Refining/Storyboarding

So I have chosen to use the song Bang Bang by Nancy Sinatra. It is a slower song from the movie, but it seems ironic and I think it would go really well with my visuals.

I have been working on my concept and storyboarding and here are some screen shots:

here are a few of the images:


I have a few ideas. At first I was thinking that the blood would just drop down the page, but I am finding that it is looking too cluttered. So I want to zoom in closer into the scene into one or two blossoms as they drip blood onto the text. Then follow the blood down as it drips. So I have included in the screen shots some closer up views.

Further Visual Concepts

So after doing the 5 visual concepts and talking to Krista, I am finding that I want to use different aspects from each within my title sequence. I am visualizing a cherry blossom tree growing across the page, but the blossoms will be red, or made up of blood drops. This has an ironic feel to it as does the movie. The fact that Uma Thurman's character writes the death list, leads me to think that it would be cool to use a handwriting font that writes out the names and maybe have them in a numbered list, as in the death list. At the end I want to have the blood start dripping down the page and completely fill it up, as blood has an important role in the movie. 

This weekend I am working on getting all my visual elements, type and music together.

Revised Creative Brief

Creative Brief

Project Details
Date: October 18, 2008
Prepared by: Anna Storkel
Project name: Title Sequence for Kill Bill
Design Lead: Anna Storkel
Hand-off to Production: Due 11/12/08 Product Release:

Project Concept
This project allows me to explore After Effects. And I will create a unique and functional title sequence for the movie Kill Bill that is exciting and action filled.


Objectives
The objectives and goals of this project are to provide the tone for the movie and to list the actors, actresses, and the title.


Audience
The audience would be one that enjoys action movies, blood and guts, fight scenes, kung fu, and a unique experience. They will most likely be a middle-aged men, around 15 to 35 years old. Also the audience would most likely enjoy Quentin Tarantino movies, which are a little offbeat but always action packed with a touch of humor.

Perception/Tone
The tone and perception of the project will most likely be a dark one, but at the same time has a touch of humor. The colors will be black, yellow, and red. The project will attract action lovers by using similar elements in the movie, such as blood and swords.


Communication Strategy
To create the perception/tone, I will stick with the color palette of red, yellow, and black because these are exciting and bold colors that have significance in the movie. I will grab the audience by using graphic images/animations. Like an action movie, I will keep the audience on their toes by using shorter segments, surprising details, and coordination with sound/music.

Movie Elements – Anime, Asian Symbols, Country/Western, Black and White, Yellow Motorcycle and Suit, Death List, Exaggerated Spouting Blood, Swords, Red Tint, Chapters, Revenge/Payback, Hospital, Fight Scenes.

Competitive Landscape
Competitive products include all movies by Quentin Tarantino including Pulp Fiction and Grindhouse. Also Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Snatch, Sin City, Clockwork Orange, Fight Club, Battle Royal and Once Upon A Time In Mexico.
All these movies are action packed and many use lots of blood. Sin City has the same unique sense about it and uses similar cinematography. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is similar in that it has an Asian quality and uses unique fight scenes. Battle Royal is all about killing as is Kill Bill. Pulp Fiction stars Uma Thurman and has the same tone and feel.

Single-Minded Message
Unique & Exciting Bloody Revenge

Concepts

Concepts

Ideas

So today in class we had time to think about ideas for our title sequence and begin building sketches. I have come up with a few in my mind so far and began making them today in Illustrator.

I did one using a notebook piece of paper, like a to do list, but on the theme of a death list and it says Kill Bill in a handwriting font.

I did one where blood is dripping down onto the title.

And I am thinking about doing one that has a more Asian theme, like using Asian symbols or having some kind of natural tree or blossom thing growing.

I wish I knew how to draw anime or was even any good at drawing in general, because I think this title sequence would work really well in anime.

