"La Belle et la Bête" (1946)

Fig. 1 "La Belle et la Bête" Poster

"La Belle et la Bête" is a french black and white film directed by Jean Cocteau in 1946. "La Belle et la Bête" has inspired Disney to re-create this film. Disney version of this film is more recognizable. (Fig.2) As the movie is made for children: more romantic and has more musical elements. Jean Cocteau's film is not made for that purpose, it shows all the negative human behaviour, such as, envy and greed.

Fig. 2 "Beauty and The Beast" 1991

Fig. 3 Beauty glides through the castle's halls.

The story of this movie is simple, the viewer is taken to see how Beauty saves her father from the beast, by risking her own life. As the story progresses and the beauty is in the Beast's castle, she glides through the castles's hall ways searching for the beast. As Ebert describes this in his review: "seems to run dreamily a few feet above the floor. Later, her feet do not move at all, but she glides, as if drawn by some magnetic force," (Ebert, 1999) while the curtains from the windows wrap around her.(Fig.3) This effectively makes the viewer feel like they're in a dream. Without finding him she runs out of the castle. One glimpse and the beast appears looking at her, then she gets scared and faints on the ground.

Fig. 4

In this movie beast is shown as a werewolf, in shining clothes. As it is known, that Jean Cocteau was a fashion designer and with a help from Christian Bérard sketches, Jean Cocteau was able to make this dreamy looking clothes. So clothes for Beauty and the Beast were fantastically done. Sometimes you would see shining diamonds in beasts clothes to give this fancy look. Only because this movie is made in black and white its hard to imagine what colour would these amazing clothes be. As discussed by Crowther in his review: "exquisite affairs, glittering and imaginative, lacking only the glow of colour," (Crowther, 1947)

Some parts of the movie might not seem that realistic, for example, how Beauty faints or how in the end of the movie Beast becomes human and flies away into the sky with Beauty in his hands. There is no logical explanation in it, how did this happen or why. As Dennis Schwartz says in his review: "The only weaknesses are when the film deals with reality, which are less than enchanting."(Schwartz, D. 2006)

Fig. 5

Nevertheless, the effects were used great in this movie. People couldn't expect much of these effects when you start watching this movie, but afterwards you can see alot more. Beast covered in smoke or different refection from the mirror, makes the audience wonder how did they made that.(Fig. 5) Moreover, this movie was made long before computer graphics and the accompanying revolution in special effects. So these methods to capture mysterious, magical look was harder than it was thought.

Fig. 6 "Beauty and The Beast" (2014)

Fig. 7 "Beauty and The Beast" (2017)

All in all, "La Belle et la Bête" is the new type of movie which shows desperate love for another person. However, this movie has inspired many companies to re-create the same magic feeling in new "The Beauty and The Beast" (2017) movie. (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6)

 Bibliography:

 Crowther, (1947)  http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B03EFD71E3EEE3BBC4C51DFB467838C659EDE 
(Accessed on 31 October 2016)

Ebert R. (1999) http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-beauty-and-the-beast-1946
(Accessed on 31 October 2016)

Schwartz, D.  (2006) http://homepages.sover.net/~ozus/beautyandthebeast.htm (Accessed on 31 October 2016)


Illustration List:
Fig.1 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/30/f1/9c/30f19c4fe6ff1cc0e415b7b943532e8d.jpg
Fig.2 http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/beauty-and-the-beast-1991/large_jvlalnqhCxQfuBhPQKAuWuzvTe1.jpg
Fig.3 http://www.oldwishes.net/tales/wp-content/gallery/cocteau/belleetlabete_jcocteau_15.jpg
Fig.4 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c1/0b/51/c10b51b2f92ad4b65bde9ca4afa155d5.jpg
Fig.5 https://66.media.tumblr.com/e0b30e8f29ccb5961c40b90e96503119/tumblr_nucun5q36g1qfg94wo1_500.gif
Fig.6 http://fr.web.img3.acsta.net/pictures/14/02/04/17/23/114746.jpg
Fig.7  https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjEyMzExMDczNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzYzMjczOTE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,674,1000_AL_.jpg

"Alien" (1979)

Fig. 1 "Alien" Poster

"Alien" movie was produced in 1979. Directed by Ridley Scott and is one of the most remembered horror, science-fiction films of the 20th Century. As Martin Chilton says in his review: "Cue a sci-fi thriller of palpable, nerve-tingling tension, with Sigourney Weaver – playing warrant officer Ellen Ripley – in stunning form." (M. Chilton, 2014). "Alien" has truly stepped to a new, modern film development and knowledge of modern computer technology.

