Contemporary Image

Who is queen? Beyonce. Well thats the answer in this photograph and campaign aimed at fans for her o2 show a few years ago.

This image alone represents Beyonce in modern society she is a beautiful performer who is devoted by her crowd of fans. Who doesn't want to be Beyonce for the day? Everyone does. 

I find this entire campaign a bit of fun; the look within clothing and location screams regal yet what period? its a mix, a not to historically correct piece. Look at those jewels and big hair if you don't get something out of this that closely or remotely gives a nod to the Elizabethan era I'd ask you if you were looking at the same photograph.

This image represents a new and completely modern time.. compared to the Tutor age; a lovely mix of ethnicity. Beyonce completely juxtaposes Elizabethan beauty, darker skin toned, revealing outfit, makeup. If Elizabeth could witness this image she would probably declare it as witch craft.

The entire film is empowering pretty much of Beyonce not all music artists get a expensive advert promoting a few performances they are doing in London. Quite essentially British from its ideology this advert is aimed at the masses, generations from old to new that just appreciate or adore Beyonce. The referencing to Beyonce as a queen. The queen of pop.

My 5 years selfieeeeeee

A little exercise we were asked to create in fitting within our "If I could, I would" summer project of where we would like to be in 5 years this time took a turn within the selfie, portrait form.
My own portrait was created with a heap of my personal items in my room, 5 years time? we all have a vision but we're not physic. A goal is set in mind, maybe referred to a dream to some. But who said being a dreamer ever hurt anyone.

For me I've chosen the objects in the photo to represent different things that could be references to my "dream" goal whatever you want to call it.

The first object I'll write about is the heart board; I got this for one of my my 20th birthday presents which I took to uni being a september born I celebrated my 20th when I'd only been there for 3 days. anyway as a part of home I accessorised the board with things that are important to me. Featured from my summer was my Bestival ticket (which I will return to and take my children haha)
The whole board is just a collective of important things to me. My bestie, My boyfriend, My best furry pal honey the legendary boxer princess. All in my wildest dreams these people will be in my life in 5 years. They are a big importance in my existence.

Next I'm holding onto a little Elephant string that I brought in a market in Spain I added this because I want to explore. See the world and experience all that my time on earth can throw at me.

Clothes behind because who doesn't love clothes. Getting a new essential piece of clothing from the high street or a vintage store is like christmas every time. Worn and loved.

My family and friends are a giant wedge of me but so if the fact that I have my entire life ahead of me which hopefully will be filled with hopping from a city to the next or on a set in the middle of nowhere or half way up a mountain; though I know I will always return and have a loving home.

Digital Image Project

So not only at university have we been studying and researching for our main term project "THE NEW ELIZABETHANS" I know I know it'll be amazing, big hair and extenuated features; for another class called Digital Image we've had to create a small project all based on a chosen colour and its colour spectrum (all the shades within the colour)

Within the project we had to not only do the hair and makeup for our models but also the shooting within a proper photography studio using Hot shoes and lighting. So far in the project we've only had our practice shoot. Tomorrow is the finale.

A lot of researching was given to this project, our mentor gave us work to do from poses to facial charts (I love doing face charts)
This shoot had to look professional.

My colour is also brown, perfect for autumn.
I chose brown because its perfect for the season we're in but also the fact its so diverse Beiges to Chestnuts to even blacks.

These are the images from the test shoot, maybe after all the typing my eye sight is playing up because the bottom image is looking a tad yellowy which it actually isn't on the photo previews.

This shot was only for the preview as you can see my model has a white top though tomorrow I've decided on a simple brown coat to cover the shoulders and have a small bit of skin showing on the neck and simply the face. The face should be the focus. The project is to be based on high fashion but I saw the project of more of an extra practice within my own field of a practicing (newbie) to Make up artistry.

