Now that summer activities have slowed down, I can get back to writing about the making of Rabbitat. This post will show the letters that I made for the film’s title animation. See the completed film here. I was originally just going to spell out the word Rabbitat in found objects. Then the filmmaker (Daniel Cojanu) and I decide to try our hand at some spot action animation.
I formed the letters with driftwood, adding embroidered felt vegetation to complete the shapes. One “B” features a roving, rounded vine made of felt covered wire. The thorns are thread wrapped wire.
And a “T” is crossed with thread wrapped wire branches laden with felt leaves and bead berries.
I found just the right beach stone for the other “B” and used a green mushroom, which is a florist product, for the rounded top of the “R”. For the filming we used a solid black felt background.
We started with the word Rabbitat spelled out and then moved each piece about a 1/4 inch for each shot.
Every piece had its own path to follow, so the 2 of us had to keep track of several objects at once. Instead of trying to construct the letters from a pile of objects, we deconstructed the word and then reversed the order of the hundreds of photographs, so it looks like we built it in the film.
When we were ready to shoot, I bought some vegetables to include; a carrot, a parsnip and a peapod. It took us many hours to move and photograph the letters for what would become a 15 second title sequence. After working side by side for most of a day, moving little objects a tiny distance at a time, Daniel and I weren’t frustrated at all. We said to each other,”That was fun!”.
The next post in this series will be about my animated stitched signature from the Rabbitat title. For other posts in the Rabbitat series click here.
Salley I just watched your adorable film, it was so enchanting, even the music was perfect. Your work is quite incredible, the details are amazing and the carrots on the Mother Rabbit’s apron so cute! Thank you for sharing,
Jane x
Hi! I notice another “Jane” has commented. I just wanted to say that you are one of THE most creative people. I marvel at the intricate details of what you do. I live in the Midwest and doubt our paths will ever cross, but I would consider it a great treat to see you and your work in person.
Jane
Jane, if you live near Mt. Vernon, IL, my show will be coming Cedarhurst in feb. of 2013. See more info: https://weefolk.wordpress.com/pocketful-of-posies-a-traveling-exhibit/
This is fascinating to see…love how you create fantasy and whimsey from simple items. Thanks again, for ALL you do! Pam
Thank you for sharing the process of the letter making and the subsequent film process. It is tedious work but so rewarding.
Talk about labor intensive.. but it had to be fun when the results are so amazing! Those look like elderberries to me…so fabulous! What a neat experience to see your work “come alive” like that!
How interesting!! The embroidery for the letters is so creative. As always your work is great!!
The letters are so organic and beautiful!!!
I love that B!
I love your letters! The details are so perfect, the tiny leaves, and the thorns just slay me. Marvelous!
What creativity! These letters are a work of art. love it! -Melody
just brilliant Salley! a whole day for just 15 seconds, that sure gives me a whole new appreciation for stop-motion. loved watching the video.