Thursday 10 February 2011

Transcription project - stylisation ideas

For this "trailers" Animation I am going to need to pic a style which works well with the script itself. When I think of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I think of action and adventure. Rather like the comic books of the 80's such as Marvel, this project I think would sit best in the old skool Spiderman/X-Man style imagery.












Chris

Little Tortilla Boy original source



This short video is from Pablo Frasiscos previewman parody about Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest film "Little Tortilla Boy".  Obviously, this is a spoof and not real, but gives grounds for an amusing animation to be created from it.

Chris

Idea for Little Tortilla Boy Animation

Little Tortilla Boy

In the city you must fight to survive,

*view of city over head*

he sold tortillas on the corner.

*short scene of the character Arnold selling tortillas on a street corner*

And the mob wanted in.

*we see police car lights fly past the screen/with sirens wailing - Arnolds facial expression in shock*

"I dont know who this guy is, but I want his tortillas." - *darkened sillohette shadow characters in an alley, acting as if they are planning a crime*

He had one chance (character lifts up one finger to the screen) and his chance was to fight back (character power grabs with super hero like determination in his face)

Arnold Schwarzenegger (character) standing and explaining to the audience "listen to me, these are my tortillas, im not going to give them up here. You have to get out of here. *shakes the camera and pushes away as explosion occurs behind arnold* They're trying to kill you, get out of here!"

*cuts to black, then fades up in "bullet speed" style animation of Arnold running, bullets flying through the air around him, whilst trying to save his tortillas*

Double the action, *shows split screen of arnold - both eating tortillas* triple the excitement. *cutts to a third still of three way split of arnold eating tortillas - The later one looking exhausted and struggling to eat the last tortilla *

"Get down!"

*arnold goes green - throws up tortilla*

More the excitement. "Get Down again!"

*still throwing up more tortilla*

They didn't know who he was. *cutts to scene of a confused character* "Who are those men who came here? What do they want?"

*violently shaking Korina*

"Listen to me Korina, you have to get out of here. *cutts to image of an exit sign* They're trying to take my tortillas!" *cutts to showing siolhette criminals behind arnold and korina*

*slows back to bullet speed - close ups of Arnold eating tortillas*

One man, one solution! *cutts breifly back to original still of arnold holding one finger up*

Arnold Schwarzenegger, this summer is *repeats clip of arnold running in bullet speed*

*clip changes to arnold in the "films" title, with him painted in as the super hero "Little Tortilla Boy"

Little Tortilla Boy! ChaCha on!

*end animation*

Transcription project - Comedian research

For the transcription research I have to find different comedians which use interesting language to help place a good visual image within ones mind.

  • Peter Kay
 "There used to be an old woman who lived next door to us. There was a power cut one night, so my mum went round to see if she was all right. She said, 'I thought there'd been a power cut – then a bus went past with its lights on . . .'"


  • Robin Williams
"Honey, you gotta pick a race first. All of a sudden you're a black man, then you're Diana Ross, now you're Audrey Hepburn. Then he's got the little beard going on. He's like Lord Of The Rings, the entire cast. Michael's about to jump species." [on Michael Jackson]





  • Eddie Izzard
The Spanish Inquisition wouldn’t have worked with Church of England. “Talk! Will you talk!” “But it hurts!” “Well, loosen it up a bit, will you? Fine… Cause that’s what it would be. “Tea and cake or death? Tea and cake or death? Tea and cake or death!” Students would be, “Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cookbook! Little Red Cookbook!” Ca – you know, cause, “Cake or death?” That’s a pretty easy question. Everybody – anyone could answer that. “Cake or death?” “Uhh, cake please.” “Very well! Give him cake!” “Oh, thanks very much. It’s very nice.” “You! Cake or death?” “Uh, cake for me, too, please.” “Very well! Give him cake, too! We’re gonna run out of cake at this rate. You! Cake or death?” “Uh, death, please. No, cake! Cake! Cake, sorry. Sorry…” “You said death first, ah ha, ah ha, death first!” “Well, I meant cake!” “Oh, all right. You’re lucky I’m Church of England!” “Cake or death?” “Uh, cake please.” “Well, we’re out of cake! Well, we only had three bits and we didn’t expect such a rush. So what do you want?” “Well, so my choice is ‘or death?” “Well, have the chicken then, please. Taste of humans, sir. Would you like a white wine? There you go, thank you very much. Thank you for flying Church of England, cake or death?”




  • Dave Chappelle
*Dials 911*

"Hello, emergency..."
"Help! Help, motherf**ker, they coming to get me!"
"Now, just calm down sir. Where are you?"
"Oooohhh! Oh, I shit on myself! I can't stop crying!"

