Kensuke’s Kingdom
- Arts
- Charity
- Education
Overview
The film Kensuke’s Kingdom is a stunning animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s classic novel, directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, with a screenplay by Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and featuring the voices of Sally Hawkins, Cillian Murphy, Raffey Cassidy, Aaron MacGregor and Ken Watanabe. Limegreentangerine created the official movie website in collaboration with multi-award winning Film and TV Production Company Lupus Films, Ffilm Cymru Wales, and Into Film – the UK’s leading film education charity.
The website serves as the official online portal for the animated adaptation providing a detailed and engaging experience for visitors, offering information about the film, its production, and its narrative in an immersive way that captures the essence of the film's adventurous and heartfelt narrative. A simple website for all to enjoy regardless of age or technical ability.
Background
Kensuke’s Kingdom tells the epic adventure of young Michael, shipwrecked on a remote island, who must adapt to life alone. Over time, he feels another presence, learning that this world is home to both unimaginable danger and beauty.
Architecture
Defining master templates
Armed with a library of beautiful stills from the film we developed a series of simple templates that seamlessly combine the contents of the page with scenic backdrops. To avoid cropping important elements of the illustrations the responsive templates pull in different versions of the same images choosing the best ratios for the users viewport across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
With so many images on offer the most difficult task was choosing which illustrations to use. Introducing a menu system that features different backgrounds across each page enabled us to include several other images.
Content
Less is more
Stunning illustrations presented in a clean layout makes navigation intuitive, ensuring that visitors can easily access different sections of the website, such as the story synopsis, cast and crew details, and media gallery. The colour palette, reminiscent of oceanic and natural hues, aligns with the film's maritime setting, enhancing the thematic coherence of the website. Subtle page and block transitions are used to enhance the experience.
Maintaining the integrity of the animation was paramount to the production team so we were restricted with what we could animate. The solution was subtlety. The homepage greets visitors with a stunning visual from the film, setting the tone for the journey they are about to embark on. Look closer and you will see our lead character breathing, trees swaying and birds fluttering by in the distance.
Fun and factual
The "Cast & Crew" section offers insights into the talented individuals behind the film. It includes profiles of the voice actors, animators, directors, and other key contributors. This section not only acknowledges the hard work of the film's creators but also provides an appreciation of the collaborative effort involved in bringing the story to life.
The "Media" section includes trailers, clips, and a gallery of images from the film enabling visitors to get a taste of the film's animation style and emotional depth. The trailers are particularly effective in conveying the tone and visual beauty of the film, potentially drawing in viewers who may not be familiar with the original novel.
Purpose
Combining education with promotion
The website also serves an educational purpose, with resources available for teachers and students. This includes discussion guides and lesson plans that explore the themes of the story, such as friendship, survival, and environmental conservation. These resources make the website a valuable tool for educators looking to incorporate the film into their curriculum, offering a platform for deeper engagement with the story's messages.
Conclusion
Encapsulating a spirit
Kensukeskingdom.com offers a rich array of content that appeals to a diverse audience, from fans of the book and movie enthusiasts to educators and students. Through its engaging design, informative content, and interactive features, the website not only serves as a promotional tool but also as a space for community and education. It encapsulates the spirit of the story, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the world of Kensuke's Kingdom.
Limegreentangerine have been a delight to work with. The team brought creativity and sensitivity to the job, delivering a stunning site that effectively invites young people to engage with the themes and showcases the artwork from the film.
