Client
Live Theatre
Location
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Client
Live Theatre
Location
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Project Details
Bringing the Wild Imagination of The Savage to Life
Adapted by Carnegie Medal-winning author David Almond, The Savage is a gripping stage play directed by Max Roberts and produced by Live Theatre. Based on Almond’s illustrated novel, the story follows Blue Baker, a young boy who copes with the loss of his father and the torment of a bully by writing a tale about a wild, untamed character filled with anger, adventure, and thoughts of revenge. As Blue's story unfolds, the boundaries between imagination and reality blur, revealing a powerful exploration of grief, resilience, and self-discovery.
Project Details
Bringing the Wild Imagination of The Savage to Life
Adapted by Carnegie Medal-winning author David Almond, The Savage is a gripping stage play directed by Max Roberts and produced by Live Theatre. Based on Almond’s illustrated novel, the story follows Blue Baker, a young boy who copes with the loss of his father and the torment of a bully by writing a tale about a wild, untamed character filled with anger, adventure, and thoughts of revenge. As Blue's story unfolds, the boundaries between imagination and reality blur, revealing a powerful exploration of grief, resilience, and self-discovery.
The Brief
Animating the World of Blue’s Mind
NOVAK was tasked with visualizing Blue’s inner world, creating animated video projections that would seamlessly integrate into the elaborate stage set, designed by Alison Ashton. These animations needed to capture the raw emotion of Blue’s writing—his fear, fury, and desire for escape—and help bring his imagined character, The Savage, to life. The projections would serve as a visual extension of Blue’s thoughts, reinforcing the dreamlike, shifting nature of the story as it moved between reality and fiction.
The Brief
Animating the World of Blue’s Mind
NOVAK was tasked with visualizing Blue’s inner world, creating animated video projections that would seamlessly integrate into the elaborate stage set, designed by Alison Ashton. These animations needed to capture the raw emotion of Blue’s writing—his fear, fury, and desire for escape—and help bring his imagined character, The Savage, to life. The projections would serve as a visual extension of Blue’s thoughts, reinforcing the dreamlike, shifting nature of the story as it moved between reality and fiction.
Our Response
A Seamless Fusion of Animation and Theatre
In close collaboration with the creative team, NOVAK produced a series of dynamic animated video segments that enhanced the storytelling by immersing the audience in Blue’s perspective. These projections expanded the stage beyond its physical limitations, providing a vivid, living representation of his mind. By blending hand-drawn aesthetics, expressive movement, and atmospheric transitions, the animations enriched the emotional depth of the production, allowing audiences to visually experience the intensity of Blue’s journey. The result was a visually stunning, deeply immersive theatre experience that blurred the line between story and reality, mirroring the very themes of The Savage itself.
Our Response
A Seamless Fusion of Animation and Theatre
In close collaboration with the creative team, NOVAK produced a series of dynamic animated video segments that enhanced the storytelling by immersing the audience in Blue’s perspective. These projections expanded the stage beyond its physical limitations, providing a vivid, living representation of his mind. By blending hand-drawn aesthetics, expressive movement, and atmospheric transitions, the animations enriched the emotional depth of the production, allowing audiences to visually experience the intensity of Blue’s journey. The result was a visually stunning, deeply immersive theatre experience that blurred the line between story and reality, mirroring the very themes of The Savage itself.
Credits
Written by David Almond
Directed by Max Roberts
Associate Director Jamie Jackson
Designed by Alison Ashton
Original music by Beth Brennan
Choreography by Lee Proud
Projection Design by NOVAK
Credits
Written by David Almond
Directed by Max Roberts
Associate Director Jamie Jackson
Designed by Alison Ashton
Original music by Beth Brennan
Choreography by Lee Proud
Projection Design by NOVAK
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