Art of

The Sound Collector

by Jack White

Introduction

For my minor and major project in my third year I have

chosen to continue with the adaptation of the poem The
Sound Collector by Roger McGough, into a short
animation. This work began in my second year for the
Adaptation B project, where I focused on designing and
modelling the character of The Sound Collector. I also
created an animated storyboard for the intended
animation.
As I rebooted the project at the beginning of my third
year, I revisited the design of The Sound Collector
character. I also reworked the storyboard as I began to
design and build the interior of the house where the
animation takes place.

Page 1

Poem Adaptation
The Sound Collector
A stranger called this morning
Dressed all in black and grey
Put every sound into a bag
And carried them away
The
The
The
The

whistling of the kettle

turning of the lock
purring of the kitten
ticking of the clock

This is the poem I chose

to adapt. It has a simple
rhythm and does not go
into great detail about
the character or the
environment where this
takes place. This left it
completely open to
interpretation and
allowed a lot of creative
freedom.

The popping of the toaster

The crunching of the flakes
When you spread the marmalade
The scraping noise it makes
The hissing of the frying pan
The ticking of the grill
The bubbling of the bathtub
As it starts to fill
The drumming of the raindrops
On the windowpane
When you do the washing-up
The gurgle of the drain
The
The
The
The

crying of the baby

squeaking of the chair
swishing of the curtain
creaking of the stair

A stranger called this morning

He didnt leave his name
Left us only silence
Life will never be the same
Poem by Roger McGough

Page 2

Influences for The Sound Collector Character

When I began designing The Sound Collector, these

particular characters and uniforms were very influencial
in the overall look of the character.
The character Mr Mackay from the television series
Porridge and Blakey from On the Buses were both
used in the design of the sound collectors face. The film
Brazil and the exterminator from the film Mouse Hunt
were useful references for objects associated with the
character. Vintage postman uniforms were very influencial
in the design of the characters uniform.
Page 3

Early Concept Work for The Sound Collector Character

Page 4

Early Concept Work for The Sound Collector Character

(continued)

Page 5

Concept Work for The Sound Collector Character

Page 6

Modelling Work for The Sound Collector Character

Orthographic image for modelling

The Sound Collector

Page 7

Textured and Rigged model of The Sound Collector

Character

Page 8

Reworking the Concept of The Sound Collector Character

After revisiting the design of

the characters face at the start
of the minor project, I
concluded that the addition of a
stubble would help give the
audience more information about
this character. The reason being
that this character has worked on
this job for many years and as
such he has grown weary and has
begun to care less about his
appearance.

Page 9

Remodelling The Sound Collector Character

The only major change I

made to the model of the
character was the shape
of his chin. I felt that
it could be improved and
that a rounder chin shape
would better reflect the
revised concept.

Page 10

Paper Style and Texture Testing

Another major
change I made was
to opt for a
pencil drawn on
paper look for
the style and
texture of the
character.

As such I created a simple kettle

prop to test different
thicknesses and techniques, so
that I could achieve the optimum
look for the textures in my
animation. I also used a bump map
to complete the illusion that it
is drawn on paper.
Page 11

Second Textured and Rigged model of The Sound Collector

Character

Page 12

Early Concept Work for the Sound Contraption

The contraption used by The Sound Collector to

collect sounds was intially inspired by the illustrations
of Heath Robinson. I wanted to create something that
would appear dull and monotonous but also bizarre and
fantastical.

Page 13

Concept Work for the Sound Contraption

Orthographic image for modelling

the Sound Contraption

Page 14

Textured and Rigged Model of the Sound Contraption

Page 15

Influences for the Environment Style Design

When I began designing the environment for the animation,

I found Raymond Briggs illustration work particularly
influencial as I opted for a similar pencil drawn style.
I also found the 1975 TV series Paddington very useful.
It was an appropriate reference as the setting I decided
on for the animation was a late 1970s British home,
inhabited by a couple and their baby.

Page 16

House Environment Layout

Page 17

House Environment Concepts

Page 18

House Environment Concepts (continued)

Page 19

House Environment Model Render 1

Page 20

House Environment Model Render 2

Page 21

House Environment Model Render 3

Page 22

House Environment Model Render 4

Page 23

House Environment and The Sound Collector Render

Page 24

House Environment Hallway and Baby Room Progress Renders

Page 25

House Environment Model Overall Setup Render

Complex environment texture maps

Page 26

Animation Storyboard First Version

Page 27

Animation Storyboard First Version (continued)

Page 28

Animation Storyboard Final Version

Page 29

Animation Storyboard Final Version (continued)

Page 30