HOME | DD

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-16 20:51:08 +0000 UTC]

I really appreciate your honesty.

I never intended for her to look like Elsa, but due to my love for Frozen, it just happened self consciously.

I found the name Elena when I was searching for a name and I just loved the sound of it. I might be open to changing her name if something better were to come along.

Mind me asking if you have any ideas on something that could make her different from Elsa? What kind of shape should the dress have? What sort of hairstyle?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-21 23:35:09 +0000 UTC]

If I were you I would totally start from scratch with the hair and dress.  I would choose a completely different hairstyle, definitely not one pulled back in a braid or even a ponytail, and for the dress I would try for a totally different kind other than a slim-fitting dress with sheer sleeves and a sparkly cape.  Try different necklines and sleeves and lengths and volume, and especially colors.  It might also help to change her eye shape and color, they look a lot like Elsa's too.  There are SO many different variations, I'm sure you can come up with something totally unique for your own character that won't bring someone else to mind.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-22 01:56:04 +0000 UTC]

I can tell you right now that I have almost for sure finalized her design. It's changed since the last time you saw it.

Sorry, but I can't help with the slim fitting dress with sheer sleeves. I think it looks very elegant and I like how it flatters my character. I'm a very difficult person and I've tried to redesign her dress a ton of times, but every time, I do usually the same thing.

Here's what it looks like...

djeffers.deviantart.com/art/El…

I can tell you right now that I think Elena's hair will be black at the beginning, but when she gains her powers, it's quickly starts to turn white or a very light blonde. Her hair will probably be pulled back into some form of a bun. I decided not to have her bangs swiped back. Instead, I just have all of her hair pulled back into a bun. As for her eyes, I would say an aqua or blue will probably be the color.

What are your thoughts on the new design? 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-22 22:49:04 +0000 UTC]

It's a very nice drawing, but I have to say that it still looks almost exactly like Elsa.  The costume, hair, facial features, silhouette and everything just look basically like a drawing of her, with minor variations in texture and styling.  It's up to you how you draw your character, of course, but if you ask me (which you did!) I'm pretty sure most people who see that will instantly think of Elsa.  I think you have talent though, so I'm sure you won't have any trouble coming up with something completely original eventually!  I also suggest maybe using a different story or fairy tale to draw from for characters, since Elsa will obviously be naturally so fresh in your (and everyone's) mind when you think of the Snow Queen.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-22 23:23:13 +0000 UTC]

That's not a bad idea. I could try to look into other characters besides Elsa.

Any recommendations on who to look towards?

Elena is naturally an elegant and very calm person, but when she doesn't know what to do, she panics.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-22 23:44:52 +0000 UTC]

That characterization sounds a lot like Elsa too...  I would just browse through a book of fairy tales or fables and try to do some totally fresh character designs.  It's hard to ignore things that are so fresh in your mind when designing characters, but it's important to try to do completely new things.  Good luck!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-23 00:05:09 +0000 UTC]

Trust me, Elena is very different from Elsa.

I would say that my only issue is Elena's snow queen design. Other than that, I would say all of my other designs are ok.... mostly because there wasn't a beautiful ice dress to accidentally take inspiration from.

Besides the snow queen design, what do you think of my other designs towards the story? More specifically this character...

djeffers.deviantart.com/art/Ar…

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-23 06:32:55 +0000 UTC]

You're not going to like this, but... that one reminds me a lot of Anna (her name even sounds kind of similar).  The swept bangs, the braid (even though she only has one), the clothing style, from the collar to the rosemaling along the trim of the skirt and the bodice, it looks a lot like her with some minor variations.  I know that Frozen is fresh on the brain, but the parallels are going to be inevitable and impossible to ignore when they look so similar.  Maybe you should try setting your story in a completely different location, that might help.  If you set it somewhere other than Norway/Europe like Disney's you could look up totally different costumes and hairstyles that will really help your designs stand out.  I also really think developing a different story while Frozen is still so fresh would be a good idea.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-23 06:53:30 +0000 UTC]

The major problem I have with changing the location to the story is the fact that the original fairy tale of "The Snow Queen" takes place in Norway. With stories like these, I like sticking to the origins of the fairy tale and also, Norway is the perfect location for a Snow Queen story. I need a location that even in summer/spring, the mountains are covered in snow. Elena's ice castle is located in the mountains on a pond and that location needs to be less noticeable to the people that live in the area.

