Shuang Chang

Abstract

It is a basic concept in Taoism that "personal infinity" can be achieved by visualizing the process where human bodies unify with the Universe through Taoism study and practice. This project, Unit is an animated adaptation of drawings created by my mother, Mrs. Hanjinying, who is writing and painting for a textbook on Taoism. It is a visualized journey of a Taoism experience featuring two characters who are different manifestations of the same self that unite and connect to nature and the Universe through their spiritual development. The animation is four minutes in length. The imagery consists of 2D based characters composited with surreal environments and effects. The characters were hand drawn and colored digitally. The elements in the environment, such as smoke and bubbles, were generated as 3D elements using After Effects. The prerecorded music soundtrack was edited in Soundbooth. My creative intent was to visualize a concept based on existing arts and documents and animate it without narration. The production process progressively emphasized idea refinement and simplification. The challenge was to create an atmosphere of a Taoist space. Finally, Unit was created to honor my Mother with a revision of her interpretation on life, the Universe and Taoism. Unit has been donated to the Art Museum of Taoism in Beijing, China as a display video within the museum.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Computer animation--Themes, motives; Computer animation--Technique; Animated films--Themes, motives; Animation (Cinematography); Taoist art

Publication Date

2-19-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Film and Animation (CIAS)

Advisor

Maxwell, Stephanie

Advisor/Committee Member

Gasek, Tom

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: TR897.7 .C435 2013

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

IMGART-MFA

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