06 | Motion Graphics
Narrative & Sequencing (Supplementary)
Project Brief
This project requires students to work in pairs and conceptualise, design and animate a 30-60 second mini title sequence. The title sequence must be based on a blurb from a selection of books that are yet to be made into features. It is required to include the movie title and hypothetical cast and crew as credits integrated throughout the title sequence. Type treatment must complement the mood, tone and context of the feature. The feature can be executed in either animation or film.
Deliverables
1. 30-60 second Title Sequence
2. Comprehensive Storyboard
3. Screenshots from final animation, in storyboard format
4. Conceptual Development (full process document here).
Design Strategy
Blurb: The Elephant Keeper's Children by Peter Høeg
Peter and Tilte are trying to track down two notorious criminals: their parents. They are the pastor and the organist, respectively, of the only church on the tiny island of Finø. Known for fabricating cheap miracles to strengthen their congregation's faith, they have been in trouble before. But this time their children suspect they are up to mischief on a far greater scale. When Peter and Tilte learn that scientific and religious leaders from around the world are assembling in Copenhagen for a conference, they know their parents are up to something. Peter and Tilte's quest to find them exposes conspiracies, terrorist plots, an angry bishop, a deranged headmaster, two love-struck police officers, a deluded aristocrat and much more along the way.
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Having decided on using the the book, we focused on the following sentences as our main inspiration: "They are the pastor and the organist, respectively, of the only church on the tiny island of Finø. Known for fabricating cheap miracles to strengthen their congregation's faith, they have been in trouble before." The key theme that inspired our design approach is the contrast between the status and beauty of the church, and the cheap tricks performed by the parents in order to gain their congregation's loyalty.
The cheap, on-the-nose nature of the tricks guided our visual style, which led us to performing magic tricks, and subsequently revealing the secret behind the trick as our reoccurring subject matter. The stained glass windows provided bold lighting effects in gimmicky primary colours, while also providing a subtle nod to the church. Further church imagery such as burning candles and the mesh of a confessional booth amplifies the underlying theme. The visuals are complemented by obnoxious, circus-inspired music.
The footage was filmed in a handheld, documentary style and supplemented by jerky editing. Finally, the typographic treatment complements the editing with eclectic typefaces and animations.
Individual Contributions
This was a very collaborative project. Myself and Hendrik Smith worked equally on research and development of the concept and art direction. While Hendrik performed as the actor, I filmed the shots and we worked together to direct the film. I sourced the music for the video, we worked together to edit the final sequence, and I created the text animations for David Fincher, Amy Adams, Oscar Isaac and the feature title "Tricks of the Trade".
Moodboard
Visual style and content moodboard
Colour grading moodboard — deep, inky blacks; warm mid and light tones; cool dark tones
Typography
The typography was chosen to complement to eerie, quirky look and feel of the film. The eclectic typefaces then inspired the type animations. For example, the playful nature of the Barrio font inspired the idea for a puppet show-style animation. The Chainprinter typeface inspired the typewriter effect animation.
Type exploration
Final typography
Initial Storyboard
Planning and conceptual development of the storyboards were a group activity, but I sketched out pages 2 and 3.
Developing Production Details
1. Naming Ideas (themes: cheap, church, exposure)
- in the Lord’s House
- Tricks of the Trade
- Revelations
- Confessions
- Ungodly
- Revelations: Ministry of Fraud
- Church Charlatans
2. Casting ideas
Director:
- David Fincher
- Giullermo Del Toro - David Lynch
Actors:
- David Dastmalchien (Father)
- David Dastmalchien (Father)
- Joseph Fiennes (Father)
- Paul Rudd (Father)
- Oscar Isaac (Father)
- Jesse Buckley (Mother)
- Julianne Moore (Mother)
- Amy Adams (Mother)
- Saoirse Ronan (Sister)
- Finn Wolfhard (Brother)
- Paul Rudd (Father)
- Oscar Isaac (Father)
- Jesse Buckley (Mother)
- Julianne Moore (Mother)
- Amy Adams (Mother)
- Saoirse Ronan (Sister)
- Finn Wolfhard (Brother)
3. Music Options:
(Sourced from EpidemicSound by Khensani)
- Clockmaker’s Dream by 369
- A Cradle Song by Mary Riddle
- Haunted Playhouse by Stationery Sign
- Clockmaker’s Dream by 369
- A Cradle Song by Mary Riddle
- Haunted Playhouse by Stationery Sign
- The Wind Is Changing by Howard Barnes
Screenshot Storyboard
Screenshots and annotations for the final storyboard done by me.
Final Title Sequence
