Adaptation: Song Decisions and Initial Ideas

Song Decisions and Initial Ideas
Since our briefing, I've spent the majority of my time trying to settle on the song I wish to create a video for. I consciously forced myself not to rush into it for the sake of getting things done, but after almost a week, I think I have boiled it down to a couple of tracks I wish to use, with the final song being chosen in favour of the better idea associated with it. Firstly though, I'll go through the short list of songs I have considered along the way, as well as the ideas associated with them.

Song Shortlist

A Number of Tracks from Sea Change Beck
Dismissed for two reasons. One, I couldn't settle on a single track, as they all resonate with me, and two, the majority of the tracks on the album are pushing the five minute mark and ideally I don't want to exceed three and a half minutes at most

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime Beck
This song resonates strongly with me, although I couldn't develop an idea without harking back to thoughts of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, in which this song is featured. 
With Beck, there are a number of songs I would like to adapt into a music video, simply because his trademark lyrical and musical style is deliberately nonsensical. This is appealing to me, as it would stretch my imagination when attempting to interpret the music, but I can't think of a way of doing this without it developing into an abstract mess of nonsense that relates very little to the music (unless of course, I made it deliberately strange and obscure to reflect the nature of the song, but this feels like a bit of a cheap way of getting around a problem)

Lights in the Sky Nine Inch Nails
Ultimately an interpretation of the lyrics. They provided very striking mental imagery for me, but that's where it ended. I didn't have enough of an emotional affinity with the track to pursue it further

Right Where It Belongs Nine Inch Nails
Much the same reason as I had for Lights in the Sky

Lullaby The Cure
I love the imagery that this song conjures up, although my initial thoughts were quite literal. This proved to be a problem as the original music video is an incredibly literal interpretation of the lyrics, which stifled the idea for me and ultimately put me off of developing it further

Just Like Heaven The Cure
I just couldn't come up with anything that was as striking as the original video

Pictures of You The Cure
It's an incredibly long song and cutting it down to a reasonable length somewhat kills the impact it had on me in the first place, so it was dismissed

The Killing Moon Nouvelle Vague
My main idea for this track told the story of a man who had a curious infatuation with the moon and its enigmatic nature. The man goes out to sea as the moon is rising at dusk, trying to get closer to it. He struggles against storms, sea creatures and illness, with the moon gradually rising as the night goes on. Eventually, he glances over the edge of the boat to catch the reflection of the moon in the water. Exhausted, dehydrated and delirious, he reaches out to touch it, convinced it is the real thing. The boat tips and he plummets into the water, where he eventually drowns. Immediately after, in the distance, another boat leaves the harbour, where the cycle will begin again. Defining the nature of The Killing Moon.

Fly Me to the Moon Julie London
Just a quirky, enjoyable song that evokes images of sixties class and swing. Not a real idea here...

Windmills of Your Mind Noel Harrison
Mainly considered because of the evocative, somewhat nonsensical lyrics. Although I couldn't get past the thought of simply visualising the lyrics, and I'd rather make a video that was a little more abstract in its nature

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard Paul Simon
This was an option I landed on over Christmas, so it has been developed loosely, but I'm not overly convinced I can do something interesting with it yet. I enjoy the song and the story it tells. It's a very charming song and so I attempted to develop an idea that had an equal amount of charm. I came up with a couple of different ways of approaching this idea.
1. The story told from the perspective of the child in the song, so I've translated that over to the idea. The child uses toys and puppets to tell the tale in a series of homemade dioramas, ranging from the prison cell to the schoolyard, all created in a ramshackle, childlike way, using cardboard boxes, egg cartons and stationary. The child's hands would be visible, manipulating the toys, as he is sat behind the dioramas
2. The child is fixed, central in the camera, as the setting around him changes and shifts in response to what is happening in the song, e.g. in the police station. he'd be behind bars etc then his mother and father move into shot, scene changes, boy in same position but surrounding area different. The video stays in this format for the entire song

