Narrative: But what happens if I 'don some make-up?

Long story short, KISS are brilliant for their music, their talent and their awesome appearances!
Why not recreate one of those? I'll have a look into this. More to come.

I'm thinking the guy who has the abnormally large tongue, Gene Simmons. (more info on him -HERE-)
(I do realise I have two genre's / types of character, Punk & Rock, but it's all being sorted out ☺)
Yeah so, more to come on this matter.

Narrative: Oh I wish I was a punk rocker.

(without flowers in my hair)

More research on Johnny Napalm;

 

 

Right, now we've cleared up what Johnny Napalm looks like, we can move on to what I plan on achieving. My audio is below;

From this we can proudly say that the character speaking is a 'rocker' (you probably guessed from the research I've been doing.) I plan on having a skinny-ish character, quite like Johnny, but he will be much more cartoonised instead of the realist approch.

More coming shortly

Narrative: Defining My Punk Rocker

Well, I've got a week and a bit left to finish up my Narrative project, and so far I've got this.

But only recently, (end of last week) I've decided to take a full spin around and look back at what I really know about 'punk' / 'rock'.. Guitar Hero, a game of which rockers are united. 

The image above, is of four main characters in Guitar Hero. As you can see, the approach I had before is extremely similar to the guy in the top left.

The main way to get started with character design is to try and figure out how they might look, for this I have some research on body types;

In the end I shall have a fully refined character with turnarounds like below;

Transcription: The Silence.

The silence comes when you forget what you had been doing. Or even when you forget what you're meant to be doing. You lose track of time and the days, it all passes by so quickly.

Then you realise, you've not got much time left. You carry on trying to get your memories and ideas down. Your battery dies on your laptop several times.

I've been doing a lot of work lately, it will be uploaded shortly, piece by piece, along with the research imagery and notes on the items/props.

But in the mean time, a little teaser, I've been looking further into the Alzheimer's society website and found a series of stories created by people who had cared for sufferers of the Alzheimer's Disease.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1066&categoryID=200272
This is a link for the stories library.

I've also been working on my Personal Branding even further, to take away from the Phallic like symbolism. More to come in a few posts.

Transcription: My mum

Jackie Livermore

My mum - my poor, poor mum. She was diagnosed as having dementia a few months ago. She has always been the most independent person I have ever known. During her life she had six children and then one day my dad left her, never wanting to be seen again.

She then made it her life to make sure we all grew up knowing she would always be able to cope with anything life threw at her. I am now seeing this strong independent woman slowly deminish as the wicked disease takes a hold of her.

She is now at the point where she thinks her younger sister is my sister yet she knows this can't be so but is convinced it's true. I feel absolutley helpless at the moment on how to get her through this.

Transcription: Shadow Of The Man I Used To Know

Madeleine Sara Maddocks

My Father was diagnosed four years ago with Vascular Dementia and (like Terry Pratchett), Posterior Cortical Atrophy; although tragically, it seems, his condition developed many years before without us realising, when something may have been done to prevent it from destroying our lives.

He can no longer read and his brain cannot process what his eyes see. He has been admitted to hospital twice in the past 18 months and this was traumatic and devastating, as he was neglected and ill treated by ignorant and overworked staff. He now resides in a nursing home where his basic needs are met but he sits, for what must seem interminable lengths of time, without much stimulation.

He is only 75 years old. He can no longer walk, dress, toilet or feed himself and most of his speech is incomprehensible wurzel-gummidge-eze "Remee, remeye, remoo" or "123, 23, 23, 123" He has a beautiful singing voice and during Songs of Praise everyone stops to listen to him sing.

As you can imagine, it is heartbreaking, as well as touching that my father still responds to us in his own way. I too, often refer to my father in the past tense because Alzheimer's has stripped him of the man he used to be. You can imagine that hearing the Queen Song that uses the words (I think it goes) 'I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be. And it seems like there's no way out of this for me', brings an ache to my throat and tears to my eyes.

