Another Quote

"Animation's ability to instantly dissolve the representational into the abstract, to leap associatively with ease, and to render simultaneously a flood of images, perceptions, and perspectives, makes it an unparalleled form of cinema" -- Tom McSorely, Take One, Summer 1997

Another quote to keep with me even as the quarter ends. I would keep this in mind as I progress into the next stages of my thesis development.
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Evaluation

Having done with the essay (first draft) and completing a press kit for the thesis project, i would say I have a much better idea on what I wanted to do. Firstly, my decision to make an experimental animation is based on the following quotes I read from the Internet:

"A beautifully animated art film can give the same absolute delight as the fluidity of movement, the grace, the perfect balance of great ballet dancers." -- Louise Beaudet, Cinematheque Quebecoise, Pegbar, 1987

"The ability to deconstruct a movement and reassemble it in a new or convincing way is the animator's territory. Many artists have realized their visions using animation as a means to externalize their inner thoughts and unique points of view. Animation gives the viewer the opportunity to gaze at a frozen moment of thought and to experience another person's rhythms." -- Christine Panushka , USC, 1997

Frankly I do not have any experience in making an experimental animation, but my interest has over-weighed my concerns. However my challenge is not about time constrain or lack of skills, but to decide on a specific approach for my animation. I have done several tests within this quarter but I know that these are not sufficient. I would have to do more painting and tests. Even so, I am coming close to finding a different voice to my drawings and I think if I should push on, I will be able to rest on one eventually.
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Presskit Presentation

I have updated and consolidated the project into a press kit.
You can download it here:
Download.

Please feel free to leave any comments if you have any.
Thanks and stay tune for more update.
:)

Background Plate

This is a background component that I tested out using masking tapes pasted randomly and scanned. Digital elements were then painted over using photoshop and painter. I might be exploring on this method of producing background components, so that I can have some hand-made elements composited with digital elements.

The result is fairly refreshing.

Visual Development

There were tons of drawings I did during Studio One but I am re-looking at them again just to tighten things up. Even though I am still not happy with what I have done. Here are a few of very recent sketches I did.

I kind of like this one which shows how one image is related or affecting the look of the next. I am using the shape and size of one character design to be the starting point of the design of the next. It looks like one form is changing to another. But I think these are too stylized. I want the look of the characters to be less identifiable... the design will show the essence of the characters but they remain anonymous to the viewers.

I like the second one posted here, whereby the design of the characters, though stylized, remain simplistic and naive. I like the way the bodies are defined in a gestural way with curvy lines.
It will be interesting to animate these.

Visual Treatment for my Final Project

Visual Treatment in Summary:

• No character to identify
• No Diegesis to transport the viewer to different time and place
• Use of devices such as metamorphosis as scene to scene transitions
• No closed narrative structure
• Challenge the viewer to participate in the process of creating meaning
• David Hockney’s exploded views of people and landscape as starting point
• Small visual moments weaving into a concept or narrative
• Imagined Components

Process:

• 2D hand drawn animation
• Digital Post Production using AfterEffects
• Abstract components
  
• Fine art techniques for art development
• “Straight ahead” animation
• Cutout animation
  
• Process is a combination of writing, drawing, painting, and gathering

Synopsis
The animation is part narrative, and part non-narrative piece about how we look at our surroundings as observers and witnesses, and how an event would affect another like a chain reaction, based on the idea that everything and everyone of us is interrelated to each other in one way or another. Our bodies are made up of many parts like the bones and the flesh. Blood runs through our bodies along blood vessels like electricity running via cables, and traffic through roads. The city we live in is made up of infrastructures like roads, buildings, electric cables, and even sewers. Whilst its "life" is defined by the inhabitants. We are like blood cells giving life to the city. We affect the community in many ways, both physically and anatomically.


Visual Treatment
I want my characters to remain anonymous so that the viewers are not able to identify with them. The characters have to be "strangers" to one another, as well as strangers to the viewers. It is important in this case because I want the viewers to have the pleasure of seeing but not be emotionally affected in a personal manner. They stay as distant as possible to the characters and the settings. This will go in tune with the voyeuristic theme that will be portrayed throughout the animation.

There are several transitional devices that I'm planning to use: metamorphosis, motion blur, time lapse, and penetration. Metamorphosis is a good way to suggest thoughts and images through imagination. Motion blur and time lapse to represent change of location, while penetration is an excellent way to represent deconstruction and to go beyond seeing just the outward portrayal of things.

The characters and the settings are going to be made of deconstructed bits of animated components, as though I am looking at a David Hockney's exploded views of people and landscape.

:)

Thesis Outline

Outline:

1. Definition of observation versus voyeurism.
1. Theory of seeing (gaze)
2. Observation
3. Early philosophical look at voyeurism (Freudian Theory)
4. Meditated voyeurism

2. Voyeurism in Art.
1. Art that thrives on voyeurism
2. Voyeurism in the media – the conflux or the influence of many factors – legal, social, political and technological – has allowed voyeurism to gain its prominence in today’s society and culture.
3. Cite one film example: The Trueman Show
4. Cite real TV: Cops
   
   

“In the world of television everything is everyone’s business and the viewers are curious, invisible, silent third party voyeurs peeking into other people’s lives.”

- Robert Abelman, Reaching A Critical Mass, 1998.

3. Inspirations derived from voyeuristic observation.
1. Childhood experience
2. Relating observation to drawing and art
3. Translating observation to imagery meditation

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

Edited (6/29)
Modern culture thrives on voyeurism, the very ingredient of creative energy, which is used by man to make art for his own pleasurable indulgence.

(Modern culture thrives on the voyeuristic nature of man, who in turn, assimilates his fascination of observation, the pleasure of seeing, the delight derived from looking, and the interest that compels him to gaze and covet to see more, the very ingredients of creative energy, into making art for his own pleasurable indulgence.)

Quote:
“Animation is not the art of drawings that move but the art of movements that are drawn; what happens between each frame is much more important than what exists on each frame; Animation is therefore the art of manipulating the invisible interstices that lie between the frames.” - Norman McLaren (“Art In Motion – Animation Aesthetics” P.5)
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Deliverables for Studio 2

These items to be done:

1. Presentation of Current thesis status
2. Proposal for thesis preproduction timeline
3. 3rd week presentation
4. Proposal for thesis further enhancement
6. 6th week presentation
7. Proposal for thesis final enhancement
8. Final Presentation of thesis proposal

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