Film Noir Motion Graphics Project: Gaslight (1944) Reimagined Through Hand-Drawn Cel Animation
For my motion graphics project, I reimagined the 1944 film Gaslight using hand-drawn cel animation combined with modern After Effects techniques. The film’s psychological thriller narrative, where Paula (Ingrid Bergman) is manipulated by her husband, Gregory (Charles Boyer), provided rich material to explore themes of emotional abuse and confusion.
I focused on visually portraying Paula’s mental breakdown and the manipulation she endures. The design was inspired by classic film noir, using dark, high-contrast visuals with muted colors and sharp shadows. I incorporated subtle background effects and distortions through After Effects to represent Paula’s distorted perception of reality.
The animation’s fluid and surreal movements reflected the growing disorientation Paula felt, while the overall atmosphere remained tense and unsettling. Although I didn’t create the audio, the selected music and sound design perfectly complemented the visuals, heightening the emotional intensity of the piece.
This combination of traditional hand-drawn animation and modern digital techniques allowed me to create a fresh, engaging interpretation of Gaslight, capturing its psychological tension for a modern audience.
