Introduction// What kind of film? (RATIONALE)

Right now, I've been thinking over I want to work on for my Extended Practise project. I'm super excited about working on this project, as it's completely personal and I find right now I work best at briefs I've selected myself. As part of my kick starting this project I submitted a form to my tutors breaking down what sort of project I'll be developing over the next few months. Here's a break down of the form I submitted...

Blog Address, where will I be documenting the progress of this project?

'' I'm planning on documenting the development on my Blogger. I'm also planning on creating a Tumblr page for the project in order to document the artistic side of the project such as concept art, rough storyboards, WIPs, studies and the final animation; in order to promote the project to an online audience before release. '' 

Subjects and Themes, what am I interested in exploring within this project?

'' I'm interested in exploring themes and subjects about identity, mainly focusing on feminism and LGBTQ+. These themes and subjects are important to me and I feel a deep need to represent them by using my work, as I'm a woman who identities within LGBTQ+. I want to represent both in a positive way, that focuses on progression rather than documents negativities - although I understand the negatives also need to be spoken about and be made fully aware of. '' 

Rationale, what do I want to do in this project?

'' I want to create a short animated film that's running time is longer than 2 minutes, which deals with themes about identity that is approachable and and appropriate for a younger audiences. Within my last three years of study, I haven't had the opportunity to work on an animated film on my own that exceeded that time limit because of time constraints or personal issues. So I'm very keen on dedicating my time fully to this project. ''

How will this develop my specific practise? 

'' This project will help develop my skills within story telling and also my skills in animation. I'm planning on using a blend of Photoshop and After Effects to create this film, although I don't know fully what the film story will focus on I know the processes involved in creating an animation will help push my practise as a hand-drawn animator and story teller. '' 

Resources and Workshops

'' Because of personal reasons, I primarily work from a studio space at my home as well as public spaces on my laptop. Right now, I see no need on me having any workshop sessions within my university to help me develop this project. ''

Will I be working on a group project or brief? 

'' No, I'll be working myself on a personal project. ''

Will there be any stakeholders in my project?

'' No. ''

What, when and where do I need to research?

'' When I volunteered for Thought Bubble 2017 I got the opportunity to socialise with illustrators and creatives who were attending and also volunteering at the convention, which heavily inspired me. Up until quite recently I've been struggling to work, because of personal reasons and at my worst point I've struggled to pick up a pencil to draw. However chats with artists really gave me hope in drawing again and pushing myself creatively with getting me in touch with comics I should try out, artists I should look at and techniques I should try out.

Since Thought Bubble I've taken to social media to discover new artists that are currently producing work, such as Instagram and Twitter however I've also been keeping my eye out for works that deal with the themes and subjects I've mentioned above as part of research. I've also been looking into the animation company 'THE LINE' and their inclusion of different identities despite working outside personally set projects. ''

A list of things that are relevant to my Rationale...

Artists:

O'Malley Bryan. Artist.

Phillippa Rice. Artist. 

Raymond Briggs. Artist.

Rebecca Sugar. Artist.

Lindsay Small-Butera. Artist.

Gemma Flack. Artist

Fran Menese. Artist.

Sarah W. Searle. Artist.

Laura Lewis. Artist.

Natasha Allegri. Artist.

Studios:

THE LINE. Animation Studio.

Sun Creature Studios. Animation Studio.

 

Books:

Luke Howard. Talk dirty to me. (2016) AdHouse Books.

Andrew Maclean (2015). ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times. US: Dark Horse Originals.

Meg-John Barker (Author). Julia Scheele (Illustrator) (2016). Queer: A Graphic History.. US: Icon Books Ltd.

Luke Pearson (2016). Hilda and the Stone Forest (Hildafolk). UK: Flying Eye Books.

Innosanto Nagara (2013). A is for Activist. US: Seven Stories Press; Brdbk edition.

Trudy Ludwig (Author). Beth Adams (Author) (2012). Confessions of a Former Bully. US: Dragonfly Books.