You Are Here: Final Animation

Train Strike

Authors own

This is my 30 second animation that explores the evolution of the name of the street that we today call Cannon Street. It is a visual piece, with no narrative, just experimentation of transitions, sound, insinuated actions and style. 

I find the most successful components of this animation to be the switch between two styles to give the viewer some indication of the environment they are being introduced to. Also, the insinuation of movement in the arches that pass the flame as it flickers out to make way for the incoming train. I do wish I could have done more with the sound, creating a mix that explored all of the interesting audible recordings I made. I also feel as though the flame could have been developed more, but because of my very basic knowledge of After Effects I was not able to create anything more elaborate in the time I had to complete this project. For future projects, I will make sure I put some time aside to explore software I haven't tried out yet that may come in handy in the production stage. 

You Are Here: Storyboard Development

Storyboard development (left) and visual research (right)

Authors own

Through developing my storyboard I was able to concentrate on what was to be visually important within my final animation. I want it to run smoothly against the eyes, so therefore I concerned myself with clever transitions and subtle changes that insinuate things rather that embodied them. I was working with the name of the old street 'candlewick', packing the storyboard full of visual puns. Half way through making the storyboard, I came up with the idea of creating the first half, where we are leaving Candlewick Street, by hand, giving it an antique feel to reflect its historical nature. Therefore, the second half would look much more digital and modern, using simple aesthetics or perhaps even photographic collage.

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' Project

Photos of my surroundings on a walk along the Thames, in Greenwich

Authors own

Screen shot of Ed Barrnett's Man Up 

 Screen shot of Sally Arthur's A to Z 

The aim of this project is to produce a 30 second animation that says something about a certain area within London. This area was picked randomly, using a map, a pin and blindfold. I was blindfolded and asked to place the pin anywhere on the map after being spun round multiple times. My pinned area was Cannon Street.

In preparation for this project we watched a few short animations based on the notion of the city. They all had a very strong sense of style and something different to communicate about the city. Man Up looked into the life of a builder working on a crane, it was highly comical, but ending in tragedy. A to Z looked into the busy life of woman that lived in the city and her habit of collecting and gathering. These short films opened my eyes to the possible avenues I could go down, but also urged me to think more outside the box and concern myself with ideas that have not yet been explored.
I also went on a drawing trip around Greenwich and made some interesting sketches, took photos and wrote down thoughts, feelings etc. This was a great way to practice gathering primary research and try out a new way of work (being on the move). This experience will make my first visit to Cannon Street a lot more productive.