The project is based on an extract from an old novel. There are a number of elements to look at in order to determine the history, emotion, and feel of the story.
"The room was void and unquickened; it was a room in a shop window but larger and emptier, and the middle aged man who sat at the desk had never thought to impress himself upon what he entered every day. Comfort was there none nor discomfort; only did the occupant deign to qualify the pure neutrality of his surroundings, it would surely be austerity that would emerge. The spring sunshine turned bleak and functional as it passed the plate glass of the tall-uncurtained windows.
The windows were large; the big desk lay islander in a creeping parallelogram of light; across this and before the eyes of the man sitting motionless passed slantwise and slowly a massive shaft of shadow.
Perhaps twenty times it passed to and fro, as if outside some great joy wheel oscillating idly in a derelict amusement park. Ad the man rose, clasped hands behind him and walked to a window - high up in New Scotland Yard. He looked out and war time London lay beneath ... on his brow was a fixed contraction, this he had carried from desk to window, and now there was neither hardening nor relaxation as he looked out... during 15 years he controlled the file of police papers which dealt with the abduction and subsequent history of feeble minded girls. Here lay his anger as he looked out over London... year by year the anger had burst deeper until in was now the innermost principle of the man." - The Daffodil Affair
Notes on questions:
If this were to be made into a film what would the main character be like?
I recently watched a film called "the Flock" with Richard Gere who was a burned out detective trying to solve issues relating to missing women and sex offenders. Middle aged, greying, tired, frustrated and angry. This is how I see him
What clothes would the character be wearing?
Definitely a suit. Police investigators back in the 40s wore suits. Possibly a hat as well
What furniture is in the main area in which the action takes place?
The office contained a desk in the middle of the room and I would expect there to be files, possibly a second chair for visitors, a typewriter and a phone but very little else.
Visual Reference:
The original bookjackets for this novel didn't give much of an impression of the story line, but I have included them for reference:
My storyboard relates more to the time line. Even thought the author called it New Scotland Yard, it was still in the old buildings. During this period,Many novelists have adopted fictional Scotland Yard detectives as the heroes or heroines of their stories. John Creasey's stories featuring George Gideon are amongst the earliest police procedurals. Commander Adam Dalgliesh, created by P. D. James, and Inspector Richard Jury, created by Martha Grimes are notable recent examples. A somewhat more improbable example is Baroness Orczy's aristocratic female Scotland Yard detective Molly Robertson-Kirk, known as Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. Agatha Christie's numerous mystery novels often referenced Scotland Yard, most notably in her Hercule Poirot series.
During the 1930s, there was a short-lived pulp magazine called variously Scotland Yard, Scotland Yard Detective Stories or Scotland Yard International Detective.- Wikipedia
Textural and Colouristic visuals
Because most of the media, photography etc were in black and white during that time frame, I believe the basic drawings should be in black and white, despite that it was spring. I like the grungy brick and rust effects as well.
There is a very sinister feel to this underlying the calm study of the policeman looking out the window. Does he see red? Is it more complicated, like a nest of snakes?
Words to consider:
Shadows
Long windows
War time London
Scotland Yard
Police papers
Abductions
One word that comes to mind on reading the text is frustration. Although there is anger, frustration is the underlying theme. 15 years of doing the same job and probably getting nowhere most of the time.
The sketches of the man looking out over London are not dramatic enough and need something more to make you look and wonder about why he is at the window and what is he looking at or is he just reflecting on his thoughts. I read that Old Scotland Yard back in the 40's was still overlooking the clock tower. I've had to use my imagination here as I have not been able to find any good reference as to what the view would have been.
Re-reading the story describes London during the war. The idea of war works well as a metaphor for what is happening within the man himself... battling his anger.