The look is almost tribal with the crimped un-perfect hair thats placed into a fish tail plait; adding texture and volume.
The makeup is also simple with small detailing within the eyeliner up close there is the black eyeliner and then a brown eyeliner as well above. The face is contoured grease on grease before powdering. Lips are what stand out for me the gorgeous colour of 'Salem' from Lime Crime, a rich matte brown perfect for the look of brown. On top of the lips is a golden highlight to reflect the light on the camera.

Practice makes perfect.

Ellis Faas

As part of a general research we were told to watch a film by Ellis Faas a MUA. Ellis is extremely successful and was once dubbed by Vogue Paris as 'one of the most influential Make Up artists of our generation'

The film is called "Identity Revealed" that is inspired by masks; the masks of the everyday... we wear makeup each day, is that not a mask? Do some of us create personality or even hide from the make up we wear sometimes? If you go out on a night out somewhere you tend to wear more makeup. Why so?
In the explanation given by Ellis about her short film she talks of how humans have used masks in different forms to 'be recognised or disappear into the masses'. A interesting question she asks is "can one truly change ones identity, or is it merely a temporary transformation"
I found the entire film though only 2 minutes 39 seconds extremely knowledge it made you feel something, not only intrigued but excited. Ellis created masks not really in the sense you would expect but using little props and makeup over the face. A really noticeable 'mask' in the film is the deep skinned model who actually looks like she has tights over her face with the eyes and mouth cut out, its a extreme look theres one scene where she goes to remove it then theres a relapse and slow motion take and it looks sick. Even the unattractive slow motion effect that makes her face crumple and contort looks interesting. The human face is a mask.

http://vimeo.com/ellisfaas/identityrevealed

Above is the film, invest in watching it its short and extremely interesting.

The Seven Photographs that changed FASHION.

The short film "The Seven Photographs that changed fashion" starts with British photographer Rankin doing a narrator over a montage of fashion images and explaining why hes decided to create a project where he will reimagine so classic fashion photography and make it into his own inspired by that one single frame “Break taboo’s and looking around the world to what inspired them”. He is studying the generations of inspired fashion shoots to the present starting his unique campaign from the start of the last century.

From the studies on the film Rankin speaks of the original images Photographers and their techniques and styles……

The photographer I decided to chose from the film was Cecil Beaton the first photographer featured on the film

Cecil Beaton - A house hold name in British photography and fashion. Rankin himself describes him as ‘one of the masters of the art’. He envisioned the legendary My fair Lady costume in which the iconic Aubrey Hepburn wore. "I wanted to make pictures with the camera. I didn't really want to make something that looked like a photograph" In the thirties Beaton joined vogue where he still provided beautiful elaborate photographs of the elite and famous many were pictured elegantly much like his My Fair Lady vision. He had a lengthy career even working thirty years later making a scene in the sixties photographing idols like Twiggy (When you think of the sixties, you think of Twiggy... well I do anyway)

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/i/interactive-eliza-costume/

Rankin expresses Beaton's work as 'selling a dream' this is highlighted within his work in the thirties from the beautiful women in satin dresses and regal statute. Beaton himself in a interview shot from the film even talks of 'creating a sort of dream world' The women are perfect and still; they look feminine. A mix of soft poses and lack of expression facial expressions these women actually look peaceful and relaxed like their day dreaming. unrealistic but exactly what you would imagine from a painting. They look to perfect to be real.

The image that Rankin decided to recreate into his own work was a high fashion photograph by Beaton called "White Panama Hat" a shot for Vogue way back in 1934. The shots brief was to promote and sell a new hat design but being the creative mind Beaton was he did it in a uniquely thinking outside the box (haha). The photograph is extremely witty and playful with the fact that the models head is the only piece on show as it looks like she's being presented from a box with this little pointy hat on.

the original White Panama Hat shot by Beaton found on a 1930's appreciation page.

              https://en-gb.facebook.com/217708824933132/photos/a.218359058201442.47913.217708824933132/475680639135948/


For Rankins re-imaging work he talks about how he picked his model to fit in with the originality of the image itself being from the thirties. Choosing the beautiful singer and model Sophie Ellis-Bexter; her pale complexion and  feline features is a great choice by him; theres something elegant about her as a character something thats soft that can only be shown by looking at her. 

