I have chosen an excerpt from the first episode between Sherlock (Cumberbatch) and Molly (Louise Brealey) a colleague who "fancies" Sherlock. Here is the dialogue in 'script'-form.
Molly: Listen I was wondering, maybe later, when you're finished...
Sherlock: Are you wearing lipstick? You weren't wearing lipstick before...
Molly: I, er, I refreshed it a bit.
I liked the dynamics of the conversation between the two characters. 'Molly' musters all her strength and courage to ask 'Sherlock' out, but is interrupted by him, as he is utterly naive to her intentions of the conversation.
I went through a lot of different ideas for "setting/scenario" for the design of it. It was going to start out being a woman who is helping her male colleague at a library set in the 1950s. This is shown in my first initial sketches of the woman character:
I then went through more options, as I didn't quite engage with the library scene, and wanted to make it slightly more interesting. I finally ended with the idea of a work after-party.
Here I shall paint the scenario:
The woman (Molly) is the P.A. (personal assistant) to her male colleague (Sherlock), IE: her Boss. They have just finished premiering their work (perhaps it was a film, and the after-party has many important people in the industry there to have drinks, eat and network with others) So it is set in a wonderfully lavish old building, high ceilings, beautifully decorated with paintings and tall mirrors. The room is decorated with fairy lights around staircases; candles glowing warmly; the hum of deep and amiable conversation filling the room.
(Molly) sees her Boss and converses with herself whether to go and speak to him, after seeing him at the top of the stairs alone. She summons up all her courage, grabs two glasses of wine from the nearest waiter, breathes in slowly, gathering her strength, and makes her way up the stairs, eyes straight ahead; determined.
She nudges his arm, and hands the glass of wine to him. The Boss accepts it and stands with her at the top of the balcony. There is a somewhat awkward silence as (Molly) musters her strength and begins to speak (IE: the dialogue)...
So here now are the sketches that lead up to the final designs for the character of the P.A. and her Boss...(I apologise for the poor quality!)
Final Model Sheets:
A Rough Storyboard Layout: (Very unclear!)
And the (VERY) rough layout shots for my dialogue piece: (Not Finalised)
Mouth Shapes for the dialogue: (using a mirror for reference)
And finally; a rough sketch thumbnail sequence of drawings made (by viewing video reference which will be shown in next post) to get ideas for movement and poses throughout the conversation:
The Inspiration this week is from Richard Curtis' 2005 rom-com film; "Love Actually". In particular; Laura Linney's character, 'Sarah'.
Sarah's character is in love with her work colleague; 'Karl'. A few scenes from the film showcase Linney's ability to act nervous, shy and quietly passionate in a very short amount of time. I used these scenes as inspiration and reference for the character of the P.A. in my dialogue exercise.
Also, I must mention how much I take inspiration from Richard Curtis' films and style of direction. He has a remarkable ability to show relationships be it family, friends or partners; in a very broad spectrum of personalities. His work for the recent series of Doctor Who with (new) Doctor; Matt Smith, in episode 10 depicting the Doctor and his assistant travelling and meeting Vincent Van Gogh was an extremely beautiful and unique showcase of his style and talent as a director. It is acknowledged by many that his work focuses of the dynamics in relationships, and this is what I absolutely love to watch. When a programme, film or stage production (etc) really tries to present the dynamics of human interaction and their relationships (with a good story and good direction etc) I really gather such inspiration from it. Richard Curtis, I believe, is one of the best directors that depict these dynamics in full force, with humour, romance, friendship and grief all mixed together wonderfully.
---jkl---
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