Animated Alphabet (Version 1)

A later version if this can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBJWn-gO-SI I'm a student currently studying for a degree in 'Interactive Design'. This was a second year typography focussed project. We were supposed to create an entire alphabet of 'animated' letters, and create a video showing them individually, alongside each other, and then used in words that were consistent with the tone/feel of the alphabet we created. The letters needed to be created physically, but could then be edited/enhanced/augmented using software. We were also required to create custom sound to enhance the impact, and ensure that each letter is unique (in more than just shape.) I'd never done anything like this, and tried quite a few different approaches and techniques. The one I finally settled on here, just uses ice cubes (created with letter-shaped molds) made with glow in the dark powder. I melt them in warm water, and then reverse the footage and speed it up. It created this cool, jerky effect. Combined with the fluid element, it made me think of 50s 'body horror' (Invasion of the Body Snatchers etc.) I decided to run with that theme, and made the footage black and white, played with levels and then overlaid digital scans of vintage film stock. For sound, I used a combination of sounds that I created and sounds that I found online. They include breaking sticks, bending plastic, fire, lava, boiling water and floorboards. I also found various strange sound effects from 50s movies and added a piece of music played on Theramin that I found online (and slowed right down.) I think it works quite well, but it would have worked better if I'd removed the light reflections in the water (that give away that it *is* water) and I don't like the digital movement of the letters towards the end. It doesn't go with the theme at all. I also overdid the use of damaged film stock a bit. I remedied some of those issues in the version that I handed in (linked to at the top of this description.)