Finding a story (Part I): The Paper Menagerie

DA2000 – Final Project.

Finding a story for our final project was a little tricky, if I were to use a word to describe it. We were tasked to create compositions which tell the tale of a story focusing on the composition angle, perspective, and colour choice. Not only must we create compositions that tell the story, we were challenged to create compositions which evokes emotions, compositions which suggests a mood and leave an impression.

The story which I first chose was The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu which sheds light on the theme of identity and familial ties. Do click the link via the title of this short story if you’d like to give it a read. I think it is a story which pokes at the heart and causes one to reflect, not exactly because of relatability but rather the themes the author explore, his choice of dictions and the flow of the story itself.

In the initial stages of planning, I explored different parts of the story to place emphasis on. The following are the documents to support the process of thinking and planning:

The Paper Menagerie composition brainstorming #01.
The Paper Menagerie composition brainstorming #02.
The Paper Menagerie composition sketches.
The Paper Menagerie Colour Sketch #01.
The Paper Menagerie Colour Sketch #02.
The Paper Menagerie Colour Sketch #03.
The Paper Menagerie Colour Sketch #04.

After exploring the different compositions – varying the perspective of the same scene and exploring the choice of colour, I felt that The Paper Menagerie is better told using film. Static compositions may not do the story’s rich emotions justice. Rather, when accompanied by dynamic film movements, varied cuts, scripts, movements and sound, the meaning behind The Paper Menagerie would be better brought forth.

Thus, I decided not to embark on this tale for my final work.

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