I visit my Dad and I tell him I love him very much and he replies "Thank you, that's nice" in his typical modest way. It's a part of him that is still there. I tell him "Mum will be so jealous when I tell her I've been to visit you today!" and then I add (so he won't become anxious and fretful later) "So she'll probably come and visit you herself!" and he raises one eyebrow and smiles at me in that shared jokey way we've always had.

When I was feeding him a few months ago, he looked ready to fall asleep mid-meal and I said to him "You're not falling asleep on me now are you?" Then he nodded his head in an exaggerated parody of nodding off and smiled mischievously. It always horrifies me when people say that their loved one isn't there any more because my Dad is still there inside and he needs all the love and attention we can give him in those interminable days that stretch out in front of him.

Transcription: He still remembers

Michael Nganyuo

For the past four years, I spent my time in the States looking after people with mental disability. But the one person who got me was my resident with Alzheimer's. He came to stay at our home after some months in hospital.

The first weeks were a bit difficult as I worked with him to get help him know me. Then one day I heard him calling for Stewart; I thought he was looking for someone in particular, no he was looking for me: Michael. So, I went to see him and said, "oh Stewart can you get me some fruit" and he tried to say something else but could not continue. I said sure and got him some fruit and custard as I had been instructed to let him have with his fruit.

Months passed but one day he came from a day's drive with my boss and he was very delighted to see me but still called me Stewart. I said hi there Sir and how was your day out? He said, "oh so so". That's how he always talked. During this time working with my resident he could dress himself, shower and feed himself. I was always impressed by the way he worked towards his recovery. He took his medication and one day I had delayed administering his night medication, and he reminded me.That day i could not believe it but he was right. I usually gave his medicine at 7pm or 8pm but he did not see me do that night and he said Mike my meds. That was how he started reassuring me of his recovery and remembering few other things.

Family members were often impressed with the progress he was making and on my last day before leaving for home to the UK there was a small send off for me and he gave a speech. After the time I took care of him, he could tell other residents how happy and satisfied he was with me and that he will always miss me. His efforts to give me those parting words of appreciation brought tears to my eyes and I cried like baby.

Yes Clarence remembered and all through those years looking after him, he became my father and my family. When we care for those who are sick, we do so from the bottom of our hearts. We should always see our patients as our family and support them 100%. Thank you.

Transcription: Memories of my mother

Marian Rose Boston

A beaming smile, eyes bright and pleading, arms outstretched with fingers long and wriggling with anticipation.  Then, when leaning over, a hug so strong that you felt your neck would break and, inside, you knew your heart was breaking.

This is not the description of my small son first thing in the morning, pleased to see his Mummy.  This is the wonderful greeting given to me by my Mum, suffering from Dementia.

She became a different mum after diagnosis, a new mum and we left the old one behind to love in a different way the person she had become.

All the things she had taught us came into play and it allowed us the privilege of caring for her and returning all the good things she had given us.  Her views, her beliefs, her patience.  All given freely and returned ten times over.

She was the youngest of 14 children, born in 1924 and yet she was the youngest to die.  She had a happy childhood, and the most wonderful of marriages, with two adoring daughters and, of course, grandchildren.  She imparted her views of fairness and acceptance, not to judge and to give freely of oneself and one's possessions.  She worked in the home and felt we had shot ourselves in the feet by being wives, mothers and following a career.

She died a few days after Mother's Day.  She had recently begun to enjoy her mobile phone and had said "If anything happens to me, remember my life has been roses - all the way".

Transcription: Public Research.

I've signed up on the official Alzheimer's Society Forum and created a thread asking for any information anyone is willing to let me use. Link

Hello there, I am a University Student, studying CG Arts & Animation in Kent, England.


I have been given the task of creating a 'commissioned' piece, and for this I have chosen to create an advertisement for the Alzheimer's Society.


My goal is to have memories, testimonials, text from people who have had, or looked after anyone with Dementia/Alzheimer's.


The animation will start in a kitchen, the heart of a home, everything will have a bright white texture (example below) but on the white will be the memories, testimonials and text I am asking for.


The camera will pan around into a Dining area; the writing on the walls will fade away, as if you've forgotten. The camera slowly zooms over to a Diary laying on the table with a sticky note on top; "Keep Your Memories Safe". After which, the Alzheimer's Society logo will come up with a link to the website.


