Hawaiian. Not American. Timeline

Project Window: Oct 5 → Dec 5
Format: Stop Motion + Live Action
Key Milestones:

• October 7 – First Recording Session (completed)
• October 19 – Live Action Shoot (Kahiko and ‘Auana hulas)
• November 9 – Picture Lock
• December 5 – Final Delivery

WEEK 7: October 5–11

Focus: Audio cleanup and stop motion preparation

• Finalize and clean up recordings from October 7 session
• Complete lighting tests for stop motion (puppet completed)
• Finalize storyboards, especially for transition scenes between live action and animation
• Create a rough animatic combining the audio track and storyboard frames

WEEK 8: October 12–18

Focus: Begin stop motion animation and prepare for live action shoot

• Start animating initial stop motion sequences
• Confirm live action logistics: shot list, wardrobe, props, dancer rehearsal, and location details
• Conduct lighting and camera tests for live action setup
• Organize file structure for animation and ensure consistent scene labeling
• Wrap all pre-production tasks by October 18

WEEK 9: October 19–25

Focus: Live action shoot and footage review

• October 19: Conduct live action shoot (Kahiko and ‘Auana sequences)
• Continue stop motion animation downtime
• Begin assembling a live action rough cut by the end of the week

WEEK 10: October 26–November 1

Focus: Edit live action and push stop motion production

• Refine live action rough cut with placeholder sequences for animation
• Continue main stop motion production (mid-to-late story scenes)

WEEK 11: November 2–8

Focus: Complete animation and finalize rough cut

• Finish all stop motion animation
• Insert completed stop motion into the edit
• Move from rough cut to fine cut, focusing on pacing, transitions, and tone
• Begin preliminary color correction for visual consistency (Send over to Alex Benanti)
• Prepare for picture lock on November 9

WEEK 12: November 9–15

Focus: Picture lock and start sound design

• November 9: Achieve picture lock
• Begin detailed sound design (Foley, ambience, dialogue balance)
• Finalize or compose music for hula sequences and transitional moments
• Export locked picture for any additional sound or mix work

WEEK 13: November 16–22

Focus: Sound mix and color correction

• Perform full color grading to finalize the visual style
• Sync final audio mix to the locked picture
• Export a “Final Cut Version 1” for review and feedback
• Make notes of any remaining minor adjustments

WEEK 14: November 23–30

Focus: Polishing, credits, and deliverables

• Refine titles, end credits, and subtitles (Hawaiian & English)
• Prepare all final deliverables: master file, sound stems, poster stills
• Buffer week....may or may not need it

WEEK 15: December 1–5

Focus: Final review and submission

• Finalize all promotional materials and project documentation
• Submit final film and deliverables by December 5
• Prepare for SHOWCASE!

Photos!