Production and Outcomes, Influences and Reactions.

How do illustrators amplify the meaning within a message?

Interpretation.

As an audience, we’re constantly being given messages some less obvious than others, they all carry a meaning or idea behind them, whether its illustration, Photography, moving image or sculpture, there is always an underlining meaning and purpose to its form.

As time moves on and technology evolves, ideas and meanings behind texts are forced to be conveyed in a different way.  Whether it’s by the use of different media or form, it is vital that it is made modern and reflects the current technological climate we’re in today, as well as hold values which are present to this day and age, a prime example is the development of the story ‘A Christmas Carol’ written by Charles Dickens in 1843.



The novel reflects the lack of modern technologies at that time with illustrations made from a series of woodcuts, common for this type of illustration. The images produced from the wood cuts are dark and gloomy with strong lines and dark shadows. The woodcuts help produce the gloomy atmosphere and echo the mood of the main character Scrooge.



In contrast, the FILM remake in 2009.

The animation really does portray the magic of the story. Just from the poster above the vibrancy in colour and animated affects show the progression from the original illustrations in 1843. The fact the novel was remade into a film, showed how we have new platforms to target its new audience.

Delivery.

Julie Verhoeven is a fashion illustrator whom I have been interested in for years. Her work is unique, not only because of her style, but the way her work is displayed.

Her quirky images are produced using a range of media such as inks, pen and paint and her choice of media coincides with her technique of drawing. Her illustrations have not only been used to illustrate garments, but she has also worked for big companies such as Versace, with her design embellishing bags, and garments.

Her images have also been printed onto bed sheets and cups!

The fact her work is present on such a range of platforms, reaching so many different audiences, allows her to be successful. Illustrators or creative’s as a whole have to maximise their popularity by utilising every platform possible, the internet, blogs, websites, galleries and any other possible way of getting their work to a range of audiences.

Development of Ideas and Structure in Moving Image

Three Act structure

All stories are made up of a beginning, middle and an end and this is quite simply called the three act structure. This can be developed and be also split into the equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.

The equilibrium being a state of balance where there isn’t trouble, conflict or problems. ‘Almost the calm before the storm’ where the viewer is able to take in and comprehend the atmosphere before any disruption has occurred. It is also where the audience is introduced to some of the characters.

The disequilibrium is where chaos occurs. There’s a disruption in the ambience of the story and usually the protagonist is bought forward and takes on the role of ‘the hero’ or even ‘the villain’, but is ultimately the main character. This is also usually where the most action occurs and the conflict is seen.

The new equilibrium is now present as initial state of peace and balance has been restored.

Example of this is in the film Save The last Dance.

Equilibrium: Sarah’s mom has just died in a car accident and she is forced to move location and school to live with her father who has never been part of her life. Their daughter/father relationship is strained. Sarah is also very passionate about ballet.

Disequilibrium: Sarah starts her new high school which is completely different to her majority white school she has moved from. She’s introduced to hip hop music and meets a black boy Derek. Derek introduces Sarah to a new type of dance whilst also pushing her to pursue her career in ballet. Derek’s ex Nicki doesn’t like Sarah because of obvious reasons and they end up fighting, Sarah falls out with Derek’s sister because she doesn’t agree with black/white relationships and Derek and Sarah split up.

New equilibrium: Sarah and her father’s relationship blossoms. Derek turns up her important audition for the royal ballet school which she gets through and they make up. Derek’s sister realises she was wrong and Sarah agrees to let bygones be bygones. The peace is restored and she is now happy again.

Character Design

Character design is vital in creating a good story. There are several vital elements which contribute to us the viewer interpreting information correctly.

Example – Danny from the film Grease.

In the film grease Danny Zuko takes on the role of protagonist, being the main character (alongside Oliva Newton John) and experiences the most conflict throughout the film.

The antagonist being Leo and his boys, the group of boys from another school who are part of a sort of “gang rivalry” against Danny and his boys.

The two groups of boys take on this ‘cool’ stereotype where they all speak with a twang and will not be seen without sick hair and matching leather jackets.

They all take on the stereotype of high school heart throbs. An even clearer stereotype is that of Eugene Felsnic aka the school nerd with glasses and a squeaky voice.

Danny: Appearance: Handsome, cool and fashionable

            Actions: Goes to school, smokes and drives.

            Interaction: Cool lingo and cool walk.