Final Animation - Cantankerous Refrigerator

The final result after hundreds of drawings, I can present to you the Cantankerous Refrigerator.



Despite the amount of time spent over a lightbox, I've certainly enjoyed the process of animation as the one feels a great sense of satisfaction when it all comes together; nothing quite compares to feeling of seeing a character you designed come to life on the big screen. Needless to say, I have developed a huge respect and appreciation towards the world of animation as a whole, requiring vast amounts of talent and dedication that is truly remarkable. I've learnt a great deal in this project, which I can hopefully take further and build upon improving my approach to animation as whole.

Animatic with Sound

Whew, got all the drawings done, scanned them in and now well into the process of putting it altogether. With regards to music, my initial thoughts of a slow paced track was not quite cutting it, so I've settled on a faster paced track which I think works well in driving the tension before the finale.

Here is a second version of my animatic to experiment with sound, it also includes the brief opening frames of my animation as I've still working on it.



With some finer tweaks as well as more sound effects should help round out the sound as a whole. Eager to hear your thoughts.

Animatic - Cantankerous Fridge

Initial animatic of the story



Some areas need a little refining such as the conflict between snowman and fridge, as well as giving much more movement into the refrigerator as he still feels a little static at this moment - though I am confident these can be resolved. Most importantly, the structure and pacing seems intact which will hopefully give the desired effect on an audience.

Refrigerator Concepts #02

Further refinement to the current design of the cantankerous refrigerator, sporting an old and worn look of an 1950s American design.



In contrast to the snowman, the unappealing aesthetic being full of rust and mould will further deter audience sympathies to the cantankerous fridge as he refuses to aid the snowman's plight (and perhaps relishing it), making his untimely end feel 'just' in a sort of 'serves him right' fashion.

Refrigerator Concepts #01

Some sketches exploring the ways to bring my object of the refrigerator alive.

The 1950s aesthetic certainly brings some charm to the refrigerator, while I've also experimented in bringing some life into the character with some reactions. Although, I am slightly concerned whether this design feels a little too cute for a cantankerous character. The little character found in some of the sketches is a story element I'm considering for the main object of the refrigerator to play off with.


While exploring some different shapes and designs, another interpretation involves subtly suggesting a face with the arrangement of drawers and handles. Additionally, with the story component of cantankerous, perhaps a square and more menacing demeanour would work well in capturing the element of the cantankerous, despite it feeling a little less aesthetically appealing.


Thoughts and feedback welcome.

Short Animations With Refrigerators

Some visual research into existing animations containing refrigerators.


ふりっじす Fridges (Short Animation Movie)
A tale of abandoned fridges with some cute animations - though I think I'll avoid the hands and feet as it removes the challenge of bringing an object alive with character.



Mr Bean - Fly in the fridge
A classic clip from Mr Bean involving a scene with a fridge.



While these have great little stories, I intend to focus predominately on the object itself so as to not get bogged down with an overly complicated story arc and background elements. Although, the addition of a character or environment could be a good opportunity for the main object of the refrigerator to interact with.

Refrigerator/Fridge References

Looking at some visual imagery for the refrigerator/fridge object. With the arrangement of drawers and handles, I thought this could resemble a face in a subtle way, while flapping doors and opening drawers could further give character to the refrigerator.




While the above fridges being rather generic modern examples, I think a more iconic stylised aesthetic would work much better in terms of general appeal and character.

1950s Big Chill style fridge



The iconic Smeg fridges





However, with the fridge being a cantankerous fridge, perhaps a more rustic aesthetic would fit this more with old and retired tone that is inevitable stubborn.