The Lost World - Online

Found Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's entire novel of 'The Lost World' online, with some lovely original illustrations to accompany the text. Wished I found this earlier, though it probably turned out better this way. I maybe able to post some of the source text I've been working from in my concepts - now that I don't have to type it out.



Link here

The Lost World (1925) - Film Adaptation

Having read the book, I was intrigued to see some visual interpretations of the novel and thus watched the original silent film adaptation of The Lost World made in 1912.



I'm disappointed to say that the film really did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original story an injustice, taking liberties to add new characters and changing the story entirely in places (a Brontosaurus roaming the streets of London!!). Characters motivations and principles were changed entirely which I find simply wrong and disrespectful to the original novel. Squeezed into just 1 hour, it came to little surprise that the pacing was inconsistent lingering far too long or rushing through particular sequences. I guess I'm being a bit harsh on a silent film made in the early of the 20th century intended for a film audience, but I just found the book wonderful with great potential that I am bewildered as to how they could mess things up so awfully.



Being one of the first films to feature stop motion model animation, this became apparent with some tried and true iconic dinosaur designs. While it did not stand out for me in particular, it was admirable in some of the more complex animation sequences with dinosaurs jumping, biting and clawing at each other in ferocious combat.



Nevertheless, the environments were a little intriguing with layered foreground, midground and background elements composing a variety of shots. Dinosaurs would be present to also illustrate a further sense of scale and depth in a scene. The use of light was actually effective in certain scenes, where the breadth of a landscape would slowly be unveiled in a cast of light.





With their interpretation of the plateau in particular, I could not help but spot the similarities with Pixar's 'Up' location of Paradise Falls.





Its amazing to think that perhaps Pixar got their inspiration of the plateau from The Lost World. Come to think of it, the tropical bird Kevin could be reference to one of the huge great running birds that chased Professor Challenger, being similar in description 'far taller than a ostrich, with a vulture-like neck', as well as the whole notion of embarking on an adventure.


Overall, while I was disappointed in the film, I'm sort of glad to have watched it in gaining a better understanding of the source material and perhaps the limitations in translating a novel to the big screen. The environments were inspiring enough to spur some further ideas that I will no doubt try soon enough.

The Lost World (1912) Book

So I've finished reading the entire book of The Lost World to understand and grasp a much fuller concept on what I am dealing with. The original novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is fantastic, I loved it throughout with engaging characters, great pacing with the narrative of Malone and the wonderful descriptive imagery that no doubt has got me even more invigorated and inspired. Its a good read if you've got some time to spare. I've also kept tabs on pages of note, which I will try to accompany the corresponding text to the concept in mind.



Intriguingly, the focus is not predominantly just on prehistoric dinosaurs, but more of the environment itself with natives and ape-like men described as 'the missing link' who also dwell on the plateau. Thus, this could be intriguing to subtly indicate the presence of man on the plateau in one form or another. At the moment, I have the idea to create a number of concepts of the outset of the plateau, a shot within the plateau and perhaps a shot with more dynamic composition with action. Time will tell with some thumbnailing and concepts which I will thoroughly engage in.

Unit 2: Space - The Lost World

Our next project begins with the title of 'Space'. In this project, we are each given a random designated folder which will serve as our source material to produce conceptual art from, with the focus being on environments in communicating a sense of depth and space. I'm pretty excited with this prospect as it is structured similarly as a commission, where concept art is also a particular favourite of mine.

The source material given to me as 'Folder #6', is Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Lost World written in 1912, concerning an expedition to the Amazon of South America where prehistoric animals dwell. I believe there are a number of film adaptations of Doyle's novel, ranging from the original silent movie in 1925, to Hollywood's blockbuster The Lost World: Jurassic Park which we all know and uh... 'love'.

I think the key to this project is in creating environments that are visually striking and unique, while being respectful to the original source material. A fine balance indeed. As such, I will set out in reading the original source material, while I would be wary in watching film adapations so as to not impede or limit my creative ability in creating unique designs. I may watch the original 1925 version, but most definitely not the latest adaptation which I do not have much or fond memories of.



Admittedly, I haven't played around with creature design much, however I think it will prove interesting in using dinosaurs to further communicate the sense of space, depth and scale in my environmental concepts. I'm guess I find my source material quite good, its pretty new to me and should prove interesting.

Oh and anyone else on folder 6? Let me know and we can talk!