The shoot in keeping with the theme was shot on a old 10x8 authentic camera which works with film this funnily wasn't kept throughout the entire lot of the shoot 
through when comparing each final image from digital to film rankin talks of a enigmatic difference within each the different shoots. Digital is sharper but film is softer; maybe from the slower relaxing pace the model endures from the film shoot when reflecting with Rankin afterwards.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4161221/Rankin-Seven-Photographs-that-Changed-Fashion.html

Above is the inspired Rankin image modelled by Sophie Ellis-Bexter, the finished digital image. 

This image is beautiful and unique who in the thirties would of been thought to create a image like that, a creative thinker. From a simple brief to something not ordinary.

The Westmores

The Westmore's are a extremely famous/well know family into its generations within the MUA field. The first making his way into the successful lime light was George Westmore who originally was a hairdresser emigrated to the US from England and found wig making as a forte and eventually makeup. He in fact created the first ever eveerrr Make up department within the movies of Hollywood. The studio was infact a tiny space in a department within Selig-polyscope studios in 1917. times were changing, big things were happening within the field of film. The evolution of make up and hair design was beginning to be where it is today.




Researching into the Westmore's I've noticed a lot of them didn't have the longest lives with George passing away at 52 (sadly from suicide) and his son Frank dying at 62 his only daughter from his first wife Ada, Dorothy died at 24 from complications from an operation. The Westmore's have been lucky enough to produce a number of extremely talented generations working in the field of Make up & Hair design. 3 long generations of the family and even more to be working within Hollywood is amazing, the hairdresser from the Isle of Wright came to a developing and completely different world to the big lights of Hollywood and movies.


Credible works are all around with this family from Blade Runner (Marvin G. Westmore) and Gone with the Wind (Monte Westmore) both of this family members are in 2nd and 3rd generations of George Westmore. George himself became extremely well known within Hollywood working on films up until his death in 1931.


Just think George Westmore was a poneer in the field of Makeup and hair design. He helped bring it into the lime light and popularity of Hollywood. He though with a tragic end helped developed the way our career's as MUA will develop and be known.

Colour Theory

The whole idea of colour theory and its principles started in the writings of Italian renaissance author and pretty much all around genius Leon Battista Alberti and actually within the notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci both men before there time with evolved views and ideas. So anyway the basic colour knowledge was done then the actual traditional 'Colour theory' with the inclusion of Primary, secondary and tertiary colour were beginning to be registered within the format of the colour wheeeeeel. The colour wheel was actually first created by Sir Isaac Newton back in ye old 1666.
The wheel itself is pretty standard to understand on the wheel of colour each colour works with another to make a pattern of colour... i.e. a different shade/colour. simples. The obvious colours to pick from are the primary colours RED, BLUE & YELLOW. The next common step after those colours is the idea of what would be created when mixed with is called complimentary or secondary colours as in from the original primaries GREEN, ORANGE, PURPLE. This pretty much carrys on to a number of shades but thats the basic colour wheel. Remember white and black are shades so they aren't on the colour wheel.

Within Make up artist of course the colour wheel is a key thing to remember you HAVE to remember the certain patterns within the colour wheel because they could create a look for you the colours would suit each other.

Here is infact a simple YouTube video I found for you, yes I searched basic colour theory. The video explains the wheel and the patterns within the wheel and what colours mean.

I hope this makes some sense.

The understanding of colour has improved, get your paint pots or makeup out and see what works best for you, don't try to create that sewage colour when try to make brown it won't become a nice brown if you keep adding to it.

A really good website I found whilst writing about this was called 'Sessions College Professional Design' its great for learning the patterns within the colour circle.
Links below you actually learn something especially if your a Visual leaner.

http://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator

The Transformation of Make Up & What were Tutor Cosmetics

Back in the age of the Tutors when Elizabeth was in her reign and even before the vision and ideologies of what is beautiful is completely different from what it is now.
Pale, Red hair and pink youthful cheeks were what was seen as gorgeous.
Of course this look wasn't easy to achieve especially if you were from a working background and had to be outside all the time to feed yourself and your family. What is seen as attractive now would of been frowned upon then and un-lady-like to many.

