Character Shoot

I asked two girls to model for me since I have two characters, Jan and Janet. However on the day I planned to shoot one of them said they couldn't come. This was unfortunate, I had to think fast and change my entire shoot plan. I decided to treat this shoot as an experiment and tester shoot. I did the make up and looks for the extreme super villain version of Jan and did a few shots.  I tried to make it work with just one model but it just did not capture the mood I wanted.

I really wanted to do some shots of my model teepeeing my house. Teepeeing is when you cover someones house with toilet paper, it is a prank lots of people do in America. I thought this would be a funny way to show Jan is a rebel. However it was raining so I could not exactly throw toilet paper all over my house. Instead I threw it around my living room. It didn't turn out as good as I hoped, infact I really did not like it all. But it was good practice and better than doing nothing.  

I used the bamboo graphic tablet to draw over on of photos in a similar way that I did the other day. I felt like it turned out pretty interesting. Hopefully when I do get the chance to shoot both my models I can do a similar thing. I would like to create a set of photo illustrations that I can lay out in a comic book style format and print. 

The following image is one I create with the bamboo tablet. This was my favourite of the shots I took in my teepeed living room. 

Image authors own

Practice

I wanted to draw some action figures/poses to potentially use for my shoot so I asked one of my friends to do some poses for me. I took some photos planning to draw them into action sequences.  I put them onto my computer and started playing with them on photo shop. One of my tutors asked me if I knew about the graphic tablets that you can use a stylus to draw with onto the computer. I was instantly so excited about this idea and went to the CLR and rented one. 

The following images I used the tablet to create... 

I want to somehow incorporate this technique into the final images. However I want the actual photos to more subtle.  I also want my characters style to be very interesting. I think I am on to something I just need to further develop these thoughts and ideas. 

Character Project.

I decided to go with the character project because I thought it sounded like fun.  I began creating my character by collecting a bunch of images that inspire me and that I think would create an interesting character. As I collected the images I began to see patterns and form ideas.

I was initially inspired by an illustration. This made me begin to think about cartoons and animations. I thought what if my character was a cartoon character? That would be quite fun and interesting. I looked into a bunch of cartoons such as Adventure time, Ahh! real monsters, and Beetlejuice. I particularly like these cartoons because they are weird and the characters look interesting. Also In the live version of Beetlejuice Lydia is played by Winona Ryder who is definitely a muse for this character.  

While researching furtherer I remembered a graphic novel Ghost World by Daniel Clowes. The main characters in this graphic novel are two girl best friends. I adore these characters and their friendship. They have a real angsty and dead pan attitude which I absolutely love. This story and these characters are probably going to be the main influence for my characters.

Illustrations

I began drawing illustrations for a few of Umit Benan looks from his latest collection for A/W15. I really enjoyed doing them. I was thinking about scanning them into my computer and making layouts or something interesting with them. I also was thinking of maybe turning them into a little gif like I did with the original photos. I talked with one of the tutors about my idea and showed her my illustrations and she suggested that I stop illustrating and begin to experiment with laying them out and begin using the historical images I collected that relate to the collection. She gave me some suggestions of where to begin and it was very helpful. It gave me the incentive to move on to the next step and really begin thinking as I was moderately clueless of how I was going to take this project further and move on from just drawing. 

I was trying to think of ways to merge the historical and reference images with my illustrations and with the actual images of the looks. I decided to go to the photocopier and make copies of the illustrations and lay them out in different ways. I then had the idea to print the illustrations on tracing paper so that I could put the historical images in the background and they would show through. I scanned the tracing paper images with the historical images on top and the results were actually really cool and I am really excited about them. I am going to try laying them out in a few different ways seeing what looks good. 

(Image authors own) 

Umit Benan

I decided to look at Umit beans A/W15 collection. He looked at fishermen and in particular fisherman in the Bosporus in Istanbul. I really liked his collection because I thought it had a very strong sense of identity and a very vivd character and story. The mood was set very well, the street cast models fit the persona impeccably.

