Halloween 2017

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
If it isn’t the witches, werewolves, or goblins that haunt us every Halloween, it’s the ghastly task of deciding what to wear! Do the spooky creatures of the night face a similar ordeal? Today’s Doodle checks in on Jinx, the lonely ghost, who embarks on a mission to find the perfect costume — and a place to belong. 

Last year, Momo successfully defended Magic Cat Academy from the clutches of a mischievous ghost invasion. This year, Jinx desperately wants to join Momo and the other trick-or-treaters outside. Not wanting to scare anyone, the lonely ghost agonizes over a costume to blend in with the trick-or-treaters, wreaking havoc in the process. In the end, Jinx finds wearing a disguise is no match for being yourself.

BEHIND THE SCENES
In keeping with Halloween Doodle Tradition, the team felt it was time to follow the tales of Momo and the Candy Cup Witches with the Ghost’s side of the story.

In the initial concept, Momo dressed up as a ghost for Halloween and fell under the spell of a real ghost. Alas, this spectral romance was better suited for Valentine’s Day. Once the team decided on the ‘lonely ghost’ concept, the importance of being yourself emerged as a suitable theme. Thus, Jinx was born.
 
Jinx went through many forms before the team landed on the perfect apparition.

Ghost Design Tests

Doing a video doodle meant no file size or length limitations. The Doodle team took their time crafting a bewitching storyline, adding a little hocus pocus to make the designs dreadfully engaging. Each sequence has its own color scheme, bringing the characters to (after)life with an entirely new animation process. 

The team even managed to sneak in a few devilish details for sharp-eyed Doodle viewers. Can you find them?

Colorscript

Storyboards

Jinx’s costume montage was far and away the most fun scene in the video, everyone on the team contributed ideas making for some truly bizarre costumes. 

Animatic Costume Sequence

No bones about it, this was one of the most enjoyable doodles we have worked on and we’ve all been dying to share it with you! Life can be spooky. This Halloween, dress as your favorite character and do the Monster Mash. Don’t be afraid to show who you really are or let superstition get in the way of a new friendship and you’ll be a graveyard smash. 

CREDITS
Story & Animation
👻  Nate Swinehart 👻

Backgrounds & Design
🦉 Melissa Crowton 🦉
💪 Cynthia Cheng 💪
💩 Sophie Diao 💩
💀 Helene Leroux 💀

Producer
🍦 My-Linh Le 🍦

External
🎵 Music: D.E. Levison 🎵
💥 Sound Effects and Mix: Harmony Machine 💥

Scribbler
✏️ Paulette Penzvalto ✏️