It is creativity that pays me.

I am very lucky in my area of work that I have experience and a supportive boyfriend that I can focus on gaining paid work rather than unpaid freelance work. However, when the script for a short film that had a small budget so couldn't offer pay, was shown to me, it was so creative and fresh just on paper that I knew I wanted to be involved.

The film is called Led Zepplin Cashmere, some of you may recognise the name already associating it to something else, however the director, MA Fashion Media Production student Corrine Delaney, takes inspiration from a number of sources. Working alongside Set Designer, Linda Berlin, I had the chance to cover various roles during pre production and across the weekend of filming. I made some wacky props from colourful balaclavas to gorgeous hand written notes. Ran around London searching for various things I could transform into wackiness! Worked as the Art Director for one of the filming days,  dressing the various sets, making last minute props (which at the time isn’t always, but afterwards you think, or I think ‘that was quite fun’), working alongside the costume and make up guys (who were lovely and had great imagination and style!) and managing the art dept. for this one day. The budget was quite low, I had literally come from working onExodus which as you can imagine had 1000s to this, where I had about £20!

The film was released this year and has had some great feedback.  Below is only a small collection of images showing some of the props I made, also some final taken from the film.

From the images you can sense how abstract the film is, it isn’t for everyone I’m not going to lie. A love story told from the eyes of the boy, and how flaws and our character make us all unique. It is really magical and wacky, if you follow this link to website 1.4, you will find an interview with Corrine where she explains in depth more about the film, you will also find the full length video where you can marvel at the wonderfulness of it all! Its only 6 minutes long!

Thanks for catching up!

My love for Edward.

Im a person who will happily sit and watch any film, disregard the reviews and make my own opinion. So when I sat down to watch Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters, I feel bad in saying I already a bit apprehensive. But it was a Saturday night, food had been eaten and Maltesers where in flow so a film was needed!

Now I won’t give too much away about the film, but Hansel and Gretel are the expected brother and sister team, now grown up. Both bounty hunters who hunt witches all over the world. Directed and written by Tommy Wirkola… it was good. Easy understandable story line, characters explained without too much detail, and you could see what the twist was. But I didn’t come here to review the film, I came here to talk about the massive praise for the art department and special effects team I have.

Production Designer Stephen Scott has created what seems to be popular at the moment within action films. Mixing period features and styling along with modern action, mechanics and fashion, you can also see this in Captain America: The First Avenger. The design for Hansel and Gretel reflects its German locations predominately within the forests, cottages and the village where the story is based. The visual depths work really well in expanding the make-believe village, using alley ways, large trees, bushes, which all create the impression that the action doesn’t stop when the camera pans round. I have a lot of love for the decoration for Muriel’s lair (The Head Witch). The design creates the right atmosphere reflecting her aggressive and evil behaviour, with harsh dark colours, textures and also her make-up is pretty awesome!

Make-up - Head Witch Muriel - Famke Janssen

One of my favourite modern day references.

But putting aside set decoration, weaponry, costumes etc. the main event of the creative team is the remarkable work on Edward the troll. If you have seen the film you will know what I mean, if not, just watch it for Edward!! A mixture of animatronics and CGI create the confused troll, well I fell in love with him! The emotions created on his face take him from being an evil monster to someone who cares and wants a friend. The use of animatronics and CGI really prove its worth, Edward has pretty much become a cult hero for the film.

The process behind his creation I cant say I know very well, as this isn’t my background, although something I would love to do one day! From reading up on the process and watching videos, the major feature his face begins as sketches and design concepts that are then passed onto a sculptor. From here the life-sized model can be created, then animatronics build up movement depending on the size, and then CGI comes into adding them few more details. Brief explanation I know, but there’s a pretty awesome image video here that can show you the process and the final outcome…

How awesome is that! Now it is only rumoured about a sequel to Hansel and Gretel, if it has Edward in it, i'm there!

Anybody else got a favourite special effect character from a film?

E xx