Spud: The Great Potato Adventure!!

By ainsley

Description: Here is my completed storyboard for the December 2023 Exhibition submission. It's a story of Spud, a potato from Bud's Spuds Farm who dreams of stardom like all the potatoes over at Mater's Taters. Spud's day-dreaming becomes opportunity when accidentally separated from Bud's truck. Will Spud become a star like on the billboards, or will Spud learn that stardom comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and roles? Find out in 'Spud: The Great Potato Adventure!!' Thanks for watching!

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Chris---
The story does a very good job without narration. I like how the story is about an artist that seeks companionship. The art is very beautiful.
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Anonymous---
Ainsley, this story is so funny and so moving. Your plotting is incredible. The story just…flows. I love how organically it unfolds before us. I also love meta aspect, of having the spud actually be the star of this movie! Brilliant! Thank you so much for working so hard to bring this story to life. Incredible!
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Anonymous---
Your comment about Spud being the star just made me smile ear to ear. I realized this while drawing through Act 2 and it made me chuckle. Thank you so much for your kind words - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
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Anonymous---
What I loved most was that I didn't see the ending coming at all. I am glad for Spud to find his own way of stardom. Also I loved the artwork and camera angles, they were very clear and fun. Congratulations!
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Anonymous---
Hi Maria, thank you! I am glad the ending was such a surprise to you!! As someone who has had her own dreams shift when faced with reality, I wanted to make sure Spud still understood that happy endings don't necessarily come the way we think they will. Thank you for your kind words, and I am so happy you enjoyed the story!
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Anonymous---
It is a powerful message! Best wishes🙌🏽
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Anonymous---
This work is amazing!!! For starters, I find the theme to be one of the most original, fresh and fun. I have no words to describe how amazed I am by the quality of this story reel, it's brilliant, Ainsley, my sincere congratulations!!!! It's a story of resilience, overcoming, chasing dreams... with a perfect ending! Moreover, it is very entertaining from beginning to end, without waste! And as a protagonist a simple and dreamy potato who also has feelings and goals in life, wow! Bravo! I was touched, amused and delighted at the same time! And what can I say about your clean and clear drawing, so professional, as well as the use of colors and arrows in the necessary moments to guide our eyes to what is important, the sounds and effects so well chosen, without the need of a bit of dialogue! SUPER AWESOME, MY FRIEND, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ;)
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Anonymous---
Isla you have shared such kind words! Thank you for your comment, it truly has made me smile so much, and I'm so grateful. It feels very rewarding if/when the story comes across, and I am so happy the story was entertaining and came across (even without dialogue!). I was worried the lack of expressions on Spud would hamper the experience (and while it is still something I will continue working on), I'm glad the sentiments of story was still understood. Thank you, thank you again for your generous words!!
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Anonymous---
Great line work! Nice use of color to accent certain aspects of the story. Very nice resolving story arc for Spud, I was getting concerned for him! Your camera angles and sound effects were well timed and the story moved effortlessly from scene to scene. Loved your minor beats. Very well done.
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Anonymous---
Hi Susan, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Spud sure did find themself in a few precarious situations! The editing and sound were all super new to me, and I'm glad it worked ok in this submission. Thanks for your feedback - it's very much appreciated.
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Anonymous---
haha this is so fun!! Your drawings are really clear and you have solid pacing!! i think maybe adding some closeup shots of his "face" might help with emotion... like back and forth between billboard/"face" body language in a medium/closeup.... my only issue is trying to read how he's feeling... also the movie Rubber would be a great movie to watch
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Anonymous---
Hi Veronica, that's a great idea! I was trying to find ways to better show Spud's emotions, and your suggestion of flipping back and forth makes a lot of sense - especially during key moments like the billboard. I'll definitely take a look at Rubber, too! Thanks so much for your feedback and taking the time to comment.
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Anonymous---
ofcourse! np:)
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Anonymous---
Overall, this was a very cute story! I love how we get to see Spud's journey through the winding roads, super markets, and restaurants! I could definitely see how Spud could also show emotion through shaking or falling over (which must've been tough to try and convey emotion, but I think it was done well!)
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Anonymous---
Thanks so much for your feedback! Showing Spud's emotions was definitely one of the biggest challenges for me, and I know there's always room for improvement, but I'm glad you were able to understand the story in its submitted state.