Cinematic Spaces: Research - Harry Potter

Aragog the Giant Acromantula

Aragog was a blind Acromantula owned by Hagrid from the 'Harry Potter' series. Like the rest of his species, Aragog had a taste for human flesh and was able to communicate with humans. Fully grown, he was the size of young Elephant and the leader of a colony.

(Figures 1 & 2: In-film shots Aragog the Giant Acomantula)

Aragog's size alone if frightful, but also his large, pure black eyes. However sea spiders are underwater throughout their lives and have little to no use for eye sight. Therefore they have very long legs for extra sensitivity to tell where things are and what they are.

Bibliography:

Aragog Plot - Accessed 08/10/2013

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Aragog

Illustration List:

Aragog's Eyes - Accessed 08/10/2013

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62198876@N02/6996964820/

Aragog's Colony - Accessed 08/10/2013

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Forbidden_Forest_Acromantula_colony

Cinematic Spaces: Research - Lord of The Rings

Shelob the Giant Spider

Shelob is a giant spider from the 'Lord of The Rings' series and appears at the end of the fourth book, 'The Two Towers'. Her lair is set in Cirith Ungol, or known as ''the pass of the spider'' leading into Mordor. Gollum deliberately leads Frodo Baggins there in hopes of recovering the One Ring, which is when Shelob attacks Frodo. 

(Figures 1 & 2: In-film shots Shelob attacking Frodo)

I love the vast amount of webbing within Shelob's lair and find that her eyes add to the whole 'creepiness' and 'fear'. During the course of this week and the next I plan on developing my sea spider to have some sort of face with glaring eyes showing reflective light.

Bibliography: 

Shelob Plot - Accessed 08/10/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelob

Lord of The Rings Plot - Accessed 08/10/2013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings

Illustration List:

Figure 1 Shelob's Webbed Lair - Accessed 08/10/2013

http://quenya101.com/2011/07/27/mordor-come-and-walk-into-it/

Figure 2 Shelob Creeping up on Frodo - Accessed 08/10/2013
http://viewsfromthesofa.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/why-spiders-are-an-under-used-movie-villain/

Cinematic Spaces: Research - LIMBO

The Spider From LIMBO

LIMBO is a puzzle-platform 2D sidescroller video game incorporating environmental objects. The player guides an unnamed boy through dangerous environments and traps as he searches for his sister. The game is entirely black and white which adds to the eerie atmosphere and includes a huge spider which is seen throughout the game.

(Figures 1 & 2: LIMBO in-game screenshots)

I have not played LIMBO myself, but I have seen the game on various television adverts and at game conferences. I really like the silhouette of the spider and its hairy, long legs. I hope to really make my sea spider's legs stand out and set the scene.

Bibliography:

LIMBO Game Website - Accessed 08/10/2013 
http://limbogame.org/

LIMBO Plot - Accessed 08/10/2013 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo_(video_game)


Illustration List:

Figure 1 LIMBO Screenshot - Accessed 08/10/2013 
http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/limbo-review/1900-301/

Figure 2 LIMBO Screenshot - Accessed 08/10/2013 
http://www.relyonhorror.com/latest-news/review-limbo-psn/

Cinematic Spaces: Research - Halo Series

Master Chief's Combat Suit

Halo is a multi-billion dollar science fiction video game franchise. The series centers on an interstellar war between humanity and an alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. Many of the games are based on the experiences of Master Chief who is a cybernetically enhanced human super-soldier and his artificial intelligence (AI) companion called Cortana.

(Figure 1: Master Chief Concept Art)

I have not played any of the games seriously, apart from Halo 3 for no longer than an hour. However the suits that these intergalactic soldiers use appear very similar to the Dead Space Trilogy and could be very influential.

  

                  E.V.A                                              OCEANIC              

(Figures 2 & 3: Halo Armor Suits)

I happened to notice these two particular Halo armor suits which have some similarity to traditional diving outfits. The colours work and the helmets do appear to allow the head to move freely inside. Although far too bulky and likely heavy to be suitable for underwater endeavours, however they are very futuristic.

