Watercolor rotoscope of Blade Runner

[slowtiger]

http://kottke.org/12/06/the-watercolor- ... ade-runner
Interesting approach: take one of the most atmospheric, detailed films of all times, and re-create its visuals with broad watercolor brush strokes.

I think the attempt was not successful. I like to have a higher image frequency, more flickering textures, like in the works of Jeff Scher (http://fezfilms.net/index.html). Although some images are really nice, most time I didn't recognise anything. Very interesting for me to compare his result with the original, especially I noticed how much Ridley Scott used "texture layers" like steam or light glares to tone down contrast in some areas - these were the ones which became almost unreadable in this version.

Anyway. I'd like to do something like this in TVP, only that I find the means at hand not being up to the task: mainly papers and brushes not being as variable as I'd like them to be. I think I can't get a satisfying result without incorporating "real" media - by satisfying I mean something along the lines of Theodore Ushev (http://www.nfb.ca/explore-all-directors/theodore-ushev) or Gianluigi Toccafondo (http://www.awn.com/toccafondo/) who both work on top of the underlying video so it still shines through to an extent.

[bleupencil]

It's an interesting but strange attempt and choice of subject matter. I wonder why they would do this, just to take something out of context and see how it looks in another medium?

I think it really loses the atmosphere and mood of the film. Watching those scenes in something as light and airy as watercolor is just plain bizarre to me!

[idragosani]

It's just too jerky and uneven to be watchable, more like watching a series of paintings than real animated images.

[Klaus Hoefs]

I disagree.

"jerky and uneven" - style isn't the problem of this one.
Have a look at Jeff Scher (eg Summer Retreat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9h7evaQyrs ) or go for William Kentridge. There is an attractive approach of independent animation (far aside of smooth Disney).

I am not sure if this rotoscoping is the only problem, furthermore I think it is the concept (why to transfer "real"-film into animation, why not to go for own impressions, own rhythm ?) and the resulting lack of variety.

[Peter Wassink]

Al it does is wanna make me see the original again, i think the experiment is a failure.
It doesn't work as a film, especially because of the chosen sequence which is all about subtle human emotions, and they all get lost in the crude watercolor paintings.
And what it could have added, an abstract play of colors its not delevering because of the dark palette and static nature of the shots.
So perhaps foremost a bad choice of sourcefilm.