fmp propsal

FMP

-------------------Final Major ProjectProposal: Klang Blick-By: Robert Francis

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#004 AIMS & RATIONALE#006 FOCUS#008 CONTEXT#012 PILOT RESEARCH#030 OUTCOMES#032 ACTION PLAN#034 BIBLIOGRAPHY#036 PROJECT TITLE

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#004 AIMS & RATIONALE#006 FOCUS#008 CONTEXT#012 PILOT RESEARCH#030 OUTCOMES#032 ACTION PLAN#034 BIBLIOGRAPHY#036 PROJECT TITLE

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PERSONAL GOALS:FORM MY OWN WORKING PRACTICE OF FUSING MUSIC AND FILM PRODUCTION TOGETHER.BECOME A BETTER DIRECTOR BY CHALLENGING TRADITIONAL METHODS OF FILM MAKING.DEVELOP MY SCREEN WRITING AND STORY TELLING SKILLS.BRING TOGETHER A TEAM OF COLLABORATORS FROM MUSIC, FILM AND ANIMATION.

PURPOSE:The purpose of this FMP is to establish Klang Blick , a collaborative Visual-Music project that uses both music and f ilm to tell a story. Written and directed by myself the project will bring musicians from across the musical spectrum together with a mixed crew of moving image practitioners to form an eclectic amalgamation of sound and f ilm, inspiring a new unifying take on narrative f ilm and music production.

The reason I wish to establish Klang Blick is that I feel with current technology for both producing and consuming f ilm and music we are at a time when the two can come together and integrate with our lives in ways not possible before recent years. The arrival of the iPad and equivalent tablet devices

AIMS & RATIONAL

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will enable people to enjoy f ilm on a personal level (away from the computer and T V) in a similar way to how we have enjoyed music on personal stereos since the 1980's. I want to produce f ilm and music that embraces this shift in technology and exploit its potential for personal immersive entertainment.

Plus on a less rational level, I have a strong desire to restart my musical career along side my design and f ilm making. Klang Blick will become an on going project long after university and will grow in many ways more then what is intended for this FMP deadline.

TARGET AUDIENCE:My FMP will be aimed at like minded individuals who enjoy independent f ilm and short f ilm, they have eclectic tastes in music and actively discover new bands and music through the internet and going to live events.

It will also be intended for possible funding bodies, sponsors, investors and any one that would like to get involved with Klang Blick in the future.

AIMS & RATIONAL

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THEMES & TOPICS MY FMP WILL EXPLORE:

• REALISM MEETS FANTASY

• SHORT FILM

• MUSIC

• ANIMATION

• STORY TELLING

• PROMOTION

• PERFORMANCE

• ENTERTAINMENT

• ESCAPISM

• SURREALISM MEETS NORMALITY

• SELF WORTH

• FULFILMENT

• ROBOTICS

• TECHNOLOGY

• DEPRESSION

FOCUS


• EXPERIMENTALISM

• DARK HUMOUR

• THE INTERNET & NETWORKS

• IMAGINATION

• LONELINESS

• BOREDOM

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

• LOVE

• OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE DISORDERS

• LIFE & DEATH (ETERNAL LIFE)

• TOKYO (JAPANESE CULTURE)

• THE FUTURE

• REFLECTION

• NATURE

• THE HUMAN BRAIN

FOCUS

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To help contextualise my film concepts and to ground my ideas with examples of my previous work in moving image, I have collected several reviews and comments on my work, starting with a f ilm titled Rabbits Don't Like Chips.

"Unlike many fashion films, Francis and Dance have devised a light yet enchanting narrative structure that draws you through the film. Taking the viewer on an escapist journey which shows this world through the eyes of the young designer. The mundane backdrop to the film contrasts nicely to Jessica's bold statement pieces."

Jotta - http://tinyurl.com/6hedtky

"In my opinion it was shot beautifully every step of the way and loved the music choice!"