Bibliography:

Halo Series Plot - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(series)

Illustration List:

Figure 1 Master Chief Concept Art - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://www.pickywallpapers.com/1366x768/games/halo/halo-4-cover-art-wallpaper/

Figure 2 & 3 Armor Suits E.V.A - Oceanic - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/armor

Cinematic Spaces: Research - Dead Space Trilogy

Isaac Clarke's Space Suits

The Dead Space trilogy is a third-person shooter survival horror video game set in the very distant future within Space. Dead Space 2 is the only game I have played and completed, but the influence from Dead Space covers all three of the games.

The space suits seem to be entirely made out of a super strong, flexible metal which allows oxygenated air to enter the suit despite the surrounding environments. 

(Figure 1 & 2: Space Suit Concepts)

Even though they are far from any traditional diving suit, they still could be seen underwater. What I really like about the suits is the glowing lights from the front facing part of the helmet and showing the players health on the back. I have been thinking about changing the original '20'000 Leagues Under The Sea' content to a more futuristic approach, however its making the idea work that will matter once I begin my digital paintings.

(Figure 3: EA's Character Concept Art)

EA's character concept showing the build of a basic space suit's construction is a great example of how intricate the suit is. I would create my interpretation with a much more simplistic style as my aim is to have the audience look at other objects within my scenes.

Bibliography:

Dead Space 2 Plot - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Space_2

Other Dead Space Artwork - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Dead-Space-2/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802454108df

Illustration List:

Figure 1 Space Suit Concept - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://www.stuffwelike.com/2009/12/10/dead-space-2-full-in-depth-details/

Figure 2 Space Suit Concept - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Dead-Space-2/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802454108df

Figure 3 EA's Character Concept Art - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://isource.com/2011/01/20/ea-releases-concept-art-for-ios-version-of-dead-space/

Cinematic Spaces: Research - BioShock 2

BioShock Characters

From my second influence map, I have been informed by many students about how the traditional diving suit is very similar to the characters from Bioshock 2. I have never played the game myself and haven't much knowledge about it, so I decided to research into it and find out for myself.

BioShock 2 is a first-person shooter video game set around the 1960's. The game opens with a cut-scene set in 1958 then jumps 10 years to when Delta wakes up in 1968, eight years after the events of the first BioShock.

Big Daddies

(Figure 1: Turn around of the Big Daddy Character)

Big Daddies (originally named Protectors, and occasionally referred to as Mister Bubbles by Little Sisters) are genetically enhanced human beings who have had their skin and organs grafted into an enormous diving suit. A similarity can be seen by the traditional diving helm, air tubes and outfit. The colours used are also similar to realistic brass in which they would normally be created out of.

Big Sisters

(Figure 2: Turn around of the Big Sister Character)

Big Sister's are Big Daddy's nemesis. They are post-pubescent Little Sisters that have become unstable in Rapture's environment. In some sense, Big Sisters diving helms are more realistic interpretations of the traditional diving helms; including the air tank, but that is pretty much the only realistic parts of the outfit. The red circle instantly shows that this character is not friendly and should be feared, of course apart from the huge spear-like weapons. This shows how colour can effect the image and the viewers thoughts.

Bibliography:

BioShock's Big Daddy - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Big_Daddy

BioShock's Big Sister - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Big_Sister

BioShock 2 Plot - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioShock_2

Illustration List:

Big Daddy & Big Sister Images - Accessed 07/10/2013

http://slashgamer.com/2009/08/17/this-is-what-the-big-daddy-youll-play-as-in-bioshock-2/

Cinematic Spaces: Point Perspectives

One Point Perspective

The front plane of the object is directly in front of you, verticals parallel, and all lines of perspective meet at a single vanishing point on the horizon. 

Two Point Perspective

When an object or viewpoint is rotated and two sides of an object are angled away from your view, each side of the object has it's own unique lines of perspective. These now use two vanishing points, one for each plane of the surface in view with the vertical lines parallel.

Three Point Perspective

This is where observations higher or lower a third vanishing point comes into use. It is like looking up at tall skyscrapers and seeing three vertical sides angle to a third vanishing point, far distant, as they reach toward the sky. From the Worm’s Eye view (looking up) the upper vanishing point is called the Zenith. From the Bird’s Eye or Helicopter view (looking down) the lower vanishing point is called the Nadir.

Perspective Source:

www.watercolorpainting.com/perspective_1_2_3_point