Laal Dupatta: Animatic with Sound

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I made this animatic for a pre-production unit in college. It follows the story of two desi women in a big city, who find themselves connected not only by their love of coffee, but also by the red string of fate.

Their Story

Tara works at a small café near a bustling intersection, chock full of sky-scraping office buildings. She deals with dozens of customers every day, and finds it easy to memorise their coffee orders, making cheerful conversations with them, hoping to brighten up their day. There is an order she makes extra effort to get perfect though, Barkha’s. She loves seeing Barkha’s reaction when she gets her drink just right! But she’s a little intimidated by her, and how perfect she seems. Barkha is a busy woman, constantly reviewing statistics and making sure the response to her company’s ads is positive. The only respite she finds in her hectic day is getting a coffee, and of course, being able to see Tara. But Tara’s sparkly aura makes Barkha feel like she isn’t good enough to be with her.

Barkha could go to any other café, but she chooses to walk out every day, at least two times a day to get the chance to see Tara’s smiling face. That day, Barkha goes to the café and orders her usual almond milk macchiato. When she’s picking it up from the counter, her hand comes into contact with Tara’s and the drink accidentally spills onto her hand. Tara quickly helps her wipe it with a tissue, asking if she’s okay. Barkha turns red, quickly thanks Tara and leaves the café. She feels her heart beating from both embarrassment and her feelings for Tara.

As Barkha daydreams about Tara, sitting at her office desk, her boss tells her that she has been promoted and will be transferred to another city! At this point, Barkha realises she might never be able to see Tara again, let alone confess her feelings for the barista. She decides to take the leap of faith and runs out into the pouring rain to find Tara and confess her feelings. Little does she know, that on that rainy day, Tara is walking towards the café, wearing a knitted red muffler. She crosses the large intersection to get to work. Barkha brushes past her, unable to focus in the rain. An end of Tara’s muffler gets caught in Barkha’s glimmering watch. They keep moving away, not realising what has happened. By the time they reach their respective ends of the crossing, Tara realises her neck feels cold. She turns around, looking for her muffler, and makes eye contact with Barkha who is holding up her wrist, a long red woollen thread stuck in her watch.

They finally realise that fate has brought them together, and they end up together.

Storyboarding