The Scarecrow: with Feudal Japanese styling
I do try to tell a story in every design, and I'm always looking for real world hooks and historical connections to support my design choices wherever I can. I thoroughly enjoy the research and reference gathering phase as its my chance to really get inside the space I'm creating for and produce something different, something with heart... for me it all starts at the grass roots reference phase. As part of a Concept Art workshop while with Krome Studios, my fellow concept artists and I came up with the challenge to re-imagine the traditional characters from Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz by overlaying a Feudal Japanese thematic styling. As a child I was raised on this kind of whimsical and highly imaginative narrative and so took to the task eagerly.
I chose to re-design the Scarecrow as I felt I best identified with him as I like to think, and talk, and talk about thinking... and for me the pairing of such a character with the romantic and evocative visual theme of Feudal Japan proved too tempting for me to leave alone. I felt the Scarecrow had a kindly, inquisitive and disarming nature and also saw him as a somewhat piteous creature; created for a purpose that was beyond his demeanor... to frighten and dissuade, and in this regard I felt he was very much like a broken thing.
The Scarecrow: with Feudal Japanese styling (Rear View)
Imagery
of the Samurai sprang to mind, but I thought it best to avoid my first obvious conclusion.
Immediately Kabuki Theater entered my mind, as the Scarecrow was quite a
dramatic and theatrical creature. His link to the land as an agricultural
device appealed, so I resolved to make him more of an enchanted object rather
than a freestanding character. As I researched origins of scarecrows I stumbled
upon a Japanese legend that spoke of a creature known as Kuebiko; a scarecrow
that could not walk but had immeasurable knowledge of the world. For me this
was all too convenient so I went down this path to create my painted, straw
packed fellow.
Having him permanently bound to his pole presented an interesting opportunity for both a unique design structure as well as animation. Originally I had his arms free of the pole apparatus but later tied them to it, as I felt this character had more important features to capitalise on than his arms. So I tied them and had the sleeves without stuffing so as to create a draped look to his arms. His hands however were very important to me... the hands of a gardener I imagined, and these could slide along the pole and gesture as they needed to.
How something moves always appeals
to me and having an animation background I try to provide evidence of this in
every design. To get around I imagined the Scarecrow would hop like a po-go
stick, and spin about... creating this guy was an absolute pleasure and I had
hoped that Krome would explore this idea of a re-imagined Wizard of Oz given
that the world of Oz is coming to grace the silver screen in the near future.
Design wise the most
important element of the scarecrow however was what he stood for; intellect...
and more to the point his pursuit of it throughout the story. I wanted to
represent the quality he was questing for as a tangible thing, and the scroll
case that adorns his hat did the trick I feel. It's closed at first, obscured
from his view, but when unrolled and revealed, the Kanji character for Wisdom
is displayed. For me this was the unique story aspect that I wanted to inject
into the design... representative of that moment in the story when the Wizard
hands the Scarecrow his diploma and tells him, "it was with you all
along." I truly identify with that. It reminds me of our own struggles as
people and that sometimes, like the Scarecrow, we need to leave what is
familiar behind and quest to find what we already possess.... if only to realise
its full value.
We can be powerful
creatures when we so choose to be.....when we look inside ourselves and conquer
self doubt and realise that we already have the wisdom within ourselves to
overcome and be all we can be; for others, for ourselves... and for our Dreams.
On the work front there have been difficult obstacles that have arisen
underfoot, and for many of my friends, myself included, the way has been rough.
However, the message I would send to those of us that have been forced to look
elsewhere for work is this: Remember what you have inside. 'Know your value.'
A good friend once told me that.
Remember why you do what
you do, and who you do it for. Do not let self doubt and fear make a nest in
your spirit, and know that you have what it takes to find what you seek if you
choose to never give up. Where there is an end, there is always a beginning and
with that comes new opportunity. To my friends out there; don't give up, always
keep trying for the works of your hands and the notions of your minds are truly
born of talent. You have so much value, never lose sight of that, and the
creative gift you have can lead down pathways previously thought
inaccessible... so what would you really like to do with it?
Be all you can be :)
Listen to the Soul; remember always what is most important, and never compromise on it. Defend that like a Savage.....
J S Pullen
