Their story began in 1996 when they met for the first time at Scripps Ranch High School – which also happens to be my alma mater.  Brainstorming ideas for this film was nostalgic – from blonde tips for the guys and bangs for the girls to pagers and letterman jackets – the pre-production process was just as much fun as the actual filming of the movie!

By the way, recognize the guys in the movie?  They’re from our other concept film “A Sin City Love Story“!  These guys have been best friends since high school.  I consider them all my little brothers.  Two of them are still unmarried… that means more epic movies to come in the future!

Scrippies from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

And without further ado, we present our latest concept and first ever animated film… A True Love’s Story!

Synopsis: Once upon a time in the magical and far away land of Encarnacia, there lived a girl named Mae.  She longed to meet her prince, her one true love.  But under the spell of the wicked witch, Mae is banished from Encarnacia.  She now has to find her prince before the stroke of midnight, or else evil will prevail over true love.

A True Love’s Story from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Animation Diary, Part 6 \\ Narration from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Animation Diary, Part 5 \ Animating Twit’r from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Animation Diary, Part 4 \\ Music from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Animation Diary, Part 3 \\ Lip Sync from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

In part 2 of the Animation Diaries, Jevon and John discuss the careful research process we take in thinking up a story that is comparable to an actual Disney fairy tale.

Animation Diary, Part 2 \\ The Scriptwriting Process from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

For the first part of our Animation Diaries, John gives us a quick tour of the first step in our animation – which is to draw concept character designs for our couple, Pat and Mae.

Animation Diary, Part 1 \\ Character Design from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

During our pre-production meetings, I asked Nidah at what point did she realize that Darren was going to be the one she would be with for the rest of her life.  She told me the story of when they were first dating, they found a random piano sitting in a lobby of a party where they were at, and he unexpectedly began playing and serenading her the song, “Because Of You” by Keith Martin (which also happened to be their first dance song).  It was at that point that she was completely smitten, and the rest is history.

So for this concept film, we wanted to bring back that feeling that she felt years ago when they were just starting to fall in love.  We quickly began arranging this song with Jevon & John on guitars, and myself playing the keyboards.  Darren, along with his brother Dean, recorded the vocals next.  When it came time to film the video, we did not let Nidah hear the song we recorded.

She heard Darren’s dedication for the first time during their wedding reception when we finally premiered their concept film…

Falling Slowly from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Afterthought:  This quote is taken from Jevon’s brother, Jason Quade… “You know you’ve done something great, when it’s your heart that speaks what words were meant to say.”

Shot with a Canon 5DmkII 50mm f/1.4, Sony HVR-V1U, and Canon HV30 \\  Stabilizers : Alistair Glidetrack, Steadicam Merlin

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And per their initial direction, we wrote a script that did not hold back – uncensored and unashamed – through an inebriated first encounter to an unabashed and exposed Donald!  But throughout all the silliness of production, the frustration of getting through takes without laughing and/or flubbed lines, and in between the multitude of production set-ups, I happened to catch a moment of peace between our star couple… the way they really are… in a loving embrace, and proud of each other’s efforts and commitment to the film.

Synopsis: A pair of unlikely people meet during one intoxicated evening, only to find themselves suddenly engaged the very next morning.  Seeing no other option but to get married, Donald and Bernadette go through a hysterical and heartwarming journey through the process of wedding planning, while at the same time attempting to find compromise with each other’s differences.

Hooked Up from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

The wedding itself was even more fun to film!  It was no doubt a celebration for Bernadette and Donald, and their family and friends.  We presented three videos that evening with “Hooked Up” and the following same-day edit and photo montage:

Bernadette + Donald : Same-Day Edit from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Bernadette + Donald \ Photo Montage from Starcross’d Creative on Vimeo.

Afterthought: Bernadette and Donald is the kind of couple whose personalities clashed but yet, these differences is what makes them perfect for each other.  And with all relationships, they prove that love can only be achieved with equal compromise, trust, and patience.

Venue \\  Ceremony: Immaculata Church, USD  \\ Reception: Coronado Marriott Resort
Photography by Tony Eisenhower Photography

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