Pulcinello is a lyrical story based in the tradition of the Comedia del Arte of Italy. It is about a clown who discovers a chianti bottle and drowns more than his sorrows with it. With this project I wanted to accomplish several goals conceptually and technically. Conceptually, I wanted to find a way to connect with my Italian heritage and reflect on my travels to Venice. Technically I wanted to combine the ancient tradition of the Comedia del Arte with the technology of digital 3D animation. I wanted to combine the masks and décor of the classic comedia archetype with the capabilities and technology of computer animation.
All along I wanted to tell a story that went deeper into the subconscious and still have surface humor that can be easily digested. I started explore metaphors and introduced surreal elements like the Chianti bottle in a perpetual consumption of the main character, Pulcinello. In order to emphasize the main characters vulnerability I wanted to create an alter ego and developed a trickster type character who was the complete opposite of Pucli. I felt that Harlequin who was thin, demonic, and possessed a certain supernatural quality, was that character.
To support the visual elements I needed to invest a certain amount of time and resources musically. I went to a trusted source and hired a composer who I have worked with for over seven years on numerous projects. We both share the same philosophy in terms of utilizing traditional music and musicians instead of synthesizers and pre recorded stock CD samples. I feel through this collaboration, the music will help create a profound and rich story.
