<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Mantou Studio Productions]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mantou Studio Produc]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 11:34:44 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Minor Tasks]]></title><description><![CDATA[Postcard I used Canva for the postcard as I was already familiar with the platform. I had used the title card as the main image with the apostrophe as a paint drop/tear drop to keep with the branding. I kept the imagery very simple and minimalistic, adding bits like the premier date, awards and the production house for the front. The back has the childhood painting and synopsis, just so audiences could have a basic understanding of the themes of the story. It also shows the showcase timings...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/minor-tasks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6353822e8a0dd1621494b</guid><category><![CDATA[Extras]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:47:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_db2e2eac50d44c138f7db72ceb729ce5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_906,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Opening Sequence Trial]]></title><description><![CDATA[After filming with the actor, I decided just to do a quick edit of whole thing to get a sense of timing and pace. I really liked it and went ahead with the animating.]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/opening-sequence-trial</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7dc570b7119100d0159aa</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:07:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://video.wixstatic.com/video/46ea0d_3f080b3ed2c240bba8bdaaafb8d1b1cc/720p/mp4/file.mp4" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Editing (Transitions)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I didn't do too much for transitions, but I wanted to incorporate this into the story. I started with a black fade into the story just to ease into the film. I used fade in/fade outs for the music for the same reason. I used a glitch transition and a match cut for the childhood painting to the painting now, then the glitch cut again to go into the childhood memory. I then used a blink cut back into reality. I think having the character blink at that moment as well really helps smoothen the...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/editing-transitions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6b25d4424ffa457c2762e</guid><category><![CDATA[Post-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:45:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_d6cdaecfd83d4a258305051ce8988c16~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Filming Extras]]></title><description><![CDATA[I did the establishing shots at different timings of the day to show the change in the narrative timeline. I woke up at around 7 in the morning to get the morning establishing shot, it worked out really well as I got some bird chirps too. Then a midday one where I did want to do a timelapse of the sun going down, but my window was facing the wrong side, so the effect wasn't as dramatic as I had hoped. I then waited until around 10pm to do the night time shot. I didn't want the establishing...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/filming-extras</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7d46534a8ccd671e9be11</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:34:51 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Editing (Mise-En-Scene)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I had kept all my video files in a folder, with all the footage and animations labelled. This made it so much easier to look for specific shots or frames. Also helpful for not mixing up the previously edited animation with the unedited. I used CapCut as my main software. I did consider using Adobe's After Effects as that was the common editing software for animations, but I wasn't familiar with the platform and was very much overwhelmed by its interface. When I was editing my rough cut, I was...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/editing-mise-en-scene</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6b232a51db32c14c07c71</guid><category><![CDATA[Post-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:12:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_b684d132116f4b99b4b52b3487b0bbf5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_578,h_402,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Music &#38; SFX]]></title><description><![CDATA[Originally, I was considering sourcing music from Youtube and sources like Pixabay. I looked around for different types of music. I knew I wanted it to be gentle, preferably acoustic or a piano cover of sorts, but it just didn't fit into the pacing I had planned. And there was always something off with the music when I added it to the actual animation. I was always more focused on the music than the film. I ended up with making my own progression. I tried using garageband and playing around...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/music-sfx</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3c30d838edf8f8dd3215a</guid><category><![CDATA[Post-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_925919af514e49b78072679e5152a965~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Overcoming Problems with Animation]]></title><description><![CDATA[A few main problems I had with animation: iPad lagging and files being too long Because of all of the long videos, multiple animation files, and drawing layers, my iPad had begun to lag and slow down. Procreate also had a limit to how many layers there could be in one artwork, so that meant when I imported videos, they would be cut off at 5 seconds or so. I couldn't necessarily fix these problem, but what I did to ensure smoothness when animating was break down the longer footage into...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/overcoming-problems-with-animation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3c793072d140cb95bba35</guid><category><![CDATA[Post-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_b83cb2e21081443c949a0961f25cebe8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Animating]]></title><description><![CDATA[The animation schedule started as every Monday and Wednesday after school and any study period I had that I could free up. I had watched a lot of Youtube animatic videos and tutorials on animation and was feeling more confident after a couple trial runs. I used Procreate as my platform for the 2d animation. I did try Krita and Clip Studio Paint as they are professional animation softwares, but I wasn't too familiar with their interface and animating process. It was also draining my computer...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/animating</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6b278a51db32c14c07cfa</guid><category><![CDATA[Post-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_8cc40813db35411b99370db00649ca27~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating the VOs]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was fortunate to have my cousins around, they were boys around the ages of the younger Garys, so I casted them to be my VOs. I had also casted other family members after to play the other supporting characters. I had done the recordings using a wireless mic and the Voice Memos app. The mic was very good as it only captured their voice, omitting the background noise that could have been quite annoying. Directing them was the more difficult part. As they were still younger, there were a lot...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/creating-the-vos</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6acf50b7119100dfeac48</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_f8e9f8b165084f2d91b06e1d01ef9d5d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Filming 3 ]]></title><description><![CDATA[This was the easiest filming of all as it involved no actors at all. I just set dressed with the boxes and lighting from before and recorded 30s of the background. Then took pictures of the wall and the wall's perspective. That was about it  On top of that, I also added a few bits of filming to tie the story together better. The childhood painting I did a photo on a desk, with a piece of a4 paper surrounded by crayons. I lit it with the artificial light from before as the room itself was...