Monday 20 February 2017

Adaptation (B) | Concept Art (Continued)


Maya Tutorial | UV Layout (So Far)


I have now begun to layout the UV's for my 'Jones' character and have run into a number of problems when trying to unfold both the straps of the head and the torso, I'm going to bring my model in and ask Alan or Simon for some assistance as I cannot seem to get any further.

Critical Perspectives | Dissertation Proposal OGR

Thursday 16 February 2017

Adaptation (B) | Initial Projection Map Test

Here is an initial test of the projection technique I plan on using when creating my adaptation project, I feel like this method will work well in my proposed idea as I will be able to freely move the video footage across the geometry of my models...
 

Adaptation (B) | Influence And Inspiration | Project Furthered


After beginning the concept art stage of my project and a chat with Alan, I've decided to revisit some of the music videos that have inspired me to follow this path within my adaptation project and what it is within each one that appeals to me.

(Some of these videos contain explicit language)
          
The areas of this video that appeal to me exist within the shots revolving around the female character, I love how the director has managed to depict a feeling of loneliness and seclusion with no dialogue from the actress or real context from the music.


          
 This video has inspired me through its use of location, I like the fact that the entirety of the film exists on a single road, potentially working as a metaphor for the song. This is something I really want to achieve this within my work because of the themes of the song, the idea of having to much choice and no one to turn to lends itself to taking place in area that promotes the notion of choosing something or a path, potentially a crossroads or an alley? possibly even a woodland area because of the different paths available.


         
Within this video the area that is having an influence on my work is the 2D animation composed over the top of the footage, little details like that are adding so much to this video and help to not only deliver the theme of the song but also just make the video much more appealing.

The song within this link is serving as a huge source of inspiration to me because of the use of video overlay, this technique is something that I really want to achieve within my film as I feel as if the combination of 3D modeling and live footage could create an effect that appeals to audiences.

This concept art which I have created is beginning to show the technique and style that I want to run through my film, I'm considering just modeling the two hands and animating a sequence of them performing in a manner that suggests a level of frustration (a key theme within my chosen song, actions such as nail picking and fist clenching would definitely feature in the performance. This animation paired with an edited piece of live footage video projected over the top of the model could help create a unique film. 

I would fit the animated performance and the live footage video to the beats of the song and ensure that the intensity levels of the two increased as the song suggests.  

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Adaptation (B) | Concept Art (Continued)


As I move forward with creating the concept art for my adaptation  film I want to start creating designs with the projection mapping process in mind, forming images with more of an objective of being shaped around a 3D model, whilst still using the lyrics from the song and the themes of the piece in mind.

"Half is pain, half is midnight..."


"Sudden fear and firelight..."


Tuesday 14 February 2017

Adaptation (B) | Idea Development | Concept Art

             
 https://youtu.be/Ga48XKYjFLM
 (Video created by COMPLEKS.)


This video by COMPLEKS. is a strong depiction of the kind of work I want to create for my adaptation (B) project, a mixture of these simple animation techniques and some photography that can be accompanied to the song 'She' by 'The Machiavellis'.


            


After speaking to the vocalist and song writer of the band about the themes of the song and the story behind the lyrics I found that the song tells the story of a band member and his struggle deciding what degree to choose and his trouble with communicating these feelings to his girlfriend.

I also asked about the live performance of the song and the levels of aggression the band show whilst performing this specific song, something that will help me now I'm going to start creating concept art and images for what I want the film to be.

The images below are original concept art of mine created from just singular lyrics and the meaning behind them according to the band themselves, I feel like this is going to be an effective way of beginning my pre production stage as I'll quickly gather enough images to form the basis of a film and can then focus on their transitions later within maya.


"I heard you're dying..."

"I could see you wanted something, but I couldn't figure out the truth..."


"Shes not leaving till you give her what she wants..."



Sita Sings The Blues | India | Film Review


Sita Sings The Blues is an animated feature that received a global release in 2008, amongst copyright issues and other licensing problems the film had its fair share of drama whilst initially being delivered to audiences across the world. The film is written and directed by Nina Paley, a creative who has worked in the majority of areas that are present in the film making pipeline, and tells the ancient story that derives from the Ramayana, a tale that is extremely well known across India.

