grad film proposal.

Below is my grad film proposal thus far, will be editing a bit more and then posting it for proffessors to take a stab at. There will be pictures with influences, as well as production schedule and budget..



Project Summary

"Consumed" will be a two minute animated short using traditional 2d animation. Through the use of literal and metaphorical analogies I will explore the idea of consumption. The genre of “Consumed” will take on a surreal, shifting representation and organic transitions.

Synopsis

Through approximately seven to ten scenes the viewer is guided through fluid metaphors in which consumption is depicted as the theme and protagonist. Although consumption is an abstract concept, the characters embody this concept by "devouring" or "consuming". The scenarios differ vastly, spanning Darwinism and inter-relationships, and from a Marxist stand-point to religion. “Consumed” illustrates our incessant id-driven necessity to eat . "To fulfill the human condition and to survive within it, we must devour or be devoured."

Project Description

Since the dawn of existence nature, from which society has evolved, has followed an instinctual need to eat. Humankind is driven by its id to compulsively feed itself; in this sense, we are machines. In the conquest of success we are confronted with our own hedonism. As Darwin demonstrated “Natural Selection” as a species, we are not separate from other animals. In contrast, we are similar to our hunter and gathering relatives. Although our society has shifted to a “consumer” culture we are still on the hunt. Although much is provided to us we consistently “hunt” for a means to achieve the highest ranking in our cultural hierarchy. Therefore, capitalism, pronounced in our culture is seemingly the new breed of hunting and “eating” in the metaphorical sense. Monopolies are created, and employ individuals for minimum wage. To eat is to indulge, and to reinforce total control over what is being ingested. Depending on the situation characters or individuals take the role of the predator or victim. Roles may vary or switch depending on the given situation.
The more powerful character or force will devourthe weak in order to live, and or succeed in its environment. Thezeitgeist of modern society deems that in order to be successful andmaintain status, we must not let anyone or thing get in our way, thusingesting or ripping it apart. I want the viewer to get a sense ofsocial realism, although the film will be largely based on metaphors. “Consumed” will cover various situations, such as power, corruption,evolution, and "day to day modern life". The film willbe driven from heavy social situations to lighter metaphors.

Visual Treatment

The design of my animation won't always be the same, but dark pencil, conte and or an ink quality will give the film a graphic appearance, to capture a sense ofunity. I will use a limited color palette.The backgrounds will appear "grimy", or aged. Some scenes may bemessier than others depending on the nature of what is driving them. Forexample if the scene depicts a violent malicious act between characters , I will treat the film in a way that mirrors what ishappening. I would give it a rougher, looser line quality. the scenes to one another I will use illustrative transitions. The nature of my film is ephemeral and fluid, what is eaten doesn't last for long. For each situation, I will pace the characters accordingly to what is eating to what is being eaten. Thetone or mis en scene of my film will be dark, and captivating. I want toleave viewers with a sense of acknowledgement of the supreme order by which we live and are contained within.

Sound Treatment

To accompany the theme of consumption and ingestion, the overallconcentration of sound will be of eating. Each mini episode will haveits own inherent sound, each will add to the end composition, and each soundwill build on the other as the theme develops, and so will the soundcomposition. The feeling of the film is rhythmic I will use sounds that correlate to the scene. I will use the sound to build tension, specially in scenes that are more violent.

Summary of Research and Development

I have been heavily influenced by the works of Francisco Goya,particularly in his painting "Saturn devouring one of his sons". Goya depicts Saturn ingesting one of his children. Various interpretations ofthis picture have been discussed overtime; one of the main discussionsis about youth and old age. "Time is the devourer of all things".
In contrast, I have also been influenced by the works of WilliamKentridge. Kentridge deals with the ephemeral changing landscape ofSouth Africa, and uses charcoal and ink in his animations. Kentridgeuses an erasure technique which compliments his theme of the ephemeral.Kentridge works on large scale paper, with which I am also experimenting. I have found I can produce charcoal and ink drawings in high quality which are more fully detailed.I have also been influenced by Thomas Hick's "Velvet Cell". I amparticularly interested in the visual treatment he has given his piece aswell as the ink and line treatment. ( This sentence, I moved up above since it speaks about your experimenting with large paperIn the advanced research and development class I have been experimentingwith large scale paper so I can produce charcoal and ink drawings inhigh quality which are more fully detailed.) I have found Chad Vangaalen’s animations intriguing. His use of transitions, and non literal illustrative quality draw me to his work. Vangaalen’s work has a dreamy quality that I want to also exemplify in my work.