Some Relief: Anomalisa Review and a quick trip to the Museum of Childhood

I realise I am now two blogposts down so I honestly will try my best, but I am really knackered, so bear with me if I am a bit waffley/or have zero to say at all.

So some of you may know I finished my essay when I wanted to on Monday morning (yayyyy!) and it was safe to say I was bloody relieved to get away from it, just in time for a city walk with the wonderful Angus.

Tuesday, I had some time to work on some design work that I'm helping with (a blogpost will follow imminently!), which was really just a relief to do some drawing for once, and I will be bringing a sketchbook with me to Vienna - we're going on a school trip there in two weeks so its going to be a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to experimenting with some drawing/writing in the same book, which I think will produce some interesting documentary material. I've never really tried it before since sketchbook days at Foundation, and I really resent uni for putting me off using a sketchbook. It's about time I picked one up again, just for my own practice, whatever that practice is.

Wednesday, Rosa and I finally got to see each other after a really long time. With both of us still working on our respective projects, its been difficult to keep up but we finally had a day together which turned out to contain lots of elements of stop motion.

First we went to see the new Charlie Kaufman stop motion, Anomalisa. I had been really looking forward to it as I'd heard good reviews and really wanted to see how it was made. Technically, we both agreed that it was very impressive. The facial expressions were made out of several parts, a part for the upper part of the face for the movement of eyebrows and eyelids, and one of the lower part for the lips. The bodies were quite realistic, and the movements incredibly smooth. Equally we enjoyed how they had used these material aspects within the storyline; there's a part where the main character's face rapidly changes, and falls off, showing why they used stop motion instead of live-action for the film. But the good parts end there really - the storyline was rather disappointing and frankly quite annoying.

They started off very well, really emphasising the mundanity of the story. Only about 10/20 minutes into the story do you realise that everyone aside from the protagonist, Michael Stone, has the same voice and the same face. The film hits a climatic part when Michael hears another voice, the voice of a young woman called Lisa. They have weird puppet sex, and then he dreams that all the people with the same face are all completely in love with him. When he wakes up and proposes to leave his wife for Lisa, she suddenly starts transforming into everyone else. It ends with Lisa writing him a letter, and as the camera pans up to see Lisa and her friend in the car, you realise the friend has another different face. So at the end of it all, its still a film that is all middle-age-white-man-puppet having a crisis, boo hoo.

The film could have gone super surrealist, there was so much opportunity for the film not to be like that. It could have been all apocalyptic or something, anything more than just same old story surely?! It also didn't continue having a reason to be stop motion animation, and its a shame all that effort went into such a rehashed story with neither a sombre afterthought, or an exciting fulfilment.

So we moved on, and with a few hours to kill before we met Hanswan, we popped over to the Museum of Childhood for the mini Smallfilms exhibition. Ahh, some proper, hearty, imaginative stop motion. I remember loving the Clangers, so it was great to see and read about the detail that Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin went to. Also Peter Firmin is superbly skilled, those Clangers are knitted, with a mechano skeleton! It reminded me that making a great animation is not always about swooshy technical skills, it is mainly about a great story. The best thing about stop motion, and animation in general, is that the world is your oyster, you can make anything happen. You can make people fly, animals talk, walk, be on the moon, anamorphise a car, even with human figures, you can reach a fantastically intimate and emotional level that is humanistic and yet different to film...Why waste the time and energy on a terrible storyline? So although these stop motion animations both have two very different audiences, it is clear which one is the more compelling...

Anyway, a little trivia, Bagpuss was supposed to be orange and white, but they sent pink by mistake! To be honest, I'm glad they went for it! And for some nostalgia (or a new discovery for some of you who've never seen it before!) here's the first episode of The Clangers.  I understand there is a new version (??!) which I've not seen yet, but I hope it lives up to its original counterpart!

Reimagining Objects: a History of Design Exhibition

This week was the opening of our exhibition 'Reimagining Objects'. The purpose of the exhibition was to express our research for our object essays through a new interpretation of our object. We felt that seeing as many of the objects we researched will never be displayed, because they're too delicate or broken, we really wanted to open up the archive in our own way.