With Arden's design, I looked at Norwegian outfits and kept the shape they use since I thought it flattered her, but I did need it to look more "princessey." One major thing that will set her apart from Anna is her colors. Arden's wardrobe has purples, teals, and golds and her hair will be some form of blonde (either a light blonde or dirty blonde.) In Norway, the shape of everyone's outfits stays the same. In Frozen, the designers gave Anna and Elsa simple corset bodices, where as my bodice stays the same shape of Norwegian fashion. I'm not saying it's bad that Disney did it, it made it unique, but I tried to steer more closer to Norwegian dresses.

Same thing goes for Elena. In the beginning, I've decided that Elena's hair will be a dark brown, but when she gains her icy powers, her hair quickly starts to turn white.

I personally think that I can use Norway, but I won't be able to come up with the final designs just like that. I need time. I'm planning on doing this as a comic and I haven't even started working on the script or story boarding. Right now, I'm working with the designs and story. I wanted to make sure that I had a strong story in order to do this comic, and I think it's getting there.

If I were to change the location of the story, it would have to be somewhere that is covered in mountains and I'm not very good at finding locations. If you have any suggestions on a new location, I'm more than open to what you have to say.

Also, what do you think of something more like this for Elena? I like the train at the back...

brideandbreakfast.ph/wp-conten…

www.weddinginspirasi.com/wp-co…

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-23 16:25:34 +0000 UTC]

I think there are a lot of locations that would fit that description, especially in Europe, but I see what you mean about wanting to set it where it originally took place, IF that is the original location.  As far as I can tell, it takes place in Denmark, since that's where Hans Christian Andersen was from, or near Finland, where the characters go at one point.  I think the fact that you added a sister for the Snow Queen also makes it seem a lot like Frozen, since she doesn't have one in the original story.  Changing coloring doesn't always really do a WHOLE lot to make a similar character look different, they just end up looking like that character but with a different hair color.  If I were to design a Snow Queen character (which I think I might, now that we've been having this conversation!  It has helped get my creative juices flowing, ha ha, but it would just be for fun, not for a story or anything), I think she would look like something more along these lines.  Mine would be still elegant, but lot more icy and proud and maybe dangerous looking and probably older.  That image might give you an idea of a different sort of design, just for your information.

And those gown images are really pretty!  The funny thing is that it almost looks like they based Elsa's dress on them, since they resemble hers a lot, ha ha.  (I don't think they really did, but you never know.)

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-23 21:28:03 +0000 UTC]

I'm honestly not sure where it truly takes place, but I saw somewhere that it was Norway. 

I actually just looked up Denmark's traditional clothing and I personally don't like the fashion. They actually have some clothing similar to Norwegian clothes, but most of it is just not flattering in my opinion. It looks very peasant- like and I don't picture a Kingdom set in there after what I've seen. Same thing went for Finland. 

I didn't mean to make the "sister" connection. I had the idea that Arden is the only princess of the Kingdom. Elena was just a villager. 

In the beginning of the Snow Queen story I used to have, Elena was about to be taken bu guards, but she get's away and runs into the mountains, where she spends a good amount of time. Arden is set up to marry a Prince, Erin from a nearby Kingdom and so enraged, she runs away, eventually coming across Elena's ice castle. She eventually coaxes Elena into leaving the castle to see the Kingdom, but Elena ends up falling in love with Erin and drama ensues. Eventually, there's a party thrown where Elena's powers are revealed. She flees the Kingdom and returns to her castle. Enraged by the betrayal, Elena sets her wrath upon the Kingdom. That's basically how far I got.

