Approach
This week I started creating and putting together a rough idea of how the end result will look and sound like. I first started out by better communicating the style and look of the short. I started by taking my storyboards in photoshop and using them to create rough beauty shots of the film. I took instapation from several ideas around the 1970’s including: the warm yellows, 2D cartoons, film texture, and compositional ideas from record covers.
During this time I also took time and created my own 33 millimeter film texture. Using reference film footage, I worked in photoshop to make 24 different frames of texture. I then took the frames into After Effects, altering, and warping the frame so the texture wouldn't look like a loop.
After the look was better visually realized. I recorded my audio track for the film. Being only a rough scratch test to keep things moving I did not worry about the quality of the sound. I wrote the script closely utilizing several definitions of dandylion from different dictionaries mixed with a list of thesaurus words referencing change or transformation. The end script is an abstract idea of the evolution of a dandelion with undertone ideas of younger generations fighting political oppression. Working in after effects, I took my scratch audio, my storyboards, and look development images and placed everything together. I played through the visuals and audio together, moving things around, cutting, and adding some things. I also made some adjustments to the script and made some notes for when I record my audio for the final time.
Choices Made
I am trying to work very loosely and free during this project, as to not make the final composite feel hard and stiff. Making my own film grain was an effort to help make the film more alive. During the creation of the look development images, it was then that I thought I could make my own film texter for the film. I ended up loving how the texture complemented the style and imagery for the look development images and hoped it would do the same for the final film.So this is why I decided and I went forward and made my own 33mm film grain texture.
The script was another fun challenge. As I mentioned before: The end script is an abstract idea of the evolution of a dandelion with undertone ideas of younger generations fighting political oppression. I reimagined the theme of 1970’s political activism and used contemporary movements lead by younger generations. Greta Thunberg climate change activism and the riots in Hong Kong fighting for political freedom, are just two examples of contemporary movements led by young people seeking to help fighting political power and to promote positive change. All “hidden” and presented behind the idea of the dandylion and its transformative abilities.
Relevant Sources or Inspirations
During the process of making my look development images I ended up making my own film grain using different brushes in photoshop. I liked the look so much that I decided to make my own 33 mm film grain for the project. I watched many different looks of film grain and came across a youtube video with an aesthetic I appreciated and admired (this video was referenced heavily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_MZb7qTenE).
Current Questions/Needs Raised
I am currently wondering what other sound I might be using along with the audio track. I have been thinking about possibly making my own white noise to complement the film texture I made. I'm also interested in recording some finger stamps to use during the film. As of this time I am not considering using any “music” but I will make a final decision after I am closer to the end.
Likely Next Steps
My next step for this week is to record a final audio track with extra sound bites of snapping and white noise. I will be further creating and refining the visuals, using the storyboards and look developed images, for this project. I will also be implementing the changes I made during last week's progress.