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!

Behind the Royal Wedding

I can't even express my love for the most recent Game of Thrones episode, after only been watching for the past year I am extremely excited to see what happens next, so I can't imagine those who have stuck with the series since day one how you are feeling! Im trying really hard not t give spoilers, but I'm hoping you have all heard or watched by now....?

Ding dong the King is dead!

Anyways, last night it wasn't just the acting that was making me 'ooh' and 'ah', anybody get a look at the Royal Wedding set up?  How amazingly exuberant and over the top it was, I mean birds flying out of cakes, I though that stuff was kept for nursery rhymes? Anyways, as always it is usually the sets, props and special effects I like to ogle at and the Royal Wedding was no faint affair, so I had to have a look for some behind the scenes vids to get the insider scoop on the whole set up. And, I found exactly what I was looking for, great work by the whole team. When I get my genie lamp, or four leafed clover, or rabbit foot (actually I'm veggie so maybe not) Its my wish to work within this creatively inspirational team. 

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

The Old Operating Theatre

So currently I’m having the privilege to put some ideas together for some editorial shoots with prop stylist and set designer Sam Barbic. Check her website here, she has some amazing shoots from editorial to commercial and I am very excited to work with her.

During our first meeting we covered our interest and ideas and she brought up the idea for a editorial shoot based around quirky medical props and styling.

So I have covered a little bit of research for inspiration. Although I’m still to watch some quirky films Sam thinks could help with inspiration, I went along to the Old Operating Theatre Musuem. It’s based in London and used to be part of the St Thomas hospital in Borough. Not only is the history remarkable but also the interior and displays into such a tiny space, so interesting, I ended up been there for over 2 hours reading, browsing and taking pictures.

Its defiantly worth a visit, for anyone really. Whether you’re after inspiration like me, a medical student or just like a bit of museum browsing. Have a look at the website here for more info.

If anyone knows anywhere else that could inspire us let me know please.

Heres some of the images taken for inspiration.

original metal operating table. amazing look at history and how far medical equipment has come.

strange to thing that years ago something gory would have happened on here...

St Thomas hospital also was the home of the herb garret, where medicines of all kinds where made and stored for the hospital. This is a replica of the apothecary of animals, animal bones, etc.

Lovely curating, looks like someone has only just left. Almost looks like a set dressed for a shop from Harry Potter,  Diagon Alley.

The main section of the museum, called the herb garret. Filled with a host of information and equipment.

The space is gorgeous, with the roof structure which is all original.

Replicas of the herbs that were dried and used as pain killers for a number of illnesses.

Maybe not ideal for the shoot, but it is all real and what the team of the museum keep looking authentic.

Collection after collection of actual bottles, parcels, jars. Inside large cabinets, making the space feel so crowded which it would have been in them days, with so many different experiments taking place.

Id love to be able to dress a set like this, hunting around sourcing a range of bottles, jars, boxes anything that will create the right mood. Looking at the graphics used as well is interesting. Finding the right ones from the period or making my own.

This is some of the interesting things. Equipment used from as early as the 1600's I believe was in display. Tools used by midwifes, heart surgery, brain surgery and post mortem. Its amazing to see how the equipment and progressed and what is still used today.

This is one image I took of the actual operating theatre. Iv only uploaded one as its such an amazing space you can only really appreciate it when you are there. The room isn't fully original as it was recovered after it had been partly destroyed. The floor is still the same, and the furniture and equipment has all been recovered from other sites or are replicas.

I also got chance to see The Shard doing its job, rather than reflecting a cloudy day.

Thanks for reading!

Elle x