Any information that could help me is highly appreciated. I am doing this for free, to spread the word of the Alzheimer's Society. I would appreciate any form of input you have.


Thank-You in advance.
Dan.

This is a direct copy of the thread I created.

Transcription: StoryBoard & More Research.

StoryBoard will be added into this post later today.



This is roughly the effect I'm after.

Transcription: The BluePrints?

I've looked further into the design/layout for my environment and I've found a set of images;

The design of the cabinetry favours coordination and refinement over elaborate detail. It features simple, repetitive details: flat veneered doors with clean, taped edges, slim reveals, simple aluminum angles as handles and square counter edges. The millwork is laid out with an eye to continuous lines and repeating dimensions, the rhythm of appliances and varying lines of the handles providing relief within the disciplined order of the cabinets. The materials are simple but rich: maple cabinet faces, aluminum pulls, stainless steel appliances, black granite countertops, and a glass tile backsplash. At the rear wall the countertop drops and changes to a maple desk top, then drops again to become a window seat in the same finish. This kitchen dining living room design is part of house that renovated by John Donkin Architect.

 All above is from a fellow Blogger who focuses on home designing.

Transcription: The Plan

Right, After a short week, I've finalised my idea.

We'll start off in pure darkness, the outline of a door will glow, and the door will open.

Inside we will see an open plan kitchen and dining / living room.

For this I google'd Open Plan Kitchen;

From this I am able to work on a layout / design for the dining/living room area. For furniture inspiration, again I google'd it. "Dining Room"

From these two images, I prefer the 'look' and design of the left image, but the color and type of wood from the second image. I could use light text on dark background for the dark wood etc..

Another thing I'll be looking for incorporating, is a fireplace. I believe a fireplace and photographs are a number one in any living room / dining room / family room. Lighting is also another thing to look at.

Research: Type, Typography & Letter Forms

Edward Fella: Letters on America.

They are the original 24/7 communication, interactive in ways the web can’t even dream of.

The characters can be found on any surface, as distractions or directions, decoration or marker. They are in wood, metal, paint, sticky-back plastic, etched, behind glass, behind bars, torn and layered. They come alone or clustered together, isolated or juxtaposed, fresh or faded, direct or distorted; from in-your-face dayglo to subtle tones that are obscured. Reflected, as shadow, as drop shadow with shadow, or even as a sunburnt memory of a lost message.

Those are the letters on America.

I've just had a read through the Essays' in Letters on America, kindly lent to me by Jackie (Thanks for that Jackie), it's really opened up another level to me. I love type in general, but the book made me think beyond that, the fact that someone has had to sit there and create what i'm looking at.

Image's taken from 'Art Loves Tech' Blog.

I'll be looking into different letter forms later this evening, also I'll be looking at how I can create the Look I am after for the final rendering stages.

More to come.

Research: Dementia - Alzheimer's

Not one single person can know how much they remember. Simply close your eyes, look back at all the fun times, the bad times, the places and people you’ve seen.

Simply endless.

Our brain stores a visual memory centre with millions upon millions of images, sounds and memories are all filed away, categorically. Not one single person on the planet can explain how and why this takes place, but what we do know, is that it takes place in a very logical manner. Since our memories are arranged so neatly inside our heads, it is possible that one section could be injured or destroyed without harming other sections. E.G. Someone might have an accident and get a brain injury and have certain memories cleared out.

This can also happen in a similar manner, but from a form of Dementia. Symptoms of Dementia include;

• Loss of memory – Forgetting the way home from shops, or being unable to remember names of people and places, or even what happened earlier the same day.
• Mood Changes – Parts of the brain that control emotion are affected by the disease.
• Communication Problems – A Decrease in the ability to Talk, Read, and Write.

What would happen if you was to walk into your house, the place you know and love; and all of a sudden the walls started going blank? All of your memories faded and peeled away.

More Ideas coming.

Character Development: Defining the Unforgiven

Unforgiven is a film about redemption, a girl is beaten and dis-figured, whose friends set a bounty on the mans' head who delivered this evil. $500. The citizens of the town grew menacing towards the Sheriff, who didn't do anything about the man who beat up the woman. This brought English Bob and Little Bill Daggett to meet.

