Reflective Text
This work examines the idea of movement and combining different media types.
By using both photography and the 2d character that I designed previously, I was able to combine two different media types in one work. By placing the 2d character in the ‘real world’ it enhanced the concept that the Airpod is a found object that could be seen around the house.
This work is similar to the work of Nicolas Keppens and Matthias Phlips, Wildebeest (2018), whose short film follows Linda and Troyer as they get left behind on a safari. Keppens and Philips blend real life footage of African animals in the wilderness with 2d animation.
By examining the combination of media types, I reflected that you can benefit from multiple mediums in one work. For example, the Airpod being a 2d cartoon means I can add facial features and human characteristics to it. The background being a photograph means I can create clear context for the animation. The juxtaposition of both media types creates an unexpected and effective aesthetic.
Keppens, N & Phlips, M 2018, Wildebeest, viewed May 27 2022, <https://youtu.be/aVBWCqAMZ8I>.
Reflective Text
This work examines ideas of how design and aesthetic can impact narrative.
By using Procreate on my iPad, I was able to sketch up designs for both my character and an example of the character setting (a desktop). The cartoon style, messy aesthetic enhances the humorous and lighthearted themes throughout my animation.
This work is similar to the work of Ties (2019), a short film by Dina Velikovskaya. Ties is about a young woman who leaves her parents to travel overseas, the animation is created by using 3d printed materials to create stop motion work.
However, the 3d printed materials create a ‘scribbled’ look, making the animation appear 2d. I want to emulate a similar effect in my animation, however I will be using a 2d method.
By examining how design and aesthetic can impact narrative, I discovered the importance of carefully selecting a medium and style that supports the themes I am exploring in my work. For example, if I would like my animation to be humorous and light hearted, I could use a loose and messy style to help support that tone.
Velikovskaya, D 2019, Ties, viewed April 22 2022, <https://youtu.be/ocfvvXP1KSQ>.
Reflective Text
These works examine themes of character and movement (in my stop motion) and themes of dialogue and sound (in the mind map).
By using stop motion, I am able to explore how my character will move. In my test example the Airpod almost looks as though it is limping or stumbling, giving it a vulnerable presence.
This work is similar to the work of Fokion Xenos’ Heat Wave (2019), who’s stop motion short film examines how music can be used to progress the storyline. As the music gets faster, the movements of the characters also speed up, enhancing the mechanical, repetitive motions portrayed.
By examining both sound and stop motion techniques, I reflected that sound is an integral part of narrative, and that patterns and rhythms in music can be a useful way to create suspense and to build on themes within an animation. Therefore, I plan to utilise sound as a key feature in my animation, the Airpods are the perfect characters to experiment on audio with, as their main purpose is to produce sound.
Xenos, F 2019, Heat Wave, September 2020, viewed April 15 2022, <https://youtu.be/4nU_QcjVu9A>.
Reflective Text
This work examines ideas of character setting / location impacting storyline.
By using photographs I was able to capture my character (the Airpods) in different locations. This helped me rethink and develop my ideas, for example - what does the Airpod do when it is in a person's ears? This helped me come to the idea that the motive for the Airpods running away is that they are repulsed by being in people’s ears. It also helped me to familiarise myself with the shape and physical characteristics of the Airpods even more.
This work is similar to the work of David Wadelton’s painting Colossal Still Life (1990), as he is also taking everyday objects and changing the context and meaning of them by combining them with other objects and placing them in different environments.
By examining location and its effects on character, I reflected on the importance of creating context with character settings. A different narrative could have been created from each of the different photographs / settings I explored.
Wadelton, D 1990, Colossal Life, Lawson-Menzies, Sydney.
Reflective Text
This week my work examines ideas of aesthetic and character design.
By using a mood board I was able to select images that had a similar aesthetic to the desired energy of the animation I hope to create. I selected images with block colors, as well as black and white esthetics. I also am looking to create a ‘hand drawn’ visual style, rather than something more polished and perfected.
Then, by creating character sketches I was able to examine the personality of the Airpod through the way it moves. In some sketches it is slithering like a snake, on all fours like a dog, bouncing or running like a human. The way the Airpod moves will help shape the narrative by depicting the personality of the character.
