Resources

http://lesterbanks.com/
It has some useful tutorials. Go check it out.

Animation from Bird Box Studio

Side Effects Software shows off video featuring the work of Houdini customers worldwide

Cat-a-Combs

Title will most likely change, as well as character names.

2 main characters, 1 side characters, 2 environments? (1 exterior, 1 interior?)

In ancient egypt, it was customary to mummify pets and include them with the tomb of the master (in this case the pharaoh). Anuk is, unfortunately, the current pampered cat of the late Pharaoh. As such, he is slated for mummification, along with the pharaoh, even though he is still alive. The person tasked with capturing the feline? The high priest. Thus, a chase ensues throughout the tomb. Anuk furiously finds ways to thwart his capture by hiding behind statues, luring the priest into traps, and outrunning his two-legged fiend. Eventually, the priest is able to snatch the cat but the Pharoah's young son/daughter comes to Anuk's rescue pleading with the priest to let the cat live. The priest, unable to find it in his heart to deny the young child, relinquishes the cat to his/her care.

Benefits of this story:

Simple

Lots of props to texture and create (and sneak in some easter eggs within the objects and hieroglyphics)

Experiment with lighting and color

Fun style

Challenges:

Too complex of an environment?

Story not interesting enough?

Effects?

Here are some crappy color keys/ideas:

I thinks some great references would be looking at The Mummy, Prince of Egypt, and Peabody and Sherman.