Pro: Three "Early memory" Final.

I initially filmed my Uncle James presenting information about his memories of school and growing up as a deaf student and sign language user, however, when it came to transferring the video information to sketch format, this proved difficult due to the amount of information provided. 

I then had to re-interview by Uncle via video format, this time concentrating on his memories of childhood only.  I found the story to be very emotive and interesting.  I then proceeded to develop my sketches for the animation.   Initially what I did was sketch a story board to provide a guideline for the animation.  Then, I scanned each sketch into Photoshop, obviously in rotation to provide further structure.  I used a light box whilst sketching to allow me to capture the detail required.   

Chapter One

My initial sketch shows a representation of my Uncle James holding a plaque-card with his name on it, I used this sketch as an introduction.  The story basically portrays my Uncle’s experience entering into a school for the deaf in Dublin and the enormity of this experience for a small child standing in front of, and looking at, a huge old school.  Whilst standing there he is approached by a priest, older in years, and looking very stern.  This priest orders James to follow him. 

 James, a small child, is given no assistance with his luggage, he is led up a winding staircase where his suitcase falls open and its contents are  strewn everywhere. 

Chapter Two

It was dark outside and when James and some of his new friends ventured out.  Inside the school grounds was a orchard and a priests’ graveyard.  The boys had to go through the grave yard and over a wall, to reach an apple orchard.  Hungry, they proceeded to eat the apples.  While they were there, James seen something moving out of the corner of his eye.  It was two lights moving up and down, frightened, he thought he was seeing a ghost.  He immediately dropped the apples and jumped over the wall.  He ran as quickly as he could back to the school where he met another friend.   He told what had happened to his friend, saying how he had seen a ghost and this made him drop the apples.  His friend did not believe his story, he said there was no such thing as ghosts.

Chapter Three

James was very interested in tailoring.  He spent a lot of time sewing clothes, which led him to be teased for this pastime, as the rest of the boys seen it as a woman’s role.  As a result of this, he decided to try another hobby.  Subsequently, started to learn how to fix boots and unfortunately this led to numerous thumb injuries, when he would miss the boot and hit his thumb. 

Chapter Four

James was in the dinner hall eating his food which was not very nice.  He dropped some of his food onto the floor and thought no-one had seen this, so just left it there.  A Priest was coming along with a big jug of orange to give all the boys a drink.  As he marched along the room, he didn’t see the dropped food and slipped on it.  He landed on the floor with the orange over him .  The boys witnessing this, laughed loudly, making the priest even more furious.  He demanded to know who dropped the food.  He reached for a boy by the collar and threatened to hit him.  Another priest intervened to calm the situation.  James thought the situation very funny and continued to laugh. 

The End.