Graduation film - final project idea

Since the beginning of year 3, I have been keen to incorporate motion graphics and/or title sequences into my graduation project. The ideas for the project have been as follows:

• Title sequence for a Film Noir style short film and a separate ident

A filmmaker that I used to work for is currently making a Film Noir short film and we discussed the idea of me creating the relevant title sequence. I saw benefit in this as it would mean that I had creative control over certain shots filmed on the day and I could request particular shots solely for my title sequence. It would also give me the chance to work on a live brief, work collaboratively and be part of a film to be submitted to festivals.

As this title sequence would be short in duration, I was asked by my tutors to create/submit additional projects that had cohesion to the title sequence. I suggested either a Film Noir ident, or further title sequences for different genres. The Film Noir ident idea was discarded as it was deemed that it would be too similar to the title sequence, and might misrepresent my skills/interests as being too restricted (to one style).

• A 2^nd idea was that of creating 3 title sequences for 3 different genre films.

•     Upon further consideration, I decided that TV channel promos/idents were of great interest to me and would be beneficial to my showreel. I am intrigued by design decisions in relation to brand/channel briefs. My initial idea is to create around 5 idents – all relating to different ‘types’ of TV channels.

Animating to existing audio - I Met the Walrus (2006)

I have recently been discussing my graduation project with my tutors and one option is to enter the RSA Student Design Awards this year. To enter, I would need to animate a one minute audio excerpt from a lecture (provided by RSA). This would actually be somewhat of a challenge, as it takes away the control and timing of a scripted narration. I was concerned that matching imagery to somebody talking so fast would be, perhaps jarring, and actually quite difficult.

Ged showed me an animation related to this area - 'I Met the Walrus'. It is an award winning collaborative film, that animates the conversation/interview between John Lennon and a 14 year old boy in 1969. It is extremely good and flows well. I find it very inspiring, but can definitely see the sheer amount of work that went into it!

Animation style inspiration

I would like to use various media and imagery in my final film. This would provide the dual benefit of being visually interesting whilst giving me the ability to learn a variety of skills and programmes. Below are some pictures that I am using as inspiration during the initial stages of my pre-production.

A History of...

My original idea for my final film was to make a short documentary on the history of zombies. Attached is a video called 'A History of Evil'. I would like to create something similar in terms of the short 'mockumentary' style of filmmaking. I like the humour and way that the animation flows and links between objects and scenes, however, I am keen to use mixed media, colour and a variation of visual styles in my final film.

The Fat Cat - Mole Hill Animation

I found this winner of the Depict 90 Second Film category and really loved the music, style, political undertone and character design. What I find amazing is that it is stop motion using 'etched wax'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTAGUT0v8uo

Music video inspiration

This music video really caught my eye. I love the bold graphics and the mix of live action with animation (both traditionally and also projected on to actors). I am considering a similar process for my final film.

Animation Scriptwriting

I am currently reading Paul Wells's book 'Scriptwriting' which focuses mainly on the genre of Animation. He summarises the 'language' of animation via the categories below - which interestingly, are actually not dissimilar to John Halas's (Animal Farm) musings on the subject in the 1940's:

Metamorphosis - The ability to facilitate change from one form to another without edit.

Condensation - The maximum degree of suggestion in the minimum of imagery.

Anthropomorphism - The imposition of human traits on animals, objects and environments.

Fabrication - The physical and material creation of imaginary figures and spaces.

Penetration - The visualisation of unimaginable psychological/physical/technical 'interiors'.

Symbolic Association - The use of abstract visual signs and their related meanings.

Sound Illusion - The completely artificial construction of a soundtrack to support the intrinsic silence of animated forms.