Journal 2/14/2006

I spent some time thinking about the project I wanted to pursue, and quickly realized that shot ideas and visual effects came readily only for the first idea. I don't know enough about photo-layering to know whether the photographs I have will be adequate for such a project. The chess project seems like a decent idea, but I feel I will be spending too much time doing the stop motion animations and less time working with digital applications. Plus, the idea is not particularly original. My last idea requires a bit more filming than I would like, and, as was mentioned last week, is quite vague. It seems like I would have to take too much time establishing the reason for switching objects.

Adding some flesh to my chosen idea, I've decided to go along with a writer experiencing writer's block. The first few shots will show the writer staring at a computer screen, with a blinking cursor flashing back at him. The scene will transition in and out of abstract, cartoon-like animation using rotoscoping. I'm hoping to make a total of four transitions between abstract imagery and live action: writer is frustrated - imagining ideas - writer is starting to write - more ideas - writer finishes his story. I'm considering adding a final transition in which the writer turns and looks directly into the camera and the scene transitions one more time to abstract imagery.

There are still a few more pre-production questions to answer, such as what setting I would use to film the live action. I also need to get some ideas on what kind of imagery I can create to represent a writer's imagination. Finally, I need to consider the general color scheme(s) for my project, as well as the score and any audio effects.