Claudia is a character trapped in her own world of horror. When I think of Claudia I think long hair, pale skin like a character out of a horror movie. Claudia could either be the sweet, innocent victim in the movie or the ultimate femme fatale bitch sort of character. She could be completely insane. My mood board shows all of the images that remind me of my character Claudia. I could take it either way. She could be held captive, a complete freak or dainty.
I have been watching many horror movies to try and establish how I would like my Claudia to look.
Considering we are to be creating the looks for a music video I decided to look at some music videos to see what type of look goes on in Gothic horror music videos.
The first video I would like to reference for gothic horror is Blink 182 I miss you. The video is very Gothic within setting, the big mansion. The trees. The pale women in gowns. Spiders. I also love the extreme makeup that the models in the video are wearing.
Another video I chose to help provoke my thoughts in terms of design is My Chemical Romance Helena. This is set in church making it very gothic. The styling, and makeup is gothic. The corset and skirt is another element.
Gothic elements within pop culture.
I think that the videos above are more likely to include obvious gothic elements due to the music genre. However I think I would like my characters in the video to be more of the pop culture image with hints of the gothic element but not too much that its oblivious.
To me Lady Gaga Judas, has many gothic horror elements but done in a modern, stylish way. As in the styling, the chains, and weapons, the lavish,religion jewellery. In fashion the black clothing. The makeup includes; pale complexions, blood red lips, and graphic liner. The liner has swirls in it, it could possibly of been inspired by the gothic architecture. I love the big claw like nails to. It also reminds me of modern femme fatale as she is this powerful woman in control in the video.
In terms of setting the setting at the castle is gothic, yet enchanted.enchanted. Katy's costume and styling has gothic elements to it especially the mysterious looking cape. Her hair is sort of punk within the coloring. However the pale complexion and dark lips has a gothic feel to it I really like the makeup.
This video includes elements of Gothic horror. There's bats in it which has a link with vampires.There's skulls on the floor. There's fangs. I love the dark makeup. I really like the tear of blood which runs down Rhiannas face I feel this is a subtle yet striking touch to the makeup. I love the claw like nails. this video also has a sci-fi element to it which I may explore.
When I think of Gothic horror I imagine all things dark, and mysterious. I also think that Gothic architecture and fashion, even the trees to be very beautiful in a dark way and very inspiring and detailed.
Gothic horror is a genre of novels, and films containing horror and romanticism. In this mood board I feel I have included elements of both. I feel as though I understand clearly what Gothic horror is.
For our new project we have been given the opportunity to create two characters both fictional. I will develop my characters by beginning with discovering Gothic horror. Through agents of socialization such as film,music video, through text and images. I will keep track of how I will get to my final idea.
Claudia.
I understand that Claudia has always had an unhealthy relationship with movies. She has a soft spot for horror.She does not get out of her flat making her become rather unwell mentally and perhaps physically. She is isolated from the world. All she knows is from what she watches. Therefore her clothing will be inspired by the latest horror film she is watching; as well as how she wears her hair and makeup. However i understand that this look is or a music video. Usually in music videos the women look attractive therefore she will be very attractive with references with horror and Gothic within her makeup and styling, keeping up with pop culture.
Quentin.
Quentin is Claudia's boyfriend. Sometimes he's nice to her, sometimes he is vile. He messes with her emotions. He really is a different person everyday. He looks different everyday.However Claudia is completely in love with him. However like Claudia depending on what horror movie she is watching again he dresses, wears his hair etc like the characters in the movies. He has personality characteristics to the men in the movies. One day he's a hero the next day he is a psycho. The only problem is about Quentin is he does not exist. He is a figure of Claudia's wild, terrifying imagination. By understanding this I will try and get in the mid set of the character that I choose for Quentin. Again I will apply characteristics of horror to my character but in a pop culture/fashion sort of way.
For this project I think it is extremely important to pick the right model for the characters, as models make a huge difference. I will take a good think about what I visualize the image to look like.
Here is a face shot of my Estella design. I was really pleased with the black and white outcome. I used strong contouring and deep toned colours as I knew it was going to be in black and white the colours needed to be rich in order to show up. The makeup was meant to be fresh and innocent looking. It took me quite a long time to perfect the makeup therefore I struggled for time with the hair; which is why the hair does not look that good. I wanted to use a head piece to adorn the head it also adds a contemporary look to the makeup.
If I could re-do my Estella I defiantly would of taken more time on the hair. However I was pleased with the makeup.
Here I practiced my total look a week before my assessment. I would like my assessment to look exactly like this as I was really pleased with the outcome. I wanted to practice on my partner as she has distinctive eyes I wanted to make sure the design worked well to suit her features.
I added a necklace to the hair. As I feel this makes the look more interesting. The necklace also has Gothic/Victorian elements to it. I did not want it to look too innocent.
However for the day that the image is to be taken I will contour a lot more as the image is in black and white.
For my final hair design I wanted the hair to be extremely simple as I am not confident with hair. I also wanted the prior focus to be on simplicity. I wanted the hair to convey a once tidy,controlled style that is getting messy and loosing shape and control. To symbolize Estella slowly loosing control as she is further away out of her mothers reach.
