Nikki Early exploratory sketches
Nikki is a documentary film about troubled families in the Netherlands. The film mixes live action footage, with animated footage that represents the child's inner feelings and fantasies. Initially it was quite a challenge to develop a proper look and feel for the characters and animation style.
After experimenting with anthropomorphized characters, we soon dropped that idea and went for more humanistic characters. These are some early mood sketches in order to establish the overall style in the film.
Friendship starts out ugly and awkward, but give it time to flourish.
Your first wound births a parasite that feeds on pain.
In solitude I have to let go of my expectations.
Life can be like a rollercoaster, strap in tight.
Early Character design of Nikki's brother. He's shy like a squirrel and would rather play his videogames.
Early design of Nikki's sister. She's a fierce young woman and sometimes queen of the jungle.
Early design of Nikki's oldest brother. He can be aggressive but also funny. He loves to hit the gym.
Early design of Nikki's mother. Balancing her emotions while struggling with borderline can be quite the challenge for motherhood sometimes.
Early Nikki gestures.
Worldbuilding sketch.
In search of how to portray the father figure.
Further exploration of the father figure.