Evaluation Quentin and Mrs Laderman

Evaluation

for our second part of the gothic horror topic, the task was to create two characters which had a rough character brief and relate them to a Horror series of our choice, however due to having quite a short period of time and lack of lessons due to the Easter Break I found it quite overwhelming.

After having a lecture on an introduction to gothic horror and was introduced to the characters and the horror series in greater detail, I already had a rough idea on the chosen TV series and character I wanted to do. In my own time I had to create a power point which had to be presented to my lecturer and several other course members explain my inspirations, ideas and research on my chosen TV series, although I find speaking in front of a group of people out of my comfort zone I found this a great help, it gave me an opportunity to receive the feedback I needed on what I needed to research in order to gain a better understanding and create more thorough ideas. I was told due to choosing the freak show American horror story, researching into freak shows, burlesque, Femme Fetale and the 1950s would help me with my ideas.

After carrying out thorough research I found I had a clear idea on both of my characters, in terms of the hair and the make up .When creating my Quentin character I decided to watch many tutorials in of special effects to gain inspiration. I created my Quentin design on location, I was very apply with the outcome of my design I felt the hair makeup and character styling related to my Chosen TV series. The only thing I would have improved on was the makeup application on the hand due to working under yellow lightning and shooting under white lighting the prosthetic on the hand looked a little discoloured , I attempt to edit this on photoshop and added the before and after pictures to my blog.

When creating my Mrs Laderman design, I unfortunately was unhappy with the outcome of my first attempt the character styling didn't relate to my TV series and the makeup application underneath the eyes looked unsymmetrical and messy, when shooting my mid length shoot due to my model having her arms showing, I made the mistake of not applying white skin base which I applied to her face and neck also to her arms which looked a little odd. However I learnt from my mistakes made a few minor adjustments and recreated my Mrs Laderman character which had a much better outcome.

Overall I have found the Quentin and Claudia course enjoyable, it has gave me the freedom to create a look suitable for a horror series.

Mrs laderman look first attempt

Mrs Laderman Look first attempt:

During my technical lesson at university, I decided to create my Mrs Laderman design, however I wasn't very happy with the outcome of my first attempt. However I took advise on board and have decided to recreate my Mrs Laderman look again with a few minor adjustments.

In order to create my Mrs Laderman look, I firstly started with the hair , I felt it was best to start with the hair due to the curls been set in place whilst carrying out the makeup. For my Mrs Laderman hair design , I decided to look into 1950s hairstyles as well as burlesque and femme Fetale hair. After gathering many ideas I decided to curled the hair and applying a side parting with the fringe slightly back combed off the face. I felt this would show the strong use of a 1950s hairstyle which was when My chosen horror series was set.

Firstly I began by creating a side parting and then sectioning the hair two smaller sections to the ears and then the back section. The section of hair which had the side parting give me more hair I started with, curling the hair under using the curlers and securing in place with hair pins to keep the heat, I created three of these curls on this side. I carried out the same technique also on the other side however with two curls due to the section being slightly smaller. Next I started to curl the back of the hair using the same curling technique but however on top of the crown carrying out the brick layering technique in order for the curl to appear even, this means one larger curl secured in place with two curls secured underneath and then another one which I followed on until the nape of the neck. Finally I started to curl the side this time bringing the curls towards the face in order to create spiral curls which would frame the face. Once all the curls had been secured in place with hair pins I then started the makeup.

I wanted my Mrs Laderman makeup, to include an element of Femme Fetale , a circus theme and Burlesque in order for it to relate to my chosen TV series. Firstly I applied a primer to my models face and then followed by a white illamaqua skin base  which I applied using a foundation brush. Once the product looked even I then used my buffer brush to blend the product into the skin and applied my white Illamaqua loose powder in order to set the product.

Next I applied a dark pink from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to the cheekbones, extended up to the temples, I also applied the same colour to underneath the eyes.

