Signe Baumane: Karmiskā mezgla krāsas
Signe Baumane is producing her third feature animation film, “Karmic Knot,” utilizing a collaborative production pipeline between a Brooklyn-based studio and Studio Lokomotīve in Riga, Latvia. According to production updates, the workflow combines traditional pencil-on-paper animation with digital coloring and composition to bring the characters to life.
The process begins in Brooklyn, where the team photographs physical sets. Baumane then draws the characters by hand using pencils, creating grey-scale images on white backgrounds. These drawings are then sent to a Latvian team for digital coloring.
How is “Karmic Knot” being animated?
The production uses a hybrid approach of physical art and digital tools. According to the production team, characters are developed in the Krita software by the Latvian crew at Studio Lokomotīve. Colorists use high-resolution Cintiq monitors to draw and paint directly onto the frames.
Anete Matvejeva, who previously worked with Baumane on the 2022 film “My Marriage Project,” coordinates the coloring process. Matvejeva creates diagrams and guidelines to ensure the team correctly renders shadows and light interaction on human figures to create a sense of three-dimensionality.
Who is in the cast of “Karmic Knot”?
The film features a voice cast including Patrick Wilson as Ansis and Jay O. Sanders as Peter. Other credited voices include Dagmāra Dominčika as Vizma, Gracie Lawrence as Ragne, and Emma Kenny as Zinta.
Production notes highlight a specific sequence in episode 017, where the character Peter hits his young son, an event that triggers a series of subsequent plot developments. The team utilizes a shallow depth of field in these scenes to keep the visual focus on specific characters, such as Ansis.
How does the international team collaborate?
Baumane and Matvejeva meet twice a week via Zoom to discuss the color palette for characters in specific scenes. Matvejeva then translates these decisions into instructions for the Latvian coloring team.
These instructions are written in both Latvian and English. The team uses English for certain technical notes because it is often more concise and faster to write, particularly for team members who have lived or worked in the United Kingdom.
What happens next in production?
The production is currently moving into the composition phase. Based on the team’s current progress, the Latvian composition team is likely to handle the final layering and visual integration of the colored characters against the photographed backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What software is used for the coloring of “Karmic Knot”?
The Latvian team at Studio Lokomotīve uses the Krita software and Cintiq high-resolution monitors.
Who manages the coloring team in Riga?
Anete Matvejeva, a collaborator of Signe Baumane from the 2022 film “My Marriage Project,” manages the coloring team.
How are the backgrounds created for the film?
The backgrounds are created by photographing physical decorations in a Brooklyn studio.
Do you prefer traditionally hand-drawn animation or fully digital productions?