Major Project Proposal
Though I'm never quite sure what I want to do, its not for lack of
ideas, I am constantly thinking of ideas for my big projects, this
semesters project, and even next years I have been thinking about
from the bigginning of the year. From the outset narrative was my
directive along with animation, so most of my ideas revolve around
narratives for animation. With my short stints of experience with
animation and modeling from first semester, I realised what a process
it is and knew I needed to keep the animation side of things limited
especially when wanting to work with highly detailed and textured
models.
Also my focussing on purely animation has let me down in terms my
research and understanding of art and creating something that can be
seen as such. When thinking about this project, Ive chosen a subject
and thought how I might revolve a narrative around that. I have done
research into my chosen subject and will continue to do so throughout
my project.
Subject
Anyway as for this actual project and its subject, what I
propose is a look at narrative structure and at fear and the Sublime,
a narrative looking at the human dynamic when fear is brought
into play. Cause and effect, looking at fear or the fear of the
unknown, portrayed through the characters onto the vewiers. A
Science fiction narrative is the direction I have chosen to take it.
This will be promonent in terms of the idea/plot yet also minimal as
a lot of my ideas so far are based on what isnt seen or is happening
offscreen. I want to look into fear and its relationship with the
sublime. Through some research I came across a podcast from
'Scientific American' titled 'Fear makes art more engaing'. In this
podcast Christie Nicholson talks about fear and its relation to art
and the sublime referencing the philosopher Emmanuel Kant and his
idea that “art becomes more sublime when beauty mixes with terror”.
This here is something I would love to achieve, to create a contrast
that can make for a more engaging work.1
while also creating an intrigueing narrative.
Approach and Context
A very basic summary of my initial narrative plot would be something
along the lines of two people (a couple) going on a trip into the
wilderness/middle of nowhere where they would be forced to confront
scary things.
A couple I think would be good as I would be able to explore
relationship dynamics and the changes certain situations might cause.
The way I would film it would be on rather a personal/ intimate level
looking at the active character and the passive character (the
subject and the object) with a possible reversal over time.
My reason for taking this to the middle of nowhere is that the
landscape will provide ample opprtunity to portray the sublime while
its sense of emptyness and isolation will help enforce a sense of
fear. It also makes sense as somewhere a couple might go to escape.
(an adventurous romantic getaway) My location idea for this
wilderness would be Middlemarch (Strath Taieri) as this is a place I
should be able to access, I know well and can already think of
perfect places to shoot.
The scary thing/s are subject to change, but at this point time my
scary thing will be where I use CG for portray a humanoid alien
creature thing. As I said the amount of CG would have to be limited
and im not entirely sure what I will be able to achieve in the time I
have.
In Terms of the actual plotline and possible twists, those will all
be refined to a final script or whatever throughout the project. The
final outcome will depend on a lot of things, this will definitely be
a learning experience manging all the production aspects while also
making time for al my other art school projects.
Influences
In terms of influences, Im not going to
lie, most of my influences are films out of modern cinema. But seeing
some of the early works of David lynch such as 'the Grandmother' and
'Eraserhead' which we watched last year, and also Alison Mclean's
'Kitchen Sink' which I have recently rewatched, has pushed me in a
darker direction than I usually might go. While I dont intend to take
my work anywhere near as surreal or grotesque as these films are, I
do intend to use them as incentive to explore new (darker) territory,
while still maintaining my preferred modern feel. And there is
obviously a lot more research to do.
Medium, Method, Processes and
Tools
As already mentioned, my project will
be a video project. This video will consist of digital footage shot
on a DSLR and composited CG animation.
In terms of shooting, I sort of want
to mix the documentary/'found footage' technique with other more
cinematic or tradtional shots.
My prefered camera would be the art
schools Canon 60D as Ive had experience with this camera before and
its flipable screen would definitely come in handy. To shoot with it,
I will probably use a range of equipment and methods, handheld,
tripod, the small track, the shoulder rig or possibly the steady cam
(if its not too bulky to carry around).
When it comes to the animation I will
be using Autodesk software such as Mudbox (for sculpting and painting
and Maya for animation, lighting and rendering. For editing video and
compositing the CG elements I will be using Adobe software such as
Premiere, Aftereffects and Photoshop.
Schedule or Timeline:
The first couple
of weeks I will spend conceptualising the final project, its look,
the storyline, and dialouge. This process will include storyboarding
and scripting. I will also take this time to produce my own concept
art for the project and the look of the creatures.
From there I will
begin my work on the development of my CG charater/creature. Using my
concept art as a guideline, I will begin sculpting my character using
mudbox, with the help of my recently bought advancment in graphics, I
will attempt to bring a level of detail and realism that I have not
yet attempted. Therefore this could take a lot of time in which I
will gladly invest as this is the part that I enjoy most; the
sculpting and painting of my 3d models.
The shooting
itself will probably have to take place in the mid semester holidays
as that will give enough time to final a storyboard and plan each
shot, but most importantly for the weather to clear up as some places
are too dangerous to access during the colder season.
As soon as
shooting is finished, compositing will be then next challenge as this
is a process I have not attempted before but have found tutorials
that show me what to do.
Compositing and
editing will be working side by side until the project is finished.
1Christie
Nicholson, “Fear Makes Art More Engaging,” Scientific American,
http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=fear-makes-art-more-engaging-12-09-12
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