Tuesday 21 February 2017

Adaptation Part B - Animation Style - CBT

Researching Animation and Styles I would like to pursue the use of a narrator so a script would have to be made. Because of the time the Coney Globe Tower (CBT was perceived to start construction, doing it in this style I would already be breaking the historic wall. So Firstly I reviewed the Vault -Tec Commercial for the Fallout series.
Vault Tec Commercial

This style is of course without colour as I think should be the same for my final designs, it would help that language that this construction is from that era even better as colour footage wasnt around until some 30 years later. I also enjoyed the idea of illustrating a simple 2D Character to follow alongside the narrators guide much like the Vault Tec Commercial.
Pipboy Character from fallout

I think that Pipboy does a fantastic job at making such a grim subject colourful again, The idea I'm pitching is much more elaborate and exciting so I would like to illustrate that perhaps with a business type character that would approve of the construction and react to small puns perhaps from the narrator.

Lost Film From 1906

Even though this footage was captured in San Francisco in 1906 this is the filter effect I should pursue to intergrate into my animation. The dOl' Timey music suits the time period well and even this footage is like a guide down a main street and feels exuberant.

Old Movie Effect Tutorial

I found an appropriate tutorial to follow to gain the quick effect, I would also like to add additional effects to make the animation feel like burnt out footage and have stutter rolls as the film proceeds.

Adaptation Part B - Coney Globe Tower Further Research

The most ambitious and unusual amusement park projects for Coney Island was announced in a newspaper ad on May 6, 1906 in the New York Herald.


Advertisement Information

  • Offering investors "a ground floor chance to share profits in the largest steel structure ever erected...the greatest amusement enterprise in the whole world...the best real estate venture,"
  • The ad explained that it would cost $1,500,000 to erect. The public was urged to invest on the expectations that it would pay 100 % interest annually. 
  • There was a cornerstone laying ceremony on May 26, 1906. It was complete with speeches, band concerts and fireworks. There was a rush of investors at the Glove Tower Company office built next to the first socle. But by the end of the 1906 season, when the foundations were still incomplete, investors became anxious. 
  • Another ceremony was held on February 17, 1907. A band was on hand when they put the first piece of steel in position. The company claimed they were driving 800 concrete foundation piles, each 30 feet long and five feet in circumference. They promised that half of the eleven floor structure would be open to the public on May 15th and the remainder would be fully operational the following year. 
Premise Information
  • For Samuel Friede a structure in the shape of a globe or sphere that was subdivided into floors, was simply a source of immense square footage that needed a tiny point of contact with earth to support it. 
  • The tower's blueprints showed a gigantic steel planet that had collided onto a replica of the Eiffel Tower. As a whole it was 700 feet high, three times as high as the Flatiron Building.
  • The Globe Tower would be the largest building in the world with enormous elevators to carry visitors to its eleven completely different floors. It would be an agglomeration of Steeplechase, Dreamland and Luna Park, all contained in a single interior volume. 
  • Leasing a small corner of the Steeplechase property on Surf Avenue to erect this colossal structure. The structure would be supported by eight enormous socles (pedestals) whose foundations would be 35 feet deep. Underground was planned as a multi-level interchange of various modes of transport: a combination parking garage, subway and railroad station with a branch heading out towards sea to connect with the boat pier. 
Construction Information (Very important information)


150 Feet
  • The Globe would be divided into eleven floors, beginning 150 feet above the ground and spaced at intervals of fifty feet. The lowest or first level would feature a Pedestal Roof Garden with a popular priced restaurant, continuous vaudeville theater, roller skating rink, bowling alley, slot machines, etc. 
250 Feet
  • At the 250 foot level there would be an Aerial Hippodrome seating 5000 people. It would feature four large circus rings and four immense animal cages; each ring representing a different continent. Performances would be continuous and a miniature railroad would circle the arena's perimeter. 
300 Feet
  • The Globe's Main Hall would be located at the 300 foot level. Here would be the largest ballroom in the world and a moving restaurant enclosed in glass. A revolving strip twenty-five feet wide would carry tables, kitchens and patrons around the outer edge of the Tower to give the effect of eating in an airborne dining car. Diners would have a moving panoramic view of Coney Island, the countryside and Greater New York.
Hotel Floor
  • Friede, who envisioned continuous 24 hour use of his Globe Tower by its 50,000 temporary residents, planned a hotel floor at the sphere's equator. Rooms would be small but luxuriously equipped and padded with sound proofing for undisturbed sleep. 
350 Feet
  • Fried's floor layout implicitly used social stratification. The facilities were increasing refined and elegant the higher one would ascend. The level above at 350 feet would feature an Aerial Palm Garden, a more expensive restaurant with tables scattered in a palm garden with cascades of running water each screened from each other by shrubbery. It was to be arranged on the Italian Garden plan. 
500 Feet
  • The Observatory platform was at the 500 foot level. At the highest platform in New York visitors could use coin operated telescopes to see more than 50 miles. There would also be a souvenir stand and various small concessions. 
600 Feet
  • Near the tower's top at the 600 feet level would be the United States Weather Observation Bureau and Wireless Telegraph Station. It would be equipped with modern weather recording devices. And at the very top would be the largest revolving searchlight in the world. The tower itself, lit by thousands of electric lights, would resemble a gigantic tower of fire. 