Typefaces, Music, and Visual Elements

Here are the Typefaces I am thinking about using:

Typeface Page 1

Typeface Page 2

The Music I am thinking about using is from the movie. I like the following songs:

Bang Bang by Nancy Sinatra

Kill Bill by The Drunken Masters

Battle Without Honor or Humanity by Tomoyasu Hotei

Visual Elements:

The rest of the visual elements I am interested in are linked here: Kill Bill Visuals

Creative Brief

Here is my Creative Brief:

Creative Brief

Project Details

Date: October 18, 2008

Prepared by: Anna Storkel

Project Name: Title Sequence for Kill Bill

Design Lead: Anna Storkel

Hand-off to Production: Due 11/12/08

Project Concept

This project allows me to explore After Effects. And I will create a functional title sequence for the movie Kill Bill.

Objectives

The objectives and goals of this project are to provide the tone for the movie and to list the actors, actresses, and the title.

Audience

The audience would be one that enjoys action movies, blood and guts, fight scenes, kung fu, and a unique experience. Also the audience would most likely enjoy Quentin Tarantino movies.

Perception/Tone

The tone and perception of the project will most likely be a dark tone, but at the same time has a sense of humor. The colors will be black, yellow, and red. The project will attract action lovers by using similar elements in the movie, such as blood and swords.

Communication Strategy

To create the perception/tone, I will stick with the color palette of red, yellow, and black. I will grab the audience by using graphic images/animations. Like an action movie, I will keep the audience on their toes by using shorter segments, surprising details, and coordination with sound/music.

Movie Elements - Anime, Asian Symbols, Country/Western. Black & White, yellow Motorcycle and Suit, Death List, Exaggerated Spouting Blood, Swords, Red Tint, Chapters, Revenge/Payback, Hospital, Fight Scenes.

Competitive Landscape

Competitive products include all movies by Quentin Tarantino including Pul Fiction and Grindhouse. Also Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Snatch, Sin City, Clockwork Orange, Fight Club, Battle Royal, and Once Upon A Time In Mexico.

Single-Minded Message

Unique

Good Title Sequences

I have been researching and looking at title sequences and here are some that I found that I really like:
Down With Love
Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium
The Starter Wife
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Project 2

So last class we got our new project. Our homework was to look through the movies we talked about in class and choose one to use for making a new title sequence. I had a hard time deciding between Kill Bill and Batman Begins. Both are very graphic and are a couple of my favorite movies. Without even watching either of them again, I already had ideas in my mind. I chose to use Kill Bill Vol. 1. I just got done watching it and here are the notes I took: 

Kill Bill Notes Page 1 

Kill Bill Notes Page 2

Finished!

So I am all finished with my 3 animations. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I worked all day Sunday on them, but they are done. I saved my type animation for last. All was going well until I got to the top layer of the animation. I had a rolling "D" but for some reason, when I srubbed through the animation it was there, but when I tested it, it wasn't. I was so confused. I figured out that it didn't like when I rotated the type. I decided to pull in a letter "D" from Illustrator. And for some reason this worked. This was a little frustrating because it took a lot of time just to figure out the problem. I am glad to be done.

Animation #3 - Referential

I have decided for animation #3 that I am going to hand-draw a figure walking to simulate an up and down motion, similar to the sound. Here is the first drawing I made of stick figure about to walk:

Sketches/Drafts

For animation #1, the abstract one, I am using circular shapes because they represent my sound well. They aren't too harsh, they are organic, and they can fluctuate. My idea is to have a circle fluctuating to the sound. The circles will grow/shrink when the sound gets louder/quieter. My limitation is using only 2 colors. There will be 2 circles total, because there are 2 distinct cries. So I will most likely make the circles change colors as well. I haven't decided on the colors yet, but I think red and pink.













For animation #2, type-based, I am using the thunder sound with two letters. I haven't chosen the typeface yet. The background will be small "s"s to represent the rain background in the sound. I chose s because it is an organic letter and seems peaceful. They will be a light yellow color and will blink or shake at a steady pace. A large letter "D" will roll out, getting bigger as the sound does and smaller as the sound gets softer. The D will roll to the beat/rhythm of the sound. The D will be a dark purple or blue. The limit is using only 2 colors.