I find Umit Benana as a designer interesting because he used to want to be a filmmaker. I also once wanted to be a filmmaker so I understand his desire to create stories.

I am now going to google historical details of fishermen such as the sou'wester (the hat they wear) and the ganseys.  

Detail

The brief for this project is to make a look book. We have to decided weather it is for a magazine or a specific designer. We also have to look specifically at a particular historical detail that comes out in the collection. AND lastly it must be form the most recent menswear collections for A/W 15. 

First thoughts included excitement about looking at menswear again. Its fun because it is completely different and something new and also cause you get to look at boys the whole time. 

Second thoughts included how am I going to present a look book? What will it look like? will it be printed? a video?  

Third thoughts included how am I going to decipher a specific historical detail? and what designer should I look at and what kind of historical details are there. Why are there so many different designers? There are definitely to many to choose from. Who's historical details are the funnest and interest me the most? 

 

For my second thought I had an idea to make gifs. During our briefing talk we were challenged to try and do something different from the boring average look book. So I began thinking about what I could do that is different but also within my abilities to create. I know how to make gifs using the internet so I thought this could be an interesting start. 

Here are a three that I made of two collections I liked. I did two of the same collection to see what it would look like with type over it and without... 

(Gifs authors own) 

The third thoughts I am still working on. 

Crit Reflection

As usually I felt a little timid before presenting my work in the group crit. The worst thing I do is continually compare my work to everyone else's and internally freak out when it is so different, I can begin to feel like I am doing it all wrong. Also I hold the fear of it being taken wrong or not explaining it in a smooth good way.

The crit overall was super informative and gave me lots of ideas to help push my work further and develop it more.  The main constructive criticism I got from my peers was to research the photo shoot aspect of my project further, which I agree completely would of helped push them further. Also they recommended that I look at a publication that I would fit my piece with. I need to definitely do this because it will help inspire my layouts and develop my knowledge of publications. One of my peers said that she thought that if I wrote an article to do with the topic it would be really interesting. I had started one but did not feel I had done enough research to make a full article. However they said that if I just wrote it how I explained it while presenting my work it would be good. It would be interesting, opinionated, and have personality. This idea to write the article how I explained my project to the group really helped me think about how to approach writing the article. Now I really want to write because I think that it would look really good paired with some of the photographs and layouts I've made.

I appreciated the positive feedback I received for my film. I was also very happy that people shared my humor and enjoyed it. It is always nice to get a reaction from your work weather it is laughter, tears, screams, or disgust.

Colours, voice over, and other general editing business

I filmed my video and it all went pretty smoothly. Oh the joys of having really patient cooperative models/friends. I plan my shoot generally pretty well but leave a lot to the day because somehow my spontaneous ideas seem to always work really well and really there is only so much you can plan.


I was lucky enough to get multiple outfits in the video something I usually don't do. I had a whole lot of fun planning the looks and developing the character through her dress.

While editing the film I felt like the colors were a little bland so I decided to boost the contrast on all the videos.

I wanted the character to have an american accent. I thought it made more sense as the topic is gun control. So while filming I had my model speak the lines but then edited the sound out and recorded my own voice over it. I think this adds another comical element which I like a lot. There are a few shots when I wish I could do over and make more symmetrical like the gun int he drawer scene. If I had angels the camera form above it may have looked even cooler.

Here is the final video...

Video Authors own

Guns and Girls

I am feeling much more confident in my idea after today. I had no set mood for my shoot and no direction. I was given a few references to look at and they really inspired me. The ones that have most inspired me are Russ Meyer, in particular his film "Faster, Pussycat kill Kill."  These gave me the basis of the mood and aura for the film I am going to make for this project. I then began picking out more reference points such as "Kill Bill", Lara Croft from Tomb Raider (Both the films and the video game.) The character India Stoker from the film Stoker, Norman bates from psycho, Hit Girl from Kick Ass, and Luli McMullen from the film Hick.