Then I applied a dark purple from my kryolan pallet known as shallot to the eye sockets which I blended out using my rounded blending brush, I also applied a white from the same pallet to underneath the brows and the eyelids. I then sued a black from my supracolour pallet and a fine liner brush to create two eyeliner flicks on each eye and also the circus style triangle makeup underneath the eyes, I then applied a dark pink dot using a hair pin to the ends of the black triangles to complete the look.

Finally I applied a red mac lip colour to the lips using a fine liner brush.

I took several photographs after I completed my look on a canon camera in the studio on a black background, I took a variety of photographs which were profile side shots and facial shots.

I was unhappy with the outcome of my first Mrs Laderman look, although I was happy with the outcome of the hair, I felt I didn't think the style of clothing through well enough, it didn't link to my chosen TV series or the 1950s which was when it was located. I also made a major mistake of only applying the white sin base to the face and the neck, due to my model having quite a lot of skin showing for my profile shot the photo overall looked odd due to her chest, hands and arms being a different colour.

I feel the makeup element which let my design down most was the black style triangles underneath the eyes, the looked messy uneven and too thick, after speaking to Kat explaining I was unhappy with the outcome she explained the area under the eye is a difficult area to apply thin line work to, in order for it to appear more neat and symmetrical creating a template or using a really fine brush would perhaps help.

After taking my mistakes into consideration I decided to make some minor changes and to think of suitable clothing which will relate to my chosen TV series in order for it to work for my second attempt. 

Mrs laderman final look

Mrs Laderman 

For my Mrs Laderman design, I wanted to include the use of Femme Fetale, burlesque and the 1950s style into my character in order for it to relate to my chosen TV series, the American horror story season four the freak show.

 In order to create my look, I firstly started with the makeup, applying an alabaster foundation from my Kryolan pallet to my models face and neck , matching my models skin tone. Once the product was applied evenly to the face I then blended the product out into the hair line using my buffer brush . I then applied a loose Illamaqua powder to the face in order o set the make up base.
 
Next I started to apply colour to the face, applying a dark pink from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to the cheekbones which I extended up towards the temples, I also applied the same colour to underneath the eyes. In order to separate the colour from underneath the eyes and he cheekbones, I applied a light powder from my glamour glow pallet, called bush mauve to act as a highlighter and to separate the colours, I also applied the blush mauve to the lighter areas of the face.
 
I then started to apply colour to the eyes, I firstly started by applying shallot, a dark purple from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to the eye sockets, I the brought out the eyes by applying the white from the kryolan eye shadow pallet to the eyelid and underneath the brow line . I then used a black  from my supracolour pallet and my fine liner brush to create two eye liner flicks on each eye.
 

To complete my eye application, I drew two even flicks above and below the eye to resemble a clown and the circus, in order to create this I used a fine liner brush and my black supracolour the main thing to take into consideration was making sure the lines on either eye were even, I also felt the two lines looked a little plain therefore I decided several flicks coming of the lines in order to add more design.
 
Finally to complete my makeup design, I applied a black mac lip colour mixture with minimal amount of red an a mac shine mixing medium to the lips, I applied the product to the lips using a fine makeup brush.
 
Once I had complete the makeup I then designed the hair, the main aim was to create curls set into a centre parting to resemble the 1950s hairstyle which was my chosen horror series was set , I also wanted the curls to appear imperfect in order to convey an element of the character being insane.
 
In order to create this hairstyle I firstly used a pin tail comb to create a side parting, then I started to curl the back of the hair using the technique learnt in my technical lesson, using the brick work technique , which was to curl the hair under, release the curlers and to secure in place using several hair pins and then releasing and applying hairspray to the curls once the whole head had been set into curls. Due to the hair being curled on top of the crown the brick work technique was used in order to make sure the hair was curled evenly. Once the back of the hair was curled I then started to curled the sides of the hair , curling the hair towards the face. My model had a fringe therefore I curled this section last . Once all the hair was curled in then back combed the fringe slightly off the face, and pinned the sides of the hair back using hair pins in order to create a 1950s, burlesque hair style.
 
