Pre-D-day Selections...

Today is THE day! Lots of preparation was happening last night - organizing alternatives and making sure I had all the bits and pieces. The anticipation definitely ended up being more stressful than the actual shoot so I am genuinely satisfied and not entirely worn out! The most difficult thing I had to deal with today was the lighting. Thanks goodness for the lighting kit I borrowed from the AV department but as beneficial as it was I ended up spending a LOT of time positioning and repositioning the lights. Note for next time - either work with someone who knows more about film/photography and lighting or do some practice preparation before the day of the shoot!

Here are some photos from the styling day that Helen Pappas (my stylist for the film) and I had. Lots of excitement and colour!

Simple and Effective...

Another short film that I'm loving! It's short and sweet and fun and seriously simple. Just goes to show that things don't always have to be over thought to be effective and successful...

Plan in Place...

Shot #1 - 

Full length view of 'painted' model in a white bed (bed may have magazines and garments from following outfits strewn over it) 

- I would like to begin with the shot from this angle and then move around a side view; may or may not be down in one movement/could be two separate shots

Shot #2 -

Sheets slowly move down the body to reveal the whole outfit STOP MOTION

Shot #3 - 

close up shot of models head and face laying sideways on the pillow; - head moves to face directly upwards looking into the camera and eyes blink as though waking up STOP MOTION/FILM

- New shot: sitting on the edge of the bed STILL

Shot #4 - 

Sitting on the edge of the bed

- adjusting hat/headpice, smoothing dress/skirt, pulling up/adjusting socks STOP MOTION/FILM

Shot #5 - 

Close up taking shoes off and dropping to the floor 

- could cover in transparent overlay of same shot in slower motion/make scene slow motion FILM

- one sock being pulled down STOP MOTION/FILM

 

Shot #6 - 

Close up of hand placing hat/headpiece on the bed beside model FILM

Shot #7 - 

Close up of hand holding onto the edge of the bed with coloured paint (representing the nail polish the model is wearing) dripping from fingers STOP MOTION/FILM

Shot #8 - 

Close up from hips down, standing up and walking past the view of the camera FILM 

Shot #9 - 

Close up of zip coming up on pants (no hands) STOP MOTION

* taking bracelets off one wrist and putting different ones on the other wrist  STOP MOTION/FILM  

   

Shot #10 - 

Full length shot of new outfit in the doorway of the room; starting still and then walking past the view of the camera again FILM

Shot #11 - 

Full length view of second outfit from the front but slightly to one side while standing in front of mirror (doorway and bed slightly visible in the background) 

- camera sweeps to mirror view which shows model in final neutral outfit FILM

Shot #12 - 

Writing quote on mirror STOP MOTION

- pause on quote with no model in view and then hear footsteps and a door slam 
NB: debating how the final shot is going to be down; may not show the quote being written...

Wow...

I spent the first minute of this trying to figure out how it was made... Simple and insanely affective!!! Ten points to Mick Peel for posting the link on Facebook!

Planning...

I had a meeting with Helen Pappas this afternoon to discuss clothing and accessories. I have sent an email to Karen which she is going to pass on to the student body of the fashion department regarding any garments/outfits that people might want to feature in my film... fortunately Helen has quite a collection of self made clothing and accessories so as of now I'm pretty set however I am still hoping for some interest - after all it is better to have more selection than not enough. Helen has also agreed to assist with the styling. She knows exactly the look and feel I am after in the outfits and have seen her skills in putting outfits together and trust her 100% to pull out something extraordinary! 

I have FINALLY finished my story board and will post it tomorrow!! I'm actually glad I didn't finish it earlier because I didn't have a clear enough vision shot by shot until I had a better idea of the clothing which I only got today. I am REALLY happy with the storyboard now! All seems to be coming together.

I have a meeting with my makeup artist on Sunday and my music man on Monday so the finally pieces to the puzzle will be ready to go. Right now I am aiming for the shoot to take place on Saturday the 2nd of April which is one week... Fingers crossed I'll be all sorted by then! 

For now here are some images I am using as inspiration for the colour palette, silhouette, hair and makeup...

COLOURFUL-NEUTRAL-HAIR/MAKEUP

Images via: Rackk and Ruin, Olsens Anonymous, Noel Stewart Fall 2011, Style Bubble, Style Copycat

Images via: Akris Fall 2011, Fashion Squad, Closet Visit, Lover, Man Repeller

Images via: Who What Wear - Elle France, Glamour.com, Mario Testino shoot, Balmain Fall 2011

An Arizona Moment...

I love the simplicity of this YSL promotional film!!! The collection had an element of simplicity to it and I think the black and white throughout really embodied that simplicity whilst also avoiding any distraction from the silhouette of the clothing. I'm a big fan of the shot in motion, paused and played in reverse as well as - and most of all - the initial shot of a transparent Arizona (the model) almost introducing the real one... There's definitely a couple of techniques here that I will be referencing!

Examples 3...

SHOWstudio explores the body through film. One in particular embodies the visual ideals I hope to portray in my film - there's an element of disjointedness in the varying filming techniques and it also utilizes a little stop motion. Film by Marie and Christian Schuller.