I realize that is a long list of references and inspiration but those references have helped me to build my idea and vision into something much stronger. I know who I am making. Now I have to think about how I am going to make it fashion. Since I am using guns for my shoot and they are the main premiss of my whole idea I was thinking about having different colours of nail polish in the shots or maybe lots of rings and bracelets to try and make it a jewelry story. However I am leaning more towards the idea of a nail polish story.

Add caption

Part of my mood boards (Image authors own.)


I need to begin thinking about story boarding and making props. I also need to plan the styling and make decisions on the looks my model will wear for the shoot. I am shooting on monday so I have to get everything done and organized precisely over the weekend so that the shoot runs smoothly and my film turns out good. Location is also a tricky thing. As there is a particular shot in the film "faster, pussycat kill kill." where one of the characters was walking in the distance through the desert towards the camera. It looked so cool. There was also a strange looking plant or fallen tree in the foreground. I really just felt like I wanted to create a shot similar however I cannot get to a desert, unfortunately. I was thinking however that I could maybe use a large space like a park or street or something. I am also wanting to use a car. I cannot drive and my model cannot drive so this is definitely an issue. If I was made of money I would rent a convertible cadillac or an ashton marten to use for the shoot because they have a classic feel that would fit well with the film. 

Eureka

I was laying in bed when I suddenly remembered something I heard my brother talk about a few weeks ago. He was talking about some girl he had met and how she was apart of a group called 'Girls just wanna have guns.' I remember thinking that was the funniest and most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. Being a fan of puns though I did appreciate the play on words. I began thinking way more in-depth about gun control and culture in America. It began to fascinate me how engrained guns are in Americas culture and also how divided it is on the situation. I had originally thought about doing something on gun control at the beginning go the project but did not know a way to present it that would not be boring, bland, or typical. This new take on gun control, looking through girls eyes could potentially be way more interesting as a topic and as a shoot or video especially for fashion.

I found a quote that really smacked me in the face. It went as follows, "One failed attempt at a shoe bomb and we all take off our shoes at the airport. Thirty-one school shootings since columbine and no change in out regulations of guns." -John Oliver 

This quote really explains the situation well. It shows how messed up the whole system is and the priorities of the country. 

The two articles above are instances that are greatly influencing my work and also that greatly influence my stand on the issue. (Both Images screenshots from BBC.co.uk)

Innocent lives are taken everyday by firearms and it gets even more tragic when children are involved. I want to look more into the idea of woman and guns and children with guns, specifically little girls and guns.

Guns are typically a symbol of power and I think that will be an interesting idea to play with.

There are a few ways I could take this theme. I am not sure how I will decide. I could make something overly saturated with girly-ness or make it kind of sexy. My next step is to think about the character I am creating. Who she is and what she looks like, what she is like in general. I am thinking my best option would be to find some middle ground and make her somewhere in-between the cute but psycho girl and a badass. 

Continuing Idea Development

I am still thinking about multiple ideas. I just haven't got a clue of how to produce a final piece for the subjects. I have three general ideas however I do not feel like they are that strong. They are not powerful and intriguing. And if I don't think they are that great right now I don't know if it is worth pursuing one of these ideas. I shall continue researching  and finding inspiration. If I don't figure out something I think is amazing by thursday I will do one of my present ideas.

Research

I wanted to have a solid beginning to my research. I decided I needed to look at what people were already doing with fashion relating to politics. I looked at the obvious, Chanel s/s15 and Vivienne Westwood s/s15. I admire the way designers choose to project their political statements but as I am not a designer I decided I needed to keep looking and see how different promoters make fashion political. I then started looking at films on show studio. There is a whole project on political fashion films!