Making Plans for Nigel Nouvelle Vague
This is by far my most developed and resolved concept, although it is still far from being realised effectively. The idea has been fuelled by various influences merged together, as opposed to just the song alone (I picked up on this way of thinking whilst watching an interview with Mark Romanek, and how he drew influence from various unrelated things such as lighting at fashion shows and Polaroids he had viewed)
When listening to this song, I interpreted themes along the lines of:

• A life led through the guidance and suggestion of others

• Being spoken for and masking of emotions ("if your Nigel says he's happy, he must be happy")

• Having decisions made for you

• Ultimately restricted in your life choices

• Restricted unintentionally by those who only want what is best for you

• Disrespect through mollycoddling 

• Treated as a puppet, every action you take and every decision you make is the choice of somebody pulling your strings

• Negativity as a result of intended positivity. Good intentions ultimately leading to a bad outcome

• What would happen if the metaphorical strings were cut, one by one, leaving the puppet to run their own life

• Sudden independence

These themes led me to ideas of treating marionettes as a metaphor for a constrained life and with this in mind, I developed a couple of concepts. These concepts are very similar in how they are executed, it is more their stylistic approach that separates them.
1. A small wooden man is lying in bed, his eyes blink as he begins to wake. He rises to his feet, where it is revealed he is a puppet being controlled by an unseen puppeteer. He meanders through mundane tasks, from preparing breakfast to reading the newspaper. As the day progresses, one by one, his strings are cut by various elements of his world, from sharp objects to small flames etc. This causes him to gradually lose control of his own being, one limb at a time, as he is under the control of another, so he doesn't know how to function without the strings holding him up. Eventually, he falls into a heap as the final string is cut. The camera holds focus on the heaped puppet, as he lies there still. The video ends with him gaining control of his hands and arms, as he begins to rise without the strings.
The visual influence I had in my head for this concept were predominantly stop motion animations, notably, the work of Jan Švankmajer and the Brothers Quay. I had this image of a worn wooden marionette, constructed part artists marionette, part nutcracker, lacquered with chipped resin and brooding, dark varnish, much like that of a ventriloquists dummy. The environment would be constructed of what appears to be found materials, such as driftwood, household items and miscellaneous tchotchkes, set up to represent scale objects in this marionettes world (much like that of the Borrowers). There would also be flashes of the world outside of the diorama, glimpses of the puppeteer through cracks in the set, the puppet awoken by an alarm clock positioned by his window etc.
2. The story is much the same as above, but the approach in style is radically different. Taking a considerable influence from my childhood love of Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, the marionette would be more human in its appearance, much like Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation. The song has a very 1960s vibe about it, thanks to Nouvelle Vague's bossa nova-style arrangements, which led me to the idea of using Gerry Anderson's style to interpret the music. This idea also led me to the idea of using snippets of live action footage interspliced in select segments of the video, as it was common in Supermarionation that a marionette's eyes, mouth or hands would be substituted for those of a live actor for close-up shots. The environment could either be an homage to Anderson's 1960's, googie aesthetic or in a setting that completely contrasts the marionette, reinforcing the themes of restricted or conflicted life choices, such as a marionette in a business suit residing in a slum.

I've had quite a few ideas, although they're all just flashes of influence from all over the place, as opposed to a cemented concept, but hopefully after Thursday's tutorial, the path will be made a little clearer.

Commission: Initial Ideas

Stylistic Choices
When working in a trance-like state to churn out every frame of my animation, I had time to conjure up some ideas of how I would tackle my Commission task. A particular style stuck with me constantly throughout this period, with every thought leading back to it no matter where my ideas travelled to.
I became fixated on the style of incredibly charming 1950's animation. This being a fairly broad area, I began to investigate specific styles within the style, using the absolutely brilliant book, Cartoon Modern compiled by Amid Amidi. This book has practically been my Bible for the past two weeks, as I've been spending every free moment perusing the plethora of brilliantly dynamic and characteristic artwork it consists of. Studios that have become particular favourites of mine include (apologies in advance for the copious amount of scrolling you're going to have to endure!),

