Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1061165
T H E N U T C R A C K E R | P E R S P E C T I V E 1 2 5 Dean Sherriff Key Concept Artist I started with developing Clara's entry point into the Christmas snow forest via a hollow fallen tree. This was the first moment this world is seen, so the key here was to set the mood and tone of the scene and to be magical and at the same time, naturalistic. I continued from there into the developing the Fourth Realm as the cavalry moved toward the fairgrounds. The silhouetted shapes of the fairgrounds in this view and the foreboding cool values contrasted by the red toadstools made this concept an effective image to capture the essence of the Fourth Realm. Mother Ginger's tent is situated in these abandoned fairgrounds. The tent is bathed in warm light, contrasting with the rest of the deserted grounds. Guy conceived of the tent as a giant opulent marionette of Mother Ginger. The concept for the exterior was powerful and haunting, lit from within with the warm up- light on the giant marionette to give the image a theatrical effect. The interior concept for Mother Ginger's tent was developed in warm colors, vintage fabrics and props. Chandeliers were added to light the interior, and old circus tents and how they were lit were studied to keep it in that period. The overall feel was to be magical, theatrical and surreal. G E. MOTHER GINGER WAS CONCEIVED AS A GIANT ELIZABETHAN- STYLE MARIONETTE, CONTROLLED FROM WITHIN THE TORSO BY THE 'REAL LIFE' MOTHER GINGER. THIS KEPT TRUE TO THE BALLET, HAVING A GIANT CHARACTER WITH A TENT-LIKE DRESS THAT WAS HOME FOR THE POLICHINELLES. MOTHER GINGER USES A VICTORIAN ERA ORGAN TO CONTROL THE ENORMOUS MARIONETTE. DIGITAL ART BY DEAN SHERRIFF. F. THE FULL-SCALE MOTHER GINGER WAS BUILT AS A 25-FOOT STRUCTURE AND HAD BLINKING EYES AND AN ARTICULATING MOUTH. SHE WAS MOUNTED ON VARIOUS TRACKS ABOVE THE FOREST AND FAIRGROUND SETS TO ENABLE HER TO TRAVEL AROUND. THE LONG, THIN ARMS AND CABLE REMOVAL WERE ACHIEVED WITH THE HELP OF VISUAL EFFECTS. G. MOTHER GINGER'S SKIRT INTERIOR WAS A SEPARATE SET. IT HAD A CENTRAL POLE THAT COULD FOLD UP LIKE AN INVERTED UMBRELLA. PHOTOS BY LINUS SANDGREN. E F