My subject area and focus for this project will be to create a character that will support a campaign that helps fight against Deforestation to help the environment. In order to bring the fields of character design and the cause together I decided to construct this mind map below to branch off ideas that could tie into both areas, I also listed things to consider to help with development.
From reviewing this mind map, I have already fueled my inspiration for what types of characters and scenes I could develop for this project but before I dive into any of the ideas, I will be researching similar character designs that are aimed at a younger audience that have been used to express not only nature but the threats to it.
FernGully: The Last Rainforest – Pollution Monster
In 1992, 20th Century Productions released a musical fantasy film called, “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.” This is a film set in an Australian rainforest inhabited by fairies, one of these fairies accidentally shrinks a young logger. Together they rally all of the animals and fairies of the forest to try to protect them from threats such as other loggers and natural entities.
The reason why I chose this film is that it creates a great representation of the evil within the threats toward nature. Pollution is over-exaggerated to the appearance of a substantial massive monster that spreads across the air causing harm to all, this film tries to show the audience how negative the effects of Deforestation can lead to. Within my own character designs, I would possibly like to convey a cause similar to this and adapt it into a negative character form.
The Lorax
In 1971, Dr Seuss released a book called, ” The Lorax.” It’s a book with an engaging story addressing industrial/economic and environmental issues. The story involves a magical species, the Lorax, who care for nothing but nature and to take care of it, they “speak for the trees.” An industrial man however causes mass environmental destruction and forces the Lorax away into hiding. A boy then meets the Lorax and then helps him to show how important nature really is.
I have chosen this book because it illustrates and tells a story about the importance of environmentalism to a younger audience with ease. There’s a really important message within this book also, the thought of going easy on with what you have before its gone, not to be greedy and cause destruction, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”(Dr Seuss, 1972) This simply means if no care is shown towards doing anything then what’s the point of doing it, nothings going to improve the situation/problem. When it comes to the environment and Deforestation it is up to us to act, we can either let it happen or do something about it to protect nature.
After looking into these different characters, I realised that I could approach this assignment in many ways with what type of character I could make. My main thoughts being, the role of the character, whether the character cause or prevents it, I need to figure out what approach I should take.
For this assignment, I shall be producing three different character designs that are influenced by my campaign. These designs will be refined and displayed on a poster with the main identity in the centre of the image. This poster will be appropriate for a younger audience, being displayed on boards and walls of classrooms, to hopefully educate them about the importance of preventing Deforestation.
In the next post, I will be discussing time management and how I will be using my time appropriately to develop a strong outcome.
References:
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992) – IMDb (Accessed, 18/11/2022)
Books – Seussville (Accessed, 18/11/2022)
The Lorax Pages 1-50 – Flip PDF Download | FlipHTML5 (Accessed, 19/11/2022)