I asked my model to wear a corset and a black statement necklace, the corset I felt would work well with my chosen TV series which relates to a circus, I also felt the black corset would convey burlesque which was another element I researched and included in my work . After researching into femme Fetale, jewellery was a main element included in the character styling, I wanted to however put a twist on things and include black jewellery in my work in order to convey dark and mystery as well as evil.
 
I was Generally quite happy with the outcome of my Mrs Laderman look, this was my second attempt at creating my final design, after looking into my mistakes I decided to make some minor changes such as the design around the eyes the lip application and the skin base colour. I felt this was a good decision and was a better outcome than my first attempt. I also felt I blended the eye application and the colour on the cheekbones better.
 
The things I found difficult was making sure the lines above and below the eyes were even, I used my mirror in order to make sure the lines looked even on either side. I feel I could have also applied more colour to the cheekbones in order for it to appear more prominent on camera, although it looked quite bright off camera I feel I should have layered the colour up a little more for it to be seen.
 
Once I finished my final Mrs Laderman character, I took several photographs in the studio with a black backdrop, I also altered the shutter shade on the canon camera in order for some of the images to appear darker and others lighter. I took many facial shots side shots and profile shots in order to show off the best qualities of my final design.

 

 

American Horror story

American Horror Story

The American horror story, is a famous TV series, which started in 2011. The American Horror story includes the use of different types of horror which are both psychological and physical, the series also includes the use of an Asylum, witches a freak show and a family which is torn apart by many horror events which occurs in the first series.


Anonymous . (unknown). American Horror story. Available: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1844624/. Last accessed 29/04/15

Season 1 the murder house

Anonymous. (unknown). American horror story: murder hous . Available: http://www.playbuzz.com/evgenig10/american-horror-story-murder-house-quote-quiz. Last accessed 29/04/15.

The first series of the American Horror story, experiences a family moving into a new home, which is haunted by a 1922 man and his wife. The new family which have moved into the house experience, many physical and physiological horrors, however the main character experiences visits from a women, however the element which is so appealing to the audience is mystery and cliff hangers through out the series, the main character Vivien doesn't realise who the women is. The gothic motif I feel best describes the first series of the American Horror series is ' the uncanny' something which is mysterious but in an unsettling way.


Anonymous . (unknown). American Hororr story the murder house. Available: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2063035/. Last accessed 29/04/15.

Season 2 The Asylum

Anonymous. (unknown). VOTW. Available: https://www.pinterest.com/tomasagustin81/votw/. Last accessed 29/04/15.

The second series of the American Horror story is set back in 1964, and includes spin tingling experiences in an unsettling asylum. The main character in this series, experiences the physical horror of being turned into a nun, who is found captured by an evil doctor with an interested in experiments. The gothic motif I feel best describes the second series, is power, the main character is captured and in the hands of the doctor.

I feel this second series would be an interesting series to recreate two characters for, I am considering researching further into this series before deciding on my chosen TV series and my final character designs


Anonymous . (unknown). American Hororr story:asylum . Available: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/american-horror-story/s02/. Last accessed 29/04/15

season 3 The coven

Anonymous. (unknown). American horror story: coven . Available: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/american-horror-story/images/34540650/title/american-horror-story-coven-photo. Last accessed 29/04/15.

The third series of the American horror story, is located in New Orleans and experiences the use of the supernatural and witches. In the series many characters from previous series return as witches, and many new comers also feature in the series. The gothic motif I feel best describes the third series is, ' supernatural' the series lets the audience experience the use of two worlds colliding together.


I feel the coven would be an interesting series to create my two characters for, however I feel I will get distracted and relate my two characters to the stereotypical type of witches.


