MOVIE OPENING TITLES PROCESS BOOK MICHAEL FEAVEL TYPOGRAPHY STUDIO II - GRDS 755 PROF. MERRICK HENRY SUMMER 2011
I feel that my process is best expressed through my sketchbook that I keep for each class. From this, you are able to see each step and thought that comes into my head and works its way down to my hands and finally onto paper.
For some reason I am finding this assignment particularly challenging, so I am trying my best to have fun with. I decided to try two ideas on opposite ends of the spectrum: Spongebob and War. Spongebob fits my love for cartoons and creativity, and Enemy at the Gates hits my WW2 history interest.
I watched multiple episodes of spongebob and the movie to get inspired. I want to keep it simple and avoid clips. The shapes will be like cut outs and have a paper like texture. This goes away from the animation, but that is kind of the point. It’s fun without copying the actual animation.
The second idea is inspired by the opening sequence to the series “The Pacific” and the openings sequence of the movie “Rock N Roller”. Iconic with interesting movement and very intense subject matter. I hope to convey the mood to the utmost level which ever one I choose to go with.
I began trying to make the movie titles for “Enemy at the Gates.� moving in a simpler direction than what was first proposed. I quickly found that nothing was working and my inspiration hit a brick wall. Nothing being produced looked right for the film and no idea was helping. I then decided to focus on my second option.
Spongebob allowed to have a bit more fun and get out of something serious. I decided to change the aspect ration to something much more fitting for film and work more with moving objects within the animation. I wasn’t sure how to make the bubbles work, but I knew it would be a big part of the animation.
I really wanted to combine the classic animation style of spongebob with that of a construction paper cut out/stop motion feel.
I reviewed many stop motion/paper animation movies and noticed certain subtleties they implimented.
I also watched PIxar shorts, as I find that their musical choices work very well with their animations.
I continued with the TIKI typefaces designed by House Ind. as my main typographic influence and usage.
I constructed each shape in after effects to avoid blurring with the camera and importing large files.
I utilized motion paths to make certain typographic elements follow that of the shapes.
I also took advantage of some of the perks of after effects, such as a bubble simulation that I was unaware of before the animation.
I tried my best to make a paper-like texture with noice and grain....it was somewhat successful.
ULTIMATELY THIS WAS A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE, I ATTEMPTED “ENEMY AT THE GATES” AND WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE ANYTHING WORTH SHOWING. THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIMPLICITY OVERWHELMED ME AND I DIDN’T FEEL GOOD ABOUT ANYTHING DONE. I THEN STARTED ON “SPONGEBOB” AND FELT MUCH BETTER ABOUT EVERYTHING AND HAD FUN WITH THE PROJECT. I UTILIZED PAPER CUT OUT IMAGERY TO HAVE A FUN ATTITUDE SIMILAR TO “SPONGEBOB” BUT NOT COPYING IT.