Session 4 Homework

The article on Richard Taylor about the work of Weta on the Lord of The Rings trilogy.

It was interesting to see how the balance of special and visual effects was used. i think tht this is also a chancing trend and big budget filmmakers are increasingly moving to using more an d more visual effects.

However personally I find Wetas work on LoTR fascinating. the immense attention to detail and the sheer scale of ehat they accomplised in the trilogy in incredible. i think what they really did was create another world rather than the illusion of one for the screen.

In my research outside the article on the lord of te rings set design has lead to much about european ancient and classical fashions and design.

Weta took great care and consideration in the design of the different Cultures. Foe example with Rohirrin set design and costume had major Saxon and Dark ages scandanavian. I think that Looking to History is a vital part of trying to create reaistic worlds with in a fantasy one. I think this is something Art Director need to find inspirations. Looking at how people in the past thought about colour and Material.

Also the Logical aspects, What would these characters need in this world we are creating. I think that in creating a set of costume for a film, one has to stop and think, would tis work in real life? would they need this? Would they dress like this? Because if you don't believe it the Audience never will.

Also the Visual effects used in LoTR were I think very ground braking at the time. Taylor mentions in the article that they preoduced programmes in order to crete armys of orcs that could move independantly and as in dividuals. Another triumph was the character of Gollum who was ground braking in terms of how Visual effects were used. It is amazing omw much the character evolves in how realistic it is from the first film to the last. Wat they achived in it's creation was astounding.

Joel Peter Witkin

At first all I could think when looking Witkin's work was 'That's odd' but looking more closley I think one thing pops into my mind about it It seems to be commenting on Beauty ot at least the faults of beauty and femininity in the conventiona sense. His use of 'the deformd' in poses reminiscent of classicas materpiecs to me says that he is saying something about the ideas of beauty and normality in our society.

Fro mtis also there is something Uncanny in his work. The idea that smthing is slightly 'wrone' with these images. Something doesn't fit with the convention of normality.