Online Greenlight Review

Unit 2: Space
Jake Carpenter

Gormenghast
Mervyn Peake, an English author, artist, poet and illustrator, is best known for the Gormenghast novels, which began in 1946. There are three entries, Titus Groan, Gormenghast, Titus Alone, follow the story of a boy from his birth into his later life, whilst exploring the lives of the denizens of Gormenghast. Gormenghast is a vast city complex, in which, the story itself is based around. The boy, Titus, is only an infant in Titus Groan and follows Steerpike as he destroys the established order. It has been said that Peake has been compared to J.R.R. Tolkien, for his fantasy work Lord Of The Rings. At the time that the first of three had been written, Peake applied as a war artist during World War II. The British Ministry of Information purchased his paintings, however Peake's application was turned down and was then conscripted into the Army. Serving with the Royal Artillery and then Royal Engineers, he began writing Titus Groan. In 1942, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent to Southport Hospital. The time period, that the novels began, relates to the time that it was written as Gormenghast has a dark, gothic feel to it. With large walls and ceilings, it gives an overwhelming sensation with the medieval setting portraying a sense of tradition. The tradition of the current government, at the beginning of Titus Groan, is one that people wish to overcome for freedom. There have been multiple adaptations, with three different 'mini-series; a radio broadcast play, two short films (one animated and one small film), three plays and an opera. The most recent adaptation is a 6 part, one-hour episode broadcasted on BBC Radio 4. The serial adapted all of the three novels, including the concluding Titus Awakes, which was completed by his widow, Maeve Gilmore.

Visual Concept
Once having read the excerpts, I imagined the castle to be similar to that of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings. Many of the cities within that fantasy world resemble Peake's Gormenghast. Cities like; Minas Tirith, Isengard and Mordor. The long, overshadowing tower with an immense city complex below. Inside these cities, the colour palette and atmosphere feels relevant to the setting of Gormenghast. The Fable series and White Knight Chronicles, both feature large cities with Fable having a very warm atmosphere whereas in the White Knight Chronicles, there are cities that share the same gothic theme that Gormenghast presents, but also have a pristine presentation.

Scene analysis

Highlighting key, essential points that detailed the scenes, it became evident on the direction I should take. The incredible size of Gormenghast is current throughout its entire complex.

Chosen scenes
I have chosen to focus on the scenes as designated by the chapters; The Hall of the Bright Carvings, The Attic (lumber room) and Room of Roots. I was considering the Tower of Flints, as it was briefly described and, at the time, felt like it had a lot of potential. However, in comparison to the other scenes presented in the first exert, it didn't have enough to go by. The Hall of the Bright Carvings and The Great Kitchen has more potential, more description and a greater atmosphere. The Attic is divided into three sections, one of which consists of elongating beams that act as a support. The secret attic is a scene that felt too tidy. In comparison to the lumberroom, and most attics, in which there is a great deal of clutter and junk that give the room, if not the city, more character. The lumber-room, feels like a place that the city denizens have chosen to forget. Finally, the Room of Roots is the only scene in the last excerpts, but has more than one interpretation in terms of design. The intended design is for a brightly coloured room of painted branches that feel like they are reaching to the centre of the room. However, when I first read the passage, I imagined the scene as an overgrown, infestation of roots and vines. The latter is more preferable as it shows a greater contrast to the city, when shown with The Hall Of The Bright Carvings.

Scene 1: The Hall Of The Bright Carvings

For the Hall of the Bright Carvings, I aim to capture the grandeur of the size as well as displaying a wide colour palette. Here are some examples; one is from Alice and Wonderland, another from Fable made by Lionhead studios and an interpretation of an artists depiction of the same room.

Scene 2: The Lumber Room

The Attic, namely the Lumber-room, is an immense space. Even with the grand size of the room, the amount of space filled is yet another feat. Below are inspirations for the size, scale and perspective of the room itself as well as demonstrating how the objects occupy that space and are captured by the lighting.

Scene 3: The Room Of Roots

The Room Of Roots that I imagine is one that appears to have a elevated, hulking tree in the centre that branches off across the room and has imbedded itself into the environment. This scene will contain a sense of eeriness, yet a sense of life with the light shining above the scene.

Scene 1: Thumbnails

Scene 2: Thumbnails

Scene 3: Thumbnails