Seeking a sketch artist to contribute deliverables for feature film “HEAD DOWN, CHIN UP” pitch deck. *The script is currently a quarterfinalist in Final Draft’s Big Break contest and is receiving some indie interest.
Pinterest board: https://pin.it/1bO80WN2z
**Note** In the film itself, there will be some animated portions of her sketches, but animation is not a factor of this particular job as it is just 2D art for the pitch deck.
CONTEXT: The protagonist of the feature is a 13-year-old girl, MINA, who’s a sketch artist, and her sketches actually play a pivotal role–both narratively and stylistically–in the film.
FILM LOGLINE: Perennially afraid and prone to panic attacks, a young girl forges an unlikely friendship with an aging man whose own depressive disorder has splintered his family, but as the two of them confront lives and relationships that seldom prove to be easy, they wind up transforming each other.
*TW: mental health disorders, addiction, self-harm, suicide
COMPS: LADY BIRD, EIGHTH GRADE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AFTERSUN, C’MON C’MON.
SPECIFICS: We are seeking 3 indie graphic novel/comic-style pages and some scattered sketch flourishes to be used throughout the deck. The format of the comic pages and general content will be provided.
* B&W ok, pale colors also ok, depending on your bandwidth. Shading likely involved
* Pen-like scribbles/sketches with a clear distinct style of faces/bodies — but keep in mind, these are drawings from an untrained 13 y/o girl
* Has a lonely/dystopian feel, but simultaneously a sense of wonder/possibility
* Quirky/rough tone — nothing is too “pretty” or “aesthetically pleasing.”
* Big plus if you already have a distinct style of faces/bodies as an artist and can bring that to the project
PAY: $300 – $400, negotiable in that range. Flat rate only.
TIMELINE: Finished initial concept design in first two weeks working together, and finished deliverables for the deck by end of this September 2025 IDEAL! Timeline negotiable.
PLUSES:
* film/TV production experience in some capacity
* being a woman (as the character is)
* animation experience
* having a signature, quirky style
* being willing to read the script, at least partially, before committing to the project
*WE ONLY WANT TO WORK WITH AN ARTIST WHO GENUINELY ENJOYS THE SCRIPT AND RESONATES WITH ITS THEMES!
If you’re interested, or know someone who may be interested, please email me ellamckenziefilms@gmail.com and cc create@c4-studios.com with just a brief intro and portfolio. We are open to speaking to artists of all experience levels, we just want to find the right fit.