They play that s**t 30 or 40 times a day. Man, you see your buddies at your funeral. You know Dave s**t on himself before he died. Saw it on the news, died crying like a bitch. I be dead, I can't defend myself. That's not a nice thing to do. That's not a nice thing to do. No one calls 911 cool and relaxed. Now that s**t would sound ridiculous:

"Hello, emergency... "

"Hey 911 how are you? Yeah, aah, look... There's a group of hooded white men gathering outside my house. And it looks like they mean business. "Get out here ni**er." I gotta go. You guys try and hurry."




  • Pablo Francisco "Little Tortilla Boy"
 "In the city you must fight to survive, he sold tortillas on the corner. And the mob wanted in. I dont know who this guy is, but I want him and his tortillas. He had one chance and his chance was to fight back. Arnold Schwarzenegger, "listen to me, these are my tortillas, im not going to give them up here. You have to get out of here. They're trying to kill you, get out of here!" Double the action, triple the excitement. "Get down!" More of the excitement. "Get Down again!" They didn't know who he was. "Who are those men who came here? What do they want?" "Listen to me Korina, you have to get out of here. They're trying to take my tortillas!" One man, one solution! Arnold Schwarzenegger, this summer is, Little Tortilla Boy! ChaCha on!"





Chris

Transcription - New Project theme

The theme of corrupting childhood innocence somewhat became too much of a crude joke rather than something of solid backing, leaving it empty and overall somewhat confusing.

Therefore I have decided that if I am to keep the theme of sadistic humour I need something solid to back it, such as an already existing peice of work which can be transcribed into an animation.

The idea for this transcription is to take a joke from a comedian who uses descriptive language within his/her material and apply the audio to a visual CG animation to tell the joke.

Chris

Tuesday 8 February 2011

STOP! Transcription revamp!

I have had my second one on one with Alan, and it has helped me push my project further and give me a better idea of what I should aim at. I was becoming increasingly aware of something not being right with my idea - the constant foul language used to shock an audience seemed to be more of an excuse to use it than for it to have any real reason for its exsistance.

THEREFORE I shall be using visual humour to convey this approach, as opposed to foul language. Innuendos will showcase the adult humour, which will help tell a joke which I may now take from a famous comedian as opposed to my own script.

Chris

Transcription project - corrupted childrens tv programme script

I have wrote out a script for the TV Childrens programme "Learning fun with Eddy the Educator", which divulges in offensive language, visual humour and unconventional shock tactics. To trick is to make the audience feel uneasy, which I feel this might succeed in doing. I could of taken the language much worse but I felt it would be more appropriate to focus on visual innuendos for deeper jokes that lay past the words themselfs.

This script is subject to change.


Learn your ABC’s the fun way with Eddy the Educator
Script
By Chris Simmons


Render in 3D is a possibility
(Content Warning: Foul language used throughout)

Introduction:

                        This animated short is based on the corruption of innocence found in children’s animations, and is a transcription of this technique based upon the likes of such programmes as the Garbage Patch Kids.
We see the lovable character “Eddy the Educator” taking us on a tour through the alphabet, however there is a twist. In what you would expect to be suitable for teaching children in how to read and write correctly actually divulges into a series of foul language, contradicting the presumed target audience with its deliverance.


*Title scene opens up – flowers blossom into the screen with a rainbow piercing through the colourful arrangement of objects. Title logo appears across the Rainbow with Eddy standing at the side.*

Music at this point is jolly, typical of the twinkly bright tunes found in most Children’s cartoons.

*We do a star wipe out of the title scene – keeps the editing work simple and effective towards the stylisation of a child’s TV programme.*

We see a white environment, with a pretty border following the title scenes imagery. In walks Eddy in a jovial stride towards the camera.

“H, H, H, Hey Kids!” *big smile* “A little birds been telling me someone wants to learn their ABC?  Well today is your lucky day!” *with excited tone*

*Children’s cheers in the background* “Yaaaaaaaaaay!”

Eddy - “Are you ready?”

Children - “Yaaaaaaaaaay!”

Eddy - “Then lets fuckin do this!”

*Music changes to heavy metal – scene turns blood red as opposed to the innocent purity of white*
Animation changes to stills of each letter with Eddy posing in visual ways of depicting them – some letters will use animation for comedic effect however.

