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Friday Lecture: ‘Investigation of the Future of the Past’ with Ekua McMorris

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Friday Lecture: ‘Investigation of the Future of the Past’ with Ekua McMorris

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The Navigator's Task was the starting point for my research. My short journey to Ventura, CA made me interested to learn more about the state of California and my identity as a child of religious, Filipino immigrants.

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Primary Research: Snapshots and Videos of Los Angeles

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Primary Research: Snapshots and Videos of Los Angeles

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I saw Downtown Los Angeles in a different light while taking quick snapshots and videos from a moving car. The footage was  unedited and taken from my iPhone camera because I forgot my memory card for my DSLR but I like how they present a more honest view of 'the City of Angels.' The city feels very empty and lifeless during the pandemic. It made me sad to see many poverty rates increasing, how many businesses struggling, and how the typically busy and lively streets have become more quiet and less crowded.

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Research: Photographers on the Street and the Road

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Research: Photographers on the Street and the Road

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Communications Workshop: ‘Getting to Know Your Character’ aka THE BIRTH OF ZUMI

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Communications Workshop: ‘Getting to Know Your Character’ aka THE BIRTH OF ZUMI

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After taking a few trips to the city and taking pictures and videos from the back of my sister’s car, I realized that my heart was not in my project topic. I was struggling with low spirits and winter blues and lost the inspiration and motivation to carry on with the project until the Character Design workshop with Richard on the 30th of November. In this workshop, Zumi was born. Zumi is a genderless, gentle monster experiencing early adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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I imagined Zumi spending the day with me and it brought me joy and made me feel less alone.

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Research: Angela Deane and Deborah Rodrigues aka Tartaruga Feliz

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Research: Angela Deane and Deborah Rodrigues aka Tartaruga Feliz

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I made homemade playdough, slime, and mashed purple yam to make models of Zumi to assess the character’s physical characteristics and movements. I imagine Zumi as a big, soft, and bouncy blob that moves in a slithering motion with flexible arms and legs that grow out of their body whenever they need them.

In this experimentation, I thought it would be interesting to use materials that appeal to our childlike tendencies. I learned about ASMR and why slime, playdough, and other “oddly-satisfying” materials have become the biggest DIY trend in recent years.

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Experimenting with Stop-Motion Animation: 'Playing with Form'

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Experimenting with Stop-Motion Animation: 'Playing with Form'

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VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/517666649

I used the slime and playdough from my form experimentation to make a stop motion animation. It was my first time making a stop motion video. I also added 2D digital cel animation to the video to practice my animation skills for my next project.

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Research: Marcel Dzama, Yoshitomo Nara, Nedko Solakov, David Shrigley and Johnny Kelly

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Research: Marcel Dzama, Yoshitomo Nara, Nedko Solakov, David Shrigley and Johnny Kelly

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Projection Experiment: Making Zumi Feel at Home

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Projection Experiment: Making Zumi Feel at Home

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VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/517667805
Inspired by the video works of Hiraki Sawa, I wanted to bring Zumi to life by experimenting with projection mapping. In Sawa’s videos, he incorporates animation and still shots to merge fantasy with reality. I thought it would be fun to create my own playful approach to Sawa’s method and make an installation in my home.

I brought Zumi to a physical space by projecting a video of them washing their hands using my bathroom sink.

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Animation and Video: Zumi Dancing in the Rain

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Animation and Video: Zumi Dancing in the Rain

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In the specialism group tutorial before the holiday break, Richard suggested that I should try animating Zumi responding to everyday occurrences in a casual setting.

I designed Zumi to spread joy and optimism during these difficult times. I want Zumi to do things that I am not brave enough to do, which is something as simple as being authentically myself. By making these videos, I hope to inspire other people to be themselves and to not be afraid of expressing their inner child. I hope to learn more about myself through this character. In my head, Zumi is like the cooler version of me that encourages me to step out of my comfort zone more and to enjoy the simple pleasures like dancing in the rain.

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Even though my direction has changed and I decided to pursue a different theme, I was still interested in sharing the city of Los Angeles with an audience from different parts of the world. I added animations to the videos from my primary research to show Zumi’s COVID-safe adventure in LA.

I plan to complete this video and to introduce more characters and add more dynamic motion graphics.

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In this photo series, I was inspired by Angela Deane’s Ghost Photographs. In this series, she hand-paints ghosts over old photos to represent “our yesterdays, our moments passed, the things and feelings and images we carry with us. Ghosts of ourselves.” The audience feel a familiarity as she takes away the specifics of the people in the images.

Similarly, in my photo experiment, I drew friendly and colorful monsters over the subjects to revive and celebrate the memories and to allow audiences to imagine themselves as part of the image. The title of the series, “Good Spirits”, refers to feelings of happiness and cheer in the present as well as positive and special remnants of the past. Because I am a very sentimental person, this was my favorite experiment of the Investigate project. Aside from exploring Los Angeles, I was initially interested in learning more about my family history and cultural background for the Investigate project. This photo project gave me a chance to work on my character designs as well as learn a little bit more about myself and my loved ones. Even though the stories behind these photographs are very personal and important to me, I hope the audience is able to look back and remember their own precious memories and to also feel a sense of joy and comfort.

The stories/memories behind the photos are written in my blog: https://v3.pebblepad.co.uk/spa/#/public/mgjxxfnMsbp35ZqmWb7kf9ZMrW?historyId=LvphSqeT0B

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Final Critique | Concluding Thoughts  and Plans for Realise

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Final Critique | Concluding Thoughts  and Plans for Realise

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I want to continue to develop Zumi’s character and to make videos using the animation and editing skills that I learned during Investigate. The content that I plan to make about Zumi will be suitable for both children and adults. I want this character to set good examples and to be an inspiring member of society. I am interested in making a short film that combines unrefined footage, cel animation, and stop motion. I will continue to make videos about Zumi responding to the occurrences of daily life as well as their reactions to current events.