Illustration and Visual Narrative Lecture Report / Task 4

29.4.2022 - 6.5.2022 (Week 5 - Week 6)

Takuto Hozumi / 0354047 / Bachelor Of Design (Hons) In Creative Media

Illustration and Visual Narrative

Lecture Report

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INSTRUCTION

Lecture Report Task 4: FORE, MIDDLE & BACKGROUND (4/5/2022)

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to cite an example of FORE-GROUND, MIDDLE-GROUND & BACK-GROUND from a video, and to Explain what design principles applied for each visual and how it affect the narratives. I am explaining "paprika" as a citation for this topic.

Paprika is a Japanese theatrical animation film directed by Satoshi Kon. Based on the full-length science fiction novel "Paprika" published in 1993 by Yasutaka Tsutsui (novelist). It depicts the battle between a dream terrorist who causes nightmares and the dream detective "Paprika" over the invention of a revolutionary device that allows people to share their dreams with others.

Synopsis

Fig.1: Paprika Key visual

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

DC Mini," a revolutionary technology that allows people to share the dreams of others, invented by a genius scientist at the Institute of Psychiatry, has been stolen. After that, the researchers begin to have bizarre dreams one after another, and they develop insanity. Atsuko Chiba, a therapist who is trying to solve the mystery, uses the DC Mini to transform herself into Paprika, a dream detective with a completely different personality and appearance, and enters her clients' dreams in order to conduct a therapy.

FORE, MIDDLE & BACKGROUND

First, I explain about the background. Same as various Japanese anime, backgrounds in Paprika are drawn with a very realistic touch as well. The overly realistic background contrasts with the fantasy depiction described below, adding to the eeriness of the screen.

Fig.2: A character on Fore-ground and realistic Background

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

Conversely the figures are slightly deformed in an anime-like design, they are always on fore or middle-ground.

Fig.3: Scenes describing clearly each visual

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

As the aforementioned synopsis, the main theme of this animated film is a mixture of reality and fantasy. In the first half of the story, the extraordinary happens from time to time and plays with the protagonists. However, they are often described in the middle-ground, close to the background.

Fig.3-2: Scenes describing clearly each visual

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

Refer to the figure above, the main character is placed in the fore-ground (red), the fantasy in the middle-ground (blue), and the realistic background in the background (yellow).

Fig.4: Mysterious description is placed at the back

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

Fig.5: Crazy Dream

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

From the middle of the story, there is a clear increase in the description of dreams. Dreams are usually unconnected, like the use of dangerous drugs, a parade of motifs abused in a wide variety in this animated film.

Fig.6: Dream coming in Front

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

Toward the end of the story, the crazy world shows up in the real world. Finally, the dream is placed in the front of the screen and the realistic depiction is placed in the back. It shows that the real world is eroding, even from a visual standpoint.

Fig.7: Battle of the mastermind

© SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC.

In the final phase of the battle, the characters also merge with the background. My guess is that this is probably influenced by hero battle in climax such as Ultraman. (Giant and Fighting)

Conclusion and My Thoughts

In this animated film, these visual compositions are used effectively to show the degree of mental contamination of the characters and the degree of crisis in the world. The back and forth between realistic and fantastical depictions also increases the viewer's immersion in its mysterious world.