Evaluation of Role in the Group
For the 'Fashion and Constructed' project, my role within the group was hair-makeup and costume plus camera. I was given theses roles as I felt comfortable and was willing to learn about the hassleblad camera, and was confident in styling and wardrobe.
As the project progressed, we all found ourselves contributing with other roles and responsibilities which at the end of the day, as long as we got the job done we where happy to help.
Lighting, I found interesting, as I was keen to learn what lights created what effects. Through workshops and experience I was able to draw lighting plans which I thought best would contribute to our set, creating the write amount of depth, texture and detail.
Props I enjoyed, as my task was to collect leaves from my local woods, chop down or collect logs and stumps, buy soli or bark for our flooring and travel to wicks to buy 2x1 wood for our frame. Although it seems a lot it didn’t feel a lot, I made sure I set targets, for my self to achieve.
During the course, I also helped with casting. It was mine and Christie’s job to find a model that was suitable for our brief. Before we asked people to model, I built up collages of images that we as a group where looking for. This included cut off magazines, Internet, books etc of the character. Our idea was a girl mid teens/early adult, thin, brunette hair, defined cheekbones etc as this captured a modern and contemporary look of Little Bow Peep. A girl who herself is trying to find her own way in life, someone who oozes confidence but has a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty of what lies ahead. To start this search i began by finding possible candidates through modelling agencies, associates of friends, and also holding casting sessions at uni, unfortunately we didn’t find any suitable models on casting days and model agencies where expensive, but there was hope when asking people we knew, that where interested in this offer.
After interviewing and photographing models, Dana showed us a photo of her friend called Chloe. Having had some modelling experience, Chloe was defiantly interested in this opportunity and was willing to model for our shoot. Before we could say yes we asked if we could meet her and interview / photograph her. When meeting her we explained our concept, took her measurements and generally started to make a friendship with her. This meeting went well, and still was interested in modelling for us. After analysing her photos, we decided as a group to accept her and luckily for us she was willing to help free of charge except for train fare. To thank her, we gave her a copy of our final image as this would be useful in her portfolio.
I really enjoyed working with Chloe, as I think she captured the essence of the character. The only problem we found difficult was instructing her. Her interaction with the camera looked tensed as I think she was a bit nervous at the begging of the week. Luckily towards the end she relaxed which helped us when capturing the pose.
When it came to hair-makeup, I was lucky I knew a professional artist that has previously done films and theatre. I asked if she would be free for that week and she replied with a yes. Before meeting her I previously had done some research in this area of work and had some images that I thought could work best with our narrative and character. I showed her the designs and she practiced over the weeks commencing the shoot. The group and I saw the pictures that she had sent through email and we came to the agreement of liking her style.
Costume was difficult to design; as we had to find an outfit that we though best described our narrative. As our story was set in the regency era we thought of designing an outfit that people wore in this time, but we wanted to incorporate a modern twist allowing some suggestiveness. In lead up for this topic I sketched some drawings which helped chose our final outfit. We brought the outfit form a shop in Rochester
I also helped with poses. I researched several before shoot day, as I wanted to be confident enough to instruct the model. In order to do this I researched the type of character we wanted to create and collected images from websites and magazines. Ideally, we wanted awkward poses and postures as if the 'old' traditional character of Bow Peep was being shredded away to reveal a newer, more modern Bow Peep one who wanted to explore her character and sexuality.
On shoot day we all made sure that health and safety was checked, and the model and stylist were OK, in respect to food and drink and that references we had asked for.
When it came to the editing process, we all had an input within the final image. Although the group and I were not the best Photoshop workers, I felt some areas of the editing could have been better, if we had more time and experience. I think the downfall of this area, was not allowing one member of the team, to attend the editing meeting. Unfortunately I think this was down to our team member. I understand she thought it was best we all stayed and helped de-construct the set, but I think due to lack of experience , one member of the team should of gone. Unfortunately I was unable to attend as my role was driving back and fourth to the tip with trees. I think this was a lesson well learnt and know for future work.
Despite having less experience in the editing process, I felt I had learnt a lot over the last couple of days. I now feel I could edit a lot better with the confidence applied. This whole experience of the week was an eye opener into the real world, and has helped my team skills and interaction with other people. I also have learnt several new techniques in the practical side and have listened, taked note and learnt from others. Overall I feel I know how to work with people’s weaknesses and strengths in a constructive manner, which I think will help in my future work.
