Overall I am happy with my Level of work in this module. I think that I contributed my fair share to the Group project. Obviously not in the set build because I took on a different role in the production. Georgina and I took on the role of the 'prosthetic department'. Creating the fake limbs that were needed for the shoot. I think for first timers we did a good job. People were freaked out by the pieces we created and I think that is a sign that we were in the right direction. We shared the work load equally and a lot of it was about experimenting with what did and did not work when creating the piece. At the beginning of the project I also feel I contributed in terms of ideas for the set design even though this did not end up being a major part of my resulting role.
The Group project was I think as a whole a small window into professional practice on set. One thing that stood out for me was the idea of working in departments. At first I had expected to be more involved in the main set build but I think being split up the way we were worked better in order that we would be able to meet the time scale, and to better represent the real world of film making.
As a whole I think the project was successful in the timescale we had. It was, I feel rushed and that came through in the finished result, with small details like bubbly wall paper being missed in the final checks. I think that we managed to create something fairly respectable in the time given.
I feel I learned quite a lot in the lessons, through practice of the covered points. I think I was able to learn more about certain processes such as mood boards and after effects. This has also made me more confident in my technical skills. I also learned not only skills but also more about how the practical world of film making works as a whole, rather than a single skill.
The research that I undertook was mainly focusing on elements of art direction I think. From the home works I focused on the artists that were mentioned and what meanings could be drawn from their work. This for me translated into thinking about set designs. For example what a set could mean to an audience. Drawing from the ideas of these artists I began to think about how a set design is an important element in drawing meaning from a film. It is not just a decorative background for the action but a definitive part of a film's overall success.
The research for the personal project was quite broad. On the one hand there were the technical aspects. For example how I was going to create the special and visual effects as this is something I originally had no knowledge of. I used a collation of knowledge gained in the session and from online research. The main source was online tutorials, as there is a wealth of knowledge out there. Another part of the research was on ideas for costumes and setting. I was already quite familiar with 'the look' of the Regency but I wanted to expand my knowledge of the colour palates.
My Personal Proposal came from my love of History. I decided upon the setting as it was a time of great turmoil in Britain and thought this would create a beautifully chaotic world to set a story of chaos against. I think having a backdrop that reflects the main themes of a story makes it stronger and the audience find it more believable.
Overall I think the idea is successful. It fills the brief and has more than one special and Visual effect. I think as a piece of filmic storytelling if it were to be made, it would be an exciting idea. I like the idea of the setting because it is usually associated with romantic tales of heroic men and fainting women. I like the idea of subverting this and setting a dark tale of death and destruction in a time when things were changing greatly. In a time where memories of revolution were still fresh and great change was coming in both technology and attitudes. I feel this is something that would attract an audience.
In terms of coming up with the actual scene, having a fascination with ghost stories was a big influence. I also thought that a transformation of a human body into something that would fit the brief and give a great opportunity to use a visual effect. Also I like the idea of creating a ghost who is not as simple as a spectral figure. A creature that is neither alive nor dead is an old idea but I think this is a slightly new slant on it.
The research for this project started with how the film would look. I began looking at what the film would look like. The starting point was looking at a lot of late 18th century and early 19thCentury landscapes. If this film was to be created I would want it to reflect the art from the period. The vast empty rural landscapes that were dangerous and where both life and the law were brutal. I would draw heavily on the colour pallets used by artists of the time when bringing together props and costumes as an Art Director.
For the effects, there are several visual and special. The most prominent of which is the transformation and smoke figure. For this I am envisioning a combination of effects. For the start of the transformation I think using motion tracking would be one route. Using motion capture for the actor would I think be the best way to create a figure of smoke that resembled the actor. Having learned about Maya, using it or a similar modelling programme to create the smoke. Then I would change the textures so that it was a thick and had an almost liquid like quality. I don’t want it to look like there’s is a billowing fire somewhere, gushing thick black smoke. For the piece to work it would have to be otherworldly.
There would also be need for prosthetic makeup in this piece, such as false teeth and wigs for the ghost character. From watching online tutorials, I have come up with a process I would use. First take a dental cast of the actor's real teeth. This then is used as a base to build the fake denture around. Then from this using silicone, I would build up a denture. After the denture is complete I would them paint it with a clear substance so that it looks shiny as it covered in saliva. After this to complete the look of the character I would add orange coloured contact lenses to give orange eye effect. And to complete his look the application of a wig and fake beard would be nessaccary
Another make up effect will be the dead woman. For the research I looked up various online tutorials for ‘dead make-up’ many were to do with zombies. However one technique I think would be effective would be covering the body in pale makeup, creating a washed out skin tone. Also the lips should be covered in a makeup that is pale or with a slightly blue tine to make them look lifeless. For this character I also want there to be a strange quality to the skin, I think some sort of pearly powder might do this, in order to give a strange luminescent quality to the skin.
Another Special effect in this proposal is the gun shot. It seems the best way to do this would be a combination of things. Firstly there is the actual Gun on set. This would, on a bigger production require a fire arms technician. Given that the film that I am envisioning uses a broad range of historical weaponry, I think the bringing in of a weapons expert would be required. On set they would set up the shot, after having talked with them about what weapon to use to fit the look of the film. After the shot to create a more real effect I would use a software like After Effects to increase the impact of the spark the gun creates. From online tutorial I have discovered that it can be a fairly simple process with the right software. After the special effect and visual effects had been composited I would them add a realistic sound effect to complete the effect.
I got the idea from how to create the coachman being flung in the air from one of 'The Hobbit' Production Blogs, where several of the actors are attached to bungee lines and are pulled backwards onto a crash mat. This would require, on top of the equipment, a stunt man and team in order for it to be carries out safely.
This project would also require a lot of thought in Costume and set design. Set in the regency the costume design would draw heavily on the fashion of the time. However at the same time it is a work of fiction and fantasy so I think this piece also has some artistic licence to stretch out with the historical boundaries. The Ghost Character for example has to look sinister and grimy. It would be necessary therefore to bring this within his costume. There are ways to do this which include washing some of the colour from the fabrics. As this character is to appear as having 'fallen from grace'. So by taking luxurious and expensive looking fabrics and distressing them I think it would help to achieve this look. Another technique is using Sand paper to create worn patches to make the clothes look old and well lived in.
The woman however would be completely the opposite, her clothes being luxurious and new. For this, as an Art Director I would work with the costume team to make sure the look is achieved. Her and her coachman would both be dressed in the best Regency fashions to show off the wealth and social standing. When someone is only on screen for a few minutes it is important that the mise-en-scene reveals to the audience what a script does not.
Overall I have learned a lot through the work
that I have undertaken in this module. I have engaged well with the teaching and
I feel I have tried to get the best out of the sessions. I think my strengths
lie with the art direction side of things. I feel I took to the prop making
like a duck to water and I think it is something that I would like to do more
of in the future. The fake limbs we made were nowhere near perfect but I think
from doing this I was able to see how I would make them better in the future.
One thing was the skin tone was not at all natural in the end. In future I would
take grater care and time over this.
I think a major weakness still lies with the
more technical parts of post-production. I think although I understand the
basics of after effects and Maya I would be more comfortable asking a
specialist for what I wanted in a film. However having said this I am now much
more settled with the ideas of visual effects after the workshops and the further
research.
To conclude I feel I have been successful in
this Module. I have engaged well with the lessons and the points that were
raised in them. I researched the homework tasks and consolidated my
understanding of the lessons through my use of the knowledge gained in my proposal. I also feel I created a Proposal that was successful
and fitted the brief and shows the extent of my learning over the Module.
