Tracey Tutt

Give references to methods, research and practices that contextualise your project (including texts, images, artists, designers, etc). For collaborative projects, give details of each person’s role in the project. (max. 500 words)

I am going to create a short film using live action and overlaid animation, in this way I will combine a new experience of live filming/editing/working with actors/locations, with my own illustration technique which I will experiment with and transform into animation.

After choosing an actor and overcoming the problems with a live location shoot I will be able to rotoscope over the main character to give me more control of how the finished piece will look, and the connection with the viewer.

With time limitations I will not be making a fully rotoscoped film, such as Linklater’s Scanner Darkly or Waking Life, so concentration on the character and only using two shades of the same colour will allow me to apply my illustration skill, in the knowledge I can complete it in the time given.

I will also use the rotoscoped section by themselves and play with the ability to fade the live action out, so he appears to be walking endlessly, as my core idea for the film is to do with loss of reality.

I will also be composing a short poem to give my character a voice within the film.

I will be submitting a short film, with a vocal narration of an original poem.

1. Identify and apply concepts and principles associated with your subject to a range of contexts and environments.

I went through a lot of different starting styles and processes until I came to my chosen one of rotoscoped illustration – what I call a ‘digital cell’ – over live film.

1. Employ appropriate methods, processes and materials to produce experimental and finished work relevant to current and alternative practice in your area .

Once my style of film had been selected I took a look at what was out there and chose to push it slightly further by using the alpha channel on the digital ‘cell’ animation rather than always overlaying it.

1. Examine complex problems in your area of study and articulate a range of solutions.
2. I found Rotoscoping to be extremely time consuming and to make sure I could complete my idea I trimmed down the look to two colours and minimised key presses with shortcuts and the use of a programmable wacom tablet.
3. Evidence your understanding of contemporary practice and the creative industries relevant to your subject area.

Week 1: story ideas. Week2: location recce. Week 3: photographic storyboard, Week 4: test filming with equipment, (steadicam, DSLR), Week 5, 6: live shoot, editing. Week 7,8 & 9: rotoscope and export images (all 2572 of them). Week 10 & 11: convert back into footage, edit together, produce sound and final render.

I must take care when filming at night, for my own safety and others, fortunately I will be with my main actor for most of the filming.  Also camera equipment does not perform well in the cold, so will need to take extra batteries.