Fig. 2 "Nostromo" crew

As the film begins, viewers are taken to a spaceship, called "Nostromo". At the first environment may be chill and friendly, showing how seven astronauts awaken from their sleep in capsules. The room where they were sleeping, is simple white room, giving then peacefull,calm place to rest. In other rooms the colours are different, they are more greyish and more detailed.

Fig.3 Alien

As the movie goes on and the story progresses to the point when alien beings are in the spaceship making chaos among the astronauts and killing them one by one. The only one survivor in the film is a woman, Ellen Ripley. This shows how woman role was accentuated at the end of the movie, when she finished off the alien.

Fig. 4 "Alien: Isolation" Game

"Computer-generated images have made amazing special effects routine." (S. Cole, 2009) as discussed by Stephen Cole, this film really has strong sounds and jump scares, which have inspired games such as: "Alien: Isolation". All music sounds, room details, even alien look were re-created in that game. (Fig. 4)

"Alien" has been called the most influential of modern action pictures, and so it is…”( R. Ebert, 2003) Indeed, "Alien" is one of a kind film, having a simple plot with superb effects which leaves the audience feeling goosebumps all over their bodies.

Bibliography:

Chilton, M. (2014) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11253233/Alien-The-Directors-Cut-review.html
(Accessed on 30 October 2016)

 Cole, S. (2009) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-comfortably-familiar-alien/article773427/ (Accessed on 30 October 2016)

Ebert, R. (2003) http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-alien-1979
(Accessed on 30 October 2016)

 Illustration List:

Fig. 1 http://i.imgur.com/5Ke4oa1.jpg

Fig. 2 http://throwbackreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/alien.jpg 

Fig. 3 http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/jigzk9.jpg

Fig. 4  http://www.gamehackstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/alien-isolation-download-full-version-free-PC-Game-crack-torrent-full.jpg

 

CG Artists Toolkit : Animation & Character - Lesson 05

Maya practice #15

Maya practice #14

Maya practice #13

Maya practice #12

Life drawings #6 - Halloween Edition

Maya practice #11

Photoshop exercise #6

The teacher gave us a task to draw two combined objects. As for me, I got a giraffe and the chair/throne. So, as reference I used the throne as a model, but also added the giraffes details, such as the height, the giraffes soft looking horns and also the environment where giraffes live, like African trees. In the pictures below it is visible, which details were used to make this chair.

Invisible Cities - Final Crit Presentation

Invisible Cities - Reflective Statement

All in all, this project went really well and I am happy with my results. I started this project being optimistic and ready to do it. My time management went fine, didn't have any problem with it. I didn't spend a lot of my time on sketches/thumbnails, because I already knew which city I will take, also, it was so easier for me to draw Esmeralda than other cities. Of course, this gave me more time to create my final work. Nevertheless, I started working on the project few days later when I got inspired by Calvinos Cities.

However, I am happy with my final images, especially the Low-Angle shot. I just love the way it came out with all the shadings and lights. Also, I tried many brushes and tools in Photoshop which gave to my work nice effects. On the other hand, I was struggling a lot with establishing shot.

Mostly I felt like it was incomplete even though I added all shades and details. But with the help from classmates and teachers I overcame all problems. Furthermore, I have definitely taken criticisms and advices from classmates and teachers which have helped me alot and I will be sure to use it all in my future projects.

Art Of & Supporting Research: Invisible Cities - Esmeralda

Life drawings #5

Invisible Cities - Esmeralda | Establishing Shot

Invisible Cities - Esmeralda | Low-Angle Shot

Invisible Cities - Esmeralda | Interior Shot

"2001: A Space Odyssey"

Fig.1 Poster

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is a science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1968. This film steps forward into the new era of film making perspective. New technology, new unseen environment. After all, it makes all viewers go "wow" after watching it. Also, the film shows a vision of the past and future, mostly focusing on human life circle and evolution. As Wilmington says in his review: "... this visionary science-fiction tale of space travel and first contact with extraterrestrial life is a spellbinding experience.'' (Wilmington M., 2005)

Fig.2

The film starts from pitch black screen, with unusual, thrilling music. Some people might wonder if its music at all or just some loud noise. However, the music gives intriguing and uneasy feeling at the beginning of the movie, which instantly sets audience to feel like a part of the movie. Nevertheless, there isn't a massive plot going on in this movie, although there are 3 stages in the movie. The first stage is called "The Dawn of Man", where apes are fighting for the territory and showing who's the boss here.

This scene shows a primitive finding a bone and working something out, then using the bone as a weapon. This illustrates the moment when this primitive acted more like a human than animal, and it marks the beginning of humanity. The biggest thing that happens in this scene is the primates discovery of a strange object that appeared out of nowhere. The first stage ends there, without explaining anything.

