Currently I am researching what it is that makes us ignore the evidence and signs that the Earth is in danger. Climate Change is the human rights issue of our time, so why aren't we doing something about it? Something much more beneficial and empowering?
As I want a different approach for now, (Deadline - August 2015) I decided to interview my little brother, Stefan. I wanted his pure unaltered opinions, of what we all know to be true at a really young age, but it just goes away somewhere as we grow up. We do care, but its still not enough. The main aim here is to provoke an emotional engagement with the audience.
MA Graphic Design UCA Epsom. Made in AE.
This is purely for educational purposes only. I do also not own the audio tracks, Old Shoes - Adam Barnes & Pompeii - Bastille.
This animation is my rendition of the given brief "Manifesto" from my University, MA Graphic Design UCA Epsom. Made in After Effects, this film is my own personal Design Manifesto.
This is purely for education purposes only. The animation has been designed by myself.
For my final brief in Year 1 Graphic Design: Visual Communication I had to remake a title sequence of any chosen film - I chose "I am Legend" (Maidstone, Kent rendition). Enjoy!
Just for fun...
One day as part of some research, myself and two friends went in the "wilderness" of Maidstone - Where we found some amazing views, perfect for footage and creepy forgotten tunnels...
Kinetic Type..
During a Year 2 lecture on typography, we were show examples and alternative methods of playing with type - This short animation is what first really drew me into moving graphics and kinetic typography...
After Effects?
In my 3rd and Final Year of my BA I decided I wanted to seriously play with film and animation to see if it was what I truly enjoyed...
Through experimentation and countless YouTube tutorials, I gain some knowledge of After Effects and how I could use the program to successfully create films..
and even animate characters, giving them personality and feeling.
Motion Graphics..
"Motion graphics are graphics that use video footage and/or animation technology to create the illusion of motion or rotation, and are usually combined with audio for use in multimedia projects."
Inspirations.. Most of my inspirations for animation come from YouTube - where so many alternative methods of film are placed and sometimes draw hardly any notice.. or the respect they deserve.
Recent Works..
I have recently received a commission from ARC Interactive Studios to help animate and design the final storyboard for "Gnome Non-Sense" - which is to be released on mobile devices and social media websites. The ARC team recently won "The Big Pitch" (Anglia Ruskin student business competition) and received £10,000 to make this game a reality.
12 months later...?
Eventually, I would love to work with a Creative Animation Studio where I can continue to play with motion graphics, visual storytelling, statistics and film. For example....
This animation is my rendition of the given brief "International Pedagogy" from my uni, MA Graphic Design UCA Epsom. Made in after effects, this film acts as a quick guide for those new to the UK and the basics for your first hour or so. This is purely for educational purposes only. I do also not own the audio track, Bonobo - Cirrus. The animation has been designed by myself.
This animation is my BA (Hons) University Final Major Project submission. Made in after effects, this film supports the physical mental and emotional states of a human being and raises awareness to the benefits of taking up running as a fitness routine, in the hopes that others will be inspired to get outside and change their equilibrium for the better too.
This is purely for educational purposes only. I do also not own the audio track, an instrumental rendition of Imagine Dragons - On top of the World.
My current brief is to create a screen based narrative based that will function as a title sequence for a narrative of your choice. This new brief is focused on creating an Opening Title Sequence to any film/book or it could even be my own creation!
Here are some examples that have really got me inspired as Title Sequences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Xi3ioasik&feature=fvwrel Reservoir Dogs (1993) I have been looking at different frames and key shots that make up Title Sequences. I would like to present my own set of frames and key shots from my Title Sequence when it is finished. I just hope that I can excite viewers into watching my Title Sequence or at least the original film.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
James Bond - Casino Royale
James Bond - Quantum of Solace
Sherlock Holmes
Catch Me If You Can
Reservoir Dogs
Experimental Effects
I know a lot of people who love the Sherlock Holmes Title Sequence, including myself. What I don't understand is why this amazing Title Sequence has been placed at the end of the film!
This is the original version and style of the Sherlock Holmes Title Sequence.
This image was made using 3 layers. I created the background myself, then added a version similar to the original and then pasted black paint using "paint bucket tool" to give a spilt ink effect.
Statement of Intent
For this project I am aiming to produce a remake of the Title Sequence "I Am Legend" as I feel the original could have been so much more. I want my Sequence to excite the audience into watching the film and fill them with suspense for what is to come.
Before deciding on "I Am Legend" I had a few different ideas that I was still choosing between. Mainly creating a longer Sequence but within Maidstone high streets for "I Am Legend" or creating a more improved version of "The Shining". With "The Shining" I felt that it looked a bit novice and could have been handled in different ways, especially with the typefaces and credits. However, I planned to keep the original music from "The Shining" as I don't think you could improve on it. If anything that is whats makes that particular Sequence memorable. At the time I wanted to see if I could achieve producing a horror/thriller genre Title Sequence and filling my viewing audience with not necessarily fear but suspense. In the end I abandoned the idea for "The Shining".
The main concept that excited me the most was gathering film footage from a desolate and abandoned city, or in Maidstone's case a town where the populace would not be around during filming. This meant I would have to gather the footage in the early hours of the morning.
I gathered my footage on a rainy morning between 4.00am to 6.00am.
These pictures were taken within the last few shots that were filmed. I think this was the perfect location to film the ending of my Title Sequence because of the tall buildings that surrounded the camera angle and the darkness just added to the effects and feeling of the whole shot.
My Title Sequence in Frames
The following frames are the main frames of my Title Sequence "I Am Legend (Maidstone rendition)". I wanted the audience to get the feeling of not being followed, but on the lookout for danger and as in the original film "Darkseekers". That is why I felt it best to not have the film anymore "jumpy" than it already is, but to cut round corners sharply and have the Titles come into the Sequence quickly and unexpectedly. Thus having the appearance of a horror/thriller genre and hopefully, achieving suspense and an anticipated vibe. It was recommended to me to gather footage before piecing together a storyboard, which was best because I knew how I wanted my film to be but more experimentation would be required. So I plan to use these screenshots as a storyboard and I will put my Sequence together from these.
Below is the original I Am Legend typeface. In the film it cuts to the font and slowly zooms in on it. However with my version I wanted to have a nervous and scared feeling given.
Made in Motion, I think I have achieved a frustrating yet satisfying outcome with the typeface.
This short film was produced as an experiment with small amounts of footage to see if it was possible to create a horror sort of ambience and keep the viewing audience in suspense.
The Final Outcome as a Title Sequence
I am ecstatic with my final outcome. I decided not to make the film itself too jumpy as to not frustrate the audience with the footage constantly being pushed into their faces. I also wanted the audience to get a sense of danger and suspense and wanting them to be enticed into watching the actual film if they have not already seen it for themselves.