However, then I came up with an idea that involved making Elena and Arden sisters.

Here's the version I have now...

The story starts out 3 years before where the story picks up. It's Elena's 16 birthday. I'm going to basically take Elena and Arden through one day at the kingdom, letting you know about the bond, introducing the villain, and just overall setting up the story. 

During that night, a huge celebration is thrown to honor Elena's coming of age in the courtyard. Arden is swept away by Bjorn (a boy she just met that day) and they are off running around the Kingdom, so she's not at the courtyard where things are about to go terribly wrong. During the celebration, Elena is being applauded when suddenly an object she's holding (probably a drink) freezes. Everyone stops their claps and congrats and looks in horror of what just happened. Elena startled by her new found power and all eyes on her accidentally backs up into a pillar, wall, or trips and falls, causing a huge explosion of ice and spikes to sprout. Everyone begins screaming and some start calling her a witch or monster. Elena get's up and her emotions start causing more things to go wrong with her powers. Frost begins to creep up the courtyard walls and spikes begin to shoot up all around Elena. Scared, Elena races across the courtyard making her way to the gate, spikes sprouting from each footstep. She bursts through the doors and begins to run across the bridge. As she runs, ice coats the bridge. 

Suddenly, the King yells for guards to bring her back. Elena makes it to the end of the bridge and stops to look back. She sees the Duke and a crowed of guards racing towards her. The King intended for the guards to bring Elena back, but Elena thought that her own father had turned against her. With tears in her eyes, she races into the village square and darts into the woods.

The Duke and guards continue their pursuit, but as Elena runs, she begins to create a storm that get's worse and worse. Eventually the Duke and guards retreat back to the castle. The Duke lies, telling the King that Elena is dead. Arden suddenly walks back into the courtyard with Bjorn. Arden is quickly raced into the castle without explanation.

Basically, the King locks Arden up in the castle to prevent her from finding out about Elena's powers. Arden think her sister is dea just like everyone else, but she know's nothing of the powers.

Elena had fled into the mountains. She eventually creates an ice castle on a frozen pond. The ice castle acts as both her berrier and prison.

three years pass and Arden is arranged for the marriage, causing her to run away. She meets Elena who she doesn't know is her sister and Arden coaxes Elena into returning to the Kingdom for a short amount of time (three day probably.) And so on and so on.

So I just have one or two questions to as you.

1.) What do ya think of this so far?

2.) What do you think of the idea of Arden knowing who Elena is when the two meet three years later, or do you like the whole mystery around Elena?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-23 23:58:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the info!  Here are my thoughts:

1) I think it sounds interesting, BUT... it sounds a LOT like Frozen.  I know some of your details are different, especially toward the end of this part, but at the start there are a lot of similarities, like with the cup freezing and losing control and causing an accident and a misunderstanding and running away with everyone pursuing her.

2) I like the mystery a LOT better than her knowing they're sisters, otherwise it's a lot more like Frozen, because she's trying to find her sister and all that.  If she doesn't know they're related it makes it more unique.

I'm really not trying to bum you out by saying it keeps reminding me of Frozen, I just think I should be honest, and that you're talented enough that you can come up with something totally original if you try really hard.  I believe the Norway angle is something that was developed by Disney for their version.  If it were me I would probably set it in a totally different place just for fun.  Many years ago I did some character designs for Rapunzel (like, over 15 years ago, long before Disney's current version had even been discussed) and just because, I decided to put it in an Arabian setting, even though that's not where the original story took place.  It added an interesting element to the costumes and facial features, and it was fun to try something different (and try not to let it look too much like something out of Aladdin).

Also, IF you're setting it in Norway, I would probably pick some more Norwegian-sounding names.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-24 03:39:25 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to make Arden remember who Elena is because it would jack up the plot.

The thing about the names is that although Arden isn't Norwegian, basically every other name is of Norwegian origin.