English Bob

---

English Bob meets Little Bill Daggett in this scene, after a few years. And ends up getting in a good 'ole scuffle. And Little Bill Daggett is victorious. I believe the outfit of English Bob, is very smart and makes him look tough but I would also need some of the details from Little Bill Daggett to make him look more "Sheriff" like.

Little Bill Daggett

More to come. Stay Tuned.

Character Development: Villainous Research

I watched a western the other day, Unforgiven (1992) with Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Morgan Freeman.

Retired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner and a young man.

This was very, very influential in my decision for my Villain. I shall be using the Sheriff type but with 'friendly' characteristics. I feel the character English Bob would be suitable for this role, with a slight modification to his character.

English Bob, is the patriotic English assasin, who was hired by the prostitutes to kill two Cowboys, because they "Cut Up" the face of one of the girls. The reward was $500, but English Bob does not succed. Little Bill, the sheriff of Big Whiskey takes his firearms and beats him up, and then sends him on the next train home!
Played superbly by the late Richard Harris RIP.

English Bob, is the gentleman on the right of this image. I'm in the process of ordering a copy of the film, from which I will then look into further, sketching out ideas for my character, and creating more screenshots of English Bob, for everyone to see.

---

Internet Movie Database: Link
YouTube Trailer: Link

Transcription: The Starfish Story

Whilst I was at work (Greggs) the other day, I sat there in boredom (on my break) and started reading a leaflet. On the back was a short story/poem entitled 'The Starfish Story'. Greggs use this story/poem to help better understand what it is the staff should be doing. Read the story/poem to understand better. Thoughts below it.

A man was walking along a beach at sunset when he noticed another man in the distance leaning down and picking something up, and hurling it into the sea.

As the first man approached, he noticed that the second man was picking up starfish that had been washed up onto the beach. The man was picking them up one at a time and throwing them back into the water.

The first man was amazed by this and asked the second man what he was doing. The second man replied that the starfish had been washed up onto the shore because of the low tide and that they would die if they didnt get back into the water.

The first man said "but there are thousands of starfish you cant possibly make a difference"
The second man smiled, bent down picked up yet another starfish and as he threw it back into the water he repled "I made a difference to that one"

Basically, I can see an animation coming of this. Modelling, rigging and skinning two characters, (maybe 3 due to Starfish) then animating the water. Sounds quite simple as of today.

Let me know your thoughts and any suggestions. Thanks.

Requiem: Research

The book opens with an introduction by the photographer and is closed with an insightful afterword by Dr. Jeni Williams I.C.Rapoprt's sensitive photographs are beautifully judged, high quality images, they do not shock but seek to suggest lives beyond their representations. The figures they commemorate are allowed the dignity of being people rather than victims. As social history, they construct a narrative of development that is ultimately positive even though some of the individual images are so delicately, tragically moving. These pictures show, not only the community in its devastation - again not as victims- but in its social and historical particularity. The interiors, the clothes, the miners going underground, the woman holding a baby in a shawl: all these are part of something lost also.

I decided, I was getting no-where with searching google and emailing around for images etc.. so I hit the 'BUY' button on a book..

Aberfan: The Days After: A Journey in Pictures - I.C. Rapoport

So... It should be here Tuesday.. Wednesday at the latest.. I'll let you know how it goes.

Requiem: Aberfan

More images regarding Aberfan / Pontglas School

Requiem: Emailing

Right, in a previous post, I mentioned about me emailing a man named Alan George, he responded within an hour and said sadly he cannot help but then reffered me to a lady in a welsh national library, so I then went on to email her, and she responded with a similar thing, but also added about images being copyrighted etc.. So I thought maybe the BBC or The Sun could help me! BBC have yet to get back to me, but the sun emailed back within half an hour to say, they don't send any resources or anything via email and they only supply newspaper articles not any images and such. But I would need to write a letter to them and put inside a addressed and stamped envelope so they can return anything.

(sorry about spelling, grammar, and sentence structure, but I had to write this up on my iPhone.)

Thanks
Dan