(In time with the music)

“A IS FOR ARSEHOLE (Eddy bent over pointing at his backside)
B IS FOR BEER (Eddy holding a beer up to the screen with a drunken look on his face)
C FOR CRYBABY (Eddy crying over a film on TV)
AND D IS FOR DEATH (Eddy hanging by the neck, swinging)
E IS FOR EARGASM (Eddy pointing his ear out with an excited look on his face, with ear ejaculating fluid)
F IS FOR F*CK YOU (Eddy sticking a censored middle finger in the air) *second voice in background shouting back* (f*ck you!) *Using censored bleeps to keep comical effect in the deliverance*
G IS FOR GASSY ARSE (Eddy blushing whilst a green cloud appears from his behind)
And H IS FOR HIGH (Eddy looks stoned, propped up against the letter H) *music stops briefly as Eddy giggles to himself*
*Music resumes again*
I IS FOR INSANE (Eddy self harming, right up close for intimidating effect)
J IS FOR JAILBAIT (Eddy holding a sign which says “that’s you” kids cheer in background again “Yaaaaaaaaaay!”)
K IS FOR KICK ME (Eddy with a “kick me” prank sign on his back, looking around with an intimidated look on his face)
L IS FOR LABOUR (Eddy in a giving birth position)
M IS FOR MAGIC (Eddy pulling something out of a magician’s hat strategically positioned in front of his privates)
N IS FOR NAPALM (Eddy has a bomb drop on him)
O IS FOR OBESE (Eddy sitting back eating a McDonalds)
P IS FOR PERVERT (Eddy staring through binoculars with a creepy smile on his face)
Q IS FOR QUEEN (Eddy wearing female clothing, posing in a ballet-esque position)
R IS FOR ROADIES (Eddy standing facing camera, smiling, thumbs up with a series of purposefully large breasted female fans behind him.)
S IS FOR STRANGLE (Eddy being chocked, eyes popping out comically)
T IS FOR TOUGH SH*T (Eddy sitting on toilet, uncomfortably straining making a crying sound)
U IS FOR UNDERWEAR (Eddy sporting a bra and g-string in a typical playboy-esque pose) *in background we hear “Oooh yeeeah!”*
V IS FOR VOMIT (Eddy throwing up fountains of puke)
W IS FOR WHIPPING (Eddy being pleasured by a whip)
X IS FOR THIS MAGAZINE (Eddy holding up a pornographic magazine)
Y IS FOR YELOW SNOW (Eddy urinating in snow)
Z IS FOR... (Eddy collapses... we see a flow of letter Z’s rising up across the screen as we hear him snoring.)

*Animation fades out*

End.

Thursday 3 February 2011

Transcription - Perfect example!

I have just come across the PERFECT example of the area im trying to hit, with all the aspects in my vision for this project! It comes in the form of an animated show which was aired online entitled "Swear Bears", which is basically a corrupted version of a Childrens TV show, which includes bad language and everything you wouldnt expect to find comfortable for a childs viewing.

Observe this video: Caution, dont watch if easily offended!

(Please click link as video is unable to be embedded on outside webpages)

Swear Bears link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wYcwOmmcMw

Chris

Transcription first 5 weeks rough timetable

I have created a timetable which lays down a basic timeplan mainly for the first 5 weeks of this project. I will keep comparing where I am with the timetable to ensure im up to date with my work, and at 5 weeks I will create a second half checklist more in detail where it says post-production.

(Click to view)




Chris

Transcription project - Unconventional music for kids

Heavy Metal - I love it! I beleive that this project would be good to use things which I enjoy to help keep me focused but also to drive my own personal sadistic twist into corrupting innocent childrens telivision. What other better than to use an audible source that has no connection to children whatsoever, that would offend most parents if such a sound was played infront of their children?

I still need to storyboard but I can imagine a generic soft introduction which blasts off into the alphabet with a heavy metal riff chugging in the background, to the character shouting along. Of course, he/she wont be shouting "A is for Apple", it will be something more deranged and not typically for childrens ears.

 Something appropriate would have to be fast paced, forward moving, of which I could cutt up and keep on a loop, or edit accordingly. The music should use riffs of a samey style throughout, to prevent it from being too all over the place and distracting.






Notice the chuggy, main riffs used within these peices I have picked out. These would be ideal for the backing style I would want for the character to shout along the alphabet to.

Chris

Transcription project - Childrens music (its all weird)

Here are a few peices of music (some with visuals that will help me to further understand the childrens programme world) which should help with musical choice for the project or at least give me ideas for tones to be produced, or how to use them unconventionally.






Chris

Transcription project - Innocent characters corrupted

Its easy to laugh at the following well-known children's television characters when you think about them being regular adults, or just being less aware that they have to behave for children's eyes.

  • Winnie the Pooh


I mean, come on - LOL. Its in his name already. But can you imagine Mr Pooh popping down to his local pub for a pint? Imagine his voice dropping from the countertenor-like squeal were all familiar with to a bassy, manly tone. Wouldn't that be a sight. Further more, whats Tiger and Piglet looking at in this picture, and why so - "cuddly"...

  • Sooty and Sweep


This is simple. "Matthew, please get your hand out of my bum - were in public, theres Police - and no kids about to watch."

  • Wheres Wally


That's right. The creepy man who always wants kids to find him. Don't trust that jumper.

  • Rugrats


When young children are involved, it is always easy to destroy the innocence that the characters seem to naturally display. Look at this picture, ask yourself what they are doing and its easy to totally flip it in a very wrong, corruptive manner.

