FMP: Dream structure and Perspective

Explanation of the process leading a lucid dream from my sketch book

Consideration of the viewers perspective in sketch book

Photos are authors own

In order to get the information I had gathered through research into the psychology of dreams, video blogs by lucid dreamers and the interviews I conducted, I created a flow chart of events that proceed the state of lucid dreaming. Whilst drawing this out I began to wander what it is that I am actually communicating to the viewer. Am I creating an informative piece about the process of achieving lucidity? Am I focusing on the lucid experience? Am I showing a struggle to obtain lucidity? Do I even want to include the idea of lucidity? Maybe, that almost magical feeling of being in a situation that you can't control, yet it is stimulating enough to create excitement within you, that an unconscious dream gives you is a form of escapism. 

During one of my interviews the interviewee said that when they had a particular dream, their perspective changed. I found this to be really strange. So it caused me to think about how I want the view to be experiencing the animation. I will start to experiment more with perspective.

FMP: Observational Drawing

Observational sketches, modified to look more psychedelic

Authors own

The act of observational drawing allowed me to move away for collecting loads of information for a while and just become a little more hands on and fluid with my research. Experimenting with the visual side of my concept and creating nonsensical ideas inspired by my research into Dadaism. If I were to improve anything about the drawings I produced (something I will keep in mind for future observational drawing I will do for this project) I would have liked to included different layers, building on the psychedelic quality of the images.

You Are Here: Storyboarding

Storyboarding my ideas

Photo is authors own

1) Objects in the underground that are attached to the walls come alive and are calling out for help.

2) A visual idea, without narrative, that responds to the secondary research I did on Cannon Street and plays with the idea of the trains candle-like glow as it travels through the tunnel. The area used to be called Candlewick Street.

3) Playing with scale. The aspects of the space that I noticed the most are enlarged e.g. a huge pigeon stands next to a small man.

4) They are watching. This idea was based on the amount of CCTV equipment/cameras I saw situated in the station, together with one abandoned glove. The cameras come alive and create a mega robot that controls the people within the station.

It was relieving to finally come up with a few storyboarded ideas as there was so much information to work with. I find myself most drawn to the second idea, as I feel it will be interesting to work on a non-narrative piece and explore visual metaphors. However, I don't know how well received it would be by an audience, because effectively it is an educational piece on the history of the area. Moving forward with this idea I will return to the station and record more videos and sound, which could potentially be used in the final piece.

You Are Here: Visiting Cannon Street Station

Photos I took whilst at Cannon Street

Sketches and recordings made at Cannon Street Station

All photos are authors own

Going to Cannon Street and taking time to get in touch with the area, study it, delving into its finest details was a really fascinating experience and it provoked many potential ideas. I found this way of working to be really successful in generating ideas. A great way to become inspired. As I sat just watching, listening and experiencing the ambiance my brain was already working up potential narratives. It was also a really good opportunity just to do some drawing and study mundane life. However, I did find the whole experience rather exhausting and I barely left the station as I wanted to explore it before going out on the street. Although, I think it would be quite interesting just to concentrate on the station. More specifically, the underground.

You Are Here: Drawing Trip Around Greenwich

Examples of drawings I did on the trip around Greenwich

These are literally just scribbles, but that document some interesting stages of the trip. Relating back to strange social encounters, pleasant emotions and narrative ideas.

Freedom & Liberty: Storyboard Ideas

Storyboarding 2 ideas

Authors own

The process of storyboarding my ideas was quite challenging, as I had a lot of places I wanted to take them.  I feel I produced some successful ideas due to the responses I received when pitching to a group of my peers.  However, I went with my first storyboard idea, as it had the most potential.  What I think works well about the idea is its potential to engage with the viewer causing them to empathise with the character and its struggle to control its own freedoms.

The narrative follows the journey of a non-gender, non-racial character as they attempt to make their way from A to B.  However, throughout this journey they are burdened by the presence of a gigantic, controlling hand.  This hand pokes and pulls at them to the extent of them snapping and fighting back.  When reviewing the story I can see that the extremity of the hands behaviour needs to be intensified in order for the audience to have an emotional response and for the characters resulting reactions towards the hand to be justified.   

Freedom & Liberty: Research and Concept

Research into Freedom & Liberty, including definitions (authors own)

Screen shot of freedom (google search)

Olympics: Black Power Salute (right to left: John Carlos, Tommie Smith and Peter Norman)

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/30/black-power-salute-1968-olympics

For this project I aim to make a short animated piece that communicates something about Freedom and Liberty, and what it means to me. I started my research, looking into dictionary definitions of the terms and then diversified my sources onto the world wide web and that of other peoples opinions on the matter. I then watched documentaries and films such as, The Naked Rambler, that explores others opinions on what freedom is, in this case to be publicly nude without being antagonised. I also watched the films, The Truman Show and Bruce Almighty (both staring Jim Carey). I found something very interesting being said in Bruce Almighty, which was about the idea of playing God and the limits to that power. We as humans all have free will, we make our own decisions and choose our own paths. This can be manipulated by those around us, but ultimately it is our choice (unless you believe in destiny). However, in animation an animator has the job of playing God and the poor character has absolutely no free will. In continuing this project I will work with the concept of free will.

I then looked into historical revolutions, such as the black power movement and freedom fighters. I found it to be rich in potential visual metaphors. The black panther could be a great visual metaphor for me to play with, as well as the salute (seen above) . Oppressed, black people were almost completely without freedom, but the Black Panther movement was them using their free will to make a difference. Just like them, I want my character to fight back.

Metamorphosis: Primary Research

Authors own photos

These are some observational sketches I made whilst on a trip to Brighton. These drawings where the basis of my primary research for the project 'Metamorphosis'. I found it to be a really relaxing exercise and some aspects of the drawings turned out well e.g. perspective, although it was really hard to capture. It also got me thinking about framing scenes and what was necessary to include/capture in an image. I asked myself, what is interesting about this setup? Why does it catch my eye? How should I frame it? What materials should I use to record it? What is essential to keep its appeal alive in 2D form? These questions could then be translated into my idea development and final animation.

Whilst at Brighton I also collected some items such as leaflets and pebbles from the beach to trigger further ideas.

I then displayed my findings on an A1 sheet, which helped me organise my ideas and develop on them. A helpful exercise, which I will surely use again. I also displayed examples of other artists work that have played with the idea of Metamorphosis, such as Jan Švankmajer (of course), Salvador Dalí, the Quay brothers and Stefan Pazcowsky.  

Graphics: Ear

I then drew my friends ear in graphite and charcoal. I think it came out quite well, considering the short amount of time allocated to draw it. However, it is lack some detail e.g. the upper piercing.

3DD: Idea Generation Exercise

This quick exercise proved to be a handy way of producing innovative ideas, fast. It required making random marks/drawings, then changing then into something e.g. draw your favourite fruit, then turn it into a rabbit hutch. These images are the outcome of this exercise.
It proved to be great preparation for the task I were to do in the 3DD pathway, allowing me to think more about idea rather than practicality.

Experimenting with frames: 3

This frame has a darker feel to it. Perhaps this is due to ghostly marks inhabiting most of the space, with a dark section of the tree stump creeping in from the left.

Experimenting with frames: 1

This exercise of cutting out and framing parts of the original image was used for me to try and create different moods and narratives from the same image. Here emphasis is placed on the base of the stump.

Drawing of memory photo

This is an unfinished drawing I done of the previous image I posted. I drew this to bring my attention the details in the photo that I initially missed.