Creative Arts Studios

Stop Driving Us Crazy! (1959) Directed by Mel Emde

Fine Arts Films

Petroushka  (1956) Directed by John Wilson

John Sutherland Productions

Rhapsody of Steel (1959) Directed by Carl Urbano

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Symphony in Slang (1951) Directed by Tex Avery

As well as the work of Kietz and Herndon, Playhouse Pictures, Shamus Culhane and United Productions of America, who's work is considerably more difficult to find examples of online.

Although this is a style that clearly is more suited to two-dimensional applications, I feel that through strategic modelling and faithful texturing I can achieve a similar style that encapsulates the charm and appeal of these examples. In the coming days, I will develop some concept artwork and Maya tests in order to decide how I will achieve this.
Another point I feel I need to make is whilst these examples are very strongly character based, this does not mean I intend to throw myself in at the deep end, crafting complicated character models that I'm completely inexperienced in developing. It is more the overall aesthetic of the animations and the era they represent I wish to take inspiration from.

Subject Matter

Initially, I had decided I was going to investigate the biological processes of cancerous cells and the various ways in which these cells can affect the human body, although after investigating the above stylistic option, I felt I may be worth changing the subject matter. Whilst a lot of these cartoons are not aimed at children, the aesthetic lends itself to a younger audience. Also, I feel if I was to approach such a strong and serious topic in this manner, I'd be at risk of glamourising a humorous side of a disease that is anything but, and that is the last thing I want to be doing.

Because of these issues, it is likely I will be investigating the Cell Cycle. It is a fairly neutral topic that is widely taught to children and teenagers in A Level and GCSE science lessons, as well as in earlier Key Stages of education. The audience for my animation will most likely be a younger one for these reasons, although I don't feel I need to specify whether it will be for teenagers or younger, as the stylistic appeal should hopefully translate through various ages.

Some Slightly More Detailed Story Thoughts

I want to get the story down as soon as possible so that I can move on to the design side of things, so here are a few story ideas that I've come up with.
They all appear to follow ideas of 'getting they're just deserts', with the Fountain Pen ultimately meeting its maker as a result of its conceited personality.

-The Fountain Pen is the latest addition to an author's stationary collection. The current inhabitants of the desk pop up out of a drawer to welcome their new neighbour. The Fountain Pen swaggers around the desk, showing off its extravagant, gilded construction and looking down on the other items of stationary. Deeply engrossed in its condescending introduction to its neighbours, it fails to notice the large pool of ink forming beneath it. Shocked and embarrassed by this unsightly scene, the Fountain Pen faints and rolls off of the desk, to the bemusement of the other stationary.

-The Fountain Pen is seen to be working out, using crayons as dumbbells and flexing its muscles to the other stationary. Whilst showing off to the other stationary, a shadow forms above the desk. The other items of stationary scatter and hide, the Fountain Pen still posing away, totally oblivious. A hand reaches down and picks up the Fountain Pen, proceeding to take the pen apart and replace the cartridge. The Fountain Pen is placed back on the desk, shaking in fear and rocking from side to side.

-The Fountain Pen is introduced to his new neighbours. It lords over the other stationary, making statements on its own quality in comparison to that of the others. Specifically, the Fountain Pen ridicules the ragged appearance of the other stationary, all of which have been used, abused and chewed to pieces in the long time they've been in this desk. A person sits at the desk, as the other stationary scatters back inside the drawer. The Fountain Pen makes a point to be lying directly in view of the person, knowing it'll be the writing implement of choice. This pride is soon shattered though, as the person proceeds to chew, throw, drop, tap, drum and otherwise abuse the Fountain Pen, much to its horror. The Fountain Pen is thrown in the drawer, joining the other, long forgotten and seriously abused items of stationary.