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/filming-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7c57ea51db32c14c2edc5</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_59e26813efba46d5bb194b8ae8180817~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Filming 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[Knowing I wouldn't get access to the location again after this trip, I made sure to make a filming schedule once I tested out all the lighting and angles. I planned to film on the 20th and 21st, specifically at 6am, 4pm and 930pm. I found the lighting of those timings to be the most ideal. To let everyone in the house know not to disturb or move the sets, I wrote it down on the communal calendar as well as telling everyone. Filming went smoothly as it was just a phone on the tripod and I made...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/filming-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6a02ba51db32c14c05300</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_f0c7119551d042578f5bf5cbdb5a1007~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Filming 2]]></title><description><![CDATA[I did my filming in the school office and art studio. Both involved actors and was done afterschool. For the office filming, it was quite simple. I had planned for it to be done on Friday after school when everyone had left for lunch and the office was mostly empty. I requested for my actor to be in a suit and looking professional. I had replaced the name on the office wall with BOSSMAN printed on A4. I thought the slightly absurd name aligned with the animated format. I also set dressed by...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/filming-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6acb50b7119100dfeabaa</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_35c909fa400e4cc882496ed1951ce0e3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_989,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Set dressing the archway]]></title><description><![CDATA[Because there are no actors involved, I didn't need to be too wary of certain hazards, like wires or glass or sharp corners. This made it easier to set dress and decorate the space. I knew I wanted the archway to be in the same position for every shot for the montage, so I taped the door and the tripod to make sure of the positions, same for the failed artworks box. I tested out multiple different lightings at different times of the day. Then different lightings at different areas of the room...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/set-dressing-the-archway</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d68b8b89f9e676eca16153</guid><category><![CDATA[Production Process]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_e108ca06fb4a41c38626dbed91fa7877~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Distribution ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve been exploring the world of film distribution and was intrigued with how independent films are typically distributed. The main goal is for visibility, credibility and conversation, unlike feature films where profit is the usual goal.  The primary distribution would be through film festivals first, specifically those for students, short films, animation/mixed media and mental health/social issues. Befitting of the themes in my short film. This would be to gain industry validation and...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/distribution</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3c46211b9dfb4baa509a5</guid><category><![CDATA[Extras]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:26:56 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Postcard Research ]]></title><description><![CDATA[They are mostly distributed in film festivals or as promotional freebies, where very short bursts of information is conveyed. There are a few sizes, but the standard is A5 or smaller. It should be used for direct, intimate marketing or a souvenir, including information about the film’s story and release details through graphics or text.  The graphics are usually a mix of iconic moments or scenes from the actual movie and graphics/visuals from the movie poster. The central image is usually the...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/postcard-research</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cb46a720141e70489e727d</guid><category><![CDATA[Extras]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:26:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_85f3d126497147688b299f790f0810af~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Location scouting 3]]></title><description><![CDATA[I used the school's art studio for the opening sequence. I got permission to use it verbally from the art teachers. I just had to make sure I didn't get the exam art pieces in the shots. The room is brightly lit with a lot of natural light. I didn't need to clean up too much as I wanted it to look really artistic and full.]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/location-scouting-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7710db9dd1062303824c1</guid><category><![CDATA[Pre-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_e13c7fb9f6c8466ab0cae3b691511da8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Location Scouting 4]]></title><description><![CDATA[This area was going to be used for the last scene. I needed it to look like a blank slate with a bunch of boxes. It was supposed to be the true new beginning for Gary. I wanted the wall to be completely white and empty, so when the paintings went on, this was like him accepting those more vulnerable parts of himself and finally letting himself express genuine feeling through his tears.   This space was good as the main light source also came from the side, paralleling the initial montage....]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/location-scouting-4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d78647a51db32c14c26503</guid><category><![CDATA[Pre-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_c228f0f0433841b4b49ff9d80910ee72~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_820,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Location Scouting 2]]></title><description><![CDATA[For the office parts, I decided to use the school office area. Permissions had to be obtained from the HR and admin department and was done so via email. After the exchange, at lunch time, I took a bunch of photos around the area that I wanted to film, making sure no documents could be read. I looked around different rooms, but ended up really liking one with a bookshelf on the side. The main objective is to have it look like a typical and mundane office and that one fit that idea well. I...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/location-scouting-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3c28d11b9dfb4baa505f6</guid><category><![CDATA[Pre-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_f64fbc008be1422c9285b10262c5f35a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_870,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Animation test with Gary]]></title><description><![CDATA[I had done another animation test on Procreate with Gary blowing out candles on a birthday cake. I wasn’t sure if this scene was going to be in the final, but I did like the composition of this. This positioning was how I initially planned the life montage to look like.   Anyways, this animation test was relatively simple and took me about half an hour to complete. I drew six frames, trying to keep Gary’s characteristics consistent. I had learnt something called ‘anticipation’ (a principle of...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/animation-test-with-gary</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c4aee9149f4fed56539209</guid><category><![CDATA[Pre-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://video.wixstatic.com/video/46ea0d_b91cfffe57da4f0e98bbb4f7574cd026/1080p/mp4/file.mp4" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Location Scouting 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[I knew I wanted the childhood home shots to be done in my childhood home as there were multiple doorways that resemble the one I had in my head for the montage-ish part of the short film. I did a couple of test shots by placing my phone on a tripod and imaging where I could add the animation. An important part of the montage is also the lighting. I wanted there to be a light source coming in from the side of the frame (almost like representing Gary’s enlightenment leading him to his emotional...]]></description><link>https://valentinaztwong.wixsite.com/mantou-studio-produc/post/location-scouting-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cfd760f7044e6cf7ab57d0</guid><category><![CDATA[Pre-Production]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/46ea0d_d33cb5270a0545b5bc34075fc5cf9eb5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>valentina Wong</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>