Anonymous . (unknown). American Hororr story:the coven. Available: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/american-horror-story/s03/#. Last accessed 29/04/15.

Season 4 The freak Show

Anonymous. (unknown). American horror story: freak show. Available: http://uk.eonline.com/news/579513/american-horror-story-freak-show-s-new-poster-is-glamorous-and-understatedly-twisted. Last accessed 29/04/15.

The season TV American horror series ' the freak show' is set back in 1952
in Jupiter Florida. The series focuses on a list of freaks incorporated into a show ,The show is run by Elsa Mars who throughout the series makes the freaks experience death and the struggle for survival. In the series finale the ring leader of the  freak show , Elsa Mars is finally confronted for killing her freaks and is banished and turned into a freak starring in her own show.


Anonymous . (unknown). American Horror story freak show 2014. Available: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/american-horror-story/s04/. Last accessed 29/04/15.

Season 5 Hotel

Anonymous. (unknown). American horror story: new season cast revealed. Available: http://www.horrorgalore.com/news/american-horror-story-new-season-cast-revealed. Last accessed 29/04/15

The most recent series of the American horror story, the hotel is set in the fabulous hotel, the chateau mormont, where supernatural experience occur . The gothic motif I feel best describes season five the hotel, is supernatural,  due to the audience experiencing two worlds colliding together. I feel the gothic motif the ' uncanny' also can be used to describe the series, the hotel is mysterious but also strange and unsettling at the same time.


After researching into the season five American Horror series, the Hotel I have decided not to create my two characters relating to the series, due to getting the impression that the hotel is the main character in this series, therefore I feel the hair and makeup in this series will not be the main focus.


Anonymous . (unknown). American Horror story:the hotel. Available: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls073111084/. Last accessed 29/04/15.

Chosen TV series

After researching into the American Horror story I decided to choose the four series of the American Horror story which was the freak show, due to gathering many ideas in terms of the hair makeup and styling for both characters .I had also thought up a storyline for both characters which linked into the series well .
When choosing my TV series to create my characters for I also took into consideration my own fears, in order to convey and element of horror, my fear is clowns and puppets, therefore for my first character Quentin I decided to incorporate elements of a clown and a puppet into my final design.The gothic motif I wanted to include in my Quentin make up design was, 'the uncanny' I felt this choice of word best describes my character, due to my character being mysterious and unsettling .


For my Mrs Laderman look I wanted to include an element of femme Fetale, therefore I chose this series due to my makeup inspirations linking into the circus theme. The gothic motif which I feel best describes my Mrs Laderman character is, 'power' Mrs Laderman is a character which controls both Claudia, her neighbour and Quentin, who I have decided is a human puppet controlled by Mrs Laderman, the new ring leader of the freak show.

Quentin developing ideas

Quentin ideas

After thinking of several ideas to be incorporated into my final Quentin design, such as a joker resembled smile, exposed brain, mouth stitches and hands which have been sewn back on I decided, to research further into techniques on how to create these looks, from watching YouTube tutorials to Analysing images. 

The first technique I attempted was the sewn on hands. I firstly applied cinewax from Kryolan to the wrist which I blended out using a spatula. I then used tissue paper and latex to layer up the effect an create a skin like texture, once the latex was dried I then applied a kryolan foundation which matched my skin tone over top of the latex using my foundation brush. Next I used my spatula to create an indent which looked like a cut , I then used a needle and black thread and sewed through either side of the indent in order to create an effect which looked like the wrist had been stuck back together. Finally to complete th look I applied black and red supracolour, wound filler and blood to the cut to make it appear more realistic, I also used an orange textured sponge to spread the blood down the wrist and to add texture.

Goldie Starling . (12/04/13). FX makeup series chelsea smile. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugl9AmySpj0. Last accessed 20/04/15.

