Monday 31 October 2011

Influence Map for the Tower Design in 'The House on the Borderland'


This influence map is simply for the construction of the 'stupendous structure' in 'The House on the Borderland'. The structure is "at a distance of several miles and occupying the centre of the arena, a stupendous structure built apparently of green jade". The first thing that creeped into my head when I thought of large ancient structures was the Tower of Babel. The reflectivity and crystalline construction of the green jade has led to me looking at the buildings at the French amusement park, Futuroscope, the planet of Midnight from Doctor Who, a planet made of diamonds and sapphires, the crystalline palace Dr. Manhattan creates on Mars in Watchmen and conceptual skyscraper designs. The narrator also states that "in no particular, save in colour and it's enormous size, did the lonely structure vary from the house in which I live". Taking influence from earlier descriptions of the narrator's house ("This house, how ancient it is! though its age strikes one less, perhaps, than the quaintness of its structure, which is curious and fantastic to the last degree. Little curved towers and pinnacles, with outlines suggestive of leaping flames, predominate; while the body of the building is in the form of a circle."), I've looked a structures similar, and I aim to incorporate the similar structural elements in the design of the structure.

A Few More Thumbnails

















Trying out composition and lending somewhat of a personality to the house in 'The Shunned House'












Similar composition as above, using silhouettes of the characters in the foreground to evoke a feeling of adventure and to frame the house for a more impressive presentation














Trying out compositions for the interior, such as descending the stairs into the basement, with the phosphorant light from the fungi pouring under the door. Also playing around with foreground elements in the exterior, using fences etc to draw the viewer in.













Some more ideas for 'The Shunned House' as well as a corridor idea for 'The Masque of the Red Death'. The walls are set deliberately askew in the Georgian palace in order to reflect the Prince's love of the bizarre.















Yet again, more thoughts on the exterior composition for 'The Shunned House'





Ideas for the loose style of the 'stupendous structure built apparently from green jade' from 'The House on the Borderland'. In the story, the structure is near enough identical to the house of the narrator, but from an aesthetic perspective, this seems somewhat silly. I've instead taken elements from the narrator's home (taken from a loose description early on in the book, "This house, how ancient it is! though its age strikes one less, perhaps, than the quaintness of its structure, which is curious and fantastic to the last degree. Little curved towers and pinnacles, with outlines suggestive of leaping flames, predominate; while the body of the building is in the form of a circle") and applied them to a more grand, spectacular construction, to reflect the awe-inspiring location in which it resides.

Sunday 30 October 2011

Structure Influence Map for 'The Shunned House'


This is an influence map for the exterior appearance of the titular house in 'The Shunned House'. I've gathered images of elements mentioned within the text,

"broken fanlight, rotting ionic pilasters and wormy triangular pilament"


The building is of a similar construction to an Eighteenth century farmhouse, with various Georgian stylistic elements. The Georgian elements could also be translated to the design of the palace in 'The Masque of the Red Death', being set in a similar period. I've also put together some loose colour swatches, dabbing a bit of colour here and there just to see how they behave together, as well as setting the uneasy, gloomy tone and aesthetic of the story (quite halloween-y, but hopefully that will shift and change as the image takes shape.)

Thursday 27 October 2011

Thumbnail Sketches of Initial Ideas

These are the immediate ideas that formed upon a simple reading of the source texts. I've included the mind maps for 'The Shunned House' and 'The House on the Borderland', as well as basic sketches for a typical shot composition for all three source texts, generally following the rule of thirds (studying photography for five years has come in useful after all!)
These are very basic ideas and I like to think my final images will be but an echo of these layouts, although I am quite fond of my corridor layout for 'The Masque of the Red Death' and the gloomy close-up of 'The Shunned House'.

 






















Shot Compositions for 'The Shunned House'















Shot Compositions for 'The House on the Borderland'













Rough Idea of the Presentation of 'The Shunned House' (showing the exposed cellar and general degradation)














Corridor Ideas for 'The Masque of the Red Death' (following the unusual layout of doors put forward in the source text)

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Initial Influence Map for 'The Shunned House'


This is the initial influence map for 'The Shunned House'. Going by the description in the excerpt, I've put together a few images of dilapidated Georgian-period houses, as well as elements of building degradation and the actual inspiration for the titular house.
Its an obvious place to start, but its early days (although I know how fast crit day will come!) and my ideas will (hopefully) take a more creative and adventurous turn soon enough.

Perspective Exercises


The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Film Review

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) Film Review

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Unit Two- Space

I'm awfully excited to get properly started on this unit, especially now that I know what stories I'll be working with. I've been assigned folder thirteen, consisting of three short stories, all of which are themed around delightfully creepy buildings. Poe, Lovecraft and Hodgson are iconic literary marvels, telling stories of gothic horror, science fiction and fantasy, and I couldn't have asked for better stories to work with.