Most of the films I watched were very clever. They made their points subtly, beautifully, and also powerfully. I think another interesting way to approach this political fashion would be to make a point but in a very ugly way, something unexpected.

'Believing fashion to be intrinsically political, from December 2007 through summer 2008 Nick Knight staged a multi-level film and essay project, encouraging creatives to use the medium of fashion to convey their political beliefs, agendas and thoughts. '  

Quote from - http://showstudio.com/project/political_fashion/films/


There was one video in particular that I thought was very powerful by Craig McDean. It is not about any particular political issue. Rather it is about the idea of fashion and politics colliding. Seeing what people think of the idea of fashion in politics is fascinating. I think that it is a rather old film, so I would be intrigued to see how those same people would react to that question if they were asked today.

"It's all the same, Fashion Politics, Politics Fashion. Sue Art, Art Sue ."

"Fashion is relevant to politics in a very subtle way."

"Fashion and Politics? They don't go very well together. People who are in fashion should not be in politics."

"Political correctness is bullshit. I will tell you the truth about anything. I for instance love skinny and hate hate fat. I don't like human beings either."

"I like a good terrorist look." 

Experimenting and New Ideas

Experimenting 

The textile and design students were playing around with the heat press today. I was watching them from my seat with curiosity and a little envy. It looked like they were having so much fun and were creating really cool things. I was just sitting scrolling through images trying to get inspired. So I decided to have a go and see what I could create. I watched long enough to get a few ideas, one being create a stencil for ah image, this create a sort of illustration. I quickly got the hang of it and found it so much fun, if there hadn't been such a long que I probably would of made millions.

For my stencil i drew and cut out little CCTV cameras. I was thinking about one of the concepts and issues I had already looked into which was to do with the government having loads of access to our personal information and being able to watch our every move with CCTV cameras.

Two examples of my heat press experiments (Images authors own.)

These could turn into really illustrations. It is also different from anything I've done before which is quite exciting. I don't know much about prints or using them so it will be an experience to find out.

New Ideas

I was making a playlist full of music with political messages when I thought of another issue within society that would be good to look at and use, slut shamming. It's a subject I feel very strongly about which will help make my work more passionate and genuine. 

Women Fashion Power Exhibition and The Tate Modern

I personally did not find the Women Fashion Power exhibition that inspiring. It didn't relate to any of the concepts and themes I was looking into for the project. However there were a few items in the exhibition I found interesting. One thing I really liked that was slightly random and different from things I am usually attracted to was a handkerchief. It had prints of how the world would be if women ran it. I thought this was the cutest/coolest thing. It really made me want to put some of my drawings onto material and create prints of them. I may be a promotion student but I think it is good to experiment any way.

At the Tate we looked at Nam June Paik's work. I absolutely loved his work. I've always been a fan of when people use magnets to distort video images.  I think his work was so inspiring for me because I love video but his work takes video further. He inspires me to try and be more experimental.

I have been thinking about using installation style work, or 3D visual work and using it for shoots. Because I find this style of art very intriguing and I want to be able to try it out but then also use it for  projects. I think I just have a desire lately to create something that is more than just photographs and moving images.

Part of the handkerchief on display at the Woman Fashion Power exhibition (Image authors own)

Fashion Politics

We began our new project 'Fashion and Politics.' I am excited about this project. It is important to be clued in to what is happening in society and  be able to have opinions. I think fashion is a medium that should be utilized for expression and political opinions count as an expression. 

Thinking about a final product was how I initially approached this project. I was just thinking 'where could I go with this?' 'how can I turn it into a shoot?' 

Then after having group discussions on various topics I began to think it would be better to just choose a subject I am passionate about and let it happen naturally. 

I am looking into a few issues at the moments and will select one of them eventually. The few I am looking at ate; Government surveillance, freedom (like freedom of speech...etc), and gun control. 

Journal extract, notes from the day (Image authors own) 

Illustration I made in response to the gun control issue. (Image authors own)