For animation #3, referential, I want to show someone walking, or feet walking. I am not sure if this will be hand-drawn or use images and videos from archive.org. Either way, the animation will have an up/down feel to it.

Decisions

I have decided which sounds I am going to do with which animation. But I am still deciding on which limitations I am going to use with these.

Animation #1 Abstract - Baby Crying

Animation #2 Type-Based - Thunder

Animation #3 Referential (based in video or referential images) - Eating Apple


Anim #1:
Limit 1 - form is abstract
Limit 2 - sound is referential
Additional media limitation - only 2 colors

Anim #2
Limit 1 - must use only one typeface, this is the only visual
Additional content or media limitation - only 2 colors

Anim #3
Limit 1 - must use image that is recognizable
Additional content or media limitation - only appropriated archive imagery/video from archive.org

In Class Work

Today in class we talked about our chosen sounds and the formal elements and sketches we worked on this weekend. We then went into small groups to talk more about them. In my group I was able, with my group members, to focused my sounds a little more. 

Baby Crying:

Circular/oval shapes moving. Scale of shape changing as the sound gets louder and softer. 

The sketch with the piercing shape doesn't work as well as the others. It's too harsh, where as the baby crying is not so sharp.

Apple:

Could possibly use for Animation 3 - Referential. Get an image of someone walking. An up and down movement, or open and close.

Thunder:

Two shapes interacting or existing together.

Concepts

How will the visual form change based on the sound?

Baby Crying -

I can see the form changing kind of sporadically, not regular, but rhythmically. I can see the form being almost like an almond shape or circle or something and changing sizes as the sound gets louder and softer. The almond shape could grow spikes or something out of it, as the sound becomes more harsh and the spikes could retract when the sound is less harsh. 

Eating Apple -

The sound of a person eating an apple is very regular and repetitive. The only sound that is different in it, is the very beginning when the person takes the bite, then the chewing sounds very much the same. The progression of the form will probably go up and down in a regular way except for the very first part. 

Thunder -

The sound of the thunder is a little more complex as it sounds like two separate sounds, that of the rain, and that of the thunder. I can see two forms interacting with each other. One being very regular, soft, peaceful and rhythmic, (the rain) while the other is harsh, sudden, sharp, and irregular (the thunder).

Sketches - Thunder

Thunder

Sketches - Eating Apple

Eating Apple

Sketches - Baby Crying

Visual Explorations of Formal Elements:

Baby Crying

Mind Map

I think I have narrowed my sounds down to three. I am going to use a baby crying, eating an apple, and thunder. These sounds are all different. Some are man made, while some are natural. Some are more harsh, and others more regular. 

Mind Map:

Baby Crying

-angst/anger -innocence -irregular -rhythmic -breath

-in/out -sad -frustration -forlorn -harsh

Eating an Apple

-smacking -up/down -rhythmic -repetitive/regularish

-annoying

Thunder

-2 sounds on top of each other -harsh, but soft background noise -rhythmic

-repetitive background -peaceful background -sudden

-frustration -rumble -sharp

Sound Links

Sound 1) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/4+month+old+baby+cry/score?page=1
Title: Medium Distant 4 ...
User: Airborne Sound
Duration: 0:11


Sound 2) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/foley+water+unscrew/score

Sound 3) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/meadow+crickets/score
Title: Meadow crickets ...
User: BLASTWAVE FX
Duration: 1:00

Sound 4) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/thunder/shortest?page=4
Title: thunder1
User: cyberdsc
Duration: 0:13

Sound 5) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/town+small+construction+site+3/score

Sound 6) http://www.soundsnap.com/search/audio/dispense+ice/score
Title: Refrigerator ...
User: BLASTWAVE FX
Duration: 0:10

Sound 7) http://www.soundsnap.com/taxonomy/term/155/longest?page=3
Title: EatApple2
User: rebecca
Duration: 0:18