"Everything is in it's proper place!"

Took a look at the work of Kurt Schwitters and Man Ray Dada as suggested, both of which have very interesting styles. I enjoyed Kurt Schwitters work most of all; his abstract collages contain different materials and textures that at first glance appear to be random, but does have a message at it's core.

Inspired by this, I gathered together different materials and attempted my own collage using different textures and colours for shading.

With this abstract work in mind, I have considered on the implications it would place in the mind-set of the character; although everything is clear to him, but to the audience at first glance things are confusing and muddled up. "Everything is in it's proper place." 
It also makes a clear definition between reality and the mind, which may not be clear on first glance.


Leading on from abstraction, I looked at the work of Man Ray Dada, who's work is very abstract and has a much clearer image in mind than Schwitters'. He uses bright colours against dull tones to bring forth the main subject matter.

This particular image gave me much inspiration into my next design which, although does not have the textures like my last picture, is clearer image of what the scene is.

VR = :)

After the discussion last week, it was suggested that to show Holmes' thought process through a physical means. I decided to use a blackboard, which is a symbol for schooling; and it is clear that Holmes' is well educated. Not only this but it corresponds with the Victorian theme, rather than using a whiteboard, or an interactive board; a very modern invention.

From this, I had to consider where I would be placing these boards. They traditionally go on the wall, however this would be impractical so I decided to go for boards that stood at an angle. Not only this, but able to rotate; giving more space to express thought processes.

From my drawing and the new idea of a blackboard, I made a set from cardboard, wire and foam board.

Have done a couple of sketches of some sets for the Horror genre. The first was a very basic looking lab, with lots of shelves containing chemicals and books in all shapes and sizes. The second had much of the same elements of the first however I incorporated objects such as broken violins, pipes and stings in various places hanging down from the ceiling. I also added in a cog, which represents  Holmes' constant thoughts, analysing and examining everyone and everything.

I next drew a more final design. I used elements from the second image, changed the shape of the cog; adding a second one with the intention of the two rotating, symbolising thoughts. There is also a magnifying glass, which symbolises his almost over analytical lifestyle, also an object and symbol associated with the character. On the cogs, there is the shape of sound hole on the violin and the strings with the tuning pegs which come across the dips in the cog. Bullet holes litter the walls, and the 'VR' is marked into one of the cog's also. Little bottles of 7% solution of cocaine are piled together and a syringe with violin strings wrapped around the outside. Bookshelves with books, papers, chemicals (some which have fallen over and dripping onto the floor. Books and papers piled and discarded around the set. The table is full of chemicals, tubes and wires all twisted together eccentrically. Also there are four wires set evenly apart from each other; these represent the four strings on the violin. The floor is etched with symbols; mostly musical but also cyphers and question marks. 

Then I scanned the image into photoshop and played about with the colours, looking at how the colours effected the mood of the set. The colours didn't come out extensively as the original was a pencil drawing with every little shading. 

Sherlock Holmes, but not as we know it

Continuing on looking at different genres, I decided to look at Sci Fi. I liked the 'Star Trek' futuristic clean cut sets. Bright colours against the metallic grey of the ship's interiors.

I also looked at the warp core, and the sick bays. Following the cold, almost clinical colours and textures I took a look at surrealism. The images I found were futuresque; pillars and solid liquids.

Inspired by these, I designed a set with the idea of pillars and wires. I got the inspiration of the table that Holmes will be standing at in the scene from the warp core.

This post is a physical manifestation

Had a slight change on mind, I'm sticking to Sherlock Holmes as my original text. Instead, I'm using fantasy as a genre because although it's a good idea in theory it would be difficult (and a lot of extra work) to make a script and then incorporate the elements of a daemon into the scenery.

My second genre will be the Victorian era which, granted, is where the story is set. However it's my favourite era and generally more linked into the script. So, I have been looking at Victorian interiors, which although some-what relevant isn't where the scene is set, which is a chemical lab. Thus, I had a search through google and came up with a couple of interesting images. Also I'm going to watch 'Frankenstein' and have a look at the lab in the movie.

Also, I had a look at the '09 SH movie; theres a scene where they go into the "ginger midget's" lab. There are lots of textures and colours there, as well as a lot of materials they would have used in that particular era.

Finally, I am looking at horror, which to my own horror, everyone seems to be doing. Sucks.

Disregarding this annoying fact, I have researched Henry Fuseli whom is a romanic artist. However, I'm focusing on the concept which a person's ideas, personality and dreams taking a physical manifestation in the image. 

This has influenced how the scene is portrayed to the audience, a room which has the aspects of a chemical lab but also manifestations of Holmes' personality visible only to the audience. There are many views on Holmes' personality, but giving the audience an insight into his mind will give a clearer image of the sort of man he is. For example, I considered objects such as needles, cluttered books, broken violins, tobacco, pipes, music sheets or notes; perhaps carved or etched into surfaces such as tables/chairs/walls/floor inspired by the image below:

Also flowers, dead pressed flowers which have a meaning such as lilies; the flower of death. Death is part of Holmes' work, the cases he finds most interesting. Also flowers are a key feature in many gothic artwork, and this could not only be a key feature of the scene but also the costumes too.

Colour is also a key feature, and so browns, pale green, and earthy reds would be a good colour scheme and one which links back to Victorian colours.

Crossover?

I have finally decided what my narrative shall be, Sherlock Holmes; but with a crossover with His Dark Materials. 

In essence, it will be the meeting of Doctor Watson and Sherlock Holmes, but set in HDM!Verse. So, the characters will have their dæmons by their side. Here's an extract from Wikipedia on dæmons:

'One distinctive aspect of Pullman's story comes from his concept of "dæmons". In the birth-universe of the story's protagonist Lyra Belacqua, a human individual's soul manifests itself throughout life as an animal-shaped "dæmon" that always stays near its human counterpart. Witches and some humans have entered areas where dæmons cannot physically enter; after suffering horrific separation-trauma, their dæmons can then move as far away from their humans as desired.'

So, I've had to have a think of what kind of animal would represent the two character's souls. Watson strikes me as a dog, as his very nature is a loyal one. Holmes on the other hand is rather difficult, so I thought that instead of being a true human, he could be a dæmon, only in a form of a human, as a human is merely an animal with a highly developed brain. This would in turn make the atmosphere become uneasy, as in this 'verse the only humans without a dæmon would be those separated whom are barely able to function. So, what colour(s) express unease? I would say a pale green, much like they use in 'The Matrix'.

The scene itself is set in a chemical laboratory, so depending on the genre I choose could change the location and style. 

Where to start?

Currently considering if going for a new scene is going to effect my work.

At the moment I have been looking at ''Ashputtle' with a 20's theme. I chose to look at the scene where Ashputtle tries on the bloody shoe.  However I am not particularly passionate about this story, nor the Grimm Fairy Tales in general. This I fear, will lead me to put off work as much as possible. It will, on the other hand, mean I will not have to do so much background work.

So, I'm going to have a read of 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, and I hope I will be able to find something inspiring from there. I have not read the books yet, but from the many crossovers I have read recently, it appears to be an interesting concept if nothing else.

If this fails to inspire, I may have to go with 'Sherlock Holmes', which has been something of an obsession of mine since the BBC released 'Sherlock', which is a perfect example of a modern twist on a book.