Here are my initial thumbnails for what if Metropolis. I tried using silhouette type thumbnails to show thumbnails similar to Max Ernst's work. I like 8 and 11.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
What If? Metropolis Artist Research: Max Ernst
For the What If Metropolis project the artist I was given was Max Ernst. Here's the research I've gathered on him!
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Friday, 24 October 2014
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Ridley Scott's Alien (1979)
Figure 1. Alien Poster
Alien is a feast for the eyes yet it’s less known for its story.
As Malcom states “The basics of the plot are simple. Seven astronauts, working
on a battered space tug that is apparently commercially owned, touch down on
another planet, find something odd for the boffins back home, bring it back
into the ship and are faced with an ever-growing monster.” (Malcom, 2009). But
Alien’s basic plot set a great foundation for appreciating the other fantastic
things about the film.
Figure 2. Spaceship Set
The most impressive thing about Alien is its highly detailed
set. Jones mentions in his review the film
has “imaginative bio-mechanical production design (with the alien created by
Swiss artist HR Giger)” (Jones, unknown). The spaceship itself is built of many layers
decorated with pipes and switches and gives you an impression of a gritty,
working spaceship. There’s also the sets that belong to the alien planet. These
sets give the impression of being vast and unexplored. Both sets are amazing in
terms of design with every little detail thought out, it’s clear that a sense
of realism was trying to be achieved.
Figure 3. Extreme Close up
The way the camera is used in Alien is interesting. The shots
help create a tense atmosphere and put you on the edge of your seat. At the
start of the film the camera is steady while the crew do mundane things such as
eat breakfast together but later on the camera is in first person or there will
be an extreme close up of a characters face. An extreme close up (like in
fig.3) shows the emotions close up and immediately involves the audience.
Ridley Scotts choice to get the audience feel involved is what can make this
film so terrifying.
In Alien it’s not made clear until towards the end who our protagonist
will be, everyone is shown as an equal until they’re killed off. It’s
interesting how Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) becomes the protagonist towards the
end as often in sci-fi movies a woman is portrayed as a side character. Larson
mentions Sigourney Weaver in his review saying “There is Sigourney Weaver, not
throwing her womanhood around but rather carrying herself as if a strong female
figure in this time and place was simply a matter of fact.” (Larson, unknown).
Her portrayal of Ripley is rather impressive, she’s clearly a smart woman and
though she shows signs of fear she’s still a strong character which makes her
highly interesting to an audience.
Though Alien isn’t a perfect movie, it’s a movie that will
engage many for different reasons.
Illustration List
Ridley Scott (1979) Figure 1. Alien Poster http://c4941054.r54.cf2.rackcdn.com/10418.jpg
Ridley Scott (1979) Figure 2. Spaceship Set https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJovew9Wli3h_3QW-df2QePg_GWsPsqi9mPdld61RUGFow2cCUBp5ZOTUFHTZO-yj1FjxJ6N6A_KGjnPqG3UpOOjtqnr1xoHhPlW15EqUYzgnYh5TdErv051cJjecGquVNzy-NgqCG_k/s1600/Alien_002Pyxurz.jpg
Ridley Scott (1979) Figure 3. Extreme Close up http://www.deepfocusreview.com/reviews/images/alien.3.jpg (accessed 23/10/14)
Bibliography
Jones, A (unknown) http://www.radiotimes.com/film/zwts/alien
Larson, J (unknown) http://www.larsenonfilm.com/alien
Malcom, D (2009) http://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/oct/13/derek-malcolm-alien-review
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Figure 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey Poster
2001: A Space Odyssey as a whole is more of an idea than a
story. Its scenes are made for purpose and to portray ideas. As Humanick says
in his article “At its core, the film is a journey, a summarization of those
questions that are both the simplest in their inquisition and most profound in
their answers: Who are we, where do we come from, and where are we going?”
(Humanick, 2007). One question to keep in mind is what exactly is Kubrick trying
to say about technology? At first he shows technology to be amazing and
fantastical however later on it is flawed and dangerous. It’s interesting what Rob
Gonslaves says in his review “Technology may have enabled long-distance
communication, but hasn't improved its human quality at all.” (Gonslaves, 2008).
Maybe what Kubrick is trying to say is that humans can possibly achieve great
things however they’re still flawed.
Figure 2. Ship interior
Whats interesting about 2001: A Space Odyssey in particular
is the use of set to show the advancement of technology. Though thought has
been put into the story more so has been put into the design. As Milne says “What
matters for the lay spectator is that Kubrick's vision of space is as endlessly
fascinating as a vast toyshop of intricate, superbly photogenic working models.”
(Milne, 2010). The spaceship interiors are full of buttons to press and lots of
gadgets made for a purpose.
Figure 3. Distance shot
Kubrick shows his sets through the use of panoramic and mid
distance shots alienating his audience and forcing them to wait and watch
rather than involving them. You feel like a spectator and that’s what makes
2001: A space Odyssey a thought provoking film.
Illustration list
Kubrick, S (1968) Figure 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey Poster https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsUrl_qQ_4yE159TZ0Np_1U4ZVbm0kV6hGDQSygcIu3AMzE_30NZbCLodS3kODYfDiZnuv3MNyAV7VW5oSiowVm5h1rVauP072Wtf2UUcNnFRsVXIhAkjETAuCxnKmEHWO3kdjSaFTUc0/s1600/1968_2001+Space+Odyssey_11.jpg (Accessed on the 21/10/14)
Kubrick, S (1968) Figure 2. Ship interior http://i.dawn.com/2012/10/jogging-2001-space-odyssey-screenshot-670.jpg
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121113020234/althistory/images/c/c1/2001_A_Space_Odyssey-1-.jpg
Bibliography
Gonslaves, R (2008) http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=1914&reviewer=416
Humanick, R (2007) http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/2001-a-space-odyssey
Milne, T (2010) http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/21/space-odyssey-review-science-fiction
Invisible Cities: Low angle shot and Establishing shot development
Started developing my Low angle shot, I'm pretty pleased with how it's going so far though there's still some things to fix.
I also developed my Establishing shot more, I think the mountains are pretty much done though I might add extra details later. I also changed the composition slightly because I wasn't completely happy with it.
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Invisible Cities: Establishing shot and Interior shot development
Here's the progress made on my Interior shot. I started adding more detail and touched up a few things.
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Invisible Cities: Low Angle Thumbnails
Here are some thumbnails for my low angle shot. I tried different perspectives to make them interesting. The general idea is to show a street from inside the city. I really like 7 but I'm not sure if the angle is low enough so I tried fixing it a little in 8, I also quite like 3 and 9. In my finished piece I'd like to show transport and and fix the strings.