These are the 4 final compositions that I have chosen to present for my Forrest Gump Project. The quotes are taken from 3 different movies, with 2 being from the same movie but of different series.

 

Quote 1: “Do you understand the words that are coming out from my mouth?” – Detective James Carter, Rush Hour

Research:

For this quote, I’ve decided to focus more on the part that Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) has made himself look like a fool as he thought Detective Lee (Jackie Chan) who was from China couldn’t speak English and was trying hard to enunciate each word to him so that he could understand. Initially, I’ve used the idea and relation to old cartoons such as Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry to show the “jackass” side to James Carter. As James Carter was fooled and sounded stupid.

 

I’ve came up with the piece below. The fingers stuffed in his ear was to represent that James Carter didn’t listen to Detective Lee when he was trying explain himself. The man in my composition can be seen wearing an NYPD uniform as it was James Carter’s jobscope. Donkey ears were given to my character to give him a “jackass” vibe. As for the background, I’ve added in a Chinese-like design to show the link between James Carter and Detective Lee who was a Chinese.

However, upon consultation with my lecturer, Mimi, she commented about how it was too “deep” and hard to guess as I went in too deep into the quote. It would be hard for those who didn’t watch the movie, to guess. She too commented how I could use the lips or tongue to show the talking shown in the scene.

This was my final piece for the quote chosen from Rush Hour. I’ve used a tongue/mouth and placed it in the middle to show the main action of “talking” between 2 person. I’ve also used signboards in different language (particularly from Asia) as to show how James Carter had the stereotype that Asians could not understand basic English. Some of the language inserted are from China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, India etc.

Lastly, I’ve also added in a very popular meme from the internet which was the Jackie Chan meme. This expression of him would clearly show his exact reaction when James Carter was doubting Detective Lee and made fun of him and his language in front of his face.

 

Quote 2: “Muscle up, Buttercup”- Maui, Moana

Research:

I love the movie “Moana“. It’s one of those Disney movies whereby the main character doesn’t fall in love with someone to complete their tasks/missions. Moana was an independent girl who sailed through the vast ocean to find Maui, god of the wind and sea, hero of men. The movie Moana was based on the Polynesian culture.

I’ve searched for Polynesian tribal tattoos as to add a vibe of “Moana” to the composition. As the quote includes the word “Buttercup”, I’ve decided to research on what it actually means. Referencing to my research on urban dictionaries and also to the cartoon character from Powerpuff Girls, the name given was actually to show a girl who has a cute image but has an attitude of a rough and tough person. The barbell was added to show that the young girl in my composition was cute but at the same time, tough and strong. She’s in a flying stance to show that lifting up the barbell was nothing for her. I’ve added literal buttercup flowers around the Polynesian borders to add a contrast of “girlish” but “tough” final composition.

I’m happy that this composition got accepted on its first consultation.

I’ve used this final composition to print on my totebag. I loveeee Moana so I felt like this image was suitable to be printed AND used instead of it been thrown aside after this project was done. Mimi said that I could’ve improved on the back of the girl as it looks rather washed out and was hard to make out that it was a little girl as her back was gone.

 

Quote 3: “Just because you’ve got the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn’t mean we all have” – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix

Research:

 

For this particular piece, I was wrong and assumed the true meaning of the quote wrongly. What I thought the quote meant was how Ron’s emotions shouldn’t affect those around him despite it being as tiny and little as a teaspoon worth. What the quote actually meant was that Ron was almost heartless and couldn’t careless as his emotional range is that of a teaspoon. Very little emotions comes from Ron as compared to others around him.

For this piece, I admit that I could’ve done much more better if I understand the quote completely. But I’ll just explain my final composition anyways. Heh.

For this particular piece, I added in a Harry Potter themed border as to give a Harry Potter vibe. Based on my wrong interpretation, I’ve placed a group of people (which was used to present Harry Potter and friends) under an umbrella and they are shielded from the pouring of the salt/sugar from the top which initially, was suppose to present Ron’s emotional range. I was trying to show that Ron’s emotional range could never affect those around him, even if it were to be a teaspoon worth.

Mimi has also given a comment that this composition was a tad too direct and literal. She suggested that I find out the true meaning of the quote and improve from there.

I really need to be better at this. *deep sigh*

Quote 4: You’re a little scary sometimes… Brilliant, but scary” – Ron, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

From the quote given, I focused on each words to show the literal meaning of it but at the same time, to not let it be too direct. I used a skull to represent the word “scary” as it’s quite obvious. Well, a skull is scary… at least to me. However, I’ve decided to add in a tinge of “brilliance” which can be linked to the word “smart” or “knowledgeable”. Thus, I’ve added in a brain to represent that even if the skull is scary, it still had some brilliance left in that brain of his. Spectacles and bowtie are added to give a feel of “nerdy” as that was what and how Hermione was portrayed as throughout the whole series of Harry Potter. In the background, I’ve added in 2 wands which belongs to both Ron and Hermione. This was to represent that the conversation was between the both of them. A cross-bow was formed with the wands as to show the scariness of it as it’s mostly linked to a “death” image.

I was proud of this composition as it’s quite direct and easy to be understood. I would’ve printed this on my tote bag instead of Moana. However, I did not find it appropriate due to the image of the skull. Heh.

———

Lecturer’s comment:

“The halftone effect doesn’t seem to sit well.”

Peers’ comment:

“Good interpretation of quote. Nice composition and layout.”

“The elements used to compose your image suits your quote very well.”

“I think that this is really funny and effective.”

“Very direct but very easy to get.”

“Jackie Chan’s face is attractive.”

“The subtle sear on the skull is brilliant. Good job!”

Reflection:

I feel that I could’ve done a lot better in this assignment. This technique of compositing is quite new to me as I’ve used Photoshop mostly for digital drawing but never for image compositing. I feel with continuous practice, I can make my work stand out more and not be too simple in the future. I want something that I’ve created to have an impact on the audience. I really hope I can improve.