Dogfight: Cartoon Short Concept

Shorts Concept

Codename: Dogfight 

Dogfight is a concept of a series of short cartoons starring two main characters with a rivalry. These two characters are both piolets of planes inspired by World War One era planes and they fight all over the world as they would be transferred to different hangers as the series would progress. However this series would be comical and they would get the better of each other using a series of ridiculous gadgets. This work was inspired by the likes of: Tom and Jerry, Wacky Races, Dastardly and Muttley’s Flying Machines, Looney Tunes and Tex Avery humour.

I started with initial concepts by drawing characters and backgrounds as well as notes of the medium in which the shorts would be.

I then went on to create mood boards for both planes and piolet uniforms to gather some visual references.

I was debating whether to have the characters, 2D and the backgrounds 3D which would make animating easier as the backgrounds and planes would retain their volume as 3D models whereas the characters would stand out as well as having exaggerated expressions and acting. The characters and planes would be polar opposites, the characters were even designed by the two different ends of a plane.

The two characters would have an unknown rivalry, as in no one is completely sure how it started, but every short will start with one character provoking the other. This is because I would want both characters to be relatable and likable where there’s no clear ‘good and bad guy’.

The planes are World War One inspired bi-planes, they are ‘dwarfed’ versions to make them more stylised for the characters. I intend for the planes to be an extension of the character’s personality.  

 I will continue to develop these concepts and finalise my designs for: backgrounds, characters and planes which will then be further developed later in production. 

I intend to create a short test to determine the style I want to achieve. I will create 3D backgrounds and planes and then animate the characters using 2D.