29.08.2022 - 26.09.2022
Angelyn Valencia / 0349573
Character Design
/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1: Personification
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK PROGRESSION
For this module, we were assigned to create an original character from an
existing universe. I chose Tim Burton's Corpse Bride as the existing
universe I will be making my character from. First thing I did was study the
existing characters in the movie as well as their backstory narratives. I
did a lot of research on the universe and what kind of character I could
make to fit into the storyline and overall setting.
Based on the character observation, it can be seen that the overall theme is
dark. The characters have a very distinct creepy look. They all have big
eyes with tiny pupils which is usually a way for artists to create a
shocked/scared look on their character. They have inhuman skin tones
(usually pale) that makes them look somehow deceased. This is the iconic
look created by Tim Burton and his overall art style. The characters in
"Corpse Bride" are vary in terms of silhouette and shape, but it can be seen
that both main characters (Victor and Emily" figures look thin and
gaunt.
I created a moodboard as a general overview of the character. I wanted to
create a non-human character that existed long before the story from "Corpse
Bride" takes place. A character that contributes to the narrative of the
movie though it didn't exist in the original universe. I had a lot of ideas
for characters that could potentially fit into the storyline and setting but
my final idea is a spirit guide. In the moodboard, it can be seen that the
setting takes place and time based on the original movie. It takes place in
the Land of the Living and Land of the Dead, and takes time in the Victorian
Era.
Character Details:
Name: Vita Mors (Latin for "Life and Death")
Age: Immortal
Appearance: Human-deer hybrid (Human body with deer antlers, ears, and
hooves) with some parts of her skeleton showing
Vita mors was once only a Vita. is not a human or a corpse, rather a spirit, specifically a spirit guide. Vita is all about justice. She appears in the form of a human-deer hybrid. Her purpose is to guide and watch over the living in order to preserve justice in the world.
A corpse bride named Emily, was originally killed by her fiance and was never really able to rest in peace. Vita helped Emily in seeking her justice. However the truth is, Vita was never really allowed to help the dead, only the living. As she continues to help the dead, her body slowly dissolves and is being eaten by the consequences of her own actions.
However, she never regretted helping the dead as she now calls herself as Vita Mors. She is all about justice, justice in life and death, Vita et Mors.
After deciding the character and their backstory, I made silhouettes of what
the character's potential appearance. I experimented with various kinds of
deer antlers and victorian era dresses, as well as hairstyles. To fit in the
victorian era, there's not much variety in how the dresses could potentially
look as this era has a very distinct signature style. It would just defeat
the setting completely if the character wears a very different kind of
outfit.
From the 8 silhouettes I made, 4 were chosen and refined. These 4 were the
ones I feel suit the character the most since this character is
elegant.
The image above shows the final character turnaround. I decided to go with
the kind of antler in the fourth sketch and the dress from the first sketch
in fig x.x.
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