I decided not to interpret my own object, although that might be something I do as a later project. Instead I worked with my friend Natalia, who wanted to animate her board game, 'The New Game', a kids game based on the Crimean War. In her research, she explored the surrounding media of the Crimean War in Victorian Britain which not only included newspapers, but also theatre productions, songs, and even 'holidays' to the front to watch the battle. Clearly the documentation (and exaggeration) of the war was relentless and totally indifferent to the violence that was occurring. The board game was a part of this,  disturbingly set against the domesticity of a child's playroom. The game itself is simple enough, with two swirls of ocean with the port of Russia and Turkey being the aim of the two sides. The game used a teetotum, an acceptable version of dice for children. The counters were also miscellaneous so that you could use them for different board games. The game is unbiased; it doesn't matter which country wins. The war is even accessible for children.

It was this juxtaposition that we wanted to try and capture in our animation. We went for a photographic stop motion technique and 3D props in the corner of Nat's living room, in true DIY style. We used paper boats made from sheets of the Illustrated London News as counters to represent the two fleets of ships that eventually move on their own. But once the 'war' is won on either side, the player intervenes and destroys the paper port. The story begins again but with the alternative ending, playing in the exhibition on a constant loop. The idea was that we would depict it as a childlike parody, an kitsch film that's cute, whimsical and harmless, but is also representing the darker side of the time, a sick fascination and entertainment from the bloodshed of the war.

At the exhibition, we projected our animation on one of the walls along with a demonstration of the game available to play on the opening night. We had a fantastic time doing this project on the side of all the million other things we all have to do, but it was all totally worth it! The exhibition was really rewarding and we're all really proud of what we have achieved. None of us pretended to be artists or designers on order to reach a final outcome, but really wanted to use this experience as part of the process of research. It was really nice for me to be able to use what I've learned on my BA course, and I'm really enjoying the combination of what I love within this course. It shows that it is totally valuable to have all these skills, you don't just have to focus on one thing.

See the animation here.

'Miss Hokusai' Film Review

Apologies for being a day late! So quickly I will move on...

Last Friday, J and I went to the ICA to see a screening of the film 'Miss Hokusai', one of the films that are part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. The anime is directed by Keiichi Hara, adapted from the manga series Sarusuberi written and illustrated by Hinako Sugiura. The film too acts like a series, combining a collection of smaller narratives to provide a wider context of the day to day life of the characters.

The story is based in the Edo-period, Japan, focused on the life of Katsushika O-Ei, the third daughter of, arguably Japan's most famous painter and printer, Hokusai. It follows their life living together totally surrounded by their work in a tiny shack as she develops her skill as Hokusai's assistant. It describes the tensions and intricacies of their relationship in work, in family and with their clients.

The characters in the film are wonderfully enigmatic, and the main protagonist is a refreshingly subdued in a no-nonsense kind of way rather than aloof. She is clearly a woman with focus and intention and yet, reveals her vulnerability in her relationship with her blind younger sister who she shares the world with. Hokusai too is portrayed as a mysterious, contemplative master, who is strict with his students but is sympathetic with their struggles to achieve greatness.

What is very interesting about the narrative of this film is the way that it weaves fantasy into the story. The snippets of their everyday show their process within their work, particularly how dreams, legends, spirits and fantasy figures affect their painting. For example, they say when painting a dragon, the dragon itself needs to appear and transmit itself through you; for O-Ei, it appears in a storm, creating a powerful image of a dragon. As many anime engage in fantasy, this element seems to be used here to illustrate the bodily performative element of their process, and relay the immersive experience of their practice.

Three Women Playing Musical Instruments, Katsushika O-Ei, Boston Museum of Fine Art

O-Ei, in her real life, is a compelling figure. Very little is known about her. She is thought to have cared for Hokusai in his old age, even divorcing her husband to look after her father. She was an accomplished painter herself, although there are currently only ten works to her name. It has been contested as to whether she may be responsible for some of the later works of Hokusai. From his fame in his lifetime, it would have benefited them both financially that she sold her work as her fathers. Today, the problem is the same; although the painting may have evidence of O-Ei's hand, it still won't serve the high price and prestige of the work being made by Hokusai himself.

Not only does this film serve a feminist perspective on O-Ei and the development of her practice and the relationship with her father, but it also expands the picture of what an unusual position she was in for a young, single woman in Edo. The way it describes the experiential process of painting, the way in which the different painters approach painting shunga, what inspired and drove these individuals in the practice, broadens my imagination on the lives of these artists, particularly for O-Ei, who is stuck in a male-dominated life.

In other words, I highly recommend. If you get the chance to see 'Miss Hokusai', definitely do!

Update and End of the Line.

