as well

during the entire first part, Vox is leaning into Alastor's space. Alastor isn't reeeally leaning away too much, but he's definitely not leaning in either. and i liked drawing Vox's little shy face in the background as he works up his courage to ask Alastor to work with him (confess)

now onto the backstory! this is a bit of a simpler scene but still had a lot of character moments. I looove drawing box vox, he's such a little cutie. and actually in the initial version I had Alastor way meaner/unhinged but was told to pull back a bit hahah