Coe + Due - http://tinyurl.com/5rude65

CONTEXT

Rabbits Don't Like Chipshttp://vimeo.com/17055136

http://tinyurl.com/6hedtky

http://tinyurl.com/5rude65

http://vimeo.com/17055136


CONTEXT "Lighting is superb, music synchronizes beautifully, reminds me of "Where the Wild Things Are" directed by Spike Jonze."

eigo-study (Japanese translation) - http://tinyurl.com/5t5lage

"This seems to us to be one fashion film that doesn’t focus itself solely on the designs. Instead, Rob draws us into the world of this fancy-free ballerina as she prances around her town, just happening to be wearing some gorgeous jewels, rather than forcing the idea down our throats. It’s refreshing. The video features music from Coeur De Pirate and its charming, playful French-ness leaves us weak at the knees."

portable.tv - http://portable.tv/fashion/post/rabbits-dont-like-chips/

For another one of my films titled Project Atlantis:

Project Atlantis: The Disappearing City (D& AD Award)http://vimeo.com/13203232

http://tinyurl.com/5t5lage

http://portable.tv/fashion/post/rabbits-dont-like-chips/

http://portable.tv/fashion/post/rabbits-dont-like-chips/

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"D&AD Student Awards 2010 – Rob Francis leads LCC success at this year’s awards"

LCC Head Of College Blog - http://tinyurl.com/6zyfdtz

And for a stop frame animation for Mulberry:

"Quirky, smart and funny, and certainly one of my favorite new videos: Rob Francis and Jessica Dance were commissioned by Mulberry to create this short animation depicting a playful list of things that go into making a pair of Mulberry boots..."

Bobbin Talk - http://tinyurl.com/6ahg jma

These are just a few comments and reviews I have found on the internet about a small selection of my work. I feel they go part way to communicate my existing knowledge of my chosen topic. Something that is nice, is that many of the comments mention my

Mulberry "Lucky Boots"http://vimeo.com/14888631

http://tinyurl.com/6zyfdtz

http://tinyurl.com/6ahgjma

http://vimeo.com/14888631


attempts to create escapist scenarios, this is high on my list of things to develop during this FMP.

Within the Mulberry animation and the Project Atlantis f ilm I did the sound design/music, demonstrating my skills in audio production, recording foley sound effects and designing sounds digitally using Logic Pro. Although I did not compose the music for the f ilm Rabbits Don't Like Chips, I spent days searching for the right kind of music to work with the f ilm before production began. I devised a way of slowing the footage down and still keeping it in time with the track, making use of my knowledge of tempo, time signatures and frame rates. Also to visually demonstrate my current knowledge of the topic I have included my show reel that collates some of my best moving image work from last year. Another reason for including my show reel, is that I also produced the music for it. The music may not be in the style I will be exploring for my FMP, but it is another example of how I combine my music production with moving image.

Rob Francis - Show Reelhttp://vimeo.com/15769477

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I have conducted research and development in many areas from designing my own custom camera rigs to taking a robot for a walk.

MUSICIAN RESEARCHI have been researching through my existing contacts to f ind musical collaborators that would be interested in getting involved with the project. Here are some links to a few likely collaborators.

I came into contact with Sunday Girl through a f ilm that I made that she liked the look of. I will be directing a project and music video for her and in return she has said she will help out where she can with the Klang Blick project.

Other musicians I have on board are people I have worked with in the past. Michael Wookey provided the music for one of the three f ilms I made for my FMP last year and two members of my old band have said they are keen to be involved. So far this gives me a female vocalist, male vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, a bass player, guitarist and drummer. I'm still on the hunt for a cellist!

PILOT RESEARCH

Sunday Girlhttp://www.myspace.com/wearesundaygirl


PILOT RESEARCH

Michael Wookey http://www.myspace.com/michaelwookey

Blind Voyeurs http://www.myspace.com/blindvoyeurs

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VISUAL RESEARCH - FILM 1 "OSTRICH MAN":Images that visualise the colour, composition and texture that I have in mind for the f irst f ilm I will be working on.

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VISUAL RESEARCH - FILM 2 "NODE":Images that visualise the colour, composition and texture that I have in mind for the second film I will be working on.

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LOCATION RESEARCH:Making use of the Google Maps photo feature I am able to see pictures people have taken in an area, this will help greatly when researching locations I can not get to before shooting. Below are some shots of a location I imagine one scene to take place in.

I have colour graded the photos I found to match the look and feel intended for the f ilm, they have also been cropped to a wide screen aspect ratio to create a cinematic look.

These images, along with others will be sent to the collaborating musicians for when they are coming up with compositions.


ROBOT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 01:One of the f ilm concepts will feature a small robot wondering the streets of Tokyo, this idea spawned from another project where I created a small robot built on a cheap walking toy for an exhibition held in the Truman Brewery, Bricklane.

I removed the awful Satan goat outer from the toy and dismantled it to remove the annoying music that would play when it was activated. I then used my basic skills in pattern cutting and sewing to make a new outer for him and create my own character.