Clearly in my last post I had promised too much so now that we're heading into September... I can admit it has been both hectic and yet I feel a little more relaxed. Since our final show we've had our graduation, and then that's it! I've received my certificate, and just sweet sweet relief. I moved out way back in June into a new flat in North London with Jonas, and Laura and Chris joined us too, leaving Nottingham behind. Hannah also moved in round the corner to us, so it's great to feel like it is a fresh start, but then again it's more that I get to spend even more time with some of my best friends. As I am the only student in the house now, I've been able to spend a lot of time on my own which has actually becoming really good downtime for me. I've been able to read, and weave, and just calm down from life as a design student, and prepare myself for becoming a design history student. That's not to say I've not stopped working, more that it's working out in my brain what I am capable of, and where I can sit in this funny design world. At the end of the day, I may have disliked the last three years, but that doesn't ever mean I would want to leave it behind forever. As much as I want to scrutinise, analyse and appreciate design as a design historian, there is also such pleasure as thinking and making as a designer, and I will miss printing the most, absolutely. I promise, it won't be stopping any time soon!

 So backtracking, I ought to show what I have been doing since even May! There have been some work that I haven't yet revealed...

Early this year, my housemate Pippa had been talking about making a fashion film for her graduate collection, and I was really interested in getting to combine my love for moving image and fashion. Separately I'd been talking to my friend James who was interested in making sets, including for a fashion setting. So we embarked on this super fast turnaround task to make a film called 'End of the Line.' I started storyboarding a couple of weeks before shooting, and roping in a friend from second year Illustration (the lovely Kate!), in about three weeks, James had made the set and we'd shot the film!

The concept was formed from the concept for Pippa's collection, which uses the figure of 'the trainspotter'. We formulated a character for her, and figured out her obsessions and agenda for our two minute film. We wanted a tongue-in-cheek film that was the right balance of cheek, fun and yet had a practical and absurd edge.

I'm really happy with the overall outcome. As the first fashion film I had ever made, I was pleased to find that I could do so much, and the finish was exactly what I wanted. Hopefully I can do more stuff using film, and I have some more ideas and collaborations coming up so fingers crossed they can come to light!

See the film here.

Kingston University: End of the Party

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry for being a really terrible blogger as of late. I guess a lot of the time it's because I'm doing a lot of live briefs so I sometimes can't unveil until after the whole thing is finished!
I do have one teeny thing to show you though. We recently (and by recently it was like early November...) worked on a really short project called 'End of the Party' where we had to choose some kind of political stance on something. Otherwise, it was very open so I thought I would interpret in quite an abstract form. I decided to loosely base it on victim blaming, and how in crimes of abuse or rape, victims are lured into a false sense of security; for some reason this doesn't become part of the criminal offence, and becomes the 'fault' of the victim, 'they had it coming', 'why weren't they more careful' or 'it's their own fault for BEING vulnerable'.
I wanted to create something that initially seems harmless, and viewing something that looks somewhat equal or an act of heroism. You soon realise that it's a trap, and the hand above crushes the one in need. I thought that animation would be a good way to show action and movement, without having to use 'set up' or documentary style filming in live action. This I think comes across as much more sinister and destructive, and perhaps show exactly how we can be physically and mentally hurtful to other people. We all have the potential to destroy each other, but maybe we've become numbed to this violence because we've been able to remove ourselves from situations that you read about on the news or see reconstructed in video games.
It is our own choice to what we do with the power that we have; the hand is capable of both help and harm. It's our responsibility to use our hand wisely.

ANIMA Collective Competition: The Penny Drops

Rosa and I finally got to go to our screening for our film 'The Penny Drops'. Our film along with 10 others debuted at the Brunel Museum in the Brunel Tunnel Shaft. It was an awesome venue, and was amazing to go with live music too. 

It has been an amazing experience, and we've met some incredible people along the way. Big thanks to Adi Chase, our amazing composer who we've collaborated on this project with throughout the whole process. As two (past) musicians ourselves, it's been great to connect with that again. Watch The Penny Drops here.

Mechanika with Anima Collective.

Amongst the many things going on at the moment, Rosa and I have been working on a little animation project set by ANIMA Collective. They are a group of contemporary composers, musicians and animators, collaborating putting animations and films to live music. Every year they run a competition to filmmakers, animators and composers to find each other and collaborate to a theme. This year the theme is MECHANIKA, and the screening will be in the Brunel Tunnel Shaft, which is now a venue for many theatre and musical events.

We've known about the project since June, and we had been working to pitch an idea first which was due in July. We got in contact with composer Adi Chase through a friend, and continued to collaborate with her. We have since found out that our group is one of ten finalists, which means that we'll be able to perform in the space, and follow through with our idea! From the performance, we have a chance to win £600 between animators and composer. We were more interested in performing in the space; we visited the Brunel Shaft together, and immediately could see the potential in our project inside. We thought it would be a great place to have our first ever screening.

