I wish I'd done this...Mirror Mask

Mirror Mask (2005) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/mirrormask/

I recently watched Jim Henson’s Mirror Mask (2005) and I just got so much from watching the film, I love everything about it from the characters and masks to the way the story is told, I was also very curios to learn about the film was made. 

The film is directed and designed by Dave McKean who is an English illustrator, photographer, comic book artist, graphic designer, filmmaker and musician, his work incorporates drawing, painting, photography, collage, found objects, digital art and sculpture.  He is so talented and that really shows in Mirror Mask, as I couldn’t figure out how he created the film.

I love characters and surreal worlds, but I also love photography, animation, costume and masks and I would love to create a short film that combines all these elements just like the Mirror Mask does.  The film is also a true testament that there are no limits in the creative industry; you do anything you out your creative mind to!

I have tried I-stop motion once and I loved it! I learnt so much from it and I know that I want to become better at it. Another area I need to focus on is being able to photograph the things I make and bring out the best in them.  It seems that in this industry the more things you can do and can out your hand to the more possibilities and opportunities there are.

MIRRORMASK is a phantasmagorical treat for the eyes and mind, a wondrous blend of live action and CG animation, where strange, magical creatures live in a fantasy world of unbridled imagination and scope, as told through the spectacular, cutting-edge visuals of designer/director Dave McKean.

I have been slightly obsessed with this film of late! And recently I have been reading into the ideas behind the film and influences that I find really interesting.  For example Dave McKean’s work over the last 15 years features cats with human faces and inspired the creatures in the film, he also has a fascination with masks, which are heavily evident in the film.

As I progress to Level 6 there is so much I want to experiment with and learn, especially as there will be more self initiated briefs.  I feel really passionate about bringing together the things I make with moving image and film, for example having a character move around in a surreal house I create and using real people in costume but shrinking them, a bit Alice in Wonderland like!

I wish I had created this film because I am just naturally drawn to it because it is so me!  The film evokes innocence, childhood, mystery, the unknown and a journey.  The characters, worlds, playfulness and surreal element whisked me away into the film.  A lot of the things I mentioned about the film reflect in my work and are very much abut what drives and intrigues me in my work.

Creating something like Mirror Mask in the future would be a dream come true – bringing a creative idea to life makes me tick and hungry to learn and experiment more. 

Over the last year I have learnt that I am more of an author-strator and naturally prefer to create my own narratives and stories as I feel I generate more ideas and possibilities this way, I think this is another reason why I would love to create something like this.