To concieve the idea for this project I asked some people two things, "If I were an animal, what would it be?" also, "If I were a song, wht would that be." I gathered answers and created a song and a costume. I then listened to the song over and over whilst starring at the costume and story boarded what i thought the song would look like if it were and animation involving a raccoon lady.
For the look of this part I was heavily influenced by films such as Where the Wild Things Are, David Lynch's, "Rabbits", Frank and one specific shot in Lars Von Trier’s,“Anti Christ”. I think there is a feel of vulnerability in this shot where I am lying on the grass and I thought that was apt as when I take my mask off I feel a bit exposed. I think that’s why the bit’s where i am wearing the mask involve more confident and aggressive actions. Almost like an alter ego. Shooting the film took a while and it was quite wet and cold not wearing any shoes but i had a lot of fun doing it.
Through making the self portrait film I learnt that pre production can be really important and planning is very useful. Having said that, my other two experimental pieces were much more improvised and subconsciously made due to tiredness and just doing whatever seemed to work at the time. I enjoyed the spontaneity of that and that the pieces evolved before my eyes. I think both methods have their time and place. I also learnt that for me, it’s important to think about what I want to communicate through my film before I choose a medium. Another thing I learnt is that smooth animation takes a LOT of frames but also their is something charming about wibbly and jumpy bits because imperfection is quite relateable. I also learnt that being influenced by other people is great and a natural process for me.
