“The Musician”

A young boy is forced into adulthood when he is given

the ultimate moral decision- whether his kidnapper
should live or die.
 “Jarvis”
Jarvis is a socially shy thirteen-year-old boy. An only child he is
not only isolated at home but at school. However he is content
being solitary- surrounding himself with graphic novels, com-
puter games and sci-fi fantasy. Having led a very secure shel-
tered life Jarvis has never contemplated anything much, lacking
values or an ideology beyond popular culture. This gives him a
naivety that is classic of that point of life where the events and
choices you make can effect who you become in the future.
He represents all of us, at that awkward stage of life where we
are not sure quite who we are.
Collage Turnaround
 Daytime costume
This casual outfit will be used in the
first major scene of the film, where
we introduce Jarvis’ character and the
world he lives in. A green carky hoodie
and blue jeans with red converse train-
ers, combine to create a average, unas-
suming figure, easily overlooked.
Night-time costume
Finale Costume
This costume will be worn throughout the
majority of the film, as it will be what Jarvis is The last costume will be use for the
final scene, where Jarvis is playing the
wearing when he gets kidnapped. Although it is
Jarvis’ sleeping attire, I romoved it from conven- violin on stage at a classical music
concert. In order to distinguish this
tional pjama’s, and went for a more mish- mash
feel, combining his favourite comfy T-shirt and moment as a special occassion he has
been put in a tail suit and tie.
socks.
He was given a white long sleeve undershirt for
the practical reason of covering up the models
elbow joints.

Two of the best t-shirt designs where hand
painted on a jersey material to scale, inorder
to establish the difficulty and suitability
for the character. It was decided that the
blue “Raccoons” design was too bright and
complicated, detracting attention from the
face. The “Yoda” design was adapted from
the red t-shirt onto a grey background, so
that the green highlights will compliment
Jarvis’ ginger hair.
?
Graphic T-shirts
As a young boy who surrounds himself with
comic books, graphic novels and sci-fi fan-
tasy, i would like his personaltiy to permeate
his possessions and clothing. Graphic T-
shirts are popular with Jarvis’ age group and
way he can express is interests while add-
ing an area of heightened detail akin with the
overall aesthetic.
Samples of nineties inspired t-shirts full of
colour and pop-culture references have been
researched in order to establish which design
suits the character, yet doesn not distract
too much attention from Jarvis’ face.
 Prototype Model

The protptype model was made inorder to test the relavent

techniques that are needed for the final puppet, to address any
problems and find solutions to unforseen compliactions. The
prototype had a aluminium wire and balsa wood armature, with
hardened sponge providing bulk. The head had a aluminium foil
core with a polymer clay shell, which was then painted. The
hands were made from coloured latex and provided the skin for
the bare feet. The puppet used a screw on tie down method
using M4 nuts and bolts. This orginianl construction of of
the puppet through up lots of problem, therefore contributing
to the redesign of the armature on the next page. The Knees
and ankles of the puppet were not strong enough tp properly
support the puppets weight, which meeans the aluminium wire
components are going to be replaced by metal rods and ball and
socket joints.
Technical Armature Design
 Technique
One of the key design elements which will effect the look
and tone of the piece, is the use of a relatively new tech-
nique which was pioneered by Chris Lavis and can be seen in
Madame Tutli Putli.

The process involves separating and analyzing the previously

shot stop-motion puppet moves, choreographing, rehearsing
and shooting a human actor’s “eye performance” to match
each puppet move. At the same time the lighta nd shadows
have to be recreated as closely as possible to the original
stop motion. Once the human eyes are shot, each eye will be
individually positioned, scaled, re-timed and digitally compos-
ited onto the puppet scenes.

It is probable that different actors will be cast for each of

the characters, therefore not only will we have to integrate
the human eyes onto each puppet, but on a frame by frame
basis, match the subtle movement of the puppets and the
camera.