We're so excited to take part, but it does mean our schedule is getting to be pretty tight! I'm looking forward to getting to make things and actually do some animation with Rosa, and we had been meaning to do a little project together. I am glad that I haven't been able to get a placement this summer, because I have managed to find a million things to do instead, which has worked out for the better really. I'm starting to be able to taste the end of my time at Uni, and I'm making the most of it as much as I can! Staying in London over summer has certainly paid off, as although I'm doing so many things, I do really feel like I'm having a break at the same time, and also able to spend time with my wonderful housemates.

As much as I would love to show you some samples, I think it's wisest we keep it fairly under wraps until later! So I shall keep you posted.

Kingston University: Book Project and a Long Awaited Update.

I am so, so so sorry for the lack of blogposts recently, and well I can only blame myself and our final project. But you'll be pleased to know it's going really well this end! And with only three weeks left, I am dying to have some summer time here in London. Reading, writing, seeing and doing is all on the agenda.

So, update. Along with the POP project critique, we also had our book project. The reason why I didn't post up anything was because this year, our final projects are meant to be 'Major Improvement Projects' (not the catchiest of names, but you get the idea) and I decided to extend my book project. My final crit is on Wednesday (EEK) but I'm really happy with the result so I will show you in due course! We also had a much needed three weeks off at Easter, of which I spent a week or so at home. Still working of course. But I honestly have been enjoying everything so much at the moment; I guess every low will eventually have it's high with the right mindset. Admittedly, there has been very very little drawing, but I've realised that's not necessarily where my strength lies...and that's okay with me. I'll still always be drawing. But I hope it means that the pressure is off my back now and I can really enjoy drawing again.

As a taster, I'll show you a few frames from my book project.

We were given very free reign for this project, and we could make a physical book or a digital one. Funnily enough I was the only person to try out digital. I wanted to have a go, mainly to see if I could do some simple drawn animation... It was a really tough job, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I started out with my location drawings from first year of aquariums (excuse the terrifying photos... what a rookie), and I've been meaning to do something with them for quite a long time. I wanted to make an educational book, but that soon got changed around a little to create a narrative. The plan for me was to pitch an idea, including all the animations and interactive ideas which I didn't have to show myself, just more of the idea aspects of it. The story follows a sardine called Sonny who decides to leave the shoal to make some new, more interesting friends.

Honestly, it is just very much a self indulgent project... I really just love drawing fish. It must just be a trait from my mum, but I just find it fascinating. And it gave me an excuse to watch all the The Blue Planet on Netflix. For my final project, I've adapted this a little bit... stay tuned! Lots of exciting things to come!

Kingston University: Minute Megaphone

Our first project of the year proved to be a pretty tough one. Using only performance, film or photography, we were to take the megaphone as an object to inspire a piece. This was supposed to demonstrate our 'megaphone' and what that might mean. For me, I took the shape as my first inspiration, taking it much like an animal cone around their heads, and how it might restrict a person if they were to wear one. Of course, it did the opposite, making it so uncomfortable to communicate. Then it lead to being drowned in words, one who is desperate to speak, but physically can't. You can see the video below, or on Youtube.

A massive thankyou to Pippa, for helping me despite the risk factor. Lets just say, I wouldn't do this at home kids.

Kingston University: Animation Project, Walk Cycle.

This is my finished walk cycle guys! I'm pretty proud of it actually, and managed to squeeze in a wee pirouette! I'm not actually too sure what thing the character is...I just know she likes to dance.

Walk Cycle Practice

I was feeling a little nervous about the coming up animation tutorial, where we have to make our character from last week's project walk. I thought to myself ' I can't even make a normal person walk yet!', so I figured I'd do a little practice before going in.

The first thing I did was text Harry for moral support, before just biting the bullet and getting on with it. I made a video (one that has been DELETED. Forever.) of my legs just from start to finish. I made enough frames to make one that doesn't loop, but I eventually took out 3/20 frames to make it a continuous walk. I think I did pretty well. My set up was just a little registration using masking tape, so that I could keep my layout paper as even as possible. Each piece is A6 size, so it just shows you can do anything with any size of paper! I feel a lot more ready, and it was much less grueling than I imagined. I'm really looking forward to it!

Self Portrait.

The story behind this is...I didn't want to become afraid. So I did an animation...and it worked!