Join us as we explore the creative journey of Seth Worley in bringing his film ‘Sketch’ to life, a poignant tale of grief and imagination.
Exploring Child-like Imagination in Film: Seth Worley on ‘Sketch’
‘Sketch’ is a poignant film that follows widowed father Taylor (Tony Hale) as he guides his children, Jack and Amber, through the grieving process after the loss of their mother. When Amber’s sketchbook, filled with chaotic drawings of her grief, falls into a mysterious pond, her imaginative creations come to life, bringing both wonder and terror to their town.
A Journey of Creation
We had the opportunity to sit down with Seth Worley to discuss the seven-year journey of bringing ‘Sketch’ to life. He shared insights into how he utilized Premiere Pro, After Effects, and various custom extensions to create most of the visual effects, including eleven unique monsters crafted from scratch. Read on to learn more about Worley’s creative process and inspirations, and be sure to catch ‘Sketch’ in theaters on August 6th.
Getting Started in Film
Worley reflects on his early days, stating, “I’ve been making movies since I was a kid. In my twenties, I began directing commercials and branded shorts, notably for Red Giant, where I developed my narrative voice on a public platform.”
Project Setup and Workflow
When starting a new project, Worley admits, “I procrastinate by overorganizing.” He meticulously organizes takes in narrative order and spends considerable time sourcing temp music and sound effects to create a robust library for editing. He emphasizes the importance of not watching the full film during the first assembly, following advice from industry veterans Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Memorable Moments
Among his favorite moments, Worley recalls a personal highlight at the wrap party: “My son wrapped his arms around me and said he was proud of me.” This emotional connection underscores the personal nature of the film, which draws from his experiences as a parent.
Post-Production Challenges
Worley faced unique challenges during post-production, particularly with the eleven monsters created on an indie budget. He creatively solved issues by using a combination of tools such as Content Aware Fill and Red Giant’s tracking software, often tackling shots himself out of a sense of responsibility.
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Tools of the Trade
For editing, Worley utilized Premiere Pro and After Effects for compositing. He highlighted the importance of third-party tools like Magic Bullet Colorista for grading and the Post Notes extension for tracking feedback during the editing process.
Creative Inspirations
Worley draws inspiration from friends like Daniel Hashimoto, Ryan Connolly, and Steven Spielberg, stating, “These individuals constantly surprise and inspire me in my creative endeavors.”
Workspace Reflections
Worley’s workspace, a former greenhouse, is filled with memorabilia that reflects his personality and passions. He describes it as a space that mirrors his favorite aspects of the world and himself.
