If you could create any random animal hybrid, what would you make? I ask this of you, because our most recent project, ‘Rise of the Frankenstuffies’, we all had to use our imagination and semi successful sewing skills to build the hybrid of our dreams.
We were first approached with the project in the beginning of February right after semester change. We were told to bring old stuffed animals that were ready to be repurposed and destroyed in the name of art. We were given free rein to pick and choose whatever materials we wanted to use for our creations. After scavenging around different tables for stray parts, I found a frog head, lamb body and ears, cat tail, and leopard legs. It was a mishmash of different textures and colors, but somehow it all seemed to come together in a weirdly cohesive way. Over the next two days, I spent every spare moment working on my creation. Sewing, stuffing, and stitching until my fingers were sore and slightly bleeding. But the result was worth it.
After the assembling of our stuffies, we moved into 2 separate things at once. We were first given a book to read called “Levithan” by Scott Westerfield. This book was about an alternate world in the midst of war, where there were genetically engineered creatures called ‘Darwinist Beasties’. The creatures in the book were a mix of different animals, just like my creation. At the same time, we were tasked with creating a Hero’s Journey diagram for our stuffies. We had to break down their story into seven different sections, and describe our strange friend. It was a challenging task, but I dove in with enthusiasm. I wrote the entirety of Leonid’s story, bringing him to life with every detail. The combination of reading “Leviathan”, creating my Frankenstuffie, and mapping out his Hero’s Journey had opened up a whole new level of thinking for me, showing me how anything can spark creativity.
Once we our entire story, we had to choose one part to present in our film. I choose 3 parts and simplified them to the length of one, and it was no easy task let me tell you that. I love writing, I do it all the time in and out of school, but having full creative liberties on an assignment can cause writers block for me. So while everyone was writing, I was still plotting the perfect way to share Leonids story, and once I found it, everything fell into place. Words spewing from my brain onto the page instantly, and before I knew it, I arrived at the last part of the entire thing; the video.
This process was the most infuriating and difficult part by far. I realized some of the parts that I wrote about were going to be difficult, so I had to simplify even more while still portraying my story. Once I had my new final draft, I started gathering background photos for editing. But, I couldn’t find any, so I decided it would be more unique if I drew it all by hand. It took me hours and hours of drawing, erasing, redrawing and animating, but I finished it just in the nick of time. Before I handed it it, I added some sound effects and video effects to spice things up, then sent it in!
“How do we as writers make our message clear and engaging to an audience?”This is the driving question, the bigger question around the entirety of this project. The main focus is on how writers can make their message clear and engaging to an audience. The writer suggests drawing inspiration from various sources, incorporating elements that resonate with the audience, and utilizing creative storytelling techniques to make the message more captivating. By being creative, persistent, and innovative, writers can effectively communicate their message and capture the attention of their readers or viewers.
In conclusion, the ‘Rise of the Frankenstuffies’ project pushed me to think outside the box and get creative with my storytelling. From creating my own hybrid stuffed animal to mapping out its Hero’s Journey and bringing it to life in a short film, every step of the process was a challenge that ultimately led to a satisfying result. By immersing myself in the world of ‘Leviathan’ and drawing inspiration from various sources, I was able to craft a story that was engaging and unique. This project taught me the importance of perseverance and innovation in writing, as well as the power of storytelling to captivate an audience. Who knows what odd creature I may create next, but one thing is for sure – the journey of creating it will be just as exciting and rewarding as this one.
Now you, my amazing viewers and teacher, I would like your feedback on my video. After watching my film, click this link, and it will take you to a padlet. There you can give me feedback alongside comments for me to take into consideration. Thank you very much, I’ll see you next blogpost!