Much like women do now to keep themselves to the highest attractiveness they think they can reach, Tutor women also did a lot to stay attractive. Like botox to us the Tutor woman would use strange concussions of white vinegar and lead on to there faces to reach that pale beauty look. Like all of us know now LEAD IS POISONOUS and can kill you. But the price of beauty ey. To be fair to the lovely Tutor bunch they didn't have the brands we have today to make ourselves up like Mac and Kryolan instead they used basic products or for the lucky important dyes and items like cohinel a dye made from crushed Beetles for a lip/cheek stain due to their unique red colouring.

Trendstyle - A popular fall look for AW14

BBC history
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/elizabeth_I/

The difference between our vision of beauty in the 21st century and what was seen as beautiful for the Elizabethan era is a complete juxtapose.

Thick Eyebrows - Shaved/ blocked our eyebrows

Tanned Skin - Pale complexion, Seen as a sign of wealth & nobility 

Loose style Hair - pinned hair (loose hair was seen as virginity) also yellow hair was popular as the queen was seen as this Beauty symbol. 

Of course then sciences and cosmetic mixing and developing wasn't what it is these days, The fact they used lead and vinegar on ones face to make them look pale seems madness to us now.

Elizabeth I in fact in her older age actually had up to 80 wig, having small pox at 29 probably didn't help and actually left her scarred (thick makeup would help conceal her skin problems)

Poor Elizabeth. Well in some ways

Actors who have played Elizabeth in Film

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth I and Elizabeth the Golden Age

Perhaps of our generation anyway Cate Blanchett is one of the more recognisable faces of Actors who have played the famous monarch. Like a few of the Actors on this list she has re-played the part from the 'Elizabeth I' in 1998 to 'Elizabeth the Golden Age' in 2007. 

Cate Blanchetts young and glowing face is perfect for the role her naturally pale colouring and fair skin. The Australian beauty is a great Elizabeth. In class we have started watching Elizabeth, where Cate Blanchett first debuted as the Red headed Queen. Looking into the makeup and hair of the entire film to inspire us for our New Elizabethans project. 

Elizabeth I IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_50

The makeup for the film 'Elizabeth' the film is extremely detailed and executed this film has been heavy researched, its seems no hair is out of place within the making of this film. Makeup artist Jenny Shircore actually won the 1999 Oscar for Best Makeup. One of the biggest privileges of someones life to win that big.

The story follows Elizatbeth from the start of her Reign to where she a youthful red head to the enforce of her power and the start of her recognition of being the 'Virgin Queen'

Bette Davis - The Private Lives and Elizabeth and Essex 

The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031826/?ref_=nv_sr_4

Davis like a number of Elizabeth actresses actually shaved her hairline for the part of Elizabeth. The film Bette herself was in was called 'The Private Life of Elizabeth & Essex' in 1939 she also like Cate Blanchett played the role twice reacting the whole in 1955 as 'The Virgin Queen' Bette Davis was in her forties and actually reshaved her hair line again for the role.

The film won no awards but was nominated for 5 oscars the sequel 'The Virgin Queen' was nominated for 1 oscar for costume design. 

Flora Robson - Fire over England, Sea Hawks

Fire over England IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028872/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Flora Robson played Elizabeth in 1937 like a few actors on my blog she has also played Elizabeth twice in Fire Over England and Sea Hawks.

Glenda Jackson- Elizabeth R

Elizabeth R BBC mini-series
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066652/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_38

Glenda Jackson played the role in 1971 in the TV mini-series 'Elizabeth R, within the length of the show the Actor was created to be ageing throughout her Makeup.  Over exaggerated makeup like the others were conveyed with the slight essence of 70's influence clearly standing out against the rest of the TV show. helloooo pointed eyebrow and high smooth rised hair.

Anne Marie Duff - The Virgin Queen 

The Virgin Queen IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481459/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Anne Marie Duff played the role of Elizabeth also in 2005 like Helen Mirren played the role of Elizabeth for a tv mini series.

Helen Mirren - Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I IMBD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465326/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_27

One of Helens noticeable roles, For a television mini series in 2005

Judi Dench - Shakespeare In Love

Digital Spy Diamond jubilee special: 20 memorable movie queens

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/i411864-8/20-memorable-movie-queens-shakespeare-in-love.html#~oTWdpCko9fD9Pi

Judi Dench has a small part in 'Shakespeare in Love' 1998 playing Elizabeth. 

All the actors that have portrayed Elizabeth have quite visibly all taken on the look of Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett is also portraying a young Elizabeth with the long flowing hair. The actors white skin and high foreheads are all shown in their television/Movie debuts.

The dedicated this modern day ladies have taken to look like the Virgin Queen herself is in its extreme. The look itself is extravagant like who these days would colour their face white and shave their foreheads? The actual Elizabeth herself 

The New Elizabethans

Who Are You?

Out of this course and this blog I'm a regular just turned twenty year old. Home is Worthing a town about 10 miles from Brighton, so from Southampton where I'm currently residing I'm only a hour and a half away from the comforts of home.
I love art the openness and un-restricting essence off it all. just finished a art foundation. I like being creative and using my hands. I went from my 3D pathway deciding I wanted to go down and do a degree in the field of Make up & Hair styling. I started creating face charts and painting styles onto them I also started creating masks and made a few with a range of materials.
I enjoy film, sticking to one genre seems boring to me so I like to go for each range, my favourite film  of all time would be The Goonies. I've loved it since I was little.
I'm a vegetarian, which no that doesn't mean I eat fish, I just like animals to much to want to eat them. Their innocent.

The Project 'The New Elizabethans'

It was the beginning of year 1/3 the project brief was given to us last week with the title of 'New Elizabethans'. The unique look of the Elizabethan era would completely juxtapose our own. pale skin and high foreheads were seen as beautiful. Queen Elizabeth was seen as a true beauty, she was a Megan fox of her day.
The knowledge I know from that time period is only the sort of thing I learnt from days out with my parents and school, guess I've been lucky enough to go on a number of historical trips that where significant monarchs and lords & Ladies lived.
I enjoy painting of that era too especially the regal ones of the wealthy model covered in their prized possessions, jewels, rich coloured clothing and structured hair.
We will take our influences from art and movies inspired by that era such as the one we started watching "Elizabeth - The Golden Age" with Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush.

The actual project itself is our own takes on that period but with a fresh feel to them, we will also be looking into fashion campaigns and seeing how the period inspired what is captured within clothing and hair. Vivienne Westwood was shown to us from photographs of her own personal style to also the way she designs her clothes for the catwalk.

I can't wait to research more into the matter and to make face templates with whats in my head. Looking into old historical books on what kind of pallets of colours to use and the processes of makeup and hair.
We had our first few lessons within hair these last few weeks; I'm looking forward to being from the bottom with that and being creative with hair in general, my knowledge is not the best. plaiting, buns and other designs will begin for us.

BBC history

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/elizabeth_I/

Lily Cole looking incredible with her pale skin and red hair. A perfect model to represent a "New Elizabethan era"

Tudor History
http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/

An exciting start.

Induction Week

Of course like everyone else who has ever attended somewhere in education the FIRST day is a landmark. The questions gone through your head like what to wear, what if everyone thinks I'm weird , what if I'm actually terrible at this. Well I hope people do.

University is a whole entirely different ball game. Unless your from a public school I've never had to pay for my educated. This is a privilege. The half eight start was a nice welcome to the reality of the many early starts awaiting for me.

As if fate happened I share a flat with a girl on my course, Ayelisha. Strangely we're also from the same town, went to the same school and the same college where I did my art foundation.
Anyway without both of our little heads figuring out where to go I could of been lost for a while. Up the ridiculous amount of stairs to our class we went, full of excitement and now sweaty faces we were there. The beginning.

The first task we had to do as a little get to know you ice breaker which also involved our summer projects and the workings we had done for that. Like I'd mentioned in the blog before we basically had to speak in depth about the films we had reviewed to our little groups (mine were True Romance & Blade Runner) the 300 a piece about what makes the films iconic not only from their makeup.. think Pris in Blade Runner and her white stripe across her youthful face... but also their character and the genre within the film. The mood board was another little presentation where we just spoke about the goals we currently had in our minds (plans/dreams) for where we were headed in 5 years from now. Though these could change, could find a talent within the field of wig making or airbrushing. Theatre and Film is the current interests.

The second day of the week was another exercise. This time we had already been placed into the groups (the course is to large to continue teaching from one large class). There are four groups. I'm in group three. The exercise for today was inspired by a exercise Sharon Lloyd (Our course leader) did at a art retreat over the summer with her family and other families attending. The finished piece for their exercise ended in the recorded of a short film set in a miniature cardboard village where the locals had bags over their heads. The films story was of the outsider in the town being shunned by the locals almost like a darker Shrek. Because he was different to them.
Our own classes exercise depicted from that was influenced but that and the 5 years time task. We had to design onto paper bags, outlandish and fun was the idea of the exercise no perfectness, no taking ourselves to seriously.
My bag was visioned in my head whilst Sharon was still talking. The first thing that came into my mind was a clock not only to represent time passing within in the 5 years where I could be. In 5 years I'm 25. A locked lip to show I should alway allow myself to reach my limits, don't hold back. Bright and colourful maybe I was still dreaming about my time at Bestival with the neon colouring of the paper eyelashes. A bit of Matt lip gloss was all that needed to finish this little creation.

Illamasqua

Ilamasqua one of Solents main sponsors for the Make up & Hair design came to visit the entire first year on Wednesday 24th of Sept. Held in one of the lecture rooms everyone was excited and waiting anticipating the beginning of the talk. The talk would last for about a hour with a included demonstration on one of our very own Beth. The demonstration was influenced by Ilamasquas work on the Sorapol LFW 2014 show, golden skin on a deeper skin tone was what was shown in the show, in the correct lighting theres actually a highlighter strip down the face on the nose and temple. alive and beautiful. amazzzing.

Twitter @sorapollondon

 

Charles Fox - Kryolan 

The day after Illamasqua Charles Fox also did a presentation on their products and what to expect from first hand knowledge of ones career to how to deal with work. Our speaker was telling us how we need to appreciate all these speakers coming in because she had never had those opportunities herself at college. Taking notes is a key to these types of things. The way people talk to the product knowledge we will be gaining each time.
Charles Fox was brought by Kryolan a number of years ago but still holds the name and flagship store in Covent Garden. I've seen a few photos of the store itself and it looks beyond amazing. professional makeup.





The Industry were here and it was time to listen and take note, I'm looking forward to more talks and visits, we all have a lot to learn.


After a few days when Introductions were done and work was being processed and began I think it was the first time in my life I wasn't actually worried or apprehensive about completing a task. I could do this. Maybe its the fact I actually want to succeed or the hefty price tag that is paid to complete my dreams carrying me on... Or this beautiful iMac I'm typing on that cost a arm and leg. Who knows.

Summer Project

When Southampton Solent accepted me to be a 2014' Make up & Hair student I was thrilled. The one place I needed and wanted to be had agreed to let me in.

Over the summer us future makeup students were set the task of "If I could... I would" which basically directed us into two tasks. One task was to create a mood board that helped visualise to a audience where at this current time we see ourselves in five years. The other task for basically to write two film reviews from a selection and to write what only a bit about the genre but to look further and see from audiences/our own views what makes the film a style inspiration within hair and makeup; places surrounding the film and the iconicity the films creation made within film and daily life.

From just coming from a Art Foundation getting from a creative year to a creative project within a task was exactly what I wanted. I love making things and getting my hands messy with a task. If a vision is incised within my head I'll aim to get there.

The first task I decided to do was the film reviews luckily at home we had a few on the list but in the end I decided to go with the classics "True Romance" & "Blade Runner". Within a 300 word format we had to write about each film. I watched the films. Never seen "True Romance" before but I loved it the 'You're so cool' Hans Zimmer sound track repeated through the film, that one song everyone has heard somewhere before and wondered what it was called. That song alone is completely iconic.

Anyway so I wrote a load of things that came into mind then I typed them up, I also researched into the films using IMBD and my brother (the biggest movie buff ever on the South Coast). Watched the films twice to properly watch them. These are the types of films you could watch over and over again.

The second part of the summer project was the mood board. I myself do love to make a mood board, full and interesting. Reflecting on the actual question 'If I could...I would'. Like a open book I haven't finished deciding where I can imagine myself in 5 years. For me within the field of makeup I'm like a baby learning all the processes, the next three years... I can't wait. Theatrical is something I love, going to London or to the local theatre is a treat, A magical thrilling experience. I also included film.

The mood board is based on theatre & film because so far thats where my interests lays, I see so much diversion a endless amount of processes I can take to create character. Ask me in a year it might be the same; might be different.

The board itself within the idea of theatre and where I want to be myself within living, looks was also meant to be included. The inclusion of the world was just a reference to the fact the world is in fact my oyster especially within my degree but also the university experience within networking, friendships, independence and getting the grades. In 5 years time I can't wait to see what happens.

The works Below, did take a while, I do like to waffle.

**********************************************************************

Summer Project- Style Inspiration  

Amy Jane Curtis 

True Romance- Tony Scott written by Quentin Tarantino-1993 

The original DVD shot also movie poster

True Romance is a romantic crime drama it is tough to pin the film into one particular genre as it contains elements of several genres, typical of Tarantino to add multiple genre tropes to his work. If you had too though like your life depended on it you would call it a romance period.  

True Romance maintains a 90s style in the way the characters are dressed for instance the character Vincenzo Coccotti and the mobsters are tailored in a late eighties early nineties style with their big lapels and broad shoulders on their suit jackets. The suits are clearly Italian strengthening the ties these characters have to the mafia plus the fact that they are all dressed in dark colours we are made aware as the viewer that these are the bad guys. Clarence throughout the film is shown wearing sunglasses that are replicas of the ones worn by the king in many of his public appearances. These sunglasses expand upon Clarences early admission to the girl in the bar that he watched and wanted to “Be that hillbilly so bad” the hillbilly in question Mr Elvis Presley. The costumes worn mirror the style of 90s America as it was the early half of the decade the 80s influence is very much alive. Alabama's hair is blonde with dark roots her cut is very 90s with it being un-styled carefree and one length coupled with her blue eyes she has an angelic quality to her with her youthful fresh faced glow. Alabama’s style is loose and carefree she likes bold standout colours and clashing prints, her see through shirts where you can see her bras plus the straps on show are perhaps the most iconic accessory in the film. Alabama’s clothing is very 80s in its appeal and has gone on to influence many a modern girl, just head to Shoreditch on a sunny saturday to see for yourself. Alabama over anyone else in the movie has gone on to become a style icon as lots of clarences wardrobe was borrowed from over iconic leading men. The gun used by both Clarence and Alabama is a snub nosed possibly smith and wesson revolver. This gun is probably the most important accessory in the film because it is symbolic of the fact that they together are a sweet little bumblebee but they have a stinger they are not afraid to use.The gun comes up in conversation many a time and is shiny and pleasing to the eye like a broach or a ring. To further strengthen the point about the gun if you look at the dvd case the gun is held by Clarence and positioned in-between him and Alabama “It is better to have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not have it.” 

Listed on IMBD within the credits for the head makeup artist on the picture was mua Ellen Wong who from research I’ve found out specialises within the field of film for her work, recently working on the final Pirates of the Caribbean series and a few big budget early millennium pictures. The makeup department for the film is divided into three sections the obvious Hair styling and Makeup artistry to Wigs after some research into the use of wigs on True Romance I learnt that not only did many of the actors use wigs to form a realistic character but they also use prosthetics such as Gary Oldman’s character of Drexl Spivey; Alabama’s pimp who has noticeable facial scaring and dreadlocks. The main hair stylist on the film was Ron Scott who also worked on The Truman show.

Blade Runner- Ridley Scott -1982 

A advertising theatre poster for the original cinema release 

Blade Runner is a dystopian science fiction film. Deckard is the Blade runner in question; A blade runner is essentially a defective who tracks down and eliminates replicants, androids who crime is pretending to be human. The film then follows the events of Deckard hunting down four escaped replicants who are looking to expand their four year lifespan. 

Like a few other futuristic 80’s films the vision of the future is extremely dramatic from flying cars to extremely powerful guns, the earth is seen as a abandoned waste land that only the unlucky few have been left on. 

The film is striking in its visual style mixing noir and sci-fi to create a dark unsettling atmosphere. 

Zhora’s death scene is iconic in the way she is dressed her plastic rain mac looks rather beautiful under the vibrant neon glare as she is shot down in slow motion, her death however graphic and  shocking maintains an ultra- stylish appeal. Deckard is kitted out similarly to the detectives in old 1940s noir pictures with a futuristic twist for instance the collar on his trench coat appears to be made of an unusual ribbed material while the rest of the coat is cut quite simply. To further emphasise the point that Deckard is modelled on a 1940s detective we need only look at his shirt and tie combination plus we can take a look at his love interest Rachael. Racheal is dressed like a classic femme fatale with her dark rolled hair style and red lips often seen with a cigarette between. Her clothing like Deckards takes obvious influence from the outfits of old while fresh new ideas are added for instance contrast panelling on her teacher looking outfit complete with neck bow.

Pris another replicant and the potential affection of Roy has a iconic death scene also due to her extreme makeup she wears, almost like battle makeup the heavy black line from brow to cheekbone has been created to repel the child like look of the character which was previously exhibited through body language and playfulness. The accentuate makeup could also be linked to the decade the film was released with pop acts becoming more comfortable with experimenting with makeup such as ‘Adam and the ants’ and his iconic white line across his face.

The head makeup artist on the film was credited as Marvin G.Westmore a successful mua who was nominated for many awards from the early 70’s to late 90’s Emmy’s to BAFTA in his prime Marvin was very successful in his practice. On IMBD his is listed as working till 2006 where I’m guessing he retired due to being born in 1934.

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All the photos within the Review are the old theatrical advertising posters for the original cinema releases. Found on google image. 

The Mood board in its completed work I showed my group that expressed the project "If I could... I would"

The First Day
22nd September 2014

So the first day loomed and it was time to meet the faces who would be my class mates for the next three years. We were told to bring in our summer projects as we would obviously be presenting them to the class, this turned out to be groups of 4 were not only did we reflect on our workings from the summer but also we spoke to our group and how we found the films and what we'd written. The only annoying thing was half the group had actually done the assessment. We did end up bringing the conversation more into the films and what sort of thing we enjoyed and how from the films we had actually seen before from the list and how the charactisation could be seen as iconic from the period to also the makeup created by the films makeup artists/hair stylists. We also discussed plans much like the mood board's theme which was extremely interesting. Beth was saying as she was from a hair dressing background when she because successful in the beauty field she wanted to open a affordable salon in Africa where she has extremely close roots; giving something affordable to maybe not a wealthy community. After speaking and finding a bit of background and aim of our little group we were told to present basically what we had found out about each other and one interesting fact about someone within the group. The fact that the entire course isn't full of 18 year olds is also refreshing; a mix of backgrounds and aims. There is so many different areas within the course we will be stepping into. I can't wait.