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How to illustrate inanimate objects coming to life?

44 replies

threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:01

I went back to uni in September, and I'm doing an assessed presentation in college tomorrow (eek!). I've nearly finished the slides, but I'm stuck on one.

I need an idea for an image that would illustrate inanimate objects coming to life.

I was thinking Toy Story, but that's not really what I want as it's about toys, and it's more everyday objects I'm on about.

I'm sure there must be lots of great kids stuff with images of things coming to life, but I've been working so hard I think I must be brain dead now, I just can't think anymore!

So following the great success yesterday where lots of lovely people reviewed my website assignment, it's over to you, oh wise mumsnetters, can you give me any inspiration?

I'd be really very grateful for any ideas.

TIA Smile

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southeastastra · 09/01/2011 13:01

um ooglies?

ednurse · 09/01/2011 13:02

Beauty and the beast? There's the wardrobe, tea cups, teapot, footstall, candlestick, clock etc.

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:03

I should say, I don't need to worry about copyright on the images as it's only going to be seen by my tutors, so it's fine to use films or TV or whatever.

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TheBigZing · 09/01/2011 13:03

Morph?

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:04

Beauty and the Beast, that's a good one, thanks. See I know you lot would know! Grin

What are ooglies?

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:06

Hee hee the ooglies look brilliant. They're a bit old for our house - we're still on cbeebies.

Are they all veg / fruit though? I need manmade stuff really.

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:06

Morph - now that takes me back Grin

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:08

Found a beauty and the Beast one here they look quite scary there! That's not how I remember them from when I was little!

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Snorbs · 09/01/2011 13:14

Might be worth a poke around at Worth 1000. It's a site that runs contests for illustrators. Eg this.

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:14

Can anyone think of any other (maybe Disney?) ones?

The wardrobe has scared me a little Grin

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:15

Cool site Snorbs, thanks Smile

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southeastastra · 09/01/2011 13:25

ooglies aren't just fruit and veg, but can't find any pictures of the other items which is a shame.

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:26

That's a shame, they'd be great. I'll have a look too.

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BalloonSlayer · 09/01/2011 13:28

Pinocchio?

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:29

You're right (of course) they're hard to find. If I had time I'd get some googley eyes, stick them to stuff at home and take pictures Grin

Time sadly is lacking. I swore I wouldn't leave it all till the last minute, but here I am!

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:35

BalloonSlayer, how appropriate your presence here is! I know that balloons have souls in your house, the poor wee things Sad

I love your description of your name. The image of you secretly slaying the balloons at night has stuck with me. I always think of it now when we have balloons. ("No one mentions the balloons. It is the kindest way" Grin Grin).

However, I'm not sure whether Pinocchio is literal enough. He becomes a boy, even though he's made of wood.

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threefeethighandrising · 09/01/2011 13:43

Window shop dummies could definitely work, thanks.

I would definitely need to balance it with something less scary too.

The point I'm making is about "ubiquitous computing" - computers are shrinking and in the near future it will be easy to have mini computers in pretty much everything. (All your white goods, packaging for consumables, most of the objects in your house, your heating system, your clothes etc).

Many of these chipped things will have the power to communicate with each other - and with you. I want to draw a brief parallel with animalism (traditional belief systems where things had souls) and this modern bringing to "life" of inaminate objects.

I don't however wish to scare my audience shitless! Well not too much anyway Grin .

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HattiFattner · 09/01/2011 13:50

terry pratchet: Rincewind's luggage

the scorcerers apprentice - the brooms

lord of the rings: ents. (and other tree people - eg green man)

The sorting hat in Harry Potter

YouCantTeuchThis · 09/01/2011 13:56

one of the scottish power providers does a series of ads with the hoover, kettle, washing machine, etc all animated.

I'll try and find something...

YouCantTeuchThis · 09/01/2011 14:02

one here

HattiFattner · 09/01/2011 14:20

the Pixar lamps.

HattiFattner · 09/01/2011 14:24

disney "cars" here

ThisIsANiceCage · 09/01/2011 14:31

I like the Sorcerer's Apprentice example, because I'm particularly unhappy with the new Smart Meter technology which is planned to be TWO-WAY. The power company plans to send messages to your Smart Meter turning your washing machine and freezer off at peak times.

You can see why they want to, but it's All Going to Go Horribly Wrong (think viruses and duff software updates which crash your laptop - but instead they crash your freezer... Or the Smart Meter itself. Shock Not so much inanimate objects coming to life, more the other way round...)