https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90 Made with a quick smile en-us 2022-02-27 14:55:46 UTC 2025-11-28 23:25:11 UTC hello@padlet.com aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068247967 During  R&D week, I decided to visit the cinema to watch Belfast, Directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film portrays the conflict between the catholic and protestant church in the late 1960s, from the perspective of a young boy named Buddy and his family. The film depicts the somewhat peaceful nature of a village in which encompasses both churches whom live harmoniously until the ultimate conflict. I wanted to see this film as I was very interested in its depiction of the event, whilst also holding a strong narrative and picturesque cinematography. 

Whilst watching the film, I felt the cinematography and black and white nature was very captivating and beautiful, but made the film seem more rose-tinted in its portrayal of the disturbing bing events. Whether that be due to the perspective of a young child or a bold directors visual choice, I felt it lacked the rawness and horror that would have elevated the emotional scape of the film. Narrative-wise, it felt quite safe and unambitious. I feel as if the director wanted to keep the film somewhat lighthearted and nostalgic in order to reach and captivate a nostalgic audience; those who lived through this era and event. This lead me to believe that perhaps I was not the intended audience. ]]> 2022-02-27 15:22:50 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068247967 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068256747 Zambarloukous, Belfast Cinematographer, explains his choices in cinematography. As previously mentioned, I was unsure of the art-house clean nature of the shots as I felt they were quite flat and chosen for the motivation of being "art-house". However from researching into Zambarloukous' interviews, his choices actually push the narrative and perspective of the protagonist, Buddy. Being a young boy, he views the world with clarity and sharpness, but also simplicity. The lack of set decor boosts this idea. Though the film was converted to black and white, the use of lighting and tone gives each shot a naturalistic look. The film is not grainy nor shot on film, but yet is black and white and crystal clear, alluding to the idea that Branagh wants this to feel like a memory that is being relived in the present, and not in the distant past. 
I have come to the conclusion that I really appreciate this style of storytelling. The black and white grade will definitely inspire me through future film making, especially with its ability to draw attention to the actors and performance. From a perspective of production design, in which my skillsets lay, the importance of the synergy between cinematography and production design is very clear through watching this film. A more cluttered lived-in style of PD would have simultaneously cluttered the tones of greys. Also, looking at the set decor from the perspective of the protagonist is key; getting into their character and how THEY would see the world is so important to the character of the set. Sometimes the set decor will not be quirky and cluttered, but minimal. And that is sometimes for the best of the film. I will take this knowledge into my further production deign experiences.]]> 2022-02-27 15:36:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068256747 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068262186 Production designer, Jim Clay, explains how he got into the mindset of Branagh back during the troubles, taking his memories and experiences and translating this into the set decor. Clay explains the importance of class and financial hierarchy when designing sets. An interesting quote from clay concerns the lack of decor, something that I had mentioned was a downfall in terms of production design. Clay's explanation for this was that Branagh had no money for decorative objects; everything around the house had a functioning purpose. I am glad that I researched further into this in order to fully understand the thought process and decision making within the set design choices. This will benefit me in my future projects in terms of understanding context and character, and translating this onto the screen through objects chosen with purpose.]]> 2022-02-27 15:44:18 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068262186 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068468237 I visited the Man and Beast exhibition at the Royal Academy of arts to assist in my visual inspiration and learning. I have long been a fan of Bacon and his highly emotive pieces. Before the exhibition I was fond of his work but after visiting, `I felt much closer and in touch with his pieces. His story was much more dark and extraordinary than I had anticipated. Being an openly gay man banished by his family at 16, this undoubtedly shaped his experiences and perspectives on life. It made me reflect on my own experiences and how I could channel those parts into my future work. Each individuals experiences moulds their art, similar to the likes of Belfast.
Bacon had a fascination with animals, flesh and the human body. Within this exhibition, the pieces blended both beast and man, making the subject unidentifiable as being predator or prey, allowing you to think further as to the possible similarities and differences that exist between them. Presenting man as bestial and fleshy, with abstract expressive mark making and horrifying gore, we see man through Bacons perspective, a mirror reflection of the horrifying attributes of humanity. This was hugely inspirational to me as the criticism of society and human politics is something that concerns me and I strive to make my own artwork meaningful in this way. To me, art is nothing without purpose, at least my own artwork. The blending of two "opposing" forces and perceiving them as one allows one to view them as a whole, something that is very powerful and thought provoking. In terms of film production, this exhibition has made me consider purpose in shape and texture, colours also. I am hugely inspired by the way in which he draws his subjects in an invisible box, entrapping the beasts as if the viewer were merely at a zoo, observing the foul creatures. This idea of space and entrapment; experimenting with frames inside frames is a very exciting concept which I can explore further with production design and cinematography. We tend to view 2d art and film as two separate entities, but it is important to note that this is not always the case. Perceiving a framed artwork is much like moving images, or at least it can achieve the same effect if not more, with the power of sound and movement. Seeing film as a piece of art opens the mid to endless possibilities of colour, texture and movement.]]> 2022-02-27 21:01:40 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068468237 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068472946 This is my favourite piece from the exhibition, a depiction of a bullfight in which the human figure merges with that of the bull, becoming almost inextinguishable with one another. The voice of colour and shape suggest a surreal landscape, the bright orange and pink contrasting with the bloody affair, although bull fighting being a very real and physical activity. ]]> 2022-02-27 21:08:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068472946 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068474910 I researched further into other's interpretations of the exhibition as to see whether I had shared the same emotive experience. 
"Francis Bacon’s art is a physical experience. It assaults you, it leers off the walls at you. Every figure in this exhibition is twisted and contorted, every face is screaming, every orifice is bleeding. It’s claustrophobic, violent, and properly overpowering. And it’s totally brilliant"
The verb "assault" perfectly encapsulates the power of Bacon's pieces. They don't just stand there aesthetically, but draws you into a physical experience.]]> 2022-02-27 21:12:20 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068474910 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068626699 Sabba Khan put on a very captivating and inspiring lecture about her experience in research and forming narrative in order to aid her journey through her graphic novel work.

