For this project, we were required to create an adaptation of the Spanish play 'Blood Wedding'. I decided to set my play in 1692 in Salem Massachusetts around the time of The Witches. I really enjoyed this topic as we had individual freedom for set design and the research we wanted to carry out.
After reading the brief and the play, I was inspired by The Salem Witches and some of the original stories documented from around the time period. I thought the narrative was really fitting with the original Spanish play especially with the characters overall.
For the character design elements, I took inspiration from original stories of individuals from 1692 documented in archives such as Sarah Osbourne (The Bride), Johnathon Corwin (The Groom) and Tituba. I carried out extensive research into Male and Female clothing of the time period to make sure each of the characters were believable. I was really happy with the final outcomes of my designs.
I decided to create a script breakdown of all the characters and actions that are required in each part of the scene as help for creating the concept designs. I also considered shot types to refer to when creating the visuals so that I can consider camera angles.
I then carried out research into original 1692 architecture to refer to throughout my designs particularly looking at windows and doors. I was fascinated with the diamond design panels and how they were constructed. One thing if I was to carry out the project again would be to refer back to my images from my research and pay closer attention to the finer elements in my visuals.
I wanted to consider the practialities of the construction phase as it would be based in a studio with a limited budget and therefore there are many limitations to overcome before I started designing the visuals.
I was overall really happy with my vectorworks model and how it resembles the orignial 1693 Salem Witch House. However, in the future, I would like to experiment more with textures and potenitally adding an interior floor plan. I would also like to try and make more detailed window frames and develop my exterior garden design.
For my visuals I used procreate with a combination of drawing using the different tools provided on the app along with photo bashing. I collected a range of images with original furniture from 1692. However, although I was happy with the final outcomes of the designs, after paying closer attention, some of the furniture could be altered to appear more in perspective. As well as adding more details to the windows referring back to the reference images.
I then created a mood board of the Main scene considering camera positioning and the characters required in each scene.
Next time when photographing my model, I want to experiment with different lighting options to adjust the time of the day and what works best for the overall aesthetic of the film. I also want to add more texture to the walls to make it look older.
For the Forest scene visuals, again I used a mixture of different brushes and tools along with photo bashing to create the visuals. One of my favourite visuals is the Gravedigger visual as I love the overall aesthetic and how it looks believably scary set in a cemetery.
Feedback
After my presentation, I recieved mixed feedback with some of the elements suggested to change including:
Adding more details to the windows to appear more architecturally accurate for 1692
Adding soot to the walls where the burning of candles would have made the walls dirty
Changing the perspective of some of the furniture to appear more realistic adding a sense of depth to my designs
Removing non-period accurate elements such as the fruit bowls and paintings
Creating a back visual of My Bride character so the audience can imagine what she would look like from behind.
Modified designs for portfolio
For my portfolio, I decided to edit 3 of my concept designs and am now overall much happier with how they look as I believe that they appear much older as though it is set in a 1692 Salem House. If I had more time for the portfolio, I would have liked to have revisited my Twin Motion and added more textures to the walls such as wooden beams as seen in the reference images which would have added even more depth.
Overall I really enjoyed this project and overcoming all the challenges I encountered along the way. Mostly, I feel it has given me an insight into the work required for third year.
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