The next special effects makeup look I attempted was the joker like smile. Firstly I heated gelatine in the microwave, which I had purchased from screen face and left it to cool a little. Next I applied the gelatine to from the corners of either sides of my mouth and extended the line up into a smile. Once the gelatine had dried I set the product by using a white illamasqua powder and sponge. Next I applied colour to the mouth by using red black and pink supracolour, I applied the darer colours to the corners of my mouth and outside of my lips and the lighter colours to the lighter areas in order to add more depth. Finally I completed the look by applying fake blood from Kryolan to the inside of the mouth made from gelatine, which I let drip slightly down m face.

Beautiful you TV. (28/08/14). FX makeup series . Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv693UaWs14. Last accessed 20/04/15.

I developed the joker smile look by creating stitches over the mouth, I achieved this by cut black thread into short pieces and stuck the thread to my lips by using gelatine which was a sticky substance holding the thread in place. I did like the outcome of my makeup however I did find sticking the stitches to my lips quite fiddly and difficult, although I liked the outcome I decided not to incorporate the element into m final makeup design due to it being quite time consuming.

smashin beauty . (02/02/15). easy 3D realistic exposed brain SFX halloween makeup tutorial 2015. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztGQod3L8GM. Last accessed 20/04/15.

Another makeup technique I attempted was the exposed brain, after watching the tutorial I realised I did not have the correct products to create this look as a result I improvised. Firstly I used tissue paper which I used to create brain like shapes, I stuck the shapes to the top of my head using latex and layered the product up to create more depth. Next I applied black supracolour to the brain  like shapes and a pink and grey supracolour mixed together to make the makeup appear as a brain. Finally to complete my look I applied fake blood to the darker areas of the brain. Once I completed the exposed brain makeup, I decided not to incorporate the makeup idea into my final design, although I liked the idea of  the exposed brain being a way of conveying my human puppet character as being controlled, I felt the technique would not work well with my style of makeup and would look a little too over the top, also due to not having the correct products I felt it didn't look as realistic as it could have .

Here is a face chart which I decided to create in order to convey my Quentin ideas, I was quite happy with the outcome of my first face chart I felt my choice of colours worked well together . IN order to create my face chart I applied a grey from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to the convex areas of the face. Next I applied a red supracolour to the lips and a black supracolour to form crosses over the lips. Finally to complete the lip design I applied fake blood dots to the ends of the crosses. Next I used black supracolour to creak flicks around the eyes. Finally to complete the look I shadowed the eyes using a black from my kryolan eye shadow pallet.

Here is another face chart which I created I wasn't very happy with the outcome I felt the makeup looked quite messy even though this was the look I was going for, my inspiration for this face chart was the Joker from Batman.

 

In order to create this design I firstly used a grey from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to highlight the convex areas of the face, next I applied roughly red supracolour to the lips. and black flicks underneath he eyes and red and yellow messy splodges around certain areas o the face using the my supracolour pallet.

Here is another face chart which I created I wasn't very happy with the outcome I felt the makeup design which I created looked more effective than the face chat. In order to create this look, I applied a grey in order to outline the features and the cheekbones, then I applied a black from my kryolan eye shadow pallet to around the eyes next  used the black from my supracolour pallet and fine liner brush to outline the eyes, next I applied red supracolour to the mouth and slightly extended the lips in order to create a joker like smile. Finally to complete my look I applied blood drips coming from the mouth and the eyes.

Here is my attempt at creating one of my Quentin face charts I felt the design went better than the face chart. Firstly I applied a white illmasqua skin base to my neck and face which I blended in using a buffer brush then I applied white illmasqua powder to secure the makeup The I applied a grey to my cheekbones and temples from my kryolan eye shadow pallet. Next I applied a black around my eyes and a white to my eyelids to add depth the product I used was from my kryolan eye shadow pallet. Then I applied a red from my supracolour pallet o the lips, I extended the corners of my mouth using a fine liner brush and red supracolour to create a joker like smile. Finally to complete my look I applied fake blood drips coming from my mouth and eyes.