Set Project: Further research & the direction of my project/Monty Python

I started directing my project aims with influences taken from British outcomes or TV series. There is a strong connection with the futuristic style and years of recording Sgt.Pepper album. Nevertheless, the British culture was soaked in the band minds and thereafter, creativity.

I deducted research helps me to direct the topic and technique. To narrow the search, I looked back into my memories of the British TV series. Where, fortunately, the title is strongly related to the Sgt. Pepper lyrics.

This is one of my favourite shows from the past decade Monty Python. By evoking it, I think about the paper mache interludes between sketches. I remember them as grotesque and funny tinted personas depicted in exaggerated or minimize forms. This distinction I want to apply in my strip as well. Alongside brash and garish cut out faces which work well on a subdued background. 

By writing about this series, I would like to provide some of the key facts. 

The first sketch comedy was aired on BBC in 1969, with the last episode in 1974. Which a word of digression, it is a date after Magical Mystery Tour. That was a surrealistic TV program unlikely to other shows, it implemented sarcastic, scatological, and intellectual humour in the innovative formula. Members of the comedy troupe; Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam have been played collaboration roles stated under their control. The modern attitude of controversial reflection of British households and everyday life shocked the elder part of society. 

This notably series has animated sequences about those I want to write about. 

Between each scene, they impose eccentric animations characterized with collage technique. This part of the interlude was managed by Terry Gilliam. Only he has a non-British nationality. When he was living in his home country, the USA, he was recognized as a director and editor of humour magazine such as Help!. When it came to meet actor John Cleese, his path diametrically changed into a Monty Python member. Along with the series, he also directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail from 1974. And later on, he persuaded his career as a director. He created a number of visually stunning works comparing to those times. Not to mention the collaboration with stars such as Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and a lot more. 

Taking the research from the visual art, interludes usually acted as buffers between sketches. Nowadays, Monty Python's animation tutorials are easy to reach on the internet. However, this style was partly taken from Peter Blake works (this persona I further exemplified in the post: 2D/Front cover). Therefore the parts of ''press cuttings'' taking a lead role in the show. The most recognizable are cartoon monsters, human postures with hilarious squicky voices. I especially adore the exaggerated characters, the intention to excessive the movement. Rather a composition is thoroughly collaborated with characters by implement own drawings. 

Terry Giliam, Monty Python, 1969

Terry Giliam, Monty Python, 1969

Gilliam has absorbed Fine Art, which allows him to defined an own visual language in the media. The majority of his style is distinctive. He mixed his own art by appliance soft gradients and unconventional shapes, with backgrounds and moving cutouts from antique photographs taken from Victorian era. This also applies to The Beatles album cover in terms of scenery and tinted ''audience''. I found it irresistible, to convert those artworks for further process. There is a lot of appliances with a common value of form and colour. 

The research directed me in terms of appliance characters and their figures. Moreover, Gilliam's fine line sketch on the piece gives an impression of 3D form and also introduces a variety of texture. After the sketching process, I will pay attention to details through controlled, freehanded lines. I spotted the contrast with the line thickness with the object set in front and those on the back. In further progress, I will look at more examples more accurately. Either way, I will leave a comment regarding new experiences and acknowledgement. 

References:

Augustyn, A. (2021) Monty Python’s Flying Circus | Cast & History. [Online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available from : https://www.britannica.com/topic/Monty-Pythons-Flying-Circus [Accessed 21/04/21].

Monty Python Wiki Fandom (2021) Terry Gilliam. [Online] Monty Python Wiki. Available from : https://montypython.fandom.com/wiki/Terry_Gilliam [Accessed 21/04/21].