To reinforce the isolation and vulnerability of the children, Cutting Edge proposed a digitally-animated watercolour style featuring a monochromatic color palette. The challenge was to capture the essence of a traditional animation technique, as if every second frame had been hand painted and photographed.
Motion
Riley's Story








































Publicis Mojo approached Cutting Edge to animate the confronting true story of two children who, after suffering abuse, are now on the road to recovery thanks to the help of Act For Kids.
The Production
After initial character and scene designs, all silhouetted graphic animation was completed in Photoshop and After Effects. Every element in every scene was treated as a separate shape in the same way a watercolor painter might paint individual shapes allowing for unique waterbleed and overlap. Each silhouette was the start of multiple precomps layered together to create the watercolor effect.

Pencilled animation was created in Photoshop.

An early look development stage resulted in a streamlined After Effects workflow.

All character and environment assets were designed in a flat, vector style of solid graphic colors.


Every element within each scene consisted of many layers all generated from the same silhouette.

Pencil tests.

After storyboarding, a timing animatic was cut to a guide voice-over track.

Animation and Design Breakdown
Final
Act For Kids is an Australian charity working tirelessly to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. They help kids to overcome their experiences through long-term intensive therapy, and provide support for families at risk.






Client
Act For Kids
Credits
Ian Anderson
Director/Animator
Zenon Kohler
Art Director/Compositor
Matt Dye
Animator
Jasper St Aubyn West
Animator
Louai Naouri
Composer/Sound Designer
Samara Jones
Post Producer
Flavia Riley
VFX Producer
Andy Ward
Publicis Mojo - Executive Creative Director
Vicki Lee
Publicis Mojo - Head of TV
Jacinta Xing
Publicis Mojo - Producer
Software
Focus
More From Howww
VIEW
Motion
No Signal
Friendly Robot
After Effects, Marvelous Designer, Maxon Cinema 4D, +1 more...
A.J.
9
A.M.
9
D.B.
10
D.S.H.
9
F.A.
9
G.R.
7
J.S.
8
M.P.
9
M.S.
9
P.K.
8
8.7
Creative
A.J.
9
A.M.
9
D.B.
8
D.S.H.
8
F.A.
9
G.R.
9
J.S.
7
M.P.
9
M.S.
10
P.K.
8
8.6
Design
A.J.
8
A.M.
9
D.B.
8
D.S.H.
8
F.A.
9
G.R.
9
J.S.
8
M.P.
9
M.S.
9
P.K.
9
8.6
Craft
A.J.
8.7
A.M.
9
D.B.
8.7
D.S.H.
8.3
F.A.
9
G.R.
8.3
J.S.
7.7
M.P.
9
M.S.
9.3
P.K.
8.3
8.6
Total








































VIEW
Graphic Design
Kakaopage Brand eXperience Design Renewal
Plus X
After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, +1 more...
A.J.
6
A.M.
6
D.B.
6
D.S.H.
8
F.A.
6
G.R.
8
J.S.
7
M.P.
6
M.S.
6
P.K.
7
6.6
Creative
A.J.
7
A.M.
7
D.B.
8
D.S.H.
8
F.A.
6
G.R.
5.5
J.S.
7
M.P.
7
M.S.
6
P.K.
6.5
6.8
Design
A.J.
7
A.M.
7
D.B.
7
D.S.H.
7
F.A.
7
G.R.
6
J.S.
8
M.P.
7
M.S.
6
P.K.
6
6.8
Craft
A.J.
6.7
A.M.
6.7
D.B.
7
D.S.H.
7.7
F.A.
6.3
G.R.
6.5
J.S.
7.3
M.P.
6.7
M.S.
6
P.K.
6.5
6.7
Total








































VIEW
Motion
The invention of fun
Studio Poink
After Effects, Photoshop
A.J.
6
A.M.
7
D.B.
8
D.S.H.
6
F.A.
8
G.R.
5
GMUNK
6
J.S.
7
M.P.
8
M.S.
8
6.9
Creative
A.J.
7
A.M.
8
D.B.
8
D.S.H.
7
F.A.
9
G.R.
8
GMUNK
7
J.S.
8
M.P.
8
M.S.
6
7.6
Design
A.J.
7
A.M.
7
D.B.
7
D.S.H.
7
F.A.
6
G.R.
8
GMUNK
5
J.S.
6
M.P.
6
M.S.
5
6.4
Craft
A.J.
6.7
A.M.
7.3
D.B.
7.7
D.S.H.
6.7
F.A.
7.7
G.R.
7
GMUNK
6
J.S.
7
M.P.
7.3
M.S.
6.3
7
Total







