Its this form of humour which we all know is wrong to laugh at, yet we feel the urge to resume doing so anyway. This is usually down to social anxiety and somewhat compares to wordplay used within jokes, however in a visual manner. As we know we really shouldn't find such a thing amusing, we just simply laugh more no matter how inappropriate and stupid we feel.

Chris

Transcription project - The Garbage Pail Kids

I was brought to the awareness of a childrens tv cartoon from the 80s called "The Garbage Pail Kids", which ties in well with my cartoonish style of drawing. This would be used to somewhat make my work more introverted and self mocking, yet play a big part in the imagery of corrupted innocence as the characters portrayed in the GPK were bright, colourful and bold in appearance - yet often subjected to detestable scenarios.


A series of Topps Cards were created alongside these characters, which further provokes a feel of a mash up between childrens entertainment and dark humour.




Chris


Transcription project research

I have decided to transcribe the innocence of children's education using the corruption of sadism to invoke mixed audience reaction. It should either be taken with humour, or great disgust.

Here is a childrens educational programme which has a good foundation for the innocence featured for its target audience. Letterland was used when I was a young child to help me learn to read and write, by using characters which letters matched their appearance. For example, the letter "C" was represented as a character called "Clever Cat". Notice the bright colour schemes used, and as if it was spawned from the mind of a child itself.



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A9ua_RwRv7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>

The colour schemes and childish imagery used could be easily manipulated to create a piece which is distasteful towards social acceptance if such notions are corrupted by foul play.



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nSUIPp45DpI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>

The above video is from the children's TV series "Rainbow", where the use of non-intented (or intended in several purposefully rude spoofs) use innuendos that ring bells within the adult mindset. This can be taken with great humour, or with great offense. Taking this issue farther, when the characters purposefully use foul language we see an even greater break of the innocence and corrupts the programme on an almost uncanny
level.



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lu_KlwC9ozY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>

Here you can see the characters of Sesame Street taking their "acting" to another level, where they are usually cuddly and cute they now become distinctly adult by swearing. They swear right in children's faces, which as moral would say this is wrong we cant help but find this somewhat hilarious.



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cqi5F5MqqTQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>

Sometimes the innocence of a childrens programme is not interupted by anti social language or visual innuendo, but just taken to a level of atmosphere so dark that it feels wrong to be for childrens eyes. The above film does just this, making the audience feel very uneasy and somewhat violated as for children this film linguers within a dark, often menacing, scary territory.

Chris

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Ideas for transcription project post-discussion with Alan!

After a chat with Alan, I have come to realise my other ideas were either far too complex or just not hitting anywhere relating to the nature of the project. We discussed how my "world" would be best kept within a world comparable to that of such satiric cartoons such as "Happy Tree Friends" and "Salad Fingers".



 To push into this territory, there would be more focus on one aspect rather than making it too technical for myself to pull off. The idea brought up was that of fully modelled and rendered stills, which go through the alphabet, similar to perhaps the style of which Sesame Street may have used.

  • Big Bird from Sesame Street, holding the letter "H".


This could easily be changed to create a rather sadistic, cringe worthy yet amusing short - which doesn't have to involve full animation. I believe it would work using some animation in parts, however keeping it brief and focusing more on the visual comedy being brought across.  
Flipping the innocence of this technique for teaching children how to spell would be connecting each letter with humorously offensive material. This video is somewhat comparable to the concept of the joke:


I could introduce the start the animation in a more relaxed manner, being somewhat more polite and using a nature that would be expected towards children's television. From here the shock of the animation would become more intense, somewhat less about being offensive and more based on transcribing children's television in a satirical position.

Chris

Inspiring music for transcription project

I have decided to go with the theme of "The Little Red Riding Hood", however have my own personal twist on the tale to tell a different story which fits as a reflection of the original fairy tale approach. When observing the tale of The Little Red Riding Hood, I have noticed how it is full of dark notions, which if used in a less childish manner are highly chilling. The thought of a little girl being stalked is enough to turn most peoples noses, yet it is told to children all over the world without hesitance. Alongside this is the fact that the stalker is a beast, a wolf who can apparently speak to the little girl. This therefore brings the comparison in about Werewolf's and other such evil creatures associated with darker folklore. To heighten this story further, there is brutality as we become aware that the little girls Grandmother is "eaten" by the Wolf. If this was flipped as a Werewolf story, could it be a possibility that the Wolf was actually the child's Grandmother herself? It is clear that this tale is full of dark, disturbing qualities to play with.

The music I will want to work with must induce fear into the audience, with the purpose to provide an atmosphere that builds suspense and in some respects creates nausea. It would be of the following style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OXQLXni2Gs




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fxwjINdpmQ&feature=related



Even taking influence from film scores such as Silent Hill - an eerie dark tale about isolation and fear.




Chris