Thursday 16 February 2017

Adaptation Part B - @Alan Coney Globe Tower Idea

After my tutorial with Alan earlier this week, I left with the motion to revisit my idea stage and search for something to better enable me to design mechanically. The debate was also to consider the idea that the sense of the theatrical should be left alone, but in the ideas I had after the tutorial I came across an interesting concept that could possibly be considered.

Coney Globe Tower Scam

In the early 1900's a developer by the name of Samuel Friede bought a steeplechase field and offered investors a 100% return on their investments annually. The plan was quite grand scale and the floor plan was quite illustrious, this building would tower over the Flaitron building which at the time was the tallest building in the world. The entire investment was a scam but perhaps my Adaptation project could be to bring to life this ridiculous grand scale building. Scale it and have a fly through advert that would coax in 'Investor's' into an idea that is completely insane.

Coney Globe Tower Research

So the site of this build would be near the Coney island strip, it would dwarf buildings around it. Taking it to the side of theatrical I guess. The only way I could describe it is to the Brighton I360.

 
I had the idea of incorporating a 'Microsoft Buddy' into this tour of this unmade construct, I watched a few Fallout advertisements with a 2D character that would compliment the voice over. Plus the video effect would be key also. So this character(s) would compliment maybe the restaurants and social spaces of the Coney Globe.

Maybe this aspect isnt needed but I thought it might be a good addition. But modelling a construct like the Coney Globe Tower and advertising it to a 1900 market with designs and filtering effects.

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Adaptation Part B - Nautilus Blueprint - Initial

To understand the curvature and space that would be the lounge area for the adaptation, I felt it was necessary to plan a blueprint of the submarine to gain an understanding of the anatomy and space to fill.

I constructed a simplistic design from many different types of submarines and I wanted to create a craft that would show the experimental constructs that Captain Nemo would surround himself with.
Also I image searched from the information given in the extract. These are the kind of assets I would have to construct. The only items that weren't apparent were the couches and the bookcases. For a lounge area this should be present I feel.

Wednesday 8 February 2017

Adaptation A - Infographic Designs

I went over the designs in Illustrator to correct any of the odd angles and shapes left from photoshop. These designs are simplistic and express a stock value to them. The animation to music keying stage will begin shortly as I was worried about the consistency of the line designs.



Monday 6 February 2017

Sita Sings The Blues Review - Adaptation Film Screening

Fig.1

Sita Sings The Blues (2008) was an independent project that was written, produced and directed by american illustrator Nina Paley. It was her very first feature film so she took much pride and consideration into her work, taking 5 years to complete the film. The film has hailed several awards which includes Best Animated Feature at Ottawa International Animation Festival and a Special Prize  at the MONSTRA festival. The film is free to all and was released to download in early 2009.

The film itself was divided into two, with one half being the explanation behind the Sanskrit poem Ramayana. The prince of a prestigious kingdom is exiled to the wilderness with his devoted wife Sita. They survive 14 years in the wilds away from society. The second half is related to Paley's own experience with love, her husband was offered a short contract abroad in india and ever since travelling over there they have grown distant from one another. Nina has incorporated an old poem to relate to her own experiences on the matter.

Fig.2

From the transitions between each section there are three illustrated motifs that share their own opinion on the story of Sita. They bring humour into the equation by contradicting the story and giving both modern and contemporary views on the relationships between the characters. The film has both eastern and western influences running throughout, the Bollywood styled dancing and musical sections bring the film back to the Ramayana poem with style and looks to captivate a wider audience than most influenced animations. Overall I recommend this film to people who are interested behind some of india's culture and teachings and those who watch animations with a lighter tone.

Illustration List

Fig.1 Sita sings the blues (poster) At: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Sita_STB_Poster.jpg/220px-Sita_STB_Poster.jpg accessed on 5.02.17

Fig.2 The talking illustrations (ad) At: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-20024741711964_2257_11763326 accessed on 5.02.17

Proof of Concept Presentation


Thursday 2 February 2017

Adaptation Part A - Infographic Questions

What is the definition of suicide?

Give the definition of what is a suicide, although people may understand what the term means many may overlook the extreme depression linked with the act.

What are the warning signs?

Explain the warning signs to people, as if they are picked up early on the individual can seek guidance, helpful advise or unload pressure onto a loved one.

What methods of suicide are attempted?

Give a detailed list of the attempted suicides to successful ones, once people are aware of these facts it would usually scare away individuals from the concept.

Is it selfish to take your own life?

Explain the selfishness of the act, the effects of not your life but the lives of people around you. Acknowledge depression is a footnote to the act but keep plugging that talking about your issues is key.
Can life get better?

Explain that life can get better, get the audience to ask the question if there are unfinished items of business? places to visit or people to see? Its key for this question to ask even further ones.

Where can I go to seek advise?

List the healthcare organisations with outreach programs, individuals the audience could approach to speak about their problems.




Adaptation Part B - Ken Adams

After my tutorial Tuesday with Alan I was prompted to review a theater type production designer, this was to be carried out with bringing dramatic flair to my future workings in mind. Ken Adams was a British movie production designer, best known for his set designs for the James Bond films of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for Dr. Strangelove. He won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction.


I like the theatrical styles achieved in this artwork, the artist is able to boast grand scale and size as the importance of the design. I also observe the lines converge to usually one specific point, which in turn manipulates the edges of the interior to benefit that. After reviewing Ken Adams as an artist I wish to experiment with scale and theater in my future designs