The Shunned House- H.P. Lovecraft
This is the story of an old, abandoned house, riddled with mysterious quirks and a deadly secret lurking in the dilapidated cellar...















The real life inspiration for 'The Shunned House', found at 135 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island

The House on the Borderland- William Hope Hodgson
The journal of the previous inhabitant of a now ruined house reveal the warped happenings occurring in the days leading up to the houses destruction.

The Masque of the Red Death- Edgar Allan Poe
A flamboyant Prince and his one thousand followers seek refuge from the horrifying plague known only as the 'Red Death' within the walls of the Prince's ostentatious and luxurious abbey, only to find that they are not as safe as once thought.

Thursday 20 October 2011

Crit Presentation 21/10/11

Crit Presentation 21/10/11

Old, Long Forgotten (Terrible) Face/Head Studies






Remaining Thumbnail Sketches














Creative Partnership

Creative Partnership

Submission Disk


Final Painting

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Revised Design Progress Update

Not a massive amount added since yesterday, but it is all starting to come together. Debating whether a moderately elaborate backdrop would be suitable, a bit concerned that it may just be a distraction or pull the figure back into the scenery. I started to add small elements of "disease", notably on the knee of the left leg, and the facial tendrils (although I may remove these). Also need to rectify those 'anime eyes' (or eye, in this case), as it is just annoying me, really.

In any case, feedback would be great. What should I add, take away or elaborate on? What about the backdrop?

Monday 17 October 2011

Revised Design Progress

It's got a long way to go yet, but its definitely an improvement on the last draft I uploaded. This is a slightly more dynamic update on the previous design, but I still need to tweak bits and pieces of it, those will become apparent when I flesh it out a bit more over the next couple of days.

@Phil- Written Assignment So Far

I've decided to upload about two thirds of my written assignment simply so that you could let me know if I'm on the right track. Could you please have a quick look to see where I could make changes etc, as I'm a little worried its sounding a bit too much like a review. I have identified the relevance of isolation in each of the films, but still... I'm a bit lost.
Thank you!


            Introduction
            This essay discusses animal-to-human metamorphosis in film, with particular regard to the ways in which therianthropy is used to communicate and investigate the theme of social isolation. Films under discussion are John Cocteau’s La Belle et La Bete (1946), Kurt Neumann’s The Fly (1958), Sam Raimi’s Spiderman 3 (2007) and Mary Hannon’s American Psycho (2000).
Research sources include Sigmund Freud’s The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, being used to analyse the psychological effects of the transformation on everyday existence, Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, as well as the 2000 film adaptation by Mary Hannon, acting as an example of a psychological transformation in society and the above films The Fly, La Belle et La Bete and Spiderman 3, for their themes regarding transformation on an emotional level.
            The discussion begins by comparing the symbolic use of metamorphosis in La Belle et La Bete and The Fly, before examining the associated idea of the Symbiote in the Spider-Man universe, reinforcing ideas surrounding social isolation found in American Psycho. In conclusion, the assignment will seek to address the psychological and emotional repercussions that come as a result of metamorphosis.

            Main Essay
Breaking the Films Down       
            The idea of ‘the outcast’ is a staple theme that appears to ride in tandem with themes of metamorphosis and transformation, being displayed liberally in films such as Jean Cocteau’s La Belle et La Bete (1946) and Kurt Neumann’s The Fly (1958).
            In La Belle et La Bete, the Beast is initially seen as a being a creature to be feared. This is brought on by not only his grotesque appearance, but also his stern, dismissive attitude towards those he would consider have wronged him.

            “You steal my roses. You steal my roses, the things I love most in all the world”

It could be argued that his isolation from the rest of society was not necessarily the result of his appearance, but more for his general distaste for the company of others, as demonstrated in the quote above. Conversely, his personality traits may be the result of a lack of social interaction, with isolation from society being known to be a catalyst for anxiety, stress, violence and depression (House, 2011).
            Throughout the film, The Beast gradually becomes less of a creature and more of a man in terms of personality, thanks to the interaction he has with Belle. This change would suggest that his personality was more likely to be the result of a form of depression, subsequently serving as a personification of the beast within all of us.
           
            In The Fly, Andre’s isolation is a result of his transformation, but unlike the Beast in La Belle et La Bete, it is his own choice. A choice he has made initially through the hope that one day he will be able to return to his normal, 100% pure human form. Eventually, the instinctive nature of the fly he has been spliced within begins to shine through, erasing whatever human elements remain within.
            Although Andre has deliberately isolated himself from the outside world, the effects of solitary confinement begin to take their toll. Andre becomes increasingly restless and impatient with Helene’s attempts to save him, when he simply wants to be able to leave his laboratory. Carly Frintner addresses this idea, saying,

Prisoners who are isolated for prolonged periods of time have been known to experience “depression, despair, anxiety, rage, claustrophobia, hallucinations, problems with impulse control, and/or an impaired ability to think, concentrate, or remember.”” (Frintner, 2005)
            This frustration could be considered reminiscent of the nature of the fly, particularly the idea of a fly attempting to leave a room through a window. The fly struggles in futility to fly through, getting more and more restless.

