Shadow Laughter is a collaboration between artists Hamish Marr and Martin Pearson. They exploit the visual language of film noir to create scenarios of mystery and intrigue. These scenarios are populated by a range of characters portrayed by the artists and occasionally by others. Episodes go out on facebook on a Thursday evening, and on this blog on a Friday. 'Viewers' are invited to leave comments which may influence or direct the forthcoming episodes. Join the adventure!
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Monday, 30 March 2015
Sunday, 29 March 2015
Behind the Scenes: A Shut and Open Case!
Back in November 2012, we posted the episode 'Sinister Exchange', in which a small wooden case was handed over in exchange for something in an envelope.
Stay tuned, and join the adventure!
www.facebook.com/ShadowLaughter
For that particular shoot, we used a simple table-top space, and some very close-up, intimate lighting. What we didn't do on that occasion, and not until now, three years later, was to reveal the contents of the case.
The case has a second lid and then is sectioned off into irregular compartments with plywood walls. I acquired the case many years ago, as a young man helping out over the summer in my uncle's furniture shop. My Dad made the lid and the compartments and replaced the exterior fittings too. I have used it to store small artefacts and documents that trigger memories from earlier years. One such artefact is this Italian-design melamine light switch, kept in a small plastic bag (above). Shot from this angle, it looks like a face peering out from the shadows.
The rubber gloves are not a usual feature in the case, but were added this time for effect. In this particular light, they give a Batman-style texture to the image, which we like.
We've used masks more than once, but this one seems particularly sinister. It is made simply from a brown paper bag with some torn-out eye holes and string taped on the back. The idea came from a news item I saw, advertising a 'museum of murder', where artefacts from crimes are to be displayed. Here's a link to the image that struck me.
We include the other artefacts to extend the narrative ideas. Make of them what you will!
Shadow Laughter schedule:
Tuesday - trailer
Thursday, Saturday, Monday - Episode posts
Sunday - Blog
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Friday, 27 March 2015
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Monday, 23 March 2015
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Behind the Scenes: Luna Tunes?
Following on from last week's cartoon-inspired mystery, we used a back projection referencing the Looney Toons title background. The radiating circles could also reference the stellar event of the week - the partial eclipse of the sun - experienced over Britain.
Our featured characters each have their weaknesses; drink and money, and here we see them falling for both.
Stay tuned, and join the adventure!
www.facebook.com/ShadowLaughter
Our featured characters each have their weaknesses; drink and money, and here we see them falling for both.
However, it's also something of a frame-up.
Just what exactly is going on? Maybe Monday's instalment will make things clearer.....perhaps......maybe.
Stay tuned, and join the adventure!
Shadow Laughter schedule:
Tuesday - trailer
Thursday, Saturday, Monday - Episode posts
Sunday - Blog
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Friday, 20 March 2015
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
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