Exodus trailers...

Ahhhh ok, so its been a while since I blogged. Sorry!

But to settle you in check out the two trailers of the film Exodus: Gods and Kings which was one of my freelance jobs last year working as Prop Maker Trainee...

Ill be back soon...

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