Fig 1: Movie Poster, Sita Sings The Blues

India as a filmmaking country obviously has large ties to the Bollywood industry, an area of film that tends to have its own tropes and traditions when it comes to telling stories. Bollywood as film movement is extremely focused on depicting events and tales through the medium of dance and big performances, something that Sita Sings The Blues certainly also holds close to its core values, meaning that many events throughout the film are first described and then performed in a more dramatic manner via the characters of the story.

As a creative mind, Nina Paley has worked in a number of different areas of film and other methods of storytelling, not only writing and directing Sita Sings The Blues but also animating the entire production herself, an accolade that not many other filmmakers can boast. It seems that the fact that this film is an almost independently run production has had an effect on its visual style  
also, as the film itself flips through a number of different animation styles, possibly due to the fact that Paley was conscious of producing an outcome that was solely formed in one persons mind, resulting in a film that attempts to please a number of different audiences in fear of being too self indulgent.

Fig 2: Screenshot, Sita Sings The Blues

The story itself revolves around Sita and her prince husband Rama, as he is exiled from his royal home and forced into the wilderness with his partner. After a short time living together amongst nature, Sita is captured and held hostage, meaning that Rama must become a hero and rescue his dearest. After the rescue of Sita, Rama soon begins to have doubts as his wife has fallen pregnant and he is unsure of the heritage of the child, after his doubt grows too strong he banishes his pregnant wife to the forest whilst expecting a child. After Sita has given birth to her children Rama discovers his children in the forest with their mother, however Sita demands another trial and the personification of mother nature takes her soul, leaving Rama wishing he hadn't been so cruel. It seems that the entire film actually exists to educate an audience, as not many viewers outside of India may be aware of the ancient tale, something that not many films take into account during production, possibly becoming a factor in the films almighty positive reception.

Fig 3: Screenshot, Sita Sings The Blues

The film is noticeably of Indian heritage and prides itself on it, the colours are extremely bold throughout the entire tale and the designs resemble a style and distinct aesthetic that audiences will instantly connect to its Indian background. Something that also helps make this film what it is resides inside the narration that runs through the entire story, as Indian voice actors discuss the different adaptations and versions of the story that they're explaining, giving the film an element of humor and familiarity that has helped audiences appreciate that remotely foreign story.

What Paley has managed to create in this solo voyage is something that audiences not only understand, but hold a dear level of appreciation for, a story that viewers all over the world can invest in and enjoy despite the fact that it could of concluded in an extremely foreign pulse. Sita Sings The Blues is an extremely charming tale told through a number of different animation techniques and styles, resulting in a film that can be adored for years to come, whilst simultaneously educating a variety of audiences. 


Illustration

Fig 1: Movie Poster, Sita Sings The Blues, https://www.amazon.com/Sita-Sings-Blues-Annette-Hanshaw/dp/B002G50002, Accessed on: 14.02.17

Fig 2: Screenshot, Sita Sings The Blues, http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/watch.html, Accessed on: 14.02.17

Fig 3: Screenshot, Sita Sings The Blues, http://www.shadowdistribution.com/sita-sings-the-blues/, Accessed on: 14.02.17 

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Mudbox | Modelling Activity | Puffer Fish

 
In todays Mudbox class we were given the opportunity to model anything we wanted in Maya and then send it over to Mudbox to continue sculpting on a more detailed level, here is my Puffer Fish...
 

Thursday 2 February 2017

Maya Class | Animating From Reference

Here is a small playblast of my animation created from a reference video, so far only featuring the extreme poses...
 

Adaptation (B) | Music Choice | The Machiavellis - Groovy Jeans


whilst searching for a piece of music to use within my adaptation project I approached the band 'The Machiavellis' to see if they would allow me to use one of their songs within my work. Kindly, they said yes and I chose their track 'Groovy Jeans'.

              

I think that this piece of music will lend itself nicely to being adapted into the kind of live backdrop projection that I plan on creating as a lot of the guitar and vocal parts are very effect driven, meaning that the overall sound feels fairly visible already.