With my Norwegian take, I was going to put more of a "Scandinavian" look to the Kingdom. I imagine to have been around for hundreds of years and it used to be run by wild Scandinavian hunters and such, but eventually, it turned into a very prosperous and peaceful Kingdom. 

Also, like I said Elena and Arden weren't intended to be sisters, but I got to a point where it was necessary to drive the story. And trust me, the beginning won't pan out like Frozen in the least bit. In my story, Elena doesn't shut Arden out to protect her. They do have a close bond, but I don't think it ever runs as deep as Frozen did. My story isn't driven by a sisterly bond, it's driven with "true love" like any other fairy tale. Every time Elena runs away, she doesn't do it to protect others, she does it to get out of facing what she fears.

I could always experiment with location, but I don't think I'd ever change my story. I like some things that I do too much.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-24 19:36:02 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I understand all of your thoughts and reasons, and it's yours to do with what you like, I just think that anyone who has seen Frozen and reads/sees what you're working on is inevitably going to find parallels and make comparisons.  Some of your elements are a little more unique, but a lot of the things you described in your setup sounded very familiar.  And I know Anna and Elsa also weren't originally meant to be sisters, until Disney came to a point where it was necessary to drive the story...  Anyway, again, it's your project, so you can make your decisions, I was just giving input that might help to avoid the comparisons that are definitely going to happen, and based on the comments, already are happening!  There are a million options, just make sure you're having fun with it!  Which it sounds like and I'm sure you are.

Also, what is this for again?  A story you're writing?  Just characters you're designing?  A comic book?  Just for fun?  You might have said, but I don't remember.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-24 21:19:23 +0000 UTC]

"The Snow Queen" was going to be a comic. I fully understand what your saying and I've decided to take a break from "The Snow Queen." It's just too similar and I want to get out of my Frozen obsession and then I'll go back to it in the future.

In my journal, I have a list of 4 stories that I can't choose between to go back to. If you want, you can take a look and let me know what story you like the most. I'd really appreciate it and I really want your opinion since you have some really great advice. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kuabci In reply to djeffers [2014-01-24 23:16:37 +0000 UTC]

Oh good, I'm so glad your feelings aren't hurt, I was afraid that would happen and it definitely wasn't my intention.  I think it's a good idea to give it just a little rest while Frozen is SO fresh on everyone's mind.  I would be glad to look over a couple of your other ideas if you like.  In that case, maybe it would be best to take this conversation to personal messages instead of continuing this forever-long comment thread, ha ha.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to kuabci [2014-01-24 23:34:24 +0000 UTC]

lol yeah that's probably a good idea. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

djeffers In reply to linda0808 [2014-01-12 17:31:40 +0000 UTC]

I might change Elena's hair color to black. Not only did I have that idea originally, but it would really steer her away from "Elsa territory." 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

linda0808 In reply to djeffers [2014-01-13 08:56:56 +0000 UTC]

oh ok

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to linda0808 [2014-01-13 21:52:50 +0000 UTC]

I think I'm just going to keep her hair blonde, but I might modify her design a bit.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

djeffers In reply to Rovanna [2014-01-12 07:17:15 +0000 UTC]

What are things you think I could do to not make her look like Elsa?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Rovanna In reply to djeffers [2014-01-12 07:35:38 +0000 UTC]

Would you consider changing her hair colour? If she had black hair for example, I think people wouldn't immediately think "Elsa" when they saw her.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to Rovanna [2014-01-12 17:25:10 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I was going to do that, but then I realizes white streaks of hair wouldn't look so good.

However, now I'm not doing the whole "white streaks" so I could definitely try black hair. It would also make an interesting contrast to her outfit and surroundings.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Rovanna In reply to djeffers [2014-01-12 23:06:52 +0000 UTC]

I think the black hair would look quite dramatic to fit with her snow queen look.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

djeffers In reply to Rovanna [2014-01-12 23:14:16 +0000 UTC]

I just tried it and I'm questioning it.

I'm about to post a pic of it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0