The gothic genre refers to a genre of films, television and literature that embodies horror and romance. Gothic can also refer to architecture and paintings.
In terms of novels, gothic originated from Roman Literature.
Horace Walpole first applied the word ‘Gothic’ to a novel in the subtitle – ‘A Gothic Story’ – of The Castle of Otranto, published in 1764.
When I hear the term 'gothic' words that spring to mind are:
Black
Victorian
Dark
Grunge
Blood
Literature
Horror
Medieval culture
Mysterious
There are a lot of buildings that also appear to be Gothic. They are aesthetically dark and often look quite pointy and straight.
http://cai.ucdavis.edu/waters-sites/gothicnovel/155breport.html
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Friday, 9 January 2015
What is High Definition Broadcasting and how does it affect makeup and hair artists?
What is High definition broadcasting?
High definition broadcasting refers to the resolution of the television, this being much higher than that of standard definition television.
This means that the mega pixels that the television transmits is very high, giving you the extreme colours and picture that you often notice when switching from standard definition to high definition.
How does this affect makeup and hair artists?
This affects makeup artists because the extremely pixelated image is incredibly clear, meaning that you are able to see the pores of the skin. The persons true skintone, hair and features are all on sharp display. This means that if the artist has laid the makeup on heavily, it will be able to be noticed on the screen, due to the high resolution.
As some makeup artists are still not used to this, often the person on the television can have a range of problems with the makeup, for example looking too concealed under the eyes and natural blemishes still being noticeable. This is because with analog television the artist would have had to use heavily applied cream foundations, to give the actress/tv personality a flawless looking complexion.
In order to keep up with technology, makeup artists are having to refine their techniques and products to adapt to this new standard of resolution. One of the ways this is done is to have the makeup lightweight in application, whilst still giving a flawless look.
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Analysis of Miss Havisham interpretations
Many actresses have taken on the role of Miss Havisham over the years, these include Helena Bonham Carter, Gillian Anderson and Martitia Hunt.
These different actresses have similarities and differences in the makeup, hair and overall styling.
These different actresses have similarities and differences in the makeup, hair and overall styling.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9622620/Helena-Bonham-Carter-plays-Miss-Havisham-in-new-Great-Expectations-film.html
Helena Bonham Carter.
As you can see this version of Great Expectations was filmed using a sepia tone. In terms of the makeup and hair design, Helena Bonham Carter seems to have a pale complexion with darker eyes and possibly lips. The hair seems to be styled in a traditional Victorian way, as it looks to be in an updo with curls added. The overall styling of Carter for this version of Miss Havisham is tattered and old, due to the circumstances Miss Havisham found herself in (jilted at the alter).
Movie still from Great Expectations (2011)
Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham
http://kpitalrisk.free.fr/images/stars/16000/s_martita.jpg
Gillian Anderson. (BBC Adaption 2011)
As you can see this version of Great Expectations was filmed in a cloudy, grey tone. This reflects the mood of the character Miss Havisham. The styling of Miss Havisham's hair in this version is again an updo, however this looks to be more undone and messy compared to that of the styling in the version that Helena Bonham Carter played in. The hair has been curled towards the face and has been pulled out in places and backcombed, the hair is also coloured white. The styling of the makeup is a pale, grey tone to the skin, with darker eyes to give the appearance of them being tired and sunken. Miss Havisham's lips in this version are chapped and grey and her cheekbones are very prominent. Once again in the terms of styling Miss Havisham's wedding dress has been made to look old and worn out.
I like this version of Miss Havisham, I think the hair works well with the makeup and gives the overall look a sense of consistency. I like the fact that the lips have been chapped and that Miss Havisham, while looking worn down and older, still looks quite young as I feel that she wouldn't have been that old in the novel.
