Year Of The Nude
“You’ll have Time, she's by your side”
Happy New Year! As we enter 2020, we also enter the next phase of Nude Triumphant after a month of final pre-production preparations. Here’s what we’ve been up to.
December was a crucial month for the mysterious and magnetic character of The Professor. Inspired by the larger-than-life feminist clown Kiki Mellék, we approached Kiki’s creator Jo Calderwood to develop a new persona for Nude Triumphant. She will be both an animated character in the film as well as MC for the real life Starkers Academy, hitting the stage for the first time next week, Thursday January 7th, at Figuration’s own Starkers Academy in the Arcola Theatre Bar in Dalston - don’t miss your first ever chance to see her in action!
After a few tweaks in the script, we recorded the final voice over for the animation. Jo also worked on The Professor’s costume and physicality, walking and talking the part in preparation for a painting session with artist Aaron Jacob-Jones (paintings which will drive the animation) - and, of course, her live Arcola debut.
This month, animators Leo Crane, Haemin Ko and Patrick Yates sat down to go over the animatic plans, honing the visual storytelling through considered cinematography and timing. Leo’s imagination and keen directorial eye bring the world of the Academy to life, while Ko’s wonderful vision and experience in experimental animation have introduced a bright and dynamic new energy. Once the edit is finalised, we will be ready to get headlong into production.
We have also been working on the all-important sound. With initial ideas for musical motifs by composer Andrew Hayes, we have developed a detailed sound script. Having finalised the spoken text, we have also been rehearsing, recording and editing voiceovers with actors Jo Calderwood, Roy Joseph Butler and Maya Williams. The performances have been pitch perfect so far, and give the animators a colourful canvas to work with in developing the individual characters and their movements.
So as you can see, it’s all heating up - watch this space to keep updated with what happens next! And don’t forget to follow our podcast series, Moving The Image, on Morley Radio to hear more about Figuration’s work surrounding Nude Triumphant and our other projects.