I believe this innovative method will greatly increase the sub-

tlety in the expression of my characters and therefore bet-
ter convey to the audience the conflicting emotions and inner
turmoil, that they go through throughout the story.
Content Smile Neutral Neutral Suprised Shocked

Stunned Forlorn Nervous Smile Perplexed Confused Amazed

Jarvis
Facial Expressions

Unsure Angry Appalled Defiant

“Nursie”
Nursie is an old crone, indefinable in age but obvi-
ously weather beaten and hardened by life. Although
a periphery character he is vital to the story as he
not only plans and performs Jarvis’s kidnapping, he
also isolates the musician from the rest of the
medical community. Nursie controls his treatment
and whole heartedly believing he is the only one who
could save Krzysztof.

Nursie represents the older generation who, despite

the wisdom of his years, are morally questionable,
have a fixed cynical view of life, and do not believe
in right and wrong. In his opinion ethics are for the
naive and he knows better.

Nursie is a fundamentally calculating and malicious

personality, however he has one chink in his armour.
Krzysztof’s music touches him deeply, taping
into true human emotion and vulnerability that he
thought he had lost. His passion for music has
gone beyond a healthy enthusiasm. It has developed
into and obsessive infatuation bordering physical love
for the man who creates its. Nursie would sacrifice
anything in order to cure his beloved, and has little
to no compassion for anyone else.
“The Musician”
“The Musician” was christened Krzysz-
tof, born into a penniless family he fled
his own repressive bleak country to
pursue music and beauty in the “brave
new world”. He found fame and success
quickly, with talent akin to Beethoven
and was dubbed a genius of the age. His
fame sits uncomfortably on him, as a
burden and something to endure rather
than enjoy.

A very private and thoughtful man, he is

one of those souls who feels deeply,
and takes the weight of the world on
his shoulders. A gentle giant in stature,
he has a great capacity for compassion
and understanding which has lead him to
write profoundly moving scores which
can touch even the bitterest of crea-
ture. His health having always been frag-
ile started to decline rapidly while on a
sold out tour, until he become virtually
mute. Although in a great deal of pain he
always conducts himself with grace and
authority, but as the fatal disease takes
hold he finally agrees to give up control
to the possessive nurse assigned to take
care of him.
Idea for Abandoned Hospital Room
 Set Design: Street Shops In the opening sequence of the film jarvis walks down his local high street
on his way home from school. The shot is a simple panning shot, of javris’
profile walking past the run down shops.

Some 3 dimensional props will be added into the As there is n

scene in order to bring in some form of dynamism. the film is ta
This will include the miniture bin bags dumped on have the shop
the side of the street and the awning over the top technology, w
of the kebab shop. trast the old
the newer col
Posters of the Muscians upcoming and cancelled con- the old in wit
cert will be pasted on the brick street wall, and scattered
occurance th
about on the pavement, so that jarvis treds on them.
 The set will be constructed as on long flat plane using coloured paper
and old photographs in a collage effect, to get the detail of the shops
and bricks. Different textures are key to the aesthetic and repeatition of
themes/ patterns will be used to create a storybook effect.

no set time period or era that
aking part in- I didn’t want to
ps imlpy a particular decade of
which is why i wanted to con-
television and radio set with
louriful exterior. Throwing
th the new, will be a regular
hrought the film.
The reflection of jravis walking past
the shop front window will have to
be put in in post production
As a hint to the future i
thought I would include a
funeral directors shopfront
into the more tacky run
down highstreet.
 Jarvis’ Bedroom

When designing Jarvis’ bedroom we took into account that

we need to establish a backstory and personality within a very
limited space of time. The panning shot of his bedroom is so
the audience may see a preview of his life before his kidnap.
As a young boy he’s insular and self involved, spending lots of
time alone in his room and therefore the bedroom needs to
symbolise his life, therefore we filled it up with his interests
and memorabilia. Although the film has no set time period
we do hark back to the graphic and tacky style of the 90s
Hospital Props
The Storyboard: The Process
Concept Art
Mock up interior set
Mock up exterior set