Sometimes ambition knows no bounds, or at least, very few bounds. I’d have to say this was the case with Tilted Windows an original series for Beecon, SCAD’s Student Television station.

Diag 1: Tilted Windows Website

Diag 2: Tilted Windows DVD

Diag 3: Tilted Windows Logo

Diag 4: Ange7s Logo

Diag 5: Naughty Bits Logo

We were looking for a show that we could produce once a month, something that wouldn’t necessarily have to have the same cast, so that students could come and go, and something that would be interesting. John Gholson and I came up with the concept for Tilted Windows, and it seemed like the best bet.

Guy named Brian gets a machine in the mail. He doesn’t know who sent it or why or what it even does. All he knows is there’s a device and there’s a helmet, and when he pushes the button, he’s able to leave his body. Small little ports, or ‘windows’ appear on the back of living creature’s heads, and all brian’s gotta’ do is swipe his hand passed them and zoom - he’s in control of that creature.

But his first experiment results in his taking control of his dog - a big “no-no” as a dog’s brain can’t handle the complexity of human consciousness. If only Brian had paid attention to the instructional video that came with the device.

Best laid plans…

Lots of stuff happened. four episodes were produce, out of a potential five, but ultimately, the project was just too much work. We’d didn’t think it would be that tough to do the rudimentary VSFX works we wanted, but as it turned out, that was a miscalculation. The first episode was completed, but the second episode never got a finished VSFX treatment. And Episode 3 makes no sense without 2, and Episode 4 needed one more scene shot to tie everything in together when the lead actress dropped out due to prior commitments.

So what stands is a very ambitious project that lots of people had fun on, but one we should have re-conceptualized to make easier to shoot. Oh well. Live and learn.

The Examples

Diagram 1: Website - While Beecon aired its content on the local Comcast Public Access channel, it also put its material out on the web. This site was built to showcase the episodes, as well as feature production diary’s from the different film making teams who were working on various episodes.

Diagram 2: DVD Cover - Since Episode 1 was the only finished episode, it’s the only one that got a DVD cover. With a photograph taken by Lesley Sullivan, the cover showed of Evan Watkin’s character, Brian Mathers, contemplating the ramifications of using a helmet that gives you 100% control of anyone you want. I chose to leave the cover logo free, and just have the glowing helmet (which I built) be the main punch.

Diagram 3: Tilted Windows Logo - I wanted a logo with a lot of life, a lot of fun, and a nice, free-flowing spirit to match the concepts that were going on in the show, with it’s “disembodied euphoria.”

Diagram 4: Ange7s Logo - The Device was officially called the Ange7s (pronounced like Angie-7-s). This logo was featured in the amazing instructional video animated by fellow SCAD student, Lauren Hemard. The video is exciting, fun, and gets to the point of what Brian should due to run the machine. Unfortunately, he just didn’t pay enough attention.

Diagram 5: Naughty Bits Logo - With Episode 4, Brian goes to a Victoria’s Secret style store called, ‘Naughty Bits’ and picks up a gift for Rebecca, his girlfriend. This is the logo that was featured on the bag he brought back.