Unit Evaluation

I really enjoyed the ‘New Elizabethans’ project, but I loved this project. I have always loved theatre and art, so I was really excited when I found out that this project enabled me to combine them both.

I always find it interesting learning about different eras and their beauty ideals, so I really got into the first part of this project. I had only ever really learnt about the Victorians in primary school, so it was really good to extend my knowledge and learn about their fascination with death. I found the Victorians to be quite boring and dull at school, but there is a lot more to this era than I previously thought. I had never read a classic Victorian gothic novel, and this unit gave me an excuse to do so. I chose Wuthering Heights, and I absolutely loved it- I really enjoyed all of the research as well as the designing. I was fascinated by the section of the book where Cathy ‘haunts’ Heathcliff, and wanted to create a look that portrays a mid-way point between reality and how Heathcliff sees her- perfectly beautiful as she was before she died. I kept the look quite simple for the continuity assessment, but I am really happy with what I have created.

I was even more excited about the second part of this unit, creating my own characters to fit into a horror series. I chose to study American Horror story ‘freak show’, as it was completely twisted and very quirky. I have always loved the makeup design in American Horror story, so this was another factor that helped my decision. I initially had to force myself to watch it as I found it to be absolutely terrifying, but I have now begun to watch the other seasons as I enjoyed ‘freak show’ so much. I chose the characters Claudia and Quentin, with ‘red rave’ being my inspiring word for Claudia and ‘save us’ being Quentin’s.  In my design, Claudia was a neglected soul who had developed psychotic tendencies, and loved to torture her imaginary boyfriend, Quentin. I loved creating make-up and hair designs to portray this. I had so much fun with part of the unit. I loved the first part too, but I feel like we had so much more creative freedom with the second part.

I have really enjoyed the technical lessons with sue, too. I discovered that special effects is definitely my forte, I can’t wait to specialise in it next year and expand my skill set. This term has taught me that I definitely want to work in film and TV in the future. I found creating my own characters to be very exciting and I am proud of what I have achieved this term. I am very passionate about combining my love for theatre and art and can’t wait to continue doing so when I return next year.

A favourite from the shoot...

I know that the photos we submit of our characters have to be seperate images of them individually, but as I did both of my models make up in the same morning, I wanted to photograph them together too. I wanted to create a sort of creepy, American horror story ad inspired image. I previously mentioned that i was hoping to get some eary images in the woods, but unfortunately it was raining!! So I ended up shooting at my cousins house (as she was my model). They live in an old cottage with a couple of creepy spots. They have old floorboards throughout their house, so I ask both of my models to lay down facing opposite ways with the heads next to each other. I was really pleased with the result as i think it portrayed their relationship and the control Claudia has over Quentin.

I love this image and although i wasn't able to use it for my final submission, i had to post it on here as i didn't want it to go to waste!

Final images: Quentin

These are my final images of my chosen character, Quentin. I wanted to create a look to portray his abusive relationship with Claudia. Claudia locks him away in their trailer on site of the freak show circus. He is rarely allowed outside- Claudia wants him all to herself. This is why i began with a pale base, to show a lack of sun and food.

I decided to do just one black eye, as in my other designs i felt there was too much bruising and i wanted something a bit more subtle. I used an old paintbrush to splatter blood (which was so much fun) but i didnt add a wound to indicate where the blood came from. I did this to add a bit of mystery to the character.. is the blood his? is it Claudia's? or maybe one of the freaks was caught in one of the brawls? This is why i chose to dress him in a white t-shirt, as the blood would look more effective.

I feel that i got a bit over excited with my Claudia character and could have put a bit more work into Quentin- Looking back at these pictures i can see things i would change about my design. I would definitely add some more bruises, maybe to the neck/chest area to create some balance.

Final images: Claudia

Final images: Claudia

 Here are my final images of Claudia. We had planned to shoot in the woods, but unfortunately it was raining so we had to work with what we had at home.I am really pleased with the overall look, I feel that the hair, make up and clothing worked together really well. Im pleased with the character i have created.

I used the word 'red rave' to inspire this chaotic character- so this is why there is a theme of red in my design. As well as applying to my word, it matches the circus theme, too. 'Freak show' is set in America in 1952, so i wanted an outfit that looked as if it was worn in a 50s circus. I wanted red to be the main colour, preferably with white polkadots- for an ironically cute look. I searched many charity shops and then ended up using this jumpsuit, which was my aunty's in the 80s! Despite the fact it was from the 80s, it is a very classic style and worked really well for my 50s circus theme.

I loved doing the hair for this as it was a really fun look. I pinned the buns in and then pulled certain areas for a more feral look, as i feel that it suited my character. The make up was fun too, im glad i had a chance to practice before hand as the spikes were really tricky- it was hard to get them both symmetrical and even. This time i immediately powdered the spikes using a small brush to prevent the product from running. Even with a generous amount of powder, the supra colour still moved due to the heat from the eyes. I just had to keep retouching it throughout the shoot.

I had a lot of fun creating this character and i cant wait to take on similar projects in the future!

Hair design for claudia/ hair lesson with third year student

In a recent hair lesson, we had a third year student teaching us as Helen was away. She taught us how to do this jester/joker inspired look for a female model.

This was the image that inspired it:

We did the look on our Katy dolls, and began by brushing the hair through. We created a zig-zag parting with the end of our pintail combs. We then put the two sections into two pigtails. Then we began to curl the pigtails, doing small sections at a time. Once all the hair was curled, we backcombed the hair to create extra texture and volume. The final step was to pin the hair into two big messy buns. I really liked this look and im going to use what i did today to inspire my design! I feel like this is perfect for a circus inspired design.

Above are the images of my work from the lesson.

Products/tools used:

• Brush
• Pintail comb
• hairbands
• Curling tongs
• Hair grips

Practising SFX

As I have been enjoying this unit so much, I have been practising special effects make up. I was given a bit of extra money a couple of months ago and i decided to spend it on new materials for my kit.

I watched a few tutorials on slit necks ( as we havent touched on them in class yet) and had a play. I struggled to get the cinewax to work for this, so i used liquid latex instead. I did four layers of latex, covering most of my neck, drying with a cool hairdryer between every layer. I then used a pair of tweezers to pull and cut out the shape of the wound. - *side note* i practiced the same technique a second time and left myself with bruises from the latex pulling on my skin. Luckily, I discovered this from practicing on myself. An alternative method that i found to be very useful was to draw the wound shape on the neck before applying the latex, and then layer the latex avoiding the wound shape. To create the flappy skin that you get from just pulling with tweezers, take a baby bud with latex remover and tease the latex away from the skin. You actually have more control over the latex doing it this way, and it is pain free.

Once happy with the latex base, i powdered with translucent powder which automatically makes it look more flesh like. I then coloured the inside of the wound with the brighter red from my supracolour pallete. Then i created depth by using the darker red, purples and black around the edges, and even lifted the latex and coloured underneath to create a really deep cut.

Once happy with the colour, i took a mix of reds on a stipple sponge to create irritated/raised skin around the wound. I then filled the wound with krayolan wound filler and blood for extra gore!

I also practised cuts on the wrist using the same techniques we learnt with sue in class. This was because i wasnt happy with what i did in lesson time and wanted to improve my skills. I know nither images are perfect but im happy with my progress so far.

Gothic runway makeup