Initial Influence Map

The Thing, The Fly & Other Body Horror Movies

I have been looking at the horror sub-genre called body horror as reference for the visual style of my animation. Body horror is basically when the horror it derived from the mutilation or degeneration of the body. Some very famous body horror movies include John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) and David Cronenberg's The Fly. I have revisited these body horror movies and discovered some more obscure ones.

Here are some clips from the depraved films I have been watching :)

The Thing (1982)

The Fly (1986)



Society (1989)

From Beyond (1986)

@Phill: Update

Just wanted to know what you think of the direction I’m going with Unit 6, I’m worried I might be going a bit over the top.

I have decided to give my version of the HIV infection a body horror feel. This idea came to me whilst drawing the infected cell and noticing very anatomical shapes in the patterns.  I will be focusing on the attack and mutilation of a host cell. I want to portray the mutilation in a Cronenberg / David Lynch style. I still want to emphasize the vampiric nature of the virus but I’m not sure how to do this effectively.

I have done a few concept sketches; I’m not too sure about them. I tried to give the HIV cell an anatomical feel, even going as far as to add figure like mandibles to the Glycoprotein (Inspired by the Face hugger in Alien).

Life Drawing

Extremely Simplified Version of HIV Life cycle

In order to try and get my head around exactly what I have to animate. I have put the process of infection by HIV into an extremely simplified 3 act structure.

Act 1

Infection of host cell by the HIV virus cell/connection of docking glycoprotein and cell receptors

Act 2

Virus entering the cell and releasing the RNA, the RNA fuses with DNA

Act 3

Creation and release of new virus from the host cell

Soundtrack Inspiration

The Evil Dead 1&2

I know I can’t use this music specifically, this is just intended to help me establish the mood I want for my animation. 

The quieter moments of Joseph LoDuca's soundtracks could suit the spindly creepy virus imagery. 

HIV Cell Image

I forgot to mention in my previous post how I really like the coloring on the electron microscope images I found. I especially like this one, the purple color makes it look beautiful but without losing its creepiness. 

Useful Videos

Unit 6: Making a Start

I have decided to choose the theme Infection by HIV because, to me, it seems to be the most interesting. I love the creepiness of the virus, especially after hearing Dr Peter Klappa’s description of it being alive and, at the same time, not alive.  This combined with the fact that it prays on human life make it horribly vampiric. Alive, not alive and praying on human life, this description could almost be Van-Helsing describing the nature of the Count himself, in Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula (1897).

To make a start, I have been looking at electron microscope images of HIV cells, and the AIDS virus itself.

I have also made a few sketches of the HIV cells and the AIDS virus.

I find the cell and virus visually fascinating despite their obvious repulsiveness. To me, they resemble Lovecraftian creatures made up of repulsive tentacles and pseudo limbs. When drawing the Virus itself I noticed vague anatomical shapes that resemble bones, limbs and organs.

It’s still early days but I think I will be focusing on the creepiness and looking at lots of horror movies; it should be lots of fun :)

It might also be interesting to look into the AIDS scare of the 1980’s. There was lots of paranoia around that time that resulted in some ferly sinister imagery.

Billboard from the 1980’s Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign

Maya Rigging Complete

Animation Update

I have put all of the animation I have together in one video even though some scenes are missing. I don’t know why it’s grey at the beginning, it only dose it on the YouTube version.

Another Line Test

First Few Scenes Edited Together

These are the first few scenes of my animation, some of its a bit messy and its to fast. I will be adding sound to this soon, hopefully.

A Bit More Animation Progress

Pencil Test Animation

After a conversation with Meg today I was advised to complete my animation using simple shapes, and to go back and add detail later (if possible). This means I can animate much faster, and at least portray the fundamental movement of the character. Although it means that my animation will most likely still look like a work in progress come Friday:(

Art of Publication

The Making of Pete

I have changed my title to Pete the Motor because I felt The Clumsy Automobile didn’t suit it (I hope changing the title is allowed).

@ Phil, Animation so far... (Very Worried)

Phil, I’m a little disheartened over the fact that I have been working on this for 4 days solid now, and this is all I have (about 3 or 4 seconds). I really don’t see how I can possibly get it finished at the rate I’m going, especially as I will need to put this all together in Premier-Pro as well.

Sorry for the poor quality vids, I don’t have P-Pro at home so I’m using free animation software called Monkey Jam.

This is a still frame that could use up about 3 or 4 seconds whilst zooming in.

Car Scene 1 (unfinished)

This is playing at 24 fps because 12 was extremely sluggish and looked terrible. I'm a bit worried about how long it is taking, but I now realise I don’t need to do as many frames as I have been.