For the second of my videos, the one involving a maximum of 2 characters and one line of dialogue each, I wish to portray another Greek myth, that of Narcissus. There are many different variations on the tale, I intend to adapt the Hellenic version, the oldest.

‘This is a moral tale in which the proud and unfeeling Narcissus is punished by the gods for having spurned all his male suitors. It is thought to have been intended as a cautionary tale addressed to young men. Until recently, the two sources for this version were an epitome of the works of Conon, a Greek contemporary of Ovid, preserved in the Bibliotheca of Photius and the segment in Pausanias, about 150 years after Ovid. A very similar account was discovered among the Oxyrhynchus papyri in 2004, an account that predates Ovid's version by at least fifty years and is thought to have been recorded by Parthenius.’ (From Wikipedia)

In this story, Ameinias, a young Girl, loved Narcissus but was spurned. As a way of rebuffing Ameinias, Narcissus gave her a sword, which Ameinias used to kill herself on Narcissus' doorstep; she prayed to Nemesis that Narcissus would one day know the pain of unrequited love. This curse was fulfilled when Narcissus became entranced by his own reflection in a pool. Completing the symmetry of the tale, overcome by repentance, He obsessed so much he dived in and drowned.

I wish to use a very specific visual style as with the other video, I want to use only silhouettes of the characters in black placed over footage of fire. This is to exaggerate that looks aren’t everything and only using simple images and sound it is enough to tell a story. I will create the silhouettes using a mixture of footage shot on green screen, flash animation and motion key frames. I am heavily influenced by Lotte Reineger, and although I for the most part will avoid stop motion animation It is a techniques that I could turn to.

In regards to the two lines, I want both of the characters to say ‘I Must Have Him’, When Ameinias first sees Narcissus and when he finally falls in love with his reflection. I aim to use lots of music and exaggerated sound effects to create the scenes, even know I will only have silhouettes of the characters and simple locations. I will try to use as many camera movements as possible because I believe that is one thing that most animations or short films with effects miss out on, another depth.

Here is an image which represents the style of image I am hoping to create, Made out of 2 stock images.

Rob.