Project Submission Proposal

Submission Proposal for Double Project

Project Title Proposal: Virtually Vaudeville

Brief Overview Of Project:

The idea for this project is taken from a stage poster which dates back to approximately 1975, it is the promotional poster from Chicago the musical, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon. The poster shows a series of stylised dancing girls and the idea of my project is to model, rig and animate a 3D version of a stage girl troupe dance similar to that of the Can-Can but using a modern interpretation of the music. The piece is an short animation to enable me to develop my skills in animation and modelling and will ultimately be useful as a piece for work for my portfolio, which will help show my versatility. This project will require the character modelling to be as good as possible due to the flexibility required to prevent distortion of the limbs when the dance moves involve high leg kicks and large actions. The piece will be stylised and the figures elongated and curvaceous to add a statuesque and elegant feel to them, they will not be modelled using human proportions. Because it is 3D reproduction of a stage show I will try and keep the lighting effects and atmosphere of the theatre as realistic as possible with the use of stage spotlights and the smoky, dusty air.

Research Thesis Subject Area:

The research for this project will delve into the study of women, dance and sexuality in the theatre. Looking at a time line starting from when women were first allowed to take to the stage and in what context, working through history to the point in where women were allowed use sexually expression through the medium of dance.
When were women first allowed on stage and in what capacity? What were the rules of engagement where dress and clothing were concerned and how did history evolve to allow sexual expression from women through clothing and dance? The thesis will look into any significant turning points or controversy in the history of women, dance and the stage through the ages. Studies will explore French stage entertainment, dance troupes and study the movement and history of well known dances such as the Can-Can to provide insight into it's popularity as a world famous stage performance. The majority of pictures and some factual research will be sourced via the web. This is a thesis will be a work in progress and I will potentially look at the following books to aid my project and theoretical research:-

Dancing Desires: Choreographing Sexualities On And Off Stage (Studies In Dance History). Jane C. Desmond

Broken Boundaries: Women And Feminism In Restoration Drama. Katherine Quinsey

Race, Sex And Gender In Contemporary Women's Theatre. The Construction Of Woman. Mary F. Brewer

Dance, Sex And Gender: Signs Of Identity, Dominance, Defiance And Desire. Judith Lynne Hanna

Fatal Desire: Women, Sexuality And The English Stage 1660-1720. Jean I. Marsden

The First English Actresses: Women And Drama, 1660-1700. Elizabeth Howe
Dance And Gender. Kim Grover-Haskin

Redressing The Canon: Essays On Theatre And Gender. Alisa Solomon

Proposed Schedule:

Weeks 1-3:
Set up blog space on-line for demonstrating working practices. Research and find appropriate film clips with of stage shows such as Chicago and film clips of the French dance troupes doing the Can-Can or similar. Provide proposal information to the musician to start work on the modern interpretation music for short animation. On going blog and research for thesis.

Weeks 4-5:
Make stylised character sketches along with of sketches of appropriate dance moves and costumes. Choose a basic character figure which can be adapted easily within Maya to be more than one person using different hair colour & style, costume and eye colour. Produce a sketch for the final stage appearance and feel. On going blog and research for thesis.

Weeks 6-7:
Model the character in 3D, along with the various adapted versions for multiple characters. Model a basic stage set with large tie back curtains. Texture the character models and scene. Receive music. On going blog and research for thesis.

Week 8:
Rig the characters from scratch. Story board the dance routine and the camera shots. On going blog and research for thesis.

Week 9-10:
Animate the central character. Add animation to all other characters. On going blog and research for thesis.

Week 11:
Render animation and pull into Premier for editing. On going blog and research for thesis.

Week 12:
Edit work and add titles using After Effects. Add music and theatre/crowd sound. On going blog and research for thesis.

Week 13:
Room for error and finalising paperwork.

Week 14:
Submit all elements on data disc or DVD including blog URL.