Paula Wilcox
West End Adaption. (2013)
Photograph from Great Expectations,
The West End Production (2013)
Paula Wilcox as Miss Havisham
http://www.greatexpectationstheplay.com/gallery.php
The West End Production (2013)
Paula Wilcox as Miss Havisham
http://www.greatexpectationstheplay.com/gallery.php
This adaption of Miss Havisham is by far the most exaggerated. The makeup artist has decided to go for a strong contour of the cheekbones to give a jaunt expression, the lips have been coloured black and the eyes are dark. Furthermore the eyebrows look quite high and therefore expressive. The complexion, much like the other adaptions of Miss Havisham is pale and the hair is also white.
In terms of the hair styling the have once again decided to use girls in Miss Havisham's hair, the hair has been parted in the middle and the overall outcome is somewhat messy. I feel this look is very suited to the theatre and for that the makeup and hair styling are very good, however I don't think I will be creating something as strong as this when it comes to me interpretation of Miss Havisham.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Victorian Beauty ideals.
This terms project is situated around the Victorian era, my previous knowledge of this era was very little, however after researching Victoria beauty ideals it is very much what I expected.
What did Victorian women look like or want to look like?
The makeup of this era was somewhat demure and delicate. The rise of Queen Victorian saw a decline in the use of cosmetics. The Victorian era was dominated by a strict moral, religious and modest code. Cosmetics were often seen as immoral and somewhat frowned upon. Women were still thought of as being the weaker sex and being compared to delicate flowers, this was reflected in the styling of the makeup.
Therefore, a pale complexion was desired. This could be achieved by drinking vinegar and avoiding the sunlight. Often women would apply some rouge to the cheeks, however this would still be very subtle and gently applied.
Actresses and prostitutes would wear the most makeup, this would still be made using homemade remedies such as berries and beetroot to colour the lips. Eyeshadows were made with lead and atimony sulphide.
A pale complexion referred to the class of the lady. An upper class lady would not work therefore her skin would be lighter than that of a working woman. Women would often stay in rooms that were sheltered with heavy curtains that blocked out the light and even painted light veins on their face to give the appearance of this pale complexion.
What about the hair?
In terms of the styling of Victorian hair, women usually did not cut their hair and often added hair pieces to their original hair.
Hats were also an important part of the overall look of the hair. Hair was often parted down the middle, curled and then pinned back.
Only in an informal occasion would a Victorian woman leave her hair down. Victorian hairstyles became more complex towards the end, women started to use hot irons on their hair to curl and weave the hair.
Images and information sourced from
http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/08/06/beauty-in-the-victorian-age/
What did Victorian women look like or want to look like?
The makeup of this era was somewhat demure and delicate. The rise of Queen Victorian saw a decline in the use of cosmetics. The Victorian era was dominated by a strict moral, religious and modest code. Cosmetics were often seen as immoral and somewhat frowned upon. Women were still thought of as being the weaker sex and being compared to delicate flowers, this was reflected in the styling of the makeup.
Therefore, a pale complexion was desired. This could be achieved by drinking vinegar and avoiding the sunlight. Often women would apply some rouge to the cheeks, however this would still be very subtle and gently applied.
Actresses and prostitutes would wear the most makeup, this would still be made using homemade remedies such as berries and beetroot to colour the lips. Eyeshadows were made with lead and atimony sulphide.
A pale complexion referred to the class of the lady. An upper class lady would not work therefore her skin would be lighter than that of a working woman. Women would often stay in rooms that were sheltered with heavy curtains that blocked out the light and even painted light veins on their face to give the appearance of this pale complexion.
What about the hair?
In terms of the styling of Victorian hair, women usually did not cut their hair and often added hair pieces to their original hair.
Hats were also an important part of the overall look of the hair. Hair was often parted down the middle, curled and then pinned back.
Only in an informal occasion would a Victorian woman leave her hair down. Victorian hairstyles became more complex towards the end, women started to use hot irons on their hair to curl and weave the hair.
Images and information sourced from
http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/08/06/beauty-in-the-victorian-age/
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