3 Points. . .

So referring back to the project brief, (which is what I need to do more often to keep me on track), I have to pick 3 different character points from my book and create 3 shoots, showing the progression and transformation of my characters emotions and state of mind through hair, makeup, lighting etc.

Project Brief:

"You will select one of the books from the ‘Book List’ (please see below) and take one character to study in great detail. From this, you will produce an in-depth analysis of the character. This analysis should be taken through all the stages of the book and observations made that detail changes in your character’s development.

Your in-depth research, analysis and narrative/character deconstruction will culminate in you producing a contemporary fashion version of your character.

In collaboration with a BA (Hons) Fashion Photography student, you will produce three images of your character - a head and shoulder, a mid length and full length shot. Your images may be studio or location shot and you will make use of hair and make-up design, styling, accessories, lighting techniques and a consideration of image composition. Each image will depict your character at a pivotal moment in your book and therefore, demonstrate how your character changes/develops across a period of time.

You are expected to provide practical solutions that are realistic and in keeping with your chosen narrative and character. Your job is to produce a well-rounded, totally believable character and understand his/her development within the narrative".

Look 1.

For my first look I am going to show Daisy Buchanan's flirtatious side. She was a socialite and majority of the time she got her own way by using her charm and her beauty on her side as an advantage. Although Fitzgerald does make her a character worthy of Gatsby's unlimited devotion, in the end she reveals herself for what she really is. So for my first look I want to really capture Daisy's flirtatious characteristics by strongly directing my model Lauren to practice similar emotions so she can really get into character. Perhaps looking down over her shoulder with a cute, smug smile as if she had just got what she wanted by using her charm. She herself is a great fan of the book and the story line so fingers crossed she will be able to pull it off. Also due to the fact that Gatsby is totally and utterly besotted by her. This picture of Drew Barrymore comes to mind...

I think for my first look, this will be my beauty shot.

When thinking of a way to visually describe the image I want to create for my first look, the character Merly Streep plays, Miranda, in The Devil Wears Prada is a good representation of this. The ruthless and cynical character reminds me a lot of Daisy as she is sweet when she wants something but deep down she comes across as quite the bitch. For when I do the final shoot I shall use this as an example to tell Lauren so she can get more of an idea of the expressions I want her to pull.

Look 2.

Despite her beauty and charm, Daisy is merely a selfish, shallow and in fact, a hurtful women. Gatsby loves her or at least the idea of her with such vitality and determination that readers would like, in many senses, to see her be worthy of his devotion. Although Fitzgerald carefully builds Daisy's character with associations of light, purity and innocence, when all is said and done she is the opposite from what she presents herself to be. So for my second look, I want to keep my focus on showing Daisy's 'true colors', with the facial expressions as if she has just been caught out but also hiding her feelings for Gatsby. As if she constantly has that sinking feeling which you see more of this throughout the book unlike your first impressions of her. To show as well that she constantly has a guilty conscience at the back of her mind. For my second look think this will my full length shot, to fully show how she is fealing by how my model carries herself by the way she is positioned and posing for the shoot.

This image of the imfamous Lindsey Lohen is a perfect example of the scene I want to create for my 2nd shoot. This is that part of the story where Daisy is fully aware that her husband is having affairs, yet she knows that because she has married a man with power and money and with the life that she has had, if she leaves him she will lose so much and her life will change dramatically. With this shoot I wanted to capture Lauren looking anxcious, nerves and quite uneased. Showing that she feels that she is stuck with what to do with her life.

 

Look 3.

For my third and final look, I want this to be the more intense image, to give more of a story through expression and to put my skills to the test through hair and make-up. For someone who was used to always getting their way, to then feel as if everything she was used to is crumbling around her, THAT is how I want my model to feel, so she can fully understand and get into character. I want this image to be after Daisy has hit and left Myrtle to her death. So to create such an intense final image and to round off my overall shoots for my project, I shall talk to my model, Lauren, about situations shes has been in the past where she gets anxcious and worried/distraught, and try capture this through imagery. Also the fact that her husband has money and power, she will be worried at anxcious at this point that from this revelation that she could potentially lose all of her belongings and her luxury living.

For my final look, this is the going to be my head shot so as the image will be smaller, I really want create a big impact with which I shall focus on the eyes. The make-up itself wont have changed much, apart from smudging and water applied to create a tear effect but with the camera angle being slightly lower than a front on head shot, with Laurens chin slightly raised so she is looking down more I think this will create the 'worried' look I want.