Fantastic Voyage: OGR 1: (Had it set to upload at the wrong date and time, woops)
I figure this had already gone Live, but it turns out I have just set it to upload around next month. Make sure you check when you schedule updates guys.
Hi Lewis - and thanks for being so patient. Okay, I think you have to give in to the Alien vibe - but give into it properly - which means you're moving into homage/pastiche territory - i.e. knowingly appropriating the mood/visuals etc. of something that already exists, and doing it expertly. What this means is that you have to look at ways in which to borrow complete shots and set-ups from Alien/Aliens and use them to your advantage. For me, it makes sense if the actual structure of your film plays out like a trailer for an Aliens movie we've never actually seen; so you put together 'glimpses', which correspond to the actual stages of the life-cycle, but sit within the structure of a classic Alien franchise trailer: take a look at these trailers to get a sense of what I mean - I even think you could have the word 'Hookworm' building up very slowly (as per the Alien opening titles) and intercut into the animation itself - same font, same style; an instance, not of 'unoriginality', but homage: with your new sound design skills, I think you could also create a commensurate soundtrack as spooky and 'non-musical' as the original:
In terms of designing the eggs/hookworms etc I don't think you need to so overtly make them into Giger stuff - if you keep them black, slick, blind and toothy, the associations will be made; if you garnish them with non-scientifically accurate spines etc. you risk turning your animation into science-fiction literally - remember, you're using the Alien motif to get people interested in the science, not using the science to make a fanboy Alien film - pastiche is a subtle art, because it has to be done very well not to be lazy. In terms of your maya skills, etc. I suggest you seek to achieve lots of this the same way Scott did in the original - suggest more, show less - so use lighting and shadow etc. to your advantage. Your challenge now then is to achieve the balance between info and homage - I look forward to seeing you develop this over the next couple of days; for the pitch, if you need to use the existing Alien soundtrack etc. as a placeholder, then do so, but be sure to make the client aware that it won't be used in the final film...
OGR 07/03/2015
ReplyDeleteHi Lewis - and thanks for being so patient. Okay, I think you have to give in to the Alien vibe - but give into it properly - which means you're moving into homage/pastiche territory - i.e. knowingly appropriating the mood/visuals etc. of something that already exists, and doing it expertly. What this means is that you have to look at ways in which to borrow complete shots and set-ups from Alien/Aliens and use them to your advantage. For me, it makes sense if the actual structure of your film plays out like a trailer for an Aliens movie we've never actually seen; so you put together 'glimpses', which correspond to the actual stages of the life-cycle, but sit within the structure of a classic Alien franchise trailer: take a look at these trailers to get a sense of what I mean - I even think you could have the word 'Hookworm' building up very slowly (as per the Alien opening titles) and intercut into the animation itself - same font, same style; an instance, not of 'unoriginality', but homage: with your new sound design skills, I think you could also create a commensurate soundtrack as spooky and 'non-musical' as the original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayjf48A_9As
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5lPt9edzQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmJOO6D5RvA
In terms of designing the eggs/hookworms etc I don't think you need to so overtly make them into Giger stuff - if you keep them black, slick, blind and toothy, the associations will be made; if you garnish them with non-scientifically accurate spines etc. you risk turning your animation into science-fiction literally - remember, you're using the Alien motif to get people interested in the science, not using the science to make a fanboy Alien film - pastiche is a subtle art, because it has to be done very well not to be lazy. In terms of your maya skills, etc. I suggest you seek to achieve lots of this the same way Scott did in the original - suggest more, show less - so use lighting and shadow etc. to your advantage. Your challenge now then is to achieve the balance between info and homage - I look forward to seeing you develop this over the next couple of days; for the pitch, if you need to use the existing Alien soundtrack etc. as a placeholder, then do so, but be sure to make the client aware that it won't be used in the final film...
Can you complete the survey for me, pretty please - and let me know when you've done it - cheers!
ReplyDeletehttp://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/fao-caa-yr-1-2-internal-student-survey.html
Sorry Lewis - I appear to be spamming you re. the survey...
ReplyDeletehttp://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/internal-student-survey-2015-reminder-2.html