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ROBOT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 02:I wanted a humanoid robot that was larger, had a variety of functions and that I could control remotely. So I began research into more advanced consumer robotic toys to use as a skeleton for my own character design to go over the top of.


During my research I discovered that consumer robotics has come a long way. One manufacturer who specialise in these robotic toys is WowWee a Hong Kong company that, according to their website, were the f irst to make a commercial biomorphic robot. This was the robot I decided to use as the foundation of my character.

Once unpacked, I took the robot for a walk, testing whether or not he is able to walk on tarmac, which thankfully he can.

Robot Outdoor Testhttp://vimeo.com/20429204

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After testing the robot I began researching into robot aesthetics.


I am keen on a geometric and angular form for the body, but also keen on making the robot look friendly much like the Asimo robot. I'm currently working on a way to combine the two, with the head bearing a more humanistic appearance. Below is the process of working up the body shape and the ball and socket neck joint.

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Research into robot heads, the robot in my film is built around a human brain, so I want to show that in the way the head is formed.


CAMERA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 01:One idea I have is to send a camera up into the air attached to helium balloons, I sourced the correct size bolts from a specialist dealer and began to build a cradle on which to mount a camera. This will be to achieve low cost aerial shots of a scene.

My main concern is that I may have over engineered this concept and perhaps something much simpler will still do the trick. The reason for creating this cradle the way I have is to spread the balance of the camera when being hung from above and being manoeuvred from the ground with kite string.

I plan to carry out a test soon, to see if the base is too heavy and if something else is required to make this concept work in reality.

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CAMERA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 02:I invested in an Igus slider, which is used in the construction of micro dollies for camera work. The slider I bought isn't drilled for a camera to mount onto it, so I made use of the 3D room to prepare the slider head to f it a Velbon tripod head.

This slider can now be f ixed to either a tripod or for something more effective I have decided to mount it to two Gorilla pods that will enable a wide variety of applications and capture some great shots. Once I have the Gorilla pods I will carry out a series of tests.


FURTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TO DO:

• CAMERA EQUIPMENT TESTING - EXPLORE POTENTIAL

• CONTINUE DESIGN & BUILD OF ROBOT

• DESIGN & MAKE COSTUME FOR LEAD CHARACTER IN "OSTRICH MAN"

• CONTACT MORE MUSICIANS TO WORK ON THE PROJECT

• MUSIC STUDIO AND RECORDING SPACES

• MORE DETAILED LOCATION SEARCHES AND TRIPS

• COST OF FLIGHTS & ACCOMMODATION

• VINTAGE CAR HIRE

• CAR MOUNTING CAMERA RIG TESTING

• AUDIO EQUIPMENT TESTS (EG - BINAURAL AND CONTACT MICS)

• ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY EQUIPMENT/STUDIO SPACE

• SOUND EXPERIMENTS

• MEETING AND BRIEFING COLLABORATORS

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DESIGN & COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT:Design iterations of the Klang Blick logo, from initial font tests to the current version that is being used at the moment.

Below is the f inal version of the logo as it stands, this may develop and evolve over time, if I feel it doesn't f it with the style of music and f ilm I am producing.


Screen grab of the live blog that I have set up to communicate the project, in order to build awareness and a public following even before full production begins. www.klangblick.com

Below is a still from the end frame of a video I am in the post production stage of, that will be used to promote the Klang Bling concept. Hopefully attracting attention from bloggers to go "viral".

http://www.klangblick.com

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TECHNOLOGY, MATERIALS, MEDIA & FORMATS:

Bellow is the most up to date list of things I will be using to undertake this project.

• MACBOOK PRO• iPAD• CANON 550D (POSSIBLY CANON 5DMK2)• CANON HSF100 (BEHIND THE SCENES/AERIAL CAMERA) • KODAK PL AYSPORT (UNDER WATER CAMERA)• CANON 50MM F1.4• CANON 28MM F1.8• TOKINA 11-16MM F1.8• MACRO LENSE ADAPTERS• SHOOT REMOTE CONTROL (TIME L APSES)• IGUS SLIDER (CUSTOM BUILT "GORILL A" SLIDER)• MONO POD/ TRIPOD/GORILL A POD• DELKIN CAR MOUNT• CUSTOM BUILT BALLOON CAM• ZOOM H4N• ROL AND BINAURAL MIC• CUSTOM MADE CONTACT MIC• CARDIOID MIC• ALESIS IO2 (USB AUDIO INTERFACE)• MIDI KEYBOARD• MICRO KORG SYNTH• KORG MS20 SYNTH• KORG K AOSS PAD MK2• TANNOY NEAR FIELD MONITORS• M-AUDIO TRIGGER FINGER• WACOM TABLET• FINAL CUT PRO