For the hair for Estella I wanted to do something pretty and very simple as I find hair extremely hard I liked this simple hair bun. Also anther thing that strikes me is that the image is also in black and white. I also like the point the hair isn't perfect is's a little messy. Of which I can relate to Estella starting to loose control.
I found this image to also be inspiring due to a plait reminding me of a rope. Also a rope can be pulled and controlled in a way. I thought I could relate this to Estella. If it was a contemporary Estella I may of used rope in the hair.
My first face chart was very much inspired by what warm spring days are made of. Pastel colours, soft contouringand eyes. However I have had to say goodbye to this idea although it would look so pretty in colour in black and white pastel colours do not show up very well.
For my next design I have decided to go for deeper colours. As these give a better, more crisp result when shooting in black and white.
Estella reminds me of doll. In every way. As she is played about with by her mother. She is almost emotionless so it seems like a doll. To me I also imagine her to look very much like a doll. Dainty, yet with prominent features, such as big blue eyes, or a striking jaw line. I imagine her skin to be soft looking and rather fair.
Here are some china doll roses that look so pretty and delicate.In the novel Pip describes Estella as being beautiful despite her prideful and snobbish behavior towards him. I also find these roses to be specifically inspiring as they are not like any other rose. Yes they are beautiful but also more delicate and the color of them is eye catching. I would like to apply a pinch of pink to my makeup as pink always makes a makeup look more pretty.
I find this makeup to be how I imagine a 21st century Estella to look like. A real natural beauty with cold looking eyes. yet such a soft,feminine look about her. I really like the lip colour and would like to do a peachy look like this.
Since finding out that the Estella photo shoot will be photographed in Black and white. I have decided to design my makeup around my perception of the character,inspiration and what would work well in black and white. Also taking into consideration of my model.
I will start by deciding the lip colour. So I decided to take a swatch of the colours I am considering using on my model, to see what colours work best with black and white photography.
Here I think that the pastel colours would look perfect for my creation of Estella. Symbolizing innocence, it also looks great with fair skin creating a soft look.
Here I can see that for the photo pastel colours would not work well. I can see that much deeper tones look best on camera. Bright rich toned colours too like orange. However I believe that orange lips would be too modern.
I am going to try an up do for my design. Just because I have established that I would like to create Estella in her older years just when she returns from her school. I have chosen this time as she is independent and begins to discover that she was abused by her mother. In a way that her mother brainwashed hr to make her believe that no man should be loved. I want the design to be quite robotic looking so I am looking for a structured hair style. Here I can see various hair patterns that I could use. I can also see ways I can tackle this.
I could use wodding and plait the hair around it for a more structured shape and plait. Also it would ensure thickness. I could use an extension and plait it. However I know that my model has long hair so I will practice plaiting her hair and creating a bun shape. I am not sure how I want the surface of the hair to be. Whether I want volume en it or for it to be flat to show control. I t would also work in contrast with the makeup.
Children in the Victorian era had different life styles based on class. Much like today. The issue I am interested in when looking at this periods childhood is how they wore their hair to help me find a historically correct hairstyle and styling. I can then adapt the style into a mature looking style.
Females of the upper class (like Estella) were classed as adults until they were in their 20's. It was said that they had good lifestyles as they were served by servants. They had good social lives. They went out dancing,played various sports. However when considering Estella would she of had this lifestyle? I think not as she had hardly any sunlight and her mother chose who she played with and what she played. So from this we can establish Estella would of not been tanned historically in my mind. Her hair would of been perfect due to not playing constantly. This to me can also indicate that she could have darker hair due to the sun not lightening her hair. So I am guessing it would be in amazing condition, shiny due to no sun damage.
Only the privileged females were allowed to go onto university or older all girls schools. Which in the novel we know that her mother sends her abroad to study she is in her early 20's. This gives Estella independence an makes her intelligent. I can show this through use of makeup and hair. In makeup by using strong contour. Hair creating a strong shape, or up do.
Deborah Gorham (1982). The Victorian Girl And The Feminine Ideal. USA Canda: Routeledge. 1-221.
Here's an image of two young Victorian girls. Although they appear to be foreign. I can tell this by the clothing. Although they are foreign many factors will be similar as in England. I can see from this photograph that the hair is plaited in buns. With ribbon to decorate the hair and also for hold.I can also see that they have pale complexions. That the brows are light. Te hair also looks very shiny and healthy. The parting is centered. from this image I can confirm to myself that the texture of the hair needs to healthy looking. Plaits were in and so were middle partings. From this I can begin to build on my design.
Estella has been presented differently but each with similar elements in every adaptation of Great Expectations. Considering I have looked at Estella in her older age. I have decided to look at her image in her younger years so I can establish what Estella I would like to create. Or I may get inspired by some of the the younger Estella looks.
