The Art Behind The Magic

Jim Hawkins rough animation drawing by John Ripa (x)

TREASURE PLANET (2002)

Jim Hawkins by John Ripa

One of the many rewarding things about working on Treasure Planet was being able to work with master animator, Glen Keane. Besides animating Silver, Glen did some storyboard work on the film. Here’s  a couple of his story sketches. Love his loose pen work on these.

My eye goes right to the face, and Jim’s eyes in both of these drawings.

Story sequences should have a turn. A change in attitude or circumstances. It can go from positive to negative or from negative to positive, but if there is no change it can feel like the story is stalling out. 

Check out these 2 Treasure Planet story panels from the great Glen Keane. The top panel is from the start of the “I’m Still Here” song/sequence. And the bottom drawing is from near the end of the sequence. You can see that the relationship between these two characters has changed. It’s gone from negative to positive. (All part of Silver’s plan and what will lead Jim to later feel betrayed.) The top panel is about suspicion and the bottom is all about trust.

Story is a journey with many ups and downs.