OUTCOMES


• AFTER EFFECTS• MOCHA (MOTION TRACKING)• DRAGON STOP MOTION• LOGIC PRO• ABLETON LIVE• MA X MSP• FINAL DRAFT• PHOTOSHOP• ILLUSTRATOR• INDESIGN• iCAL• MAIL• SKYPE This list is as accurate as possible at this current point of the project but by no means exhaustive.

The f inal format of this project will be determined during production. Depending on time, budget and the f inal year show space/environment in which it will be exhibited.

OUTCOMES

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OUTLINE OF METHODOLOGY:

Primary research methods will involve meeting with collaborators to begin discussions of where to take the project in terms of creative direction, musical genres and cinematic style.

One of the f ilm ideas will be entirely in Japanese, this requires meeting with a Japanese interpreter to translate my script and also use his knowledge to ensure cultural nuances are thought about during the writing of the screen play.

Meeting with specialists in moving image, hoping to make use of my contacts at OneDotZero, as this is the kind of project they may be interested in.

Speaking with Eric Dalbin the owner of a Paris based Visual Music label, his knowledge and insight of the subject will hopefully be of use, both in terms of production and later promotion/distribution.

Secondary research will include scouring the internet for tutorials on various topics.

Such as cleaning up (reducing artifacts/noise) from H.264 codec video for colour correction.

Advance motion tracking techniques, both preparation during pre production and execution in post production.

Make use of the Vimeo community for advice and support.

ACTION PLAN


PROJECT MILESTONES:

MARCH 07: BEGIN WORK ON MUSICAL DIRECTION

MARCH 12: BALLOON TEST

MARCH 20: FINISH BUILD OF ROBOT

MARCH 26: FIELD TEST OF AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT

MARCH 30: AT LEAST 2 CHAPTERS WRITTEN FOR FILM 1

APRIL 01: STORY BOARD/SCREENPL AY FOR FILM 1 READY

APRIL 04: REHEARSE WITH ACTORS FOR FILM 1

APRIL 11: PRODUCTION OF OPENING CHAPTER FOR FILM 1

APRIL 18: PRODUCTION OF INTERLUDE FOR FILM 1

MARCH 30: STORY BOARD/SCREENPL AY FOR FILM 2 READY

MAY 18: COMPLETION OF KEY FOOTAGE FOR FILM 2

MAY 27: POST PRODUCTION OF FILM 2 FOOTAGE READY

JUNE 01: PREPARATION OF ALL MATERIAL READY FOR HAND IN

JUNE 06: FINAL DEADLINE

Other than the f inal deadline this list is subject to change.

ACTION PLAN

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BOOKS:

Chion, M. (1990). Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen. New York: Columbia University Press.

Day, T. (2000). A Century of Recorded Music. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.

Jones, C. (2010). The Gorrila Film Makers Pocket Book USA: Continuum International Publishing Group.

Neale, S. (1985). Cinema And Technology: Image, Sound and Colour. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

Walter, S R J. (2009) Onedotzero Motion Blur 1. England: Lawrence King.

Walter, S R J. (2009) Onedotzero Motion Blur 2. (2007). England: Lawrence King.

WEBSITES:

http://www.alexroulette.com/index.html

http://cycling74.com/

http://f ilmsound.org/film-sound-history/#TIMELINES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tw7RG5J0RY&feature=player_embedded

BIBLIOGRAPHY


http://radium-audio.com/index.php

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML /content/latest-questions/question/1767/

http://www.photodonuts.com/

http://www.animade.tv

http://everythingvisual.net/

http://www.lookva.tv/#home

http://www.sponsume.com/getting-started/faq

http://www.pixelsurgeon.com/interviews/interview.php?id=181

http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk /

http://video.google.com/videoplay?doid=-482794716213771854#

http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/9170/1/daft-punk-encore

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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PROJECT TITLE

INTRODUCING KLANG BLICK , A TRUE AMALGAMATION OF MUSIC & FILM PRODUCTION.


PROJECT TITLE

INTRODUCING KLANG BLICK , A TRUE AMALGAMATION OF MUSIC & FILM PRODUCTION.

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