Here I can see Estella is pale and being pale in that era symbolized innocence. Above every other feature we can see that Estella eyes are blue. Not just any blue but an ice cold blue. It is also said by Shakespeare "Eyes are the window to your soul", possibly this connatates to me that she has no soul at this stage. As she is clearly Miss Havishams project/ robot. This look is how a little girl should look, simple. I really like the hair design here. It looks as though the hair is in a plait and has been wrapped into a bun. the hair adornment indicates wealth, and flowers innocence. The hair texture is shiny this is something I will take
Here is a completely different looking Estella. Again the skin is fair. He red hair could symbolism danger, but at the same time makes her stand out. It could also indicate the saying "there's no fire without smoke". To me Miss Havaisham is her smoke, she created this heartless person. Her hair is down conntating innocence. Her hair is rather playful, down in ringlets how a child's hair of a high social class would of worn their hair. If I was to do this design I think I would like to add a bow or flowers in the hair to make it look more playful.
This Estella is more of what in our time is associated with the ideal beauty. Tanned,blonde long hair. Again the face is plain like a child's except this Estella has that California glow. Her hair is also straight which is more modern.Straight hair to me also gives off a colder look. Especially if someone has defined features. I do not think I will straightened my Estella hair, I also do not think I will tan my Estella. Although it is interesting to look at a modern child version.
Estella Havisham is a fictional character created by Dickens. In the novel `Great Expectations` Estella is perceived as having a heart of ice "i have no heart". Estella was Miss Havishams robot. She created her to be a person with no feelings towards men. She was Miss Havisham's revenge on her ex-partner. Estella is Pip's only love, yet she falls into an abusive relationship with Bentley described as a "spider" by Pip. From the book I en-capture Estella to be beautiful yet cold looking. I can make her cold looking by really contouring her face making the angles sharp. Giving her a superior yet attractive look.
Estella in David Leans version of Great expectations (1946) in terms of appearance. Is classically beautiful. She has striking bone structure, smooth skin and high brows. Her hair looks slightly frizzy,yet smooth. It is sort of slicked tot he back with a middle parting. Her ends of her hair have been flicked out.
Estella in Alfonso Cuarónversion in Great Expectations is very natural looking in terms of makeup and hair. Her skin is dewy and looks sun kissed. Her lips are very neutral with a peach, pink tint. Her brows and eyes are always very neutral looking. Her hair is soft, and silky looking. Her hair is always straight throughout the film. To me this is how I would imagine a contemporary Estella naturally pretty. However I think the only element I would take from this character is how natural and neutral her eyes always are.
In BBC ones adaptation of Great Expectations. Estella is perceived as being extremely cold, personality wise and looks wise. In comparison to the other versions. Her skin is pale, and her eyes are ice blue. To me she looks very intimidating. She is not how I would imagine Estella or how I ma going to create mine because I just do not find her attractive, I believe Estella should be attractive. Her makeup is plain, and simple. Soft brows,skin and lips. Her hair has a lot of height and shape although the curls appear to be very soft making her hair style have a loose feel to it. Possibly symbolizing that she cannot be controlled anymore? I like the idea of loose curls to communicate that.
Site:http://www.picstopin.com/ Viewed:28.01.14
Estella in Mike Newells adaptation of Great Expectations is fairly attractive. She is closer to my Estella ideal as she has this cold look about her, yet a warmth. She also has a strong face that could be perceived as attractive which is what I would like to create. Her cheeks are strong contoured to give that sort of superior look. She has really good plumped up lips that naturally create a pout. Her eyes again are kept neutral this could possibly be because they did not wear eye makeup in the Victorian era. Her hair is extravagant and interesting which I like. I have not been so inspired by up dos for Estella and would like to create a natural waved effect on the hair.
This was the profile of my final assessment of Miss Havaisham. I was pleased with the hair as I felt it looked near enough the same as my first part of my assessment. I made sure I practiced my hair design on my doll to try and get the hairstyle as accurate as possible.
I was not too pleased with my makeup. Although there are many elements that are similar, there are many that were not quite the same. Which I find frustrating. The brows seems to be more heavy looking in colour. The top lip looks more chapped compared to the other photo.
I found it hard to get the images exactly the same.
I found this project to be rather interesting. As e got to learn new makeup techniques such as bruising and scarring. To begin with I was unsure of how to start my research as I was not positive that I was on the right track but once I got into it it seemed to come together smoothly at first. I found it difficult to become inspired for this project as i really do not enjoy special effects makeup, or theatrical. I felt that it was hard to create a realistic looking Miss Havisham that was historically correct. But after playing around with makeup I soon was able to create a design that I was comfortable in recreating. I watched each film several times to get in the mind set. I looked at contemporary influences that I felt reminded me of Miss Havisham to help me feel more inspired. I practiced on myself once and Nicole once. I felt the first assessment went a lot better than the second one. As I felt more excited about creating my first Miss Havisham. If I could do this project again I think I would of thought more carefully and taken more time during my second assessment as I feel the makeup and hair looks different. Overall although I have learnt more skills in makeup although I was not too pleased with the outcome and feel given the chance I could of achieved a better outcome.
