My Final Major Signature Project was based on Norse mythology. I decided to recreate the worlds of the World Tree Yggdrasil. I wanted to depict the worlds using the art of shadow puppetry.
The worlds would be recreated with the help of a light box. Here are some basic drawings of the framing I wanted.
These were some quick sketches I did so I could make a start on the puppet, but I knew I needed more in depth character designs.
Laura knew what I wanted better than I did! I already had an idea of what I wanted but I needed character designs. These particular designs were to get some ideas flowing; i,e what body type, height etc I wanted.
I had already made Odin's head at this point, so we took it from there. Laura made three basic designs in various styles. There were elements of each design I liked; although I didn't want Odin to be depicted as a warrior.
After meeting up with Laura we discussed the designs and what elements I did and didn't want. Laura was very enthusiastic about the meeting and was eager to get to work on the new designs.
Laura came back with the new designs very quickly and I was impressed with what I received.
The final puppet:
Adam made a story board for me. I sent him the script/shooting script and left him to work. I did have to chase him for updates but he did the work without me having to bug him a lot.
The script is in bold. The shooting script is in italics.
Odin
& The Creation
Scene:
Clouds fade away. Odin is sat in his throne, face on to the camera. A raven is
on each side of the throne. Wide and low shot.
Narrator:
Humble greetings, traveller. I am Odin. The Allfather, creator and ruler of
Asgard. I am glad you came, I wish to tell you of the realms you will soon
enter.
Scene:
Odin stands up from his throne and walks over to a parchment on the left hand
side of the throne. On the parchment is Yggdrasil [Ig-druh-sill]. He points to the top on the tree. Fades to
shadow scene of the tree. Shadow scene of the tree is there for a few seconds.
Narrator:
We, The Aesir [Ay-sir] live in Asgard. Asgard is located at the top of
Yggdrasil [Ig-druh-sill], tree of life.
Scene:
Shot of Asgard – hills, grey castle like building, clouds, tree to the left
side. Shadow puppets, bright earthy colours - ink background.
Narrator:
The Vanir [Van-eer] live in Vanaheim. This world is below Asgard. The Vanir are
also Gods, much like the Aesir.
Scene:
Shot of Vanaheim – Crumbling building, rocky mountains. Shadow puppets, dull
earthy colours - ink background.
Narrator:
Alfheim is where the Light Elves reside. These elves are as beautiful as the
sun and shine brighter than the day.
Scene:
Shot of Alfheim – Two elves pictured, one is sat on a small hill and the other
is dancing. Shadow puppets, Pinks, yellows, orange - ink background. [Different
lighting?]
Narrator:
In the realm of Nidavellir, the dark dwarfs dwell.
Scene:
Shot of Nidavellir – Two/three elves, working/mining. Underground, jagged
walls. Dark earthy colours, red, brown, black - ink background.
Narrator:
Ah, Midgard. The Mortal realm. This is where I placed the humans. One of my
best creations I would say.
Scene:
Shot of Midgard – tree is pictured again, high grass, house in background, two
humans interacting. Shadow puppets, greens, blues and browns - ink background.
Narrator:
Jotunheim [Yout-en-hame]. This is where I placed our not so beloved Giants. The
world is cold and icy, much like their hearts.
Scene: Shot of Jotunheim – cold
colours, icy environment. Giant’s feet walk from right to left. Shadow puppets,
blue ink background.
Narrator:
Svartalfheim [Svart-alf-hame] is where the Dark Faeries live. They abide
underground.
Scene:
Shot of Svartalfheim – Faerie flutters across from left to right. Shadow
puppets, dark reds and oranges - ink background.
Narrator:
This is Nilfhiem [nil-elf-hame]. Not a lot happens in this realm, nor does any
being reside here. Nilfhiem is the ancient land of fog, ice and darkness.
Scene:
Shot of Nilfhiem – Dark blues and icy mountains. No figures – ice falls from
the top of the mountain. Ink background. [Create fog?]
Narrator:
In a part of Nilfhiem where only the dead venture, is Helhiem. It is home of
the Goddess Hel. The deeds you did, or did not commit when you were alive do
not matter here. You go to Hel when you fade from the mortal realm.
Scene:
Shot of Helheim. Hel is stood to the left. One/two skeletons walk into Helheim.
Hel greets people. Shadow puppets. Reds, orange, yellow– Ink background.
Narrator:
Finally, Muspelheim [moos-pell-heim] is located at the bottom of Yggdrasil;
this is where fire first burst into the worlds.
Scene:
Shot of Muspelheim, dark reds, oranges, yellow and black to be used. Fire
silhouette flickers behind rocks. [Possible lava?]
Scene:
Cuts back to Odin. Mid close up shot. He is stood by the parchment, looks at it
for a moment. Looks to the camera.
Narrator:
These worlds were created by my fair hands, but Ragnarok will be upon us one
day; and these realms will be no more. Be careful on your journey, my friend.
This was the storyboard he came back with. The sent me the frames and I turned it in to an animatic as well.
Animatic: https://vimeo.com/121276466
Animatic: https://vimeo.com/121276466
Originally the backgrounds were going to be created using ink and paint, but it wasn't giving me the desired look. I opted to experiment with the lighting instead.
The scale that I needed for a set was quite large, so when I started animating I decided that I would blue screen Odin's scene, although in hindsight I wish I had took the time to make a set.
Although the story and the script differ slightly from the original, they were changed whilst filming to fit in better with the themes and timing.
For the introduction I edited each frame in photoshop, as I was not happy with the colouration. The editing gave it a much smoother look.
Final film: https://vimeo.com/128537374