            A modern example of therianthropy-induced isolation is the Symbiote from the Spider-Man universe. The Symbiote is a creature that takes an individual as a host and subsequently alters the host’s physical and emotional attributes. In the 2007 film, Spiderman 3, directed by Sam Raimi, the Symbiote initially provides the host with somewhat of a confidence boost. In this case, the host Peter Parker has an emotional metamorphosis, shifting his typical personality traits from shy and reclusive to wildly confident and outgoing. The Symbiote appears to amplify the supressed characteristics that the host would normally keep from displaying.

“This suit, where'd this come from? The power, feels good... But you lose yourself to it…”
           
These characteristics, at first, make the character more socially active, moving away from the isolation theme. Although, it is the repercussions of these actions which knock the host back to a state of social isolation. An example would be the scene where Peter Parker dances in a jazz club in order to impress Mary Jane and, in theory, win her back. Parker is at the peak of his confidence as he displays his talents to the various club-goers. His effects on the crowd are destroyed as, in the midst of a fight, he forcefully shoves Mary Jane away. All respect that he had momentarily established is blown away in an instant, dropping him back where he began.
           
            The idea of a psychological transformation is also present in the Bret Easton Ellis novel, American Psycho, as well as the 2000 film adaptation directed by Mary Hannon. In American Psycho, the character Patrick Bateman is a Wall Street executive moonlighting as a psychopath. Unlike the previously mentioned films, Bateman does not physically transform from a human into a beast, but psychologically he is as much of a beast as any other.
           
“I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust.”
            In terms of social isolation, Bateman is forced into human interaction due to his career, meaning in order to indulge in his sadistic hobby, he must force isolation upon himself. This feeling of intended isolation is present throughout the film adaptation, particularly in Bateman’s apartment. Everything is stark, cold and clean, a personal prison, of sorts.
           


Saturday 15 October 2011

@Phil Revised Essay Introduction (Third Time Lucky!)

Hi Phil. I've updated my introduction using your last comment as a basis. Please tell me what you think and where I've gone wrong (and I just know I have somewhere, somehow! :))


                  This essay discusses animal-to-human metamorphosis in film, with particular regard to the ways in which therianthropy is used to communicate and investigate the theme of social isolation. Films under discussion are John Cocteau’s La Belle et La Bete (1946), Kurt Neumann’s The Fly (1958), and Sam Raimi’s Spiderman 3 (2007).
Research sources include Sigmund Freud’s The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, being used to analyse the psychological effects of the transformation on everyday existence, Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, as well as the 2000 film adaptation by Mary Hannon, acting as an example of a psychological transformation in society and the above films The Fly, La Belle et La Bete and Spiderman 3, for their themes regarding transformation on an emotional level.
The discussion begins by comparing the symbolic use of metamorphosis in La Belle et La Bete and The Fly, before examining the associated idea of the Symbiote in the Spider-Man universe, reinforcing ideas surrounding social isolation found in American Psycho. In conclusion, the assignment will seek to address the psychological and emotional repercussions that come as a result of metamorphosis.

Bibliography
Films
La Belle et La Bete. (1946) Directed by Jean Cocteau, France: DisCina.

The Fly. (1958) Directed by Kurt Neumann, Los Angeles: Twentieth Century Fox Corporation.

Spider-Man 3. (2007) Directed by Sam Raimi, California: Columbia Pictures.

American Psycho. (2000) Directed by Mary Hannon, Canada: Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation.

Books
Freud, S. (1901) The Psychopathology of Everyday Life. [Online] http://library.isb.edu/digital_collection/Psychopathology_of_everyday_life.pdf: (Accessed on: 15/10/11)

Ellis, Brett Easton. (1991) American Psycho. London: Picador

Intro to Maya: Bottle and Label Shader

This is the resulting image from the Bottle and Label Shader tutorial. Left to render overnight, as it seemed to be drastically more demanding than the previous projects. 
It took longer than usual to complete the tutorial, when I encountered an issue with the layered shader which didn't allow me to apply the glass blinn and the label texture simultaneously. After half an hour of trial and error, Simon and I finally figured out what was wrong and got the label and the glass to appear normally. 
Unfortunately, there is still a problem with the render, as there is no shadow being cast by the glass bottle itself, only the liquid within. I will go back and see what I can do to rectify this when I can.


Friday 14 October 2011

Feet Studies








Black Swan Film Review

Black Swan (2010) Film Review

Intro to Maya: Texturing Part One- Common Materials

Ceramic

Plastic 

 Silver

 Chrome

 Gold

 Glass

 Glow

Glow (Source Hidden)