Project: Atlanta
Short animated comic
Setting
Atlanta, Georgia – 1970’s
- The story takes place in downtown Atlanta, blending the old-school charm of 1920s jazz with the vibrancy of modern hip-hop culture. Iconic landmarks, speakeasy jazz clubs, high-end courtrooms, and gritty backstreets dominate the scenery.
Visual Aesthetic
Mood
- Dark, moody scenes of Atlanta’s streets at night, with neon and rain-drenched alleyways.
- Jazz and soul-inspired settings for quieter moments, balancing out the intensity of the crime scenes.
Clothing
- Characters wear a blend of vintage-inspired suits, dresses, and modern streetwear.
- Dom’s mafia is known for wearing tailored suits with subtle gold accents, representing old-school mafia style with a modern twist.
Color Palette
- Dark shades of purple, gold, black, and neon highlights create a sleek and dangerous atmosphere.
- Muted browns and grays for courtroom scenes, contrasting the chaotic vibrancy of the city.
Themes of Afrocentricity:
- Jazz and soul music are the heartbeat of Atlanta, connecting the story to its roots in Black culture and excellence.
- The dialogue incorporates a modernized vintage dialect, blending the Great Gatsby elegance with the rawness of modern-day street talk.
Sound Aesthetic
"Short Film Animation Concept
Cut like a trailer: flows like a conversation between song and script. A scene after every stanza
Cuts to Dom Dubois’ well-dressed gang members in speakeasies and alleyways.
Cuts to each character’s relationship to the plot voiced over.
End in a transition from characters to title
Main Characters
Protagonist - Malik Stokes
Protagonist
Malik Stokes
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Occupation: Defense attorney, reluctant hero
Personality/Traits:
- Known for his sharp mind and moral compass.
- Struggles with inner dualism: balancing doing the "right thing" versus bending the rules to win cases.
- He is connected to the underground scene but tries to stay clean despite pressure from both sides of the law.
Antagonist 1
Dominic "Dom" DuBois
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Occupation:
Mafia leader
Personality/Traits:
- Brutal and ruthless, yet strategic and calm.
- Has a sense of duty to his family legacy and the streets of Atlanta.
- Believes in "doing what needs to be done" – no matter the cost.
- His approach to crime is methodical, always using violence as a tool for control.
Antagonist 2
Giselle Marshall
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Occupation:
High-profile district attorney (secret mafia leader's advisor)
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Personality/Traits:
- Appears to be the face of justice, but secretly manipulates the legal system for personal gain.
- Charismatic, cunning, and manipulative.
- Her goal is not just to take down the mafia but also to control the city's legal system for her benefit.
Story Themes
Crime and Power
Explores the criminal underworld of Atlanta and the systemic corruption hidden in plain sight.
Dualism
Both the protagonist and antagonist reflect dual natures—one torn between morality and survival, and the other between law and criminality.
Afrocentric Ideas
Highlight Black excellence in the setting, fashion, and lifestyle; incorporating the history of jazz and soul culture into the identity of the city.
Plot Breakdown
Act 1 – The Set-Up:
- Malik is defending a notorious crime boss, Dom DuBois, who has been accused of orchestrating a high-profile hit in the city. Dom's family has a deep connection to Atlanta's underground, influencing every level of the city's system.
- Malik reluctantly takes on the case, knowing that failure could destroy his career. He’s also pressured by street gangs to win, as he is their only line of defense against corrupt law enforcement.
Act 2 – The Conflict:
- Malik begins to uncover disturbing truths as he investigates the case. Every lead points to a bigger conspiracy involving police officers, city officials, and even his own client.
- He becomes increasingly conflicted about continuing the case as he starts to question Dom’s true motives.
- Meanwhile, Giselle Marshall, the district attorney prosecuting the case, is charismatic and firm, seemingly committed to justice. However, Malik begins to suspect that she’s not who she appears to be.
Rising Action:
Malik gets caught in the middle of a bloody shootout between Dom's mafia and a rival gang. He barely escapes but realizes how deep the danger goes.
Act 3 – The Climax (Courtroom Showdown and Execution Plan):
Courtroom Drama: The trial becomes a media spectacle. Malik’s defense strategy is unconventional, forcing introspection about what it means to defend criminals in a broken system.
Midway through the courtroom debate, a key piece of evidence reveals a second antagonist—Giselle Marshall—who has been orchestrating events from behind the scenes. She’s been manipulating the legal system to protect certain figures while quietly consolidating her own power.
Plot Twist (Execution of the 2nd Antagonist Reveal):
- Giselle, once revealed, tries to frame Malik for the orchestrated hits. However, her plan unravels in the climax when Malik cleverly reveals the truth through a risky gambit in the courtroom.
- The revelation throws the courtroom into chaos.
Shootout:
Outside the courtroom, tensions between gangs explode into violence. A well-planned hit targets Malik and Dom. Malik must navigate the chaos while grappling with his own moral conflict.
Planned Execution:
Dom’s mafia plans a grand final move—an execution of their rivals that would cement their power over Atlanta. However, Malik realizes that the hit is a trap, set in motion by Giselle, to eliminate both him and Dom.
Final Resolution:
- Malik, with a final act of courage and dualism, outsmarts both antagonists. He exposes Giselle's corruption but sacrifices something important—his own sense of self—realizing that the "right thing" isn’t always black and white.
- Dom meets a brutal end, trapped by his own philosophy of doing "what needs to be done."
