NOLLYWOOD 💚- LAU 701

As part of my research, I watched a number of Nollywood (Nigerian movie industry) films on Netflix last weekend in order to refine my memories of Nigeria. Last seminar I was asked if theres anything distinctive that reminds me of Nollywood films. My mind immediately went to loud intrusive sound effects and a very narrative theme song. 

New Nigerian films have evolved, so there aren't much of these attributes anymore. My Top 3 films were First Lady, Up North and its her day. I will explain what I got from these films individually.

1. THE FIRST LADY

This film stars one of my favourite Nollywood Actresses called Omini Oboli. Her character (Michelle) has a very similar backstory with Flora my main character.

Omini is a very talented actress so I studied her movement. In the story, Michelle left her village to become a prostitute in the  city to be able to send money to her parents . Her pimp (Obama) treated her like  property, he would beat her and make her work tirelessly just to take the money from her. The surprising part to me is that she felt his actions were justified because he was helping her family survive.

While drawing up my character emotions and expressions I would take influences from Ominis acting in this film, her character always seemed trumped on but constantly hopeful. TRAILER

2. UP NORTH

 

This is my new favourite Nigerian film !

Ironically this movie is like a polar opposite from my short film. In this film a rebellious 32 year old man-child, leaves his fathers wealth and home in Lagos. He goes to a small town up north to serve as a youth corper for his NYSC . NYSC is a program mandatory for every Nigerian planning on working in Nigeria were you offer your services in a location miles from your home/university. The family of the man wanted him to serve his NYSC close to home, they could easily this with some phone calls. He refused so often it became an issue, he wanted to break the tight control and discover something new. 

In this movie our main Character played by Banky W did a lot of exploration of the natural landscape of the small town (Bauchi) he was posted to. He explored, danced, made friends, fell in love and created a home. In this film his very wealthy father constantly tried to return him home.

His rich parents are exactly like Floras employers.

This movie was very emotional (I cried) , it really opened my eyes to the possible views in Nigeria and also Floras employers are influenced by the parents TRAILER

3. ITS HER DAY

This is a comedy by one of my favourite Nigerian comedians Called Bovi. In this film Bovi and his friends have no class. However Bovi gets very wealthy and is about to get married to a very elite Woman. The bride , her mum and her sister are very entitled and rude to everyone. 

This movie revolves around a wedding, so that naturally means theres a lot of movement, planning and people. The main thing I got from this movie is how I want to portray the surrounding characters. Nigeria is a very busy place with a lot of different striking characters, a lot of chats and a lot quarrels. The movie did a good job in showing the different types of people in their habitats , however the movie is a comedy it has a lighter atmosphere than I want. TRAILER

CONCLUSION

Writing about these three films have made me realise that the main thing in common is a clear social class division. The difference between poor and rich is so visual and clear. Although there is unity in mannerism.

THE ESSENCE OF MY STORY - LAU 701

This past weeks I've been invested in trying to see how best my story could be told visually by characters and scenery. The final name change for my story is 'Deinamuu' which in my tribal language means safe journey. I have an incomplete storyboard and  storyline. Below I summarised descriptions of some scenes and the message I want to be told from them.

The story is set in South south Nigeria and it follows our main character on a hopeful journey from the village to the city.

main character- Flora

SCENE 1. The opening scene we see Flora saying goodbye to her family in the village.

The core of the scene is her ending a major aspect of her life, I want us to feel the fear and hope from her parents through their expressions and gestures, I also want to show the intimidation of the agent taking her on this journey and I want culture to be clear from the fabrics they are wearing.  

SCENE 2. We see a full view of Flora leaving her village.

The location I've chosen has been blessed with sunshine and bright colours. In this scene I want to showcase the culture while emphasising on her leaving to somewhere far.

SCENE 3. She wakes up in the car in the city with her agent 

I want the concentration to be on Floras complexed emotion between sadness and confusion. This scene would make her personality clear as having a humbling personality with a rebellious side.

...

Love interest or just neighbours ? - Atlas

SCENE LIKE 8?. Atlas grabs her arm (really hard) while she is sweeping the front of her employers house, he sees bruises on her arm . They both lock eyes before she pushes him away and takes her broom inside 

Here I want a mini fight scenes. Initially I want to provoke the audience, I want them to be very upset at Atlas for grabbing her but then be comforted that he discovered the bruises. Here should also show the intensity of the situation Flora is in. I also want to showcase up close mannerism, I want the stare to be very loud not with sound but with communication. She's defensive and he is overly concerned, but we also see sadness in her eyes. 

I am still working on the other scenes the locations I've chosen are very culture filled so I want that to be clear in my animation, They are both place that where very impactful in my childhood so I have a lot of personal experiences and I also want to emphasis on Domestic violence in the work place but demonstrated as exaggerated and mindful as an animation.

Its also important to note my film is set in the past so I want that to be clear int the colour tone and general set.

DEINA MUU

THE LEAD LADY 👠 - LAU 701

The story follows the journey of a young lady. 

I spent majority of my week working on the personality and design of this character. Currently her name is Madison (soon will change) and she leaves her house in the village for a better but harder life. My storyline is constantly changing and I began to worry, I was advised in my tutorials to build my character and drop her in scenarios, from there the story evolve. When I finally finalise my character i’ll introduce her on this blog properly. I’ve practiced several styles for Madisons design, most styles I've tried are unnecessarily complicated.    

Madison concept sketches.

I did some speed drawing exercise over the week to simplify my design. 

Test drawings.

I want my audience to pity the protagonist. In a silent film the only way I can really connect is to create true emotions through clear facial expressions and body movement. I did an exercise from the animators survival guide over the weekend to practice emotions. I honestly think I need more research and practice. 

                                

My current character research has been from my surroundings, bobs burgers and Princess and the frog.

Also now that my story has changed drastically I need to think of something else for the background, using food seems very pointless now. I’m thinking either using it for a scene or for another idea.

FOOD AS A SYMBOL 🍱

 I want a big part of my production to consist of food so for this week i watched a number of movies that contain food and tried to depict the role food plays in these films.

🍅 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 🍝

In this film a food machine is created by a brilliant inventor to solve the issue of lack of enjoyable food in their small city. He manages to create a super invention that flies into the sky and creates so much food. Here food has been a source of happiness for the whole city, life seems more colourful. The invention is so groundbreaking it instantly improves the economy ands attracts tourist.

The machine is overworked and begins to create humongous sized food, causing destruction. Initially a lot of the citizens refused to acknowledge the size was a problem because the variety of food was causing so much happiness. Until it became too much to handle.

🍅 BOBS BURGERS 🍔

This is my all time favourite animated series. There is a strong correlation between food and family in this show. Bob and his family own a family burger shop in their city, The kids work as waiting staff and their customers are familiar and regular. Bob has an excessive love for creating food, he often always creates something special in the restaurant and has a little naming game with his children.

food serves as a grounding factor.

🍅 RATATOUILLE 🐭

In this popular movie...

Welcome to my Blog !! 👋

 

 My latest project is a sweet love story located in an apartment building. A slice of life, I decided to base my project on this love story in order to improve my visual story telling ability. This project would consist of a lot experimentation and derive from personal experiences

Yes, I am greatly inspired by Bojack horseman.