I was very inspired by the extent of the research, looking into physical maps and the politics surrounding it, even down to the map's artist. Khan is very keen on visualising subjects in abstract forms. For example the five rivers; "What else has five things?" It is very important to pose questions to yourself whilst researching, even in abstract form. In a creative setting you have the ability to cross boundaries and visualise issues in an abstract way. I have 5 senses, touch, hearing, taste, smell and sight. Relating things back to the human body is a great way of processing narrative in a sensory way. 

Photographic references are also highly important, which will be as of great importance to me and my pathway through film. Especially works of historic and non-fiction nature, such as Khan's work, it is most important to have those references to maintain authenticity and understand the environment. She goes to the extent of using google maps to survey landscapes, using family photos and even artworks to aid her visually. Reflecting on my own personal work, I know that this is an area I must concentrate on. Instead of picking what looks good and making sporadic decisions, choosing items and colours with purpose, inspiration and intention will help my work aid the narrative better. Through my painting work, I enjoy the idea of relating issues back to the human body. As mentioned before in terms of Bacon's obsession with physicality and making things "human", I am greatly inspired to delve deeper into our physical human relationship with art.]]> 2022-02-28 01:16:54 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068626699 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068630003 Sabba Khan Portrays a hugely detailed yet methodical approach to mind mapping her research, categorising key themes and branching further off of those. This is a method in which I feel I need to take more consideration of within projects, instead of impulsively jumping head first into narrative. Encapsulating all of your ideas beforehand and presenting them clearly allows the mind to connect ideas and visualise better.]]> 2022-02-28 01:20:15 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068630003 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068632496 Benefits of mind maps:

More creativity, flexibility, collaboration, ]]> 2022-02-28 01:22:53 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068632496 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068662715 Using the power of google and using a mixture of media, aka photography, film, paintings, I came up with a moodpboard to aid a project in which I created some concept art.]]> 2022-02-28 01:53:48 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068662715 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068664177 Though not as abstract and less of an emotive experience than the works of Khan, the research into specific photographers and artists aided my drawing immensely, broadening my horizons from just initially looking and film stills.]]> 2022-02-28 01:55:22 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068664177 aravenshear2 https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068668572 Delving further into the influence of art references, I found that many popular films had drawn specifically from paintings, even dating back to renaissance periods. Even if not thematically linked, art can provide visual stimulation and ideas in terms of colours, tones, textures and compositions. I will visit more galleries and exhibitions in future in order to keep inspired and stimulated when creating my own work.]]> 2022-02-28 01:59:58 UTC https://padlet.com/aravenshear2/xw2aqlj0k4o21p90/wish/2068668572