Threads threads threads
The time came to start testing the construction of the puppets and how the threads would look on camera. This was a very important part of the pre - production process as the threads would essentially define the visual aesthetic of our film. We knew that the texture of the materials was essential to compliment the narrative and also to make the shots visually attractive.
One of the first things we established after finishing the storyboard, was that over the film we would need different sizes and textures of threads.
Another conclusion that came along with the first trials of the puppet was that the color of the threads were really important to contrast the character from the background, it would also give her personality and add to the story. With this came many explorations. We visited different stores and tried different kinds of threads to test on camera and on a basic skeleton.
Size/Thickness:
As the story evolves, the threads coming out of the character get thiner (as the character gets emptier), so we would have to accomplish this transition using different strings. We would need at least three different thicknesses of threads to make some zooms without loosing the proportion of the elements in the film.We decided to go with a really thin sewing string for the thinest, then an embroidery thread ( composed by 5 thin strings) and a wool string for the thickest.
Colour
In our story, as the character unravels her own threads and gets emptier, the color also changes. After considering the options of colors we found that matched the size features, we decided to go with a blue/grey tone and changes to a mustard yellow. For this reason we were really excited to find a type of thread that actually changed color in the spool! We first tried a medium size thread that went from a dark blue to an almost white shade. (photo) And then we mixed it with the mustard tone.
Colour Transition
We really liked the effect of the transition in the character's body, but the tones were too monochrome and a little flat. (photo). Searching again for another color that also handled the subject of the size the way we wanted, we found two threads perfect to try out: a blue wool that changed shades and a thiner thread that had blue, grey and a little beige that would make the transition to the yellow smoother (photo). We combined this with the mustard tone and we really liked the combination. Now we have to try how it looks in the finished puppet!!
