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Tara McNally

BA [Hons] 3D Design Modelmaking + Digital Art

As a child, Tara always had a love for art and anything creative. This passion continues to influence her throughout her life and combined with her love for film, it ultimately led her to pursue a career in model making which in turn guided her to attend Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology where she is currently studying 3D design, modelmaking and digital art. Unfortunately, due to covid 19 last year Tara’s work experience was cut short. However, the little time she spent in her work placement was still a great experience. She plans to continue learning and gaining more experience and make connections in this industry.

For my design of the carriage, I originally planned to do a double-seated carriage as you can see in the mood boards. However, I changed the design to a single-seat carriage as I felt this design add more character. The mood board is based entirely on a clip from Darby O'Gill in which the death carriage emerges. I drew the carriage on paper and then drew over it on AutoCAD after I had an outline drawn on AutoCAD, I downloaded an app called IBIS paint, to add colour and texture to the drawing.

Making a prototype helped give an idea of how to construct the carriage. Through producing the prototype, it became evident that there would be a few issues, such as the curve of the outer body causing trouble for the door. It also let me test out different types of axles that could be used for the carriage.

A large bulk of the work was drawing up plans for the carriage frame, and all the parts of the carriage on AutoCAD. After I had everything drawn, I had to organize it to do so. I created a border of 600 x 450 this is the dimensions of the laser cutter. I carefully organized the drawings to match the thickness of different plyboard. I did this by associating different colours with different sizes. Red is 6 mm thick, yellow being 4mm and finally purple being 1.5 mm and anything cyan or green represented engravings. Each panel was then separated into the new file and imported into illustrator.

Before the break for Easter, I got the frame laser cut and I had to wait through to Easter for the rest of the laser cuts. They got delivered to my house, this took around a week and a half, so for most of the time, all I could do was work on building the frame, while I waited for rest to come. Eventually, when I get the rest of the cuts I realized I had gaps in the windows indoors underwear, there was also a few mistakes and forgotten bits, so I found myself back on the computer.

To build the driver's seat, I had the pieces laser cut out, and started to assemble. I originally had multiple slots in which I could cover with an outer layer. However, this did not work well and would not stay in place. To fix this I tucked the inner panels and glued them to the outer panels, giving a ledge for the wood to rest on. I continue to clamp and glue the rest of the parts together.

I started by cutting sponge to the size of the seat cushions. I then cut cardboard to be used as the base. I previously got pins and paint, I painted the pinheads to match the fabric. I was going to use these as seat holsters to get a nice design. I then used other types of pins to hold the back of the fabric and attach it to the cardboard so it may be adjusted. I then started trying to create my diamond pattern design. I folded the fabric at first but at times it looked a bit too much, as it was a bit too obvious looking. It took me a while to get it looked the way I wanted it, but I eventually got there. I decided to do the bottom cushion, the part in which the puppet would sit. I decided to go with a simpler design there's a lot of sofas with these types of designs. Yet, they either have no holsters at the bottom or sometimes have a few. I decided to go with a square pattern, when I was happy with the pattern, I then clipped the pins and used hot glue to cover them, this made them more firm and less sharp. I then start to make the curtains at first the curtains were going to be neat tidy. However, I experimented with other curtains and I thought the more raggedy curtains looked nicer. To produce these curtains, I would cut wire mesh and glue the fabric to the mesh. I would then fold it into shape and then take another piece of fabric I would tear it, rip it shreds, and make it look ragged. I would then glue it on top of did the neat curtains. I then decided to make a box that covers the top of the curtains, this box would be pleated and will also look old and raggedy. I didn't mind glue stains as I taught the colour difference made it look dirtier and more raggedy. However, now I'm a bit concerned that the sofa is a bit too neat compared to the curtains.

The back wheels: There was a mistake made on the cutting of the axle. Rod did not fit correctly, as it was too big. To fix the issue, I used spare pieces of wood, to fit it in place.

For the windows, first I made a window box, in which I can insert window panels and plexiglass. I had multiple laser cuts of the window, which I glued together and cut into shape to make the inside curve with the body. I inserted the panels of plexiglass and then finished by covering them with the outer frame. Which I made by sanding and curving the edges. Once the windows were finished, I then inserted the under panel uncovered with the outer wall.

Now that the main body is built out, I started making and painting the small details such as the lights, axles, railings etc. I first sanded then primed each piece, and then spray painted them gold. I then went over each piece with darker gold, and dry brushed it on once the small details were done. I then proceeded to attach the wheels, to the carriage for the back axle. I tact and glued the back on. While for the front I drilled two holes through the bottom of the seat, and adjusted the front axle to the right height, and glued it into place from the inside of the seat.

I struggling to figure out how to get the door to open and shut. I got rid of the thicker parts and going for a thinner door. I tried curving the door and attaching the door to the body, by indenting a place for the hinges and glueing the hinges on the door. In the place, however, this did not work as the hinges were too small to fix this problem. I ended up the insert and a nail through the bottom, and the top of the door so it had a pivot point.

I finished off this project by wiring up the lights and glueing them to the carriage. I also added the front seat cushions with the railings around the seat. I also created a stand to set the base of the body on which is used for removing the front of the carriage to access the interior. On my YouTube channel, you will see videos demonstrating the movement, accessibility and a 360 view of the carriage. There is a YouTube hyperlink at the top and bottom of the page.

Project Description

This project is a stop motion it is based on The Death Coach in Darby O Gill. In Irish folklore, a death coach arrives when someone has died. It is driven by a headless horseman, it has four black horses pulling up front, and a coffin in the back. It will rumble through the streets of villages and where it stops is an omen of death. The coach must return with at least one soul on board that soul cannot escape its final destination. The Irish believed that the gated areas must be open, for the coach to pass. That if you see the coach, it would mean death for you or a loved one. (Donnelly).

Thesis Title

This thesis explores the ways in which parody is played out through animation. This paper begins by introducing the reader to the concept of transtextuality and explores the ways in which parody adapts from transtextuality. This section relies on readings from Julia Kristeva and Gärard Genette to introduce the reader to the concept of intertextuality and the multiple transtextualities. Once the basic understanding of transtexualities is established this paper then moves onto looking at the parodic forms and exploring how transtextuality is used in these parodic forms. This section will also introduce animation as a medium and will explore why animation and parody work well together. For this section, the paper will discuss how animation is under appreciated as a medium and how this lack of appreciation has both pros and cons. The section will then move on to discuss Scott McCloud’s concept of amplification through simplification. To finish this thesis the final chapter is a case study looking at The Simpsons and its approach to parody. For this section, the paper highlights the importance TV plays throughout the series as well looking in more depth one particular episode which uses the TV to produce a parody as well as two small studies on the Treehouse of Horrors episodes.

2021 2022 2023 2024

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