I thought I would just comment the 3rd year final project presentations that I saw at the Animation Forum this Friday.
The students were presenting to a panel of industry professionals including Trevor Ricketts, who has a wide experience in children’s television, writing for Noddy, Postman Pat, Shaun the Sheep, and Animals of Farthingwood. Pippa Best was also a member of the panel, a former Festival and Project Director of Cornwall Film and an industry advisor. Lastly Felix Massie a Animation graduate who shot to acclaim with his short film “Keith Reynolds Can’t Make it Tonight.”
I was glad that I was able to attend the forum in the end as it gave me a valuable insight into what the tutors are expecting of us for our final projects next year, and exactly what the 3rd years had been up to all this time. Id seen glimpses of creative genius sporadically throughout last year and this term but when ever I got too close they’d start like frightened rabbits and hurriedly shuffle off.
As an audience we were given the chance to ask questions and give feedback after every presentation, but I didn’t take up this opportunity as I felt asking the students potentially difficult questions on the spot when they were under a lot of pressure, wouldn’t be very supportive.
However, I do have some thoughts and feedback for some of the projects, that I would like to air (most of it praise):
THE HAPPY BREED by Gail Theobald
I was really impressed with the character designs of the family group and the artwork Gail presented, especially if she intends to keep the surrounding background design as mute and stylistically grey compared to the characters as we saw. But I do question whether public information films are relevant in our society anymore? Will the Family setting, have as much impact on the audience as the hard-hitting shock tactics of the current ‘THINK’ adverts, which are popular and considered very affective? I think Gail’s format could appeal o the younger audience and deal with softer issues such as healthy diet, and crossing the road etc. But I have doubts whether adults will take an issue seriously with the classic animated 2d characters anymore and difficult issues like drink driving, abuse, drugs and smoking might be inappropriate for her happy family scenario.
MIRROR MAN by Sean Ridenton
Sean’s Project is one of the most ambitious. Not in technique or style but in subject matter. His presentation was one of the more prepared and professional, but his split screen layout used for the purpose of concisely expressing his intentions was, I fear, TOO effective. It distracted the attention of the panel away from commenting on his project. Sean’s story of an ex soldier’s life of isolation after discharge is a risky move, a topic that will have to be handled with care and sensitivity. However, Sean showed nothing but passion and commitment to his piece, and I do not doubt his ability to pull it off. In fact I think that his work might perhaps turn out to be stronger than some of his fellow students who don’t have a strong moral concept behind their pieces. Sean has some strong themes and images that should be heightened for maximum effect. The continuous pacing back and forth from the mirror could be the skeleton/ rhythm that the rest of the animation falls around, creating a more non-linear storyline, which would emphasis, the characters traumatic mental state. Overall a great pre-production package- strong concept backed up with beautiful artwork. The piece now hangs on the script-which needs to be killer. I can’t wait to see the finished film.
GANG OF COURAGE by Jacob Golding
What can I say? Jacob is very good at what he does! I can’t really add to the feedback that came from the panel on Friday apart from repeat it. The presentation looked inspired by old computer game formats was really enjoyable and enhanced our understanding of his character designs. Bloody amazing!
US + THEM by Holly Brocklesby, Alex Darabi, Pete Wood
I had heard that some of the 3rd years were setting up a business after graduation but I had not realised that they were incorporating it into their final project. When I heard the presentation I couldn’t BELIEVE IT! I know it makes no difference now, but I had nearly had the EXACT same idea about 2 years ago when I was doing my Art Foundation year. One of my old friends was a London socialite “IT’ girl, and was setting up a party for some hot shot prep- rich kids, and she was having problems with the DJ and entertainment. She really wanted something to create atmosphere, so I suggested that she commissioned some of my fellow media students to create animations that link up with the playlist of the DJ – and have them projected onto large screens around the room. It never came to anything as there wasn’t enough time to put everything into practice, but I think it’s really great that this sort of business area is being pursued- even if I’m not involved. What I was unsure about was what role this particular section of the company would do? As VJing already exists as a movement, what unique service would US + THEM provide? I’m a bit confused, are they just creating a website for independent animators to upload their loops to, or are they planning to create all the animated 2 second loops themselves? At one point of the presentation there was talk of them having to create 100 two-second loops? Maybe I missed something during the presentation. Awesome idea overall, I just need a little more clarification on what the company will produce to completely understand the project.
RED VS WOLF by Natalie Waterworth
What really sold the project to me was the progression that was shown on Natalie’s video presentation explaining how she got from initial ideas to the sophisticated design and concept of her final piece. I have always loved fairytale remakes but they are notoriously hard to get right. However I think she has really hit on a great idea. Turning the Red riding-hood story into a revenge match with a sort of vigilante wolf character that the audience sympathises with is inspired! I love it. The design stands up to the concept; graphic novel inspired the black and white contrasts proves to be dynamic viewing from such features as “Sin City”, and will suit the story down to the ground. This project now hangs on the script, but i think we can expect great things.
HELOHA by Ben Dennett
I love people who plan big! From the presentation I gather Ben is planning to incorporate stop-motion, 2D animation and 3D graphics? I may be wrong but if my information is correct, then Ben has given himself a lot of work to do! Good on him. What I loved about his project is that he had really thought about the back-story and concept side of his piece. Every element has a meaning behind it- the island floating in purgatory that is featured in literature, the love song sung by red Elvis, the Hawaiian themed “Heloha”. The problem is getting all this across to the audience who have know explanation to where the island is or what is going on. I hope that in the end this subtle planning and fantastic concept art will feed into the final film- and give it more structure. I didn’t quite understand what exactly happens in the final piece apart from Elvis singing the love song, and maybe the script needs a bit more aim and purpose. As it stands the film is more of an anecdote than a short story, but if that’s intentional I’m happy with that. This projects very randomness is its appeal! I hope he doesn’t loose that!
WAR TORN by Daniel Anthony
I do not doubt Daniels modelling abilities, and by undertaking such an immense task as creating a detailed games environment he will show a huge amount of technical skill that I could only dream of, and that will warrant excellent marks. However, I couldn’t help but think I had seen it all before. If he pulls it off he will end up with hugely detailed, beautiful scenes of urban destruction… as can be seen on every war led computer game on the market. Where is the original concept? I would have loved to see him pushing the boundaries of the average battle scenario -take it one step further so that his work stands out from the crowd. But as there was no concept art included in the presentation I can only assume that I already know what its going looks like. That said, I’m looking forward to the finished product- I have huge admiration for people who can model to that standard and the industry couldn’t function without them.
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