I'm aiming for a vintage environment for the Tailor's workshop. So I've done more research for inspiration:
I was especially fond of the above image. Though it's not exactly what I'm looking for, but it's a fairytale like tailor shop which aroused my interests.
This image has that sort of feeling that I want to capture. But I wish to make it slightly more colorful than this workshop.
Since time is limited, so I decided to finalize on my idea. Today I started researching and sketching the props and environment I'll be needing in my film. Here are some of the objects and environment design I've looked at:
The sewing machine is quite a crucial part of the setting. So I've researched more on how a vintage sewing machine works:
Hopefully I can make my prop with similar approach, which could be really challenging but I'm willing to try :D
Although I've finalized on my idea, but I have to continue to develop on my storyboard later on. Also for the props and environmental design, I should add my own twist or style to them. For example the mannequin could be in the silhouette of my character, and perhaps the furnitures could be in some sort of shapes.
I've always imagined having animals as my characters. Hence both primary and secondary research on animals are important to my characters design. I paid a visit to the Natural History Museum in London where I can get a close look to different animals from birds, mammals to dinosaurs. The following images are the quick sketches I made from the Museum:
They were all wonderful creatures but I couldn't pick one that would fit my vision. So I came up with the idea to create my own unique characters, perhaps with the combination of different animals. I would definitely wanna cooperate this little fella with the front teeth here:
Primary research does help me to think outside the box and provide a clearer picture of my imagination. However it's not enough, I can do more secondary research on the actual behaviors of animals. Later on I can also visit the the Zoo to research on their activities and movements.
Second day into the project I began to work on my ideas. I tried to think outside the box but I was pretty sure the baker polar bear was THE idea I should work on. Then I began to search for stop motion films for inspiration, and found this amazing video called The Maker by Zealous creation:
That sense of bittersweetness is exactly what I want to capture in my ideas. I wish to arouse sadness, anger and perhaps darkness but keeping that sweet nature at the same time. Credit to this inspirational video, I have a clearer direction. I want to revolve the idea of what a loved one would do for you. The sacrifice and love that touches one's heart. Hence I began to interview people on "What is the sweetest thing a friend/family/loved one has ever done for you?" I received replies such as "a meal made by my husband", "shopping with my daughter", "my mother carrying me on her back", "my friends praying for me" and more. With more inspirations, I continue to work on my mind map and link ideas together.
Then this one idea hit me --an old tailor making a wedding dress for his beloved daughter. This is not only a sweet idea but a personal one too, as my grandpa is a tailor and that I myself enjoy sewing. So I developed on this idea and started questioning, "Did he promise to make his daughter a wedding dress when she was a child?", "What if he couldn't make her one because he passed away?", "And what if he came back as a soul to make her the dress cause of the promise?"
The picture was being put together slowly and I was quite happy with it. I also told my idea to peers and my tutor, they too were pleased with it. However my tutor told me to think on the following things: The time, the setting, will there be any dialogue or narration? The props, environment and atmosphere.
Through this experience I realized the importance of research. Since my creativity is limited and that new ideas don't just come to my mind. Research on different films, objects or images can bring me to a new ground.
During my time in the animation pathway, I've experienced different ways to animate a film. For example, stop motion, Photoshop and the traditional hand drawn animation. However I feel most comfortable with working on Claymation. I love creating a 3D world outside the computer and keyboard. All the detailed work, sculpture and filming never fail to fascinate me. Also it gives me a satisfaction of knowing what I'm capable of when sculpting models. So when I was given this project, the very first thing that came to my mind was that --I want to work on Claymation.
My original idea:
There's always a story stuck in my head which is about a clumsy polar bear trying to bake for his penguin friend. In order to make this story more in depth, I intend to make this story into an advertisement. Perhaps the video could be promoting the new cupcake mix through the polar bear burning the cake.
These are some of the inspired claymation advertisements created by the Aardman Studio:
However...
It is probably too early to decide on the final idea, and that there is more space to develop my ideas. I can perhaps pay a visit to the Natural History Museum or the London Zoo to research on polar bears and penguins. Learning more about their behaviors might be able to help extending ideas. Also I can think more about, why is the polar bear baking a cake? What is he celebrating? Is he trying to apologize?
I should probably learn how to think outside the box and perhaps come up with other different ideas. Considering that I still have time to decide on a final story. Yet I really want my claymation to involve a process of working on something, like baking, or perhaps sewing? Also I want an idea that would capture the audience through emotions.
