Frankenstein’s Monster Thesis

Concept project for a film.

I have always believed that film can create worlds that show us something about ours. Horror movies, especially, tend to use the monster as a vehicle to present larger ideas about society. For my thesis, I created a concept package for a black and white Frankenstein film that serves as a metaphor for the transgender experience of being born in the wrong body. The horror of getting trapped in flesh that doesn’t feel like your own can lead to a loss of identity and dysmorphia. Unfortunately, on top of dealing with this, society often demonizes trans people. The United States is seeing a rise in fascism, which has led to bigotry taking root. The judgment the monster faces simply for existing, matches the increased hate queer communities are experiencing in America. The events in my film will demonstrate how fascist societies poison people’s minds, leading to the destruction of not only the targets of oppressive policies but also those who choose to uphold these regulations.

Digital Painting & Video

Promo Image

Victor Frankenstein

A government scientist whose work later gets rejected
Clothing is designed with the same geometric qualities as the architecture. It is meant to be restrictive and uncomfortable to wear.
Design is based on traditional Victorian aprons.

Full Costume Render

Makeup Sketches

Costume Sketches

The “Monster”

A poor soul trapped within the wrong body, and is constantly going through an identity crisis.
Welds, especially around the chest area, are meant to invoke imagery of top surgery scars.
In some cultures, the left side of the body represents femininity, so the body parts on the left are more muscular, showing that side of them being stronger.

Full Costume Render

Makeup Sketches

Costume Sketches

The City

Run by a fascist government
Emblem is based on a lancetfish, which is known to be very cannibalistic.
Brutalism is the architectural style of the city
Cannibalism is a widespread practice

Government Emblem

Government Run Torso Vendor

Common Meat Market Stand

The Laboratory

Represents a place of birth, a place in between life and death
A mixture of the city’s brutalist design, along with round and organic shapes
Room is shaped like the top view of a pelvis, making it a birthing canal

Lab Environment Art

Birthing Room Closeup

Lab Line Art

Lab Thumbnails

Chair Sketches

Scene: The Birth

Birthed during an eclipse, the monster is brought into a cruel world. The eclipse is used as an allegory for the gender identity crisis the monster is going through. The moon, a feminine symbol, placed inside the sun, a masculine symbol. A white owl can also be seen during this scene. The creature, which embodies knowledge and inner wisdom, is being trapped inside this flesh cage, leading to a crisis of not knowing who they are.

Scene Visualizer

Beat Board

Scene Visualizer Sketch

Scene Visualizer Thumbnails

Scene Visualizer Thumbnails

Scene: Family Troubles

This sequence showcases the family dynamic in the film. Victor continues to take his frustrations out on his creation. Here we see that it is Victor’s anger that’s the true monster of the film. His monstrous behavior will drive his family away from him.

Scene Visualizer

Beat Board

Scene Visualizer Sketch

Scene Visualizer Thumbnail

3D Lighting Reference

Scene: Exploration

This sequence is where the monster goes out to explore not only themselves but the city. Here, we really see their loss of identity and inner turmoil start to intensify. This sequence also gives a glimpse of what the society is like in regards to their harsh judgment and cannibalistic practices.

Beat Board

Scene: Awakening

The sequence features the monster going through an identity crisis, with them finally finding relief at the end. Their identity is no longer trapped, and they can be who they really are. Being the climax, it references many symbols and scenes from earlier in the film.

5.1 Surround Sound Mix. Best watched with surround sound system, headphones, or earphones.

Animatic