Versailles Opus Stone Flooring

Finished Flooring board. Very happy with it! Went alot better than i expected.

Tree Trial

This tree was made using a chicken wire tube to make up the trunk and single wires constructing the roots and branches. The model was then covered in modrock and then the plan was to cover and add texture with milliput.

When adding the milliput I realised that the underlying structure was not sturdy enough to stand along or to hold the weight of even a small bit of milliput. I also wasnt happy with the branches as there were too many and they were too thin and wispy looking.

Inspiration

I am using the colours from this image in the stained glass window and vaguely following a similar pattern.

Mood Boards

Environmental Art, Architecture, Nature

Fantasy MakeUp and Illusion

Tudor

Organic Architecture and Environmental Art

I've always been interested in these subjects and these images are quite inspirational. The flower dress takes the classical silhouette and, like other examples shown, fills it with something unexpected. Although real flowers wouldn't be suitable for theatre, it is food for thought.

GHD

Link to 'Twisted Fairytale' Campaign: http://www.ghdhair.com/latest-tv-campaign

This type of styling is a big favourite of mine in film, tv, advertisment, theatre and alternative dress. Mixing classical silhouettes, props, locations and storylines with extreme, possibly punk inspired, make-up, colouring and attitude. Similar to with Illamasqua, this combination seems to create a different persona and even the movements of 'The Ugly Sisters' are unusual.

The colouring particularly changes the mise en scene and while the location and sihouettes tell us this is a period piece, the bright blue hair and other distinctively odd colourings tell us that this is a little twisted and leaves us not knowing what to expect.

This is very similar to what I would like to achieve with my design, taking the Tudor period and twisting it into something unexpected.

Illamasqua #2

This image is inspiring because the pattern and colours show similarities to the fabrics used to make Tudor gowns, particularly towards the end of the 16th century when everything became more detailed and decadent. Taking this texture and applying it to face has made me think about where I am using particular colours, textures, patterns and shapes and whether I should mix it up a little to see what happens.

Practice Makes Perfect!

I decided to make a very simple model to give me a better idea of what I'm working with, although still difficult as I don't have any stage measurements yet! This exercise really helped me visualise and see things coming together, as well as pointing out simple issues. For example, its now clear that the step down into the 'adaptable area' may not work as it doesn't leave a lot of room around the ring, although would the actors need room there? This is something I would normally discuss with actors and the director but in this case I have to decide for myself.

I have included photo's above of the process of making the model tree which went okay for a first attempt. I have since found an image sheet of tree silhouettes so I can choose a shape appropriate for the period, location and that will fit in the set.

Changes in Fashion

The volume in the sleeves also moved over the century from a lot of flare around the cuffs so an undergarment can be seen to the volume being around the shoulder and a very tight cuff around the wrist.The image above labelled ‘Clothing of the elite’ clearly shows the change in sleeve volume.

Reflection on Narrative and Tudor Life

By placing this dramatisation in the Tudor period, an obvious character to base the Princess on would be Elizabeth I. This production could be like a ‘what if’ view on Elizabeth’s life as she famously never got married as she claimed to be married to her country. An even more obvious choice would be her half-sister Mary as she was renowned for being serious and having an attitude, which is the description of the Grimm character. This choice will have a huge effect on both the design on the production and the narrative because of the difference in religion. Mary was a catholic so her wedding ceremony, clothing and props would all be different to that of her protestant half-sister.

The image above shows a high class man and woman dressed ‘according to their stations in life’. Tudor fashion was very much based on social class and trying to dress better than your class in order to progress through the classes. There was a lot of detail and, as the text above suggests, the fashions changed very quickly as people were very keen to be wearing the next big thing to state their rank.