Jennifer Ball - Ba Hons - Computer Animation Arts

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Reflective Statement for "What if? Metropolis"

Intially I quickly created thumbnails of my artists world without properly understanding the complete project brief. This meant that many of my thumbnails did not really fit into my final design. I learnt: 1) the importance of understanding the task 2) that thumbnails are never wasted time. What may not be good in one project might be perfect for another.

I began to understand the definition of space and environment. I learnt: 1) the importance of digging deep and really understanding the space you are creating 2) to think about the environments around me and to think about their components 3) to be brave and experiment with shapes and textures

Understanding and manipulating the software of Maya and Photoshop has previously scared me - this project has helped to develop my skills in this area. I learnt: 1) how to model in Maya 2) how to create texture, bump and colour maps 3) how to render scenes using wireframe and a UV grid 4) how to light a scene 5) how to create a matte painting in Photoshop 6) how to increase my toolbox 7) how to increase my speed

My chosen artist's character and style was difficult for me to understand because he lived and operated in world that was alien to me. I initially could not or chose not to incorporate some aspects of the artist into my work. However, I learnt: 1) it was possible to collaborate with an artist whilst detatched from his life style 2) I wasn't recreating his work but rather trying to see things in the way that he might

Perspective has not been easy for me to grasp however throughout this project I have learnt: 1) to look at environments me and consider perspective of buildings and shapes 2) there is more than one perspective 3) it can be used to transport a viewer into the scene

The films that I watched have not always been ones I would have chosen. In some cases I have been surprised at what I have enjoyed but in other cases have been traumatised by horror. However throughout them all, I have learnt 1) that I am able to appreciate production design and the efforts that production artists go to in order to portray theme and narrative 2) about colour symbolism and the use of matte paintings before CGI 3) about the impact of costume and mise-en-scene 4) about the use of camera angles to create tension and suspense

This project has caused me stress and anxiety and at times, I was unable to see an end product! However as I began to develop my software skills and combine them with my technical ability I really began to enjoy this project. I have learnt so much and I believe have developed my skill set in production design. I have enjoyed the way in which our group has bonded over this project and worked together to help individuals. I have really appreciated the support of students in other years and their willingness to advise and guide.

Revised Travelogue - Higley Bower

Higley Bower is a world inspired by the artist Leigh Bowery and its name is an anagram of his! But Bower means a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood and that is what the world at first glance, appears to be.

However it is a world that holds secrets close to its chest for there is another side to this world. Side streets open up to reveal a shadier side of Higley Bower. Where the streets pulse with the throbbing of clubbing. The buildings take on a character of their own - as if they could step out of the pavement and walk beside you or behind you. Their eyes are the windows into another world, a seedy, gaudy, temporary place of escape.

The chequered trunks throughout this place, lead the curious eye towards the sky line. The size of the structures dwarf the visitor as the buildings, with quite literally their head in the clouds tower above the street scenes.

The world seems quite spherical as that roundness can be seen everywhere. In the doughnut like arches, in the topiary of the pom-pom flowers and in the building roofs or heads of the body buildings.

Transportation across this world takes place on platform stilts embossed with measle dots. They punctuate the sky and allow the traveller to touch the fabric of the buildings as they pass.

The light dances across each platform scampering and blinking its way to the end like an excitable puppy who has found a friend.

Standing on the platform and looking below, a patchwork theme emerges. Not one of different coloured fields or shades of green. Rather one that shouts of different coloured sequences, the spots and the stripes and the hashtag too. The buildings look like over-sized and exaggerated humans.

There are volcanic hills that seem eerily toxic in their appearance. It is as if their crown is melting, yet they still seem strangely regal and royal as they drip treacle from their foreheads, like jewels from a crown.

What do they know, what could they tell me? Where do the washing lines of glitterati fashion lead? The costumes wave their flamboyant tribute to the scene in the breeze. Their design and shape and colour seem to tell the story of a quest for fame.

Your attention is captivated by their charm, by their difference and by their charismatic presence. Bordered by the harlequin design the lips speak out truth as if they are unafraid to discuss those things once thought taboo. They remind us of our right 'to be' and the lips. seen everywhere, constantly remind us to be.

The mirrors confirm the true identity of the one who stands before it. Their appearance at regular intervals reflect the truth of what they see - or do they? On the building shapes, mirrors reflect who they see enter into the club scene and who exits.

There is a tower that stands camouflaged and hidden away from prying eyes and lost in the jungle of the vine. The camouflaged chameleon that sits and moves just its glassy eye knows how to find the way in. Perhaps the only way to reach the tower is by scrambling the vines, setting your feet on the stronghold of the stems – or is it? Do the platform shoes with the ladder heel take you to the safe place, where you can hide from yourself? Who can divulge the formulas and secrets of this eccentric place? The belted bridges border the boundary of the set but you choose where to unlock the buckle and pass through into the next scene.

There is a different spectacle to be seen through the lens of the spectacles where perspective is distorted and the physical exaggeration of all things can be seen.

The street where the human buildings stand on guard at the entrance. This wonderland speaks through its pattern and its shape and through it's energy. The lighting in this street is fragile but inviting. The physical structures don't blow in the breeze. Instead they stand imposing, human-like in their structure. They stand as if 'on-guard', sentry like and watching those who pass by.

The buildings seem to have an exaggerated human shape. Club Motion, the night club that stands tall is solid, silent and still but raving with motion and emotion inside.

The cinema looks on - the huge rotating windows spin and scan the environment, like over-grown CCTV cameras. It's time to pause at the grinning mouth for it entices you in for that 'bite to eat'!

What appears to be over-sized trousers at first glance with one way mirrors for windows means that the pedestrian can watch the movers and shakers dance the night away.

There is a giant in size and personifcation - the centre piece of the street. Towering above the buildings, watching and waiting for the visitor to make their way to greet him. This night club provides the pulse to the street - to the world as its beat reverberates. The shine from its body radiates the heat from inside filling the air with warmth and the sky with stars.

And still there’s more, the sky turns a shade of navy. The city scene of buildings and lips and stilletto heels distort the skyline.

Higley Bower in many ways does what you might expect. It is a place of shade

– where the oversized trees and plants and flowers that climb and sprawl and spread provide space to rest and think. This unorthodox, chaotic world draws you in, it captivates and demands your attention. Yet, there are too many places to look, too many things to see, too many meanings to understand in this place where impossible dreams come true. This place is counter-intuitive for it combines shelter and hope with excitement, adventure, daring and fun.

As you leave this place, having walked through the light and shade of this metropolis. You wonder if the cinema head holds the key and contains the knowledge of how this world came to be, of the stimuli that shaped this world and the influences that inspired it.