The Apothecary Week 2 - Further Story Development and Storyboards!

Dated: 15 November 2023

We made a lot of progress this week during the creation of our story. We figured out the main story beats that we want to have for our story. We polished up some of the details such as the mood boards for characters along with the colors and some rough sketches to give us a sense of art direction as well. This is what our story is looking like at the current moment:

Starts with an outside establishing shot of apothecary, there is a drop box outside for prescription requests/drops. Toad grabs requests from dropbox and goes inside

Camera moves in to toad giving witch scripts and her shuffling through them; grabs medicine off shelf to fill a script and gives toad to deliver. Toad hops out of store. Commotion outside, she peaks her head out and sees the royal carriage heading off…. What happened? Moves on with her. One day toad brings in requests and there is a strange note asking for a house call to the famous wizard tower.

Once upon a time there lived a newly graduated witch Basil- who’s passion was focused in Apothecary. Inspired by her mother, she moves to a new place with her companion toad Freddy; opening up her own Apothecary business. She grows her business over time, losing sight of her own values and needs. One day a gentleman walks in, curious of the small shop, Dorian explores the Apothecary; meeting Basil who finds intriguing. Basil enjoys the companionship of Dorian, waiting for him to appear at her shop. Their friendship and attraction with one another grows. Dorian first visits the shop, obtaining things he has no use for. Eventually just visiting her for Basil’s company. One day as Dorian is making his way in the town a common man (in a cloak) recognizes him- placing a curse on Dorian. Dorian passes out on the street, creating a commotion the palace retrieves Dorian and brings him back to the palace. Basil noticing the commotion she’s not aware of who the person was. Later receiving a letter that Freddie retrieved- she’s called to the palace! She discovers that the ill man is Dorian! Gasp! She treats him of his illness- and finds different remedies as to how to solve the curse. After a couple of failed attempts she cures him! News gets around and the kingdom rejoices! In the end she is back at her shop; business is booming more than ever! She escorts her last costumers out as Dorian makes his way to the door. She closes the shop and takes Dorian’s hand. Both walking back to the tower, she takes a bite of her lil treat and kisses him. They head back to the tower.

The End.

The main two characters that we have developed in this story so far are Basil (the witch) and Dorian (the wizard). So far, the traits that we have for Basil are Hardworking, passionate- she’s dedicated to Apothecary. Works as an apprentice in the shop. Moves to a town to start her life. She gets invested teaching the wizard about the herbs.Basil wants to do this magic to feel successful in her magic and to feel financially accomplished. Losing sight of her passion and the purpose of using remedies to help others.

Some of the character arcs and development we have created for Dorian is that he likes herbs too! Mixed the wrong things together and became ill. He learns about the Apothecary, wants to focus on that line of work- he doesn’t want to do that type of magic. Dorian wants to explore places and things he’s unfamiliar with, wants connection with others. His trust in others is his demise.