RESEARCH PART 2 TEXT MESSAGE: HARRY WATT AND BASIL WRIGHT: 'NIGHT MAIL

RESEARCH PART 2 TEXT MESSAGE: HARRY WATT AND BASIL WRIGHT: 'NIGHT MAIL

During the project brief on 'TEXT MESSAGE' my lecturer introduced us to the very influential film called 'NIGHT MAIL' directed by Harry Watt and Basil Wright. It shows the very famous scene where a train is travelling to Scotland, the sound is in sync with the motion of the train tracks with a written poem and music. When watching and listening I realised that there poem is describing the journey to the audience which also extends the vast imagery used, such as the many cut shots and rapid shots of the certain aspects of the train and its surroundings.

This was for me a good starting point for me to understand what the project expects of me. My objective is to sought a creative response to the text message, my whole animation is to be revolved around the text met with creativity and matter of fact. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, 'WAR STORY' was the animation I was most intrigued by. However, Watching the scene from Night Mail has made me rethink my strategy.

I dug deeper to try and find out more information regarding this scene. I learnt that the poem that was used was from W.H.AUDEN and it was used towards the end of the film and importantly a few lines from the poem were taken out to fit the film sequence. I am also contemplating finding a poem or a verse that would fit into my animation and if I were definitely going through with this idea, I would consider cutting down lines to save time and fit the scenes. I gathered this information from (gradeasaver.com) 

I learnt that the speed of which the poem is read out matches the movement of the train, which I thought was quite effective as it provides a clear understanding visually and audibly. Auden in the first part of his poem used eight rhymed four-beat couplets in accordance to the sequence. (gradeasaver.com)

I was also thinking for an idea, in contrast to the films scene, I could pick up the tempo and the pace of the animation to give more variety and make the animation seem more interesting because it may prevent the animation from becoming a drag and boring.

I also wanted to gather information from this film scene because my lecturer says that it is on of the most influential films ever made and in any circumstances for research and planning, I want to learn from the best and try to incorporate valuable information I have found as a way of improving my skills and to help me learn from my mistakes from my previous animation.

In conclusion, I have been able to broaden my mind and have found new sources of inspiration that have allowed me to emerge more ideas based upon strategy and how I approach this project. I want to however carry on my research because I still have not yet made a decision on my final idea.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

GRADEASAVER.COM

RESEARCH PART 2 TEXT MESSAGE: PETER LORD/ WAR STORY/GOING EQUIPPED

RESEARCH PART 2 TEXT MESSAGE: PETER LORD/ WAR STORY/GOING EQUIPPED

Peter Lord is a British animator, Film producer and director and theco-founder of Aardman animations. During the brief of our next project, My lecturer showed the class two Aardman animations called 'WAR STORY' and 'GOING EQUIPPED' which gave me a clear example of the type of animation that is expected of us. They are based upon the title of 'TEXT MESSAGE' which requires lateral thinking and a free range of creativity. I am required to find a short text as the source for the animation which can range from creative writing or found sources or from nature.

Currently in the early stage of research and planning, I have at the moment found innovation from these two animations I have noted above. This is primarily due to Peter Lords' creativity and his approach to development processes. I purchased a book called 'THE ART OF AARDMAN'  and Peter Lord spoke about how "Every film that we bring to the screen has been developed through words and in pictures." He also said from the source that "I love to dig out the stories within stories and hidden histories buried under the surface." In my view he means that he likes to anchor ideas from other ideas and reform it and recreate it as his own, and through this regression, new ideas can emerge.

Peter also said that "ideas come from inside your head, and as often as not, they tumble straight out as drawings and into sketchbooks." I came to learn from this one quote that you should always have a sketchbook and pencil in hand and always jot down ideas and drawings. They do not have to be oil paintings or even remotely interesting or complete, but jotting things down can give you the first step to the path of experimentation.

I also decided to learn about the synopsis of 'WAR STORY and 'GOING EQUIPPED' Below you can view the animations:










According to sources from IMDB, 'WAR STORY' used a real interview for the sound, where a man named Bill Perry who relates back to his youth days and his tilted house and his adventures during the world war 2 blitz. For a potential idea I am suggesting anchoring the same format of a person narrating about their youth with the person talking about their memorable moments.

I also dug out for information about 'GOING EQUIPPED' The plot is simply, very similar to 'WAR STORY' a person being interviewed about his life, how he got into prison and what it is like doing prison time. For my idea, I am potentially looking to this format. I particularly enjoyed 'WAR STORY' more because it was more light hearted and the flash back scenes were of high interest to me.

In conclusion, These two animations are sources rom which I am going to anchor from and I am going to look for more sources to help me broaden my knowledge and my creativity skills. I also need to pin down idea for a story, this is the area I am currently struggling with.