Some viewer might find it hard to understand what's going on and what might happen next. In the second stage, the viewer is taken to the spaceship. In this scene you can see people talking about political problems around the round table. All rooms in space ship are white with red furniture, very eye-catching and different than what we could see in reality. Thus, as the movie goes on, the same odd looking object appears and again the scene ends with loud music, leaving viewers even more confused than before.

 

Fig.3

As the third movie stage comes, the main character Dave experiences underwhelming experience, his best comrade gets killed in space by HAL 9000, a robotic invention for spaceships, and his objective was to help humans sustain their trip till their wanted destination point. Hal had malfunctioned which led him to exterminate all humans in a spaceship. This passive-aggressive robot is shown as a block with red glowing eye dot. David shutdowns this robot and travels to a place that is unknown to humankind.

As David gets pulled through a show of lights, colours and landscapes, until he finds himself in a strange bedroom where he sees himself at different stages of his life. There is no clear answer given in the film, and the meaning behind it is very mysterious. In the last minutes of the film weird object appears flying off in the space and then out of nowhere new life form emerges from space looking at the planet earth.

Fig.4

The director, Kubrick, has focused specifically on one-point perspectives which draws the viewer's eyes towards the centre of the scene.(Fig.4 and Fig.5) As Frederick says in his review: ''A major achievement in cinematography and special effects...'' (Frederick R. B. 1968)

 

Fig.5

All in all, Kubrick had predicted the future many years before  other movies could have. He had imagined electronics, such as, tablets, video communication and voice recognition. ''A beautiful, confounding picture that had half the audience cheering and the other half snoring. Kubrick clearly means to say something about the dehumanizing effects of technology, but exactly what is hard to say.' (Staff, (Not Credited). As modern society shows, we are more so than ever communicating with our computers and mobile phones rather than literal conversations without the use of any electronic device. After all, this movie is awesome and had influenced many other movies, even technology to be developed like in the movie.

Bibliography:

Staff (Not Credited) (N/A) - http://www.tvguide.com/movies/2001-a-space-odyssey/review/121544/

Wilmington, M (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/criticreviews

Frederick R. B. (1968) -  http://variety.com/1968/film/reviews/2001-a-space-odyssey-1200421723/

 

Illustration List:
Fig.1 https://thequantumcretin.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/2001-a-space-odyssey-by-daniel-norris.jpg

Fig.2 http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/blog_post/primary_image/rogers-journal/2001-the-monolith-and-the-message/primary_EB19680421COMMENTARY40312115AR.jpg

Fig.3 https://almostnot.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/2001e28093space-station-furniture.jpg

Fig.4 http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/2001/images/7/75/Discovery-interior.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150214161632

Fig.5 https://stillsfrmfilms.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/324.png

Maya practice #10

Bill Plympton and Richard Williams - Review

Bill Plympton

Bill Plympton is an animator, graphic designer, cartoonist, and filmmaker best known for his animated short video “Your Face”. Also, “Idiots and Angels’ and “I Married a Strange Person!”

Fig.1

Plympton had created over 40 animated short films and animated 6 videos. He has also published a comic book, called “The Sleazy Cartoons of Bill Plympton”. Moreover, many of the male characters in his cartoons are self-portraits. His technique of drawing is using soft sketchy looking lines, which gives that warm and welcoming look. Nevertheless, this artist prefers to draw traditionally with coloured or graphite pencils. Plympton draws many sketches before making the final idea, also, for him to animate few second video takes more than a few months.

Fig.2

Richard Williams

Richard Williams is a Canadian animator, voice artist, and writer, best known for is his work on "The Thief and the Cobbler", "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"  and "The Little Island".

Fig.3

Richard Williams has won 3 Oscars, 3 British Academy Awards and over 250 other international awards, which is really amazing for such great artist to be awarded. Moreover, Williams has released a DVD called, "The Animator's Survival Kit". In it you can find many useful tricks on how do things move, and specific work methods used to make characters live, breathe, think and give a sustained commanding performance.Williams demonstrates his points with drawing, performance and over 400 specially animated examples. Richard Williams animating technique is far more amazing, he draws solid lines, does perfect shading if needed and the best part of his work is exaggerating his animated characters' movements, giving more life to it. Some of these works are realistic and some of it is cartoonish, he has knowledge of all possible animating positions and perspectives.

Fig.4

Bibliography:
Bill Plympton

http://www.plymptoons.com/about/

Richard Williams

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/19/richard-williams-master-animation

Illustration List:
Fig.1

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-04-13-1428955320-8443622-movies.box.billplympton.widea.jpg
Fig.2 
http://www.chud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/bill_plympton_by_morteneng21-d49uzak.jpg
Fig.3 http://www.skwigly.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/WEB_Richard-Williams_portrait.jpeg
Fig.4  http://www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com/images/ExpandedEdition_400x474.jpg