Hallowed Room

The room where Mr. Prigley reflected and where Violet Winterborne was haunted.

Last week when all was said and done and I had a moment of free time, I found myself lingering in the old Rostrum Room at college where I had shot both my BA Final Major and FdA 2 Final Major Project. 

Weird feeling, knowing that I'll most likely never have reason to be in these old rooms again.

Very sad for some reason.

My Film in a Box

A very odd feeling indeed. Slow to come to terms with the fact this is now a past project, an old film. 

Six (and a bit more) months of my life devoted to this thing, gone. 

Wrapped up in a nice little film.

But it isn't the end yet, not exactly.

My set for "Flytrap" has been chosen to be exhibited as part of the London College of Communication's Summer Show as example (along with a few others) of the best of Animation and my film shall also be included on the showreel. 

A great honour indeed, so perhaps not the end in a final sense, a tiny hiatus perhaps.

Then the end.

A New Showreel

Well, a little new. A couple edits.

I'll Show you My Reel....

A nice short edit of my animation showreel.

Music: The Staunton Lick - Lemonjelly

Framing the Concept

Some Concept Frames for the project.

My "vision", if I may use such a grand word, is to keep close focus on Violet and work with the depth of field within the shot.

Creating a claustrophobic and incredibly personal atmosphere, something stark, cold and close.

Moodboarding

A selection of "exciting" moodboards.

Above: Inspirations and references for Violet

Above: Influences on costume

                                         
                                              Above: Influences on atmosphere and style

Above: Set Design and set influences

Above: A very early sketch of a key scene from the story in its infancy.

Above: Another early sketch of a mental image I had. Forms the basis of how I shall realise the creature. A mere suggestion of a Human form

Violet's New Do

           Above: Violet before her fringe alteration. A tad too much forehead for my liking.

Above: Violet's taste in sneakers. Pentagram Traverses. No relation to All Star Converses.

Witty little Knitter

Violet's costume is an important part of her character.

When designing her, I make a conscious effort to give her a "wardrobe" of clothes that were believable, functional and understated, over-designed costumes always feel cumbersome and impractical in my opinion, especially when it comes to female characters.

I also kept in mind that Violet was moving in to her new home, and so would be dressed practically, in a warm jumper and scuffed jeans.

A key influence for Violet's outfit is Sarah Lund from The Killing who famously wears a fantastic jumper whilst solving horrible murders in Scandinavia. 

The knitted portion of Violet's costume, or rather crocheted, is being produced by the massively talented Brenna Eaves whose site is 

www.etsy.com/shop/nutsaboutcrochet13 (Crochet patterns, not fully finished figures)

These are a couple pictures of the Test items Brenna sent me a while ago using measurements I took from the puppet.

Unfortunately, the test jumper Brenna sent me was a tad small for the puppet, the measurements being slightly out. As a result I had to cut a nasty split up the back just to be able to slip it onto the puppet.
I nearly cried whilst doing it.

Violet shall wear a couple variations of the jumper throughout the film to indicate the passing of time. The colours shall be primarily dark rich colours, deep reds and green for instance.
She will also wear the jumpers with the sleeves rolled up, hence the short length of the sleeves in the photos below.

 And so onto the next batch of jumpers, with new more accurate measurements.

                                                  

A while ago Brenna mentioned the idea of a simple design on the jumper which I rather liked, or I might have mentioned it to her, it's hazy, but either way, Brenna produced this terribly nice jumper with a wonderfully simple design on it almost reminiscent of Space Invaders.

Above: Turtle-neck unrolled

                                                                             

Above: Turtle-neck rolled

Above: Back-split on the new version of the jumper to allow it to be slipped on like a jacket and sewn up after.

Above: Brenna's basic designs for other jumper graphics which are under consideration, we are erring away from the more "pointy" designs, as we don't want them to point towards a particular area of her anatomy.

Incredibly pleased with the standard of work Brenna has provided and shall bring you more news as things develop.

"One day, I shall come back..."

Right.
So.
I've been away.

(Poster by the lovely Lydia Butz http://lydiabutz.tumblr.com)

I've been busy, as I'm sure you'd understand. We're all busy these days, stuff to do, people to meet, projects to get underway.
You put something off for a day, say you'll do it tomorrow, and before you know it a whole week of tomorrows has gone by.

Shame really, but that's life for you.

Anyway, back to business.

Going back in time slightly, My dear group and I finally finished "The Reflection of Mr. Prigley" and I'm jolly proud of it.

It seems to hit a nice note with people, told by people, friends and so forth that they were moved by it, that it made their dad cry and such like, which is marvellous. Not that I take personal pleasure from making people's dads cry of course, but it's nice to know the one's work operates on an emotional level.

Here is the finished piece.
For full viewing experience, watch in 1080HD

The Blog: http://mrprigley.tumblr.com

The Crew:

Directed by James O’Neill

Producer - Hon-Choung Hou

Designer - Sebastian Leon Silva

Assistant Modelmaker - Rachael Lloyd

Sound Design and Music - Paul Freeman

I am indebted to the wonderful people who helped so brilliantly, worked so diligently  and did their best work to make the project happen.

What more could a Director want.

Back in Flatworld.

Work recommences on the paper-cut out sequence in Mr. Prigley, the majority of the film will be shown through this medium

Further info and photos on production blog, mrprigley.tumblr.com

Setting up Prigley

Further info and photos on production blog, mrprigley.tumblr.com

More Production Pictures

Storyboard Discussions. 

On-Set Photograph. 

Box Teaser. 

After a long day's shoot. 

Artificial Afternoon 

Longingly looking 

Convert it to B&W. Makes it better.

Further info and photos on production blog, mrprigley.tumblr.com

Prigley Production Pics

                                                         One works, the Other waits.

                                                            Tripod of Hideous Texture.

                                                                 Forcing a Reflection.

 Show me the Onion Skin.

Hands On. 

Looking Focused. 

The Lonely Animator.

Used by kind courtesy of Sebastian Leon Silva.
Further info and photos on production blog, mrprigley.tumblr.com

Things have changed somewhat

A lot's been discussed and semi-decided over the past few weeks, a storyboard re-shuffle, alterations to the narrative, new perspectives. The project has taken on a new dimension.

A Bit of Storyboarding

A Changing Idea

All terribly exciting, rather different, but essentially the same story at heart.