Mind Map of Initial Thoughts

Unit 5: Animation- Initial Thoughts

During today's brief, I randomly selected the title The Conceited Fountain Pen.
I spent my bus journey home thinking up some ideas around the title, notably, how a fountain pen could appear to be conceited.
I've drawn some initial sketches of my immediate thoughts, although these will most likely change during the week.

Environment: Initial Ideas

1950's Diner Idea
The idea to construct a 1950's style diner is one that has been rolling around in my mind for the last couple of weeks or so, so for an early idea, I've put a fair amount of thought into it.

Iconic, Archetypical Features of 1950's Style Diners
-Chequered flooring
-The use of linoleum and vinyl in furnishings
-The use of chrome and stainless steel in fittings and furnishings
-Flat, often neon lighting
-Massive amounts of advertising and endorsement through posters and illuminated signs (notably, Coca Cola and Pepsi)
-Shiny, wipe-clean booth seating
-Two-tone colour schemes (blue and red, black and white etc)

Advantages
-Moderately simple geometry makes for quick modelling
-A plethora of visual reference from the internet, film, television and video games (See Pulp Fiction, Back to the Future, Happy Days, Fallout 3 and Grease, not to mention Nighthawks by Edward Hopper (sure, it was painted in 1942, but the composition aspect is relevant))
-Many opportunities for creative lighting (lights from neon signs reflected across the glossy floor tiles and reflective chrome detailing)

Disadvantages
-Highly detailed textures (posters, signs etc) may be particularly time consuming (although the possibility of getting to design some delightfully kitsch poster art is incredibly enticing!)

Presenting the Scene
"Closed for Business"
This idea revolves around the theme of a distressed environment. The clean and bright diner decor is just asking to be destroyed. The linoleum on the floor has started to peel away, the tiles on the walls have cracked, with posters strewn across the floor and the remnants of a once loved jukebox lit dimly at the back of the room. Light pours through the boarded up windows, bouncing off of the now empty bottles behind the bar. The vinyl has been torn away from the seating, revealing the spongey material beneath, now wretched with the stains of a hundred spilled beverages.

I really like the idea of this, as underdeveloped as it may be, although I need to establish a way of integrating more ambiguity in the scene. Although the viewer doesn't know why the diner is so run down,  I need to be careful not to imply something so obvious later down the line, otherwise the storytelling aspect could potentially be ruined.

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Victorian Sweet Shop Idea
Another potential idea was a traditional Victorian sweet shop. This idea seemed quite charming and quirky when I first thought of it and I may possibly pursue it if I develop the idea further.

Iconic, Archetypical Features of Victorian Sweet Shops
-Colourful jars lining the walls of the shop
-Classic, British branding (with wonderfully misleading poster artwork)
-The brass weighing scales at the counter, next to the hefty till
-Dark wooden decor and furnishings
-Large, thin framed windows at the front of the shop

Advantages
-Moderately simple geometry
-A wide scope to be creative with the general aesthetic of the store (unlike the '50's diner, the general aesthetic isn't so specific)

Disadvantages
-Unless executed intelligently, the scene has the potential to be more dull than intriguing (for example, unless the dark brown wooden elements are lit effectively, it'll just be a mess of brown blocks with no narrative impact).

Presenting the Scene
The door is pushed open, followed by the welcoming ring of the bell above. The walls are lined, floor to ceiling with tall jars filled with colourful sweets of every variety. The dark, thick woodwork is reminiscent of the chocolate stocked behind the counter, along with the tobacco and other products for those who aren't paying with pocket money. Mouths water as the sugary delights are poured little by little into the brass scales on the counter, with a familiar ring resonating throughout the shop as each sweet hits the bottom, one by one. The deal is sealed with the clickity-clank of the till. With pocket money exchanged and a final ring of the bell above the door, the banquet of sugar begins.

This idea needs a lot more work to become an interesting scene, although the potential is there. I need to revise the idea to amplify key areas of interest and make the idea 'pop', otherwise it may not deliver the compelling ambiguity required of the scene.

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.