Saturday 26 April 2014

Behind the Scenes: The Usual Suspects Pt III

So, who is this man?



We only know him as 'the Assassin', and he is a dangerous man.  His name does not show up on our records anywhere.  Neither do we know where he is operating out of, or who he answers to.  He first appeared in July 2012, involved in a stairwell shooting incident.


Later, he was tracked to involvement in a number of clandestine deals involving others who are known to us.




We also know that he has been responsible for a number of 'disappearances' and the body count that follows him, under other circumstances, might be called impressive.




Under no circumstances should he be approached; instead call it in and back-up will be sent immediately.  


Stay tuned, and join the adventure! 

Shadow Laughter schedule: 
Tuesday - trailer
Thursday, Saturday, Monday - Episode posts
Sunday - Blog








Another Fine Mess!

Music by Radium88  www.radium88.net

www.facebook.com/ShadowLaughter

Sunday 20 April 2014

Behind the Scenes: Surveillance Report

Lately, it has been exciting to work with musician-friend,Tim.  (Could that be him guesting in our current episode?)  Tim set our recent animated sequence to music, (http://shadowlaughter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/frantic-moments-retitled.html)and is currently working on a second setting for another animated sequence, so look out for that in the near future!  Here are a couple of the stills in question:




The animated sequences were not pre-planned as such, but were considered more as a series of still photos were the action is less overtly dramatic or action-driven, but more subtle and nuanced.

The animations are quite jerky, and this quality is appealing as it references early movies.  We are fans of one particular early comedy double act, and any eagle-eyed visitor to our facebook page will have spotted a reference through our 'stage names' of Laurel and Marty.  In fact, we have sometimes borrowed titles from Laurel and Hardy movies to use for own episodes. 

Also look out for further compilations of our images.  Having amassed a considerable back-catalogue, we are in the habit of selecting pictures from various episodes that work together in other contexts.  For example, 'Lost Air Time' drew on several episodes and formed a collection about surveillance.
http://shadowlaughter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/lost-air-time-pt-iii.html  The title was also a reference to the search for missing aircraft MH-370.  Other compilations may work more in formal ways, for example, including strong vertical elements in the images.


Stay tuned, and join the adventure! 

Shadow Laughter schedule: 
Tuesday - trailer
Thursday, Saturday, Monday - Episode posts
Sunday - Blog





Sunday 13 April 2014

Behind the Scenes: Still Life with Mystery!

Our background in art informs both our individual work and our collaboration in Shadow Laughter.  In this post, the focus is on our use of the still life motif. It recurs from time to time, and in different contexts.

The first example of still life, is from this early episode, where the desperate character is interacting with a careful arrangement of alcoholic beverages and important documents.  The fan was cropped out and only appears in the final edit as a shadow.  In fact, the position of the shadows became important in the arranging of the objects. 


In the 'sequel' to that episode, we used still life to suggest a disturbance, perhaps a burglary or an unwarranted search.


In a later episode, we returned to still life, but this time on a table.  Here, we suggested the idea of a heist or burglary of some description.  Has it happened or is it yet to take place?


You may spot a Raymond Chandler book amongst the arrangement of objects... 

Later still, we used the idea of still life as the rendez-vous for an encounter.  In this set-up, we had actually eaten a meal together, and mostly left the remains in place.  One or two additional items were carefully placed, and we included some shots from unusual angles in the final edit.


Below, is a rather 'extended' still life.  In another heist-planning scenario, everyday objects, including toys, are used to represent architectural features as the characters rehearse how the job will play out.


Keep on the lookout for further use of still life in forthcoming episodes!

Stay tuned, and join the adventure. 

Shadow Laughter schedule: 
Tuesday - trailer
Thursday, Saturday, Monday - Episode posts
Sunday - Blog



Sunday 6 April 2014

Behind the Scenes: Soundtrack to Mystery!

Shadow Laughter enthusiasts may be less aware that there is a youtube slide-show of our images, entitled 'What Lies in the Shadows?'.  The slide-show is enhanced by a brilliant soundtrack, composed and played by Tim Thwaites.  Tim is mainly known for his work in Nottingham-based band Radium 88, but he plays in a number of other bands, too.

Follow the link to enjoy the Shadow Laughter slide-show: