Project Evaluation

What the Dickens?

When I was given the brief, I immediately started to research the Victorian era. Having not seen or read ‘Great Expectations’, the first problem to overcome was to understand the storyline and the characters within it. After watching a few versions of ‘Great Expectations’ and reading a couple chapters I was confident I understood the plot and characters. Then I began to research more of the Victorian Era in order to give myself a fuller understanding of context. When I came to designing my Miss Havisham character, I was troubled as to the age I should present her with, having learnt how to do theatrical ageing makeup in practical sessions, I was tempted. However, after reading more about Miss Havisham, I came to the conclusion that she wasn’t really that old and chose to present her more realistically. I practiced the look twice on my partner before the timed assessments. When it came to the continuity assessments, I was most challenged by recreating the makeup, particularly the redness and darkness under the eyes, this shows in the final images, as the under eye area appears redder when I recreated Miss Havisham two weeks later. I found the hair relatively easy to recreate, however I feel that I should have paid more attention to detail for example the arrangement of the flowers and loose strands of hair. When it came to designing and creating my Estella, I tried to make the look very beautiful, keeping in mind of the cold and cruel aspects of the character. I had a hard time finding a model and ended up using an Asian model, I tried hard to overcome this obstacle by adding western features through contouring. I found this brief very interesting and the research progress fun, I felt that learning historical context really helped me create my characters.

Claudia and Quentin

To begin with I was confused about the characters Quentin and Claudia, but after class discussions, I became more confident of the brief. First I researched the horror genre, which lead on to the idea of femme fatale, which I thought, was a perfect concept for Claudia. I then began looking for inspiration through Pinterest, films and music videos for both characters. My ideas for Claudia was clear whilst my ideas for Quentin were still afloat, I couldn’t decide between the look of physically abused or the look of a sinister mask/face paint. I decided to add features that resemble a skull and sown lips for Quentin as I felt this was more interesting. I tried to make both characters very attractive, as they must be appropriate for a music video. I am overall very happy with my outcome and choice of models. However, despite this, I feel that I should have experimented more, and tried out different looks to decide on the final image. Unfortunately, I felt that I was short on time, and this shows I should improve on my time management skills in the future. 

Creating Claudia

Choosing a model to portray Claudia was difficult. I wanted Claudia and Quentin to look like a realistic couple who suited each other.

This is the outcome and final images. 

This is the face chart that I chose and worked off: 

As you can see there is a little difference in the eye makeup. Since the model had lovely large eyes, I decided to create a gradient with black eyeshadow on the eyelid from the outer corners towards the tearducts with more definition on the crease instead of the original matt black eye. I feel that doing that created more dimension and worked well with the model's eyelids.

Claudia's Hair

I had trouble designing Claudia's hair. I wanted to create something that would oppose the face makeup to create more of an impact. I also wanted to play around with the character of Claudia, and wanted to add a flirty aspect and keeping a youthful element whilst still being quite sexy and seductive. In the end, I decided to use a blonde wig, as the model had naturally brown short hair, this completely transformed the look. Although I thought that the wig had a unnatural colour, the quality of the hair was very natural and photographed well. With unnaturally blonde, almost silver hair styled in pig tails, I thought that it gave an impact. Although the face makeup is quite mature, the hair contradicts that and creates a feeling of dress up. In the brief, Claudia is said to have based her looks off of horror films, it is not unusual for her to wear a wig. Additionally, when I was researching female movie villains, it was common for a female villain to purposefully die their hair blonde before attacking their victim.

The wig that I used was a synthetic wig, however, it is heat style-able up to 220 degrees. The wig was originally straight, and previous to the photoshoot, I had used a large curling iron to style it, brushing it though making sure it was shiny and tangle-free. When applying the wig onto the model, I first french braided the hair and then applied the wig cap to hide the model's natural hair. I then parted the hair and styled into pigtails, wrapping a section of hair around the hair band to hide it.

Overall, I am very happy with the outcome, however, I wish that I could have photographed the two characters together. Unfortunately, it was impossible as the two photo shoots were done in two separate locations on different days. 

Creating Quentin

I have always pictured Quentin as a very attractive male. As a result I looked for a male model who had dark hair and dark eyes with a very pale complexion. 

This is the result and final images. 

As you can see, the face makeup differs a little from the original face chart. 

As you may have noticed, I left out the outlines of the exposed teeth area, I feel that this gives a cleaner look and makes the face less busy as the model has very striking features already. The simple lines and shading on the mouth also look like the lips have been sown together. This could represent the metal abuse that Quentin has been receiving from Claudia, he is may be restricted from speech because Claudia only wants to hear what she wants to hear. 

I also created fingernail scratches on the chest area because I felt that I should show a little flash of physical abuse from Claudia. This was created with Kyolan's Supracolour palette. The finernail scratches also have a very seductive and sensual feel to it, adding to the 'bad boy' image that I have created.

Quentin's Hair

When I came to styling the hair, I was torn from a sleek slicked back hairdo or a messy greasy bed hair look. I chose to style the hair messily creating volume and lift, I first used a mini pair of straighteners to lift the hair away from the scalp creating lift and twisting the straighteners at the ends of the hair to create ways and to separate the hair. I then used hair mousse and gel to fix the hair into position. However, throughout the shoot, his hair will start to fall and flatten down and had to be touched up. I felt that this was caused by the sheer weight of the hair, to prevent this, I should have used stronger gel and hairspray to set the style into place.

FaceCharts: Claudia & Quentin

I did four facecharts in for each character.

Claudia

For this design, I tried to take a dolly approach. I picture Claudia to appear 'fake' as she bases her appearance off horror films. This look is inspired by the main character of 'Sucker Punch'. She uses her dolly appearance and seductive dance moves to seduce and win her opponent, although, this is not a femme fatale look, I feel that this could work for Claudia. 

Emily Browning from Sucker Punch
Available from: http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/21300000/Emily-Browning-Sucker-Punch-demolitionvenom-21316254-281-585.jpg
Last Accessed: 24/04/2014

For this design, I tried to create a sinister image with aspects of femme fatale. I was inspired by the goth culture, and American musician, Marilyn Manson. However, I do not like this design because I feel that it takes away too much felinity and youth from the character. I think this look is not as attractive as the others and may be too harsh for Claudia. 

Marilyn Manson American Musician
Available From: http://www.tvqc.com/2014/04/sons-of-anarchy-saison-7-marilyn-manson-se-joint-serie/
Last accessed: 24/04/2014

After studying the villains from Disney films, I was inspired to create the look above with harsh pointed eyebrows and dark raccoon eyes reminiscent of the evil queen of Snow White. However, after creating this face chart, I felt that the lip colour didn't match the rest of the face makeup very well, Instead of a pink orange shade, I should have use a dark purple plum shade to balance out the darkness of the eyes. 

However, I still do not think that the shape of the eye makeup appears very seductive and sexy as I wanted it to be, it doesn't strike me very much of femme fatale, I also think that alike the previous design takes away too much youth from the character Claudia. 

Evil Queen from Snow White
Available from: http://www.thegloss.com/2013/03/22/fashion/villainess-style-the-evil-queen/
Last accessed: 24/04/2014

After researching the term 'femme fatale' on sites such as Pinterest and Deviantart, I found that most femme fatale makeup consists of dark feline elongated eyes and a powerful dark blood red lips with purple shades. As a result, I created this final facechart. I feel that this look is both seductive and sinister and gives a powerful effect. It reminds me of Megan Fox, who I consider a very good example of femme fatale in the horror flick 'Jennifer Body'. 

Megan Fox
Available From: http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-a-red-tinge-to-your-mona-lisa-smile-1494347
Last accessed: 24/04/2014

Quentin

I have never created a face chart for a male, so the first one proves to be a challenge. This look is inspired by vampires. I wanted to create an illusion that alike the last project for Miss Havisham, a character that has never seen the daylight. I felt that it was natural for Quentin to have a pale complexion. When I was creating this face chart, I was reminded of Roman from Netflix's original Hemlock Grove. I like the dark shadow over the lids reaching the brow bone as it creates an illusion of very sunken in eyes and an effect of tiredness. I felt that strong facial structures such as cheekbones were a very important aspect of Quentin, and I shuld bear this in mind when choosing the appropriate model. 

Roman Godfrey from Hemlock Grove
Available from: http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/2838479/bill-skarsgard-hemlock-grove-exclusive-interview-02/
Last Accessed: 24/04/2014

This second face chart to me represents a physically harmed Quentin. I tried to keep the face attractive, even with the cuts and bruises. However, I feel that this look doesn't fully represent the character Quentin fully, I feel that Quentin is more damaged mentally instead of physically on the outside. For my next designs, I feel that I should focus in creating symbolism within the makeup. 

I started to experiment more with creating shapes in this design. I took inspiration off the 'war paint' that  punk rock 'Black Veil Brides' used to wear. I feel that the black eyeshadow around the eyes create a mask around the eyes. The eyes being the window to the soul has been framed in black which I think symbolises that Quentin's soul has been tainted by Claudia or the fact that we really don't know the true identity of Quentin because Quentin is an imaginary character which Claudia has created. I also feel that line that goes through the eyebrow and the smudge from the eye creates a feeling of rebellion, is Quentin trying to rebel from Claudia? There love is after all forbidden.

Black Veil Brides: Perfect Weapon Music Video

Available From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXut97F2Qew

Last accessed: 24/04/2014

This is the last face chart that I created for Quentin. I wanted to create a mask like effect like the previous design. However, this time I decided to use shapes that represent a skull. I think that a skeletal form presents Quentin as a character which is not fully developed, always changing depending on the feelings and emotions of Claudia. I feel that this look will be appropriate for  Quentin as the dark eyes and lines create an illusion of anger and frustration, a skeleton is also a universal symbol of depletion, death and secrets - which could imply that Claudia has created Quentin because she can no longer trust anyone. Someone who is dead or non-existent can never tell secrets.