Interdisciplinary Approaches 1

Film and Art

Film - A series of continuous moving images, typically with the addition of sound. Films can vary in complexity and themes based on who’s producing it, where it’s made, the genre and intended audience. Its purposes may be to educate, entertain, share or document. 

There are many research methods that relate to the process of film. Reading books, asking field specialists, watching similar films or related documentaries, and observing responses to trial and error are some of the methods that stood out to me. 

https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture

https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/21/health/house-medical-adviser/index.html#:~:text=John%20Sotos%2C%20medical%20technical%20adviser,%E2%80%9CThe%20Physical%20Lincoln%20Sourcebook.%E2%80%9D

The popular TV series, House MD, is a medical drama that focuses on unusual diagnostics. To ensure medical accuracy CNN worked closely with medical advisor, cardiologist and computer scientist Dr John Sotos. By doing this they were able to include maximum drama, pushing boundaries whilst remaining realistic. By remaining technically accurate this show is able to offer its audience entertainment combined with education on diagnostics and unusual presentations of similar conditions. 

https://www.ccsdetroit.edu/make-it-on-hard-work-stranger-things-have-happened/#:~:text=CONCEPT%20ARTIST%20MICHAEL%20MAHER%20LANDED,soda%20shop%20(long%20story).

Concept artist Michael Maher uses his artistic style to influence film production. He uses a variety of film research processes within his career such as: viewing past content examples (themes, plot and characters) and having industry experience (graphic design and loading set dressing). This research and experience led Maher to learn new programmes, developing his art concepts and quality. Evidence of this is shown by his work on sets of “The Conjuring, Independence Day, Sons of Anarchy,” and "Stranger Things. He created paintings to heavily influence and guide production progression before each scene is shot, as well as character and scene appearance. 

”Concept art of the Vecna Vines for Stranger Things Season 4 by CCS alumnus Michael Maher.”

Inspired by Michael Mahers character concept work, I created a simple design for a character in response to the poem “Midnight and Moonlight”, by Kelly Roper. To create a well informed design I viewed existing images of characters with similar features to those described. The drawing is a simple character style drawing, the design isn’t completed in full detail as it’s just an initial idea. I have made additional blank photocopies that will allow me to further explore additional options. Like concept artists respond to a brief or script, I have also responded to a body of text with an example of what it could look like.