This work is similar to the work of All of Us (2018) by Daniel Greaves and Ruth Beni. The way the bright, block colours were used to develop the storyline is something I hope to emulate in my work. The way the ‘orange’ characters and the ‘blue’ characters were separated, and then brought together evoked themes of class, race, gender and other differences of people within society.
By examining character and esthetic, I reflected that colour and movement are both imperative elements to my work.
Through my feedback I have also decided to consider bringing in other lost or missing items to the story for additional diversity. I also plan to put more thought into the deeper meaning of my animation and the motivations behind the characters. Perhaps the Airpods think ears are disgusting, and that’s why they are running away. This could be a metaphor for people being forced into work situations that they do not enjoy or about taking a stand against ‘the man’.
Greaves, D 2019, All of Us, 20 October 2018, viewed March 20 2022, <https://vimeo.com/296154243>.
Reflective Text
This work explores the concept of reality and hierarchy of knowledge. In the main character’s reality she is the one losing her Airpods, however they really have minds of their own.
By depicting my work in a storyboard I was able to begin visualising the layout of my narrative, as well as the key scenes. This storyboard was very much an overview and I will need to create a more detailed one moving forward. The storyboard also helped me explore the hierarchy of knowledge by asking these questions: when do we, the viewers, know that the Airpods are running away and not simply lost? When does the main character find out, if ever?
This work is similar to the work Slim Pickings (1998) by Anthony Lucas. This claymation short film explores the idea of a pot plant coming to life and a man befriending it. The man is starving and has to make the choice whether or not to eat his friend. Both of our works explore the concept of bringing to life items that do not have personalities or motivations. Lucas also explores hierarchy of knowledge, as the man does not realise the plant has produced food for him, however the viewer is aware from the beginning.
By examining the idea of hierarchy of knowledge, I reflected that the element of surprise should be a key concept in my work. The viewer should believe that the owner of the Airpods is simply misplacing them, however will then be surprised when the Airpods come to life and run off.
Lucas, A 1998, Slim Pickings, 13 September 2020, viewed March 12 2022, <https://vimeo.com/457389410>.
Reflective Text
This work examines the idea of inanimate objects coming to life and developing personalities. I explored this concept by ideating my idea ‘A pot plant confuses its owner by stealing things from their bedside table every night when they go to sleep’.
By using a mindmap I was able to further ideate and flesh out my idea. My mindmap included questions like ‘why does the plant steal’, finding motivations for the characters and developing the plot.
This work is similar to Breast Friends (2019) by Caitlin Young. This comedic 5 minute animation explores body image through a feminst lense. The main character's breasts speak her inner monologue out loud, one being positive and logical, the other being bitchy and cynical. Bringing inanimate objects to life and creating personalities for them generates a bizarre, humorous and unexpected tone to an animation.
Throughout my ideation I have developed my overarching concept for my work. I believe I will move forward with a concept around my missing Airpods. I hope to create a narrative around someone or something stealing the headphones and finding an alternate use for the hundreds of Airpods they have collected.
Young, C 2019, Breast Friends, 9 March 2020, viewed March 5 2022, <https://vimeo.com/396392696>.
Reflective Text
This work explored the themes of surrealism and fantasy by brainstorming concepts that would not have been possible in the ‘real world’.
I used text and a mindmap to explore my ideas, this was the simplest way for me to progress my concepts before I begin experimenting with imagery and the visual aspects of my ideas.
My work could be compared to concepts in TV shows like Bojack Horseman, produced by Raphael Bob-Waksberg in 2014 and The Mighty Boosh, directed by Paul King in 2004, where bizarre situations are often taking place. I hope to take inspiration from the humour in these works and emulate the outlandish and surreal themes.
As this has been the beginning of my practice, there are limited areas to make reflection upon. However, by recreating the exercise we were given in class, and taking more time to complete it, I believe I have created a good foundation for my future work in this course. I am excited to gain additional feedback from my tutors and peers.
Bojack Horseman 2014, [Netflix], Tornate Television, Boxer vs. Raptor and ShadowMachine.
The Mighty Boosh 2004 [DVD], Baby Cow Productions, United Kingdom.