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

Exodus, Phantom and props...

So the past month has been a little up and down, either really crazy busy or nice and relaxed. A lot of creative fun at work and in my home to catch you up on!

Since my last post, literally the next day I got such a great opportunity, my first feature film job! And not just any, it was the new Ridley Scott film ‘The Book of Exodus’ starring an amazing cast, including the very talented Christian Bale (who I did casually walk past, Danny was very jealous I got to see Batman!).

This was such a great opportunity and what I had been aiming for since graduating last year. I was taken on as a Prop Maker involved in a number of different jobs, from ageing different textiles to making flags. Developing old skills and learning new skills was such a big part of this job, I learnt a number or processes that props go through to ensure they have the right look for the ear been depicted. Based at Pinewood Studios, I also got chance to have a walk around these historic and inspirational studios, where many films and tv productions have come to life. As if seeing the Exodus sets wasn’t exciting enough for me, I also got chance to see the sets for a number of other productions around the studios, which where all amazing! Whilst there I also met some lovely girls who have given me a lot of advice and help, so fingers crossed, hopefully this isn’t my last feature film!

Working on Exodus I had the chance to work under Production Designer Arthur Max, who’s work I have admired for so long.  From Gladiator to Prometheus he is able to design and manage a team into creating such inspiring visuals and build up the look for past, present and future scripts.

This opportunity has also given me my first step into my long-term career plan as a Set Decorator. Celia Bobak is the set decorator behind Exodus, and also was the set decorator for one of my favourite films for design, The Phantom of the Opera. Taking this well known story from theatre to film it really has to have that theatrical edge of amazement you would get from a live show. The set decoration for the film creates a magical darkness creating the dark sewer system, the Phantoms lair and takes on the lavish opera house stage and chandelier, and succeeds. Bobaks work really shines with the selection of props chosen to build up the design around the actors strong characters and the vocals, creating the amazing visuals you see on screen. Now excuse me whilst I go watch the Phantom of the Opera (loudly singing along). I’ll leave you with some of my favourite visuals from the film.

Ill be able to show more images of what I was making when the film is released, so tight toes until next year!
Thanks for reading as always,
E x

Art in our pocket

So the other day I had to top up my oyster card so I could go gallivanting around London.
I usually pay by card but happened to have some cash on me for a change so topped up a fiver with a tenner, £10 to non northern folk. (i know this may sound a boring story but wait)
When I got my change I was so confused because instead of money I was given tokens for the underground, after asking a guard why I had got them and if i could change them, I was embarrassingly told they where the new £2 coin collections for the 150th birthday for the London tube....
Told you it was a funny story, well you had to be there.

Anyways, after looking more closely i realised, and the designs are awesome! Designed by BarberOsgerby they have so many little hidden details. The team of designers where also behind the design for the olympic torch last year, which i got to hold on three different occasions when with the olympics (just had to get that in)

I currently have two with the underground logo that i don't want to part with. Obviously i eventually will because i need to eat and drink and buy other clobber.

I know there is another design that i'm on the look out for which is the front of the tube, so if you see it around London i'll do a swapsies???!!!

But looking at these really got me looking at the designs on coins and how we carry these little pieces of art around with us all day, in pockets, purses, socks....

so im sharing a few pics that i found when doing a bit of research.
its kinda given me some inspiration for maybe some art work, watch this space....

Oh and Happy 150th Birthday to the London Underground!

here is an instagram image of one of my £2 coins.

you cant see it that well because of the reflection of my phone but you can make the logo out.

this image shows the second design of the victoria line tube. the details they have fitted in are so clever, the tracks, lights on the coach, and around the edge the widely recognised graphic of the tube map.

I love the way it almost looks like its coming out the coin!

recent famous coins that i loved where the 50p olympic coins. Iv probably managed to have a good look at all of them over the year, the swimming and cycling been my favourite.

i had a look to see what i had in my purse and realised i had a few coins that form the shield design that are on most of the coins. i didnt have a picture to hand when writing but if you go to the Royal Mint website you should get a better idea from images there.

look at this awesome £1 coin i had in my purse aswell. I dont really know what it depicts but i thought it looked like the Arce de Triomphe in Paris or some old Roman building.

does any one remember £5 coins??

i remember my dad having one in the 1990s and loved how big and heavy it was! although pretty looking, not ideal for a ladies purse so i am happy for the £5 note :)

when having a look around i found this in a book, how lovely is it, It is just a general £2 coin but could look like a million thins, seaweed, zebra print, a flower, it might even look good around your neck on a chain, and that way you always have money in case of an emergency!

And although we may not use them now, my grandparents have many of these lying around, the image of the ship i think is beautiful. If anyone knows what ship it is id love to know, as its just the pretty pictures i researched! 

Could you imagine in todays world having half pennys....!

Thank for reading everyone! 

Elle x