Animation books.

Another stroke to my ego, I finished reading the books for my animation. A big thank you to Jon for lending me his 'Writing for Animation' book, it's helped loads understanding the terminology and the way to approach this. The other book has helped me a bit to help plan my storyboards for all 3 of the outcomes. I FINALLY get to do some drawing!

Jamie

Stop Motion Photo Montage - Outline done.

I've also written the main direction/story for my animation, next step is to do a basic storyboard - this will be quite hard to storyboard so that's why I need to keep it basic. I am also, very happy with this progress.

Jamie

Film Noir - Premise done.

Finally, I've written a premise (if not a bit brief at the mo) for my Film Noir. I know what the main story is, I just need to put in a few bits and bobs and make some parts more detailed. But it's done! Progress at last, once I've gone over it I can finally write the proper script. Exciting times.

Jamie

Hansel and Gretel script update.

Just a short one, Alex got back to me with the second draft of the Hansel and Gretel script on the weekend. I've only been well enough to read it now (man flu and all) and it's really good. I really like it. I'm going to leave it for a week or two then re-read it, afresh almost, to see if anything is missed out or any changes are needed - might change my mind about a few things as well, I don't want to rush any decisions on my end. But all in all, a great step forward in this outcome and I'm very grateful to Alex. THANK YOU!

Jamie

Film Noir - Character Structure.

If you read my entries on character structure you know that I want to mix them around a bit when it comes to stereotypes in Film Noir. I found an interesting link saying how a few films that are classed as 'chick flick's and are 'female friendly' are actually not. Hollywood is male dominated, even through these films, follow the link and read about one or two of the films and you'll see what I mean. It's an interesting observation, and makes me think further on how I will approach my female characters for this film.

http://www.cracked.com/article/194_7-popular-chick-flicks-that-secretly-hate-women/

Stop Motion Photo Montage Update.

Here are the books I'm currently reading to help with this animation outcome. The first directly above has been lent to me by Jon, and the top one is one I've only recently re-discovered (today to be exact). I reckon this one can help me out, but in particular when it comes to storyboarding all 3 of these outcomes.

Hansel and Gretel script update.

I talked to my start writer briefly through email, he said he'll have the next draft hopefully done by the end of the week, so something to look forward to!

Film Noir location shots 2.

Okay just one photo for this update, I came across this when I was taking Amelia to see Buckingham Palace. I thought it could be a great potential long take shot, typical of Film Noir, it almost has a natural high contrast and would be great to film at night due to the lights surrounding.

Project Update.

Hello!

So I've been slack with these updates, mainly because I've been trying to get a work placement for my Unit 9 module, which is proving to be a right pain at the moment.

But nonetheless, while I'm waiting to hear back from these blasted companies, I'll tell you what's going on.

- Film Noir locations - the other day when I was with my good friends Louis and Joe, we were walking through some backstreets and alleys of Soho/Tottenham court road at around 8pm when it was fairly dark. I came across some great locations, tight alleyways and road spaces with great ambient lighting. Another great thing is that's fairly quiet round these parts, so we would get minimal interruptions from pesky pedestrians. I'll go back here to take some photos soon.

- Stop motion photomontage - I've decided that the location for this is going to be a park, and that the scene is generally going to be on one location, maybe two, if I have the time (and skill) to do something this complicated. I want 'exterior' elements entering the frame to catch the audience eyes. i.e. frisbee floats in to the main character, birds flying and so on. I was thinking perhaps Burgess park, as this is a huge park, and as long I shoot the before dark I won't be murdered.

- Stop motion photomontage 2 - Jon has kindly lent me his book called 'Writing for Animation, Comics and Games by Christy Marx' I've read a couple of pages and it's good getting used to the terminology for scripts again, as well as making me think of some ideas for my own animation. And plus it's actually brilliant that I'm reading a book for a project for once!

So yeah, brief but okay progress, like I said I've been pre-occupied with finding a work placement, and I will be for the next 2 weeks. So I need to crack on with certain ideas etc so that it can develop easily when I come back from my placement. And plus it will be a good creative break, I'll come back all refreshed and what not.

Until next time.

Jamie

Film Noir location shots.

Here are some initial location shots for the Film Noir outcome:

(starting from top)

- I thought this could be a good spot when my protagonist is reflecting upon events that have happened.

- A cool road/bridge with an amazing looking light, could be nice for a walking shot.

- Similar again with the next 3 photos, they can really help add a certain element of darkness and despair to the film.

-

Jamie

Hansel and Gretel location shots.

So here are some initial location shots for the Hansel and Gretel outcome:

(starting for top photo)

- Staircase leading to drug den, could work in well with the right lighting.

- Kitchen, where H & G could be tempted/tricked.

- Front of house, this can be such a good shot, with the 'witch' character opening the door to them, I'm thinking High Contrast, silhouettes etc.

- Possible drug den, wouldn't need much work as it's pretty tatty already.

Hansel and Gretel script.

First draft done. Great work by Alex, really good for a first draft. I've sent an email back with some feedback, so we'll see how it progresses from there! Great start though.

Jamie

Film Noir Outcome - Social awareness.

For this Film Noir outcome I want to be pretty socially aware as this will cement the background and basis of the whole film. The Film Noir genre was very popular during the 1930's Great Depression, and it's quite evident in all Film Noir films. Since I'm doing a Modern adaptation I want to 'update' this element, we don't have a Depression, but we sure do have a Recession. This is a good modern adaptation, I could even have my protagonist jobless, and the femme fatale offering some sort of new pathway for him?

Also, Amelia found an interesting quote which I can link into this as well:

'The American belief of individual responsibility added a devasting psychological burden of guilt to the physical want of those who lost their jobs in the Great Depression' Robert McElvaine.

This adds an interesting idea, that I could express a deeper, psychological aspect of people losing their jobs and feel like their whole world is collapsing.

Amelia's idea revolves around:

"I have this basic idea that the man could be feeling the burden of the individualistic society and 'american dream' (all that stuff about freedom translating into pressure to succeed in all areas which is relevant to Britain too) combined with the traditional male role of breadwinner, dominant, sexist etc so that the woman plays on traditional femininity - passive, inviting rather than promiscuous sexuality, sensual, dependent on man - so that he doesn't realise shes a threat thus allowing her to fuck him over. But this would have to be done more or less in private as women are kept out of the public arena on many levels. If its a public demise, she would have to be extra sneaky so it doesnt appear to be done by a woman - that is if you are going to play on the stereotypes."

I like this idea, we can develop this a tad further and I reckon I'll be ready to write my script for it.

Jamie

Film Noir Outcome.

Oh and just for the fun of it, funny Film Noir sketch on 'Whose Line is it anyway?'

Hansel and Gretel - Narrator.

I'm still looking for my narrator for this film, if you, or anyone that you know may be interested, get in touch with me. The type of narrator feel I'm aiming for is one that has a Orson Welles element to the way they speak or can speak if put on. What I mean by that is you're captivated by what they have to say and they have a real presence about them. I'm not necessarily looking for someone with the same booming intellectual voice like Welles, but something along those lines, something endearing and that can capture an audience attention.

Film Noir Film

D.O.A - a great example of a Film Noir classic. Full feature here, you don't have to watch all of it, but it can you glimpses of how a class film noir should be like.