grant description

Here is a description of CASTL CRNRS as I put it in a grant application today:
In this story, 2 costumed musicians unfold a mythical tale of a violent forest being tamed and replaced with geometric systems. Part 1, GARDN, depicts a group of prehistoric humans discovering how man-made forms may tame the wilderness around them. Part 2, BLCK, portrays a group of future-humans navigating the subsequent hard-edged world they conjured. Part 3, FLAT, concludes this tale in vast desolation; a psychic wilderness.

The presentation of 'Part 1, GARDN' involves 2 aspects. The centerpiece is an animated video. Hundreds of hand-painted looping pieces of flora and fauna will be composited together in After Effects to create a visually dense wilderness that throbs and twitches. The characters will be drawn and animated using Flash and integrated with the hand-crafted components. Additional photographs and video footage will be used as background elements to tie all these components together in After Effects. The second aspect involves elaborately costumed musicians in a modular stage set. To achieve a visual synergy with the projected image we will be using electroluminescent wire to build costumes and props. This material glows when charged with electricity allowing the performers to musically accompany the projected cartoon in the extremely dark setting of a movie theater.