Unit 2 Evaluation

The most enjoyable part of the project for me was creating characters for a modern horror television show. The reason being is that I was able to have almost complete freedom to create whatever I like whilst incorporating sfx makeup. As well as the fact I was able to create ideas for a television show that I love! I found the research for my makeup designs very interesting this term as I had to create a background story for these characters and discover what their environments would be like, which then allowed me to create more detailed and accurate ideas for my designs that I was very happy with in the end. Following these two projects, I am very excited to further develop my special effects skills to refine them for future projects in university and beyond.

Overall, I personally feel the most successful part of my project was the character designs for the Walking Dead. Everything about the project engaged me so I really wanted to get stuck in and produce an excellent outcome. As I want to be a makeup designer and artist for television and film, the second project gave me an opportunity to be a part of this process. Compared to the first project, creating a character for Great Expectation, I feel I had a lot of freedom and did not have to stick to many guidelines (which allowed the whole project to be really creative and fun!). The final photos demonstrate my favourite makeup and hair work so far as I feel like they fit into the Walking Dead atmosphere very well. The final makeup went how I wanted on both days and I feel I executed them well apart from a handful of things I would’ve improved if I did it again, like the edges of the special effects applications. I also feel they are versatile and different from each other but still work together and within the television show which allowed me to show different makeup skills.

Mrs Laderman Final Images

To set the scene...

Following Mrs Laderman delivering a walker to Claudia, she is now on the run. She has no idea if Claudia will survive and come after her or if she is dead in her flat. But she is free, for now. She is starting her new life as Rose Laderman and whilst she is on the run, in and out of hiding places, she spots a group of people... A large group who have guns...cars...and children? They call for her to join them... she's officially free. (And she joins the current Walking Dead cast).

In hiding

On the run

Mrs Laderman Photoshoot Callsheet

Claudia - Final Images

To set the scene...
Claudia applies her grease makeup on her eyes to prepare herself for her 'villainous' role in her veiled and psychotic lifestyle in her dark and isolated flat. She starts to devour her latest cannibalistic victim and the red blood starts to soak into her lips, adding to her Femme Fatale look. Knock. Knock. Knock. Mrs Laderman is early with her next victim. She hesitantly opens the front door as she hears moans and groans on the other side...

Mrs Laderman launches a walker upon Claudia as she opens the door and makes a run for a new life, away from the mental torture of Claudia. Before Claudia can realise what's happened, she's been bitten. She rips the walker off her and kills it, however, it's already too late...

Final Makeup Images

In-Character Images

Claudia Photoshoot Callsheet

Unit Evaluation

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this project. My interest in the world of makeup began after wanting to create my own characters and I feel this unit has accurately opened my eyes to the process to do so. I really got stuck into the character design part and enjoyed using quotes from the book to create an original period design for a popular character. The introduction to SFX was also an interesting aspect for me as this is the area I want to be a part of in the makeup industry. My skills are only at an introductory level but I am excited to explore this further through practice and my choice next year. 

One of the this hardest areas of this unit was the reproduction of the makeup for the two assessments. I want very confident after my first assessment with my design and the execution. The second attempt scared me and I felt a lot of pressure to get the designs to match as well as possible. It was not spot on but I am very pleased with my attempt, especially with the continuity of the hair as I felt that hairstyling is my weakest skill. Overall, the assessments gave me an opportunity to attempt a task that I will be repeating as part of my career. As much as I enjoyed creating a character, with the Victorian project there was not much breathing space for creativity as it had to fit in with the period. Therefore, I am very excited to get stuck in with the next project as I will have more freedom to create modern gothic horror characters.

Comparisons for Continuity

Continuity Assessment #2

Reflection

As this is my first ever attempt at continuity with HD makeup, I am pleased with the overall outcome. All the wrinkles and sculpting blended well and very looked similar to my previous attempted. The base and eyebrows were the same colour as before and are blended well. However, the lighting does seem different to me (as the background is darker and the face more overexposed) which makes it look a lot paler than it was in person, as I used the same mixture for the base. The dry patch (created using latex) actually showed up better in these photos and looks much more effective. Annoyingly, the redness around the nose and under the eyes wasn't as heavy so did not match completely. The duo glue did not work at all on the lips in this attempt, which again was very frustrating. On the day, my model had fake tanned which made for more work! I tried to blend as much of my base down her neck but in photos it still showed through, making the whole design look off. However, overall I am pleased with my 2nd attempt of the makeup as it is still in-keeping with my Miss Havisham design and looks effective (apart from the visible fake tan!) 

I am very happy with the hair in terms of continuity. I was worried about achieving similar curls but I do feel I have achieved the same size, length and amount of back-combing to re-create the messy look. The bun also is a good size and the actual positioning of the plait in the bun looks very close to my attempt before. The greying (use of dry shampoo) is matches to my 1st attempt, apart from the left hand side which is heavier and less brushed out than before.

Overall, I have found this assessments to be very useful for my learning as a trainee makeup artist. It gave me another opportunity to test my time-keeping skills but also introduced me to a vital aspect of being a television and film makeup designer and artist. For a first try, I am happy with the outcome and I have learnt from my mistakes and would feel very confident to complete a task like this again.

Continuity Assessment #1

Step-by-Step photos for continuity

Reflection
Overall, I am very pleased with my first attempt. The hair went to plan as the curls are still recognisable but are messy and distressed, the bun is central and suitably taken-apart and the greying affect ageing the hair well. In terms of the makeup, the base is a good colour to match the pale complexion I was hoping for (and it matches Beth's neck). I am pleased with the aging and sculpting of the face, particularly the eye sockets - ideally I would've darkened the crease of her eye to further deepen the look of her eyes. The wrinkles on her forehead appeared quite subtle under the light but it works effectively as I did not want overly theatrical ageing lines. Her eyebrows also worked well with a brush of white which I then further brushed through with a clean brush to make it look more natural and to match the roots of her grey hair. The redness under the eyes and around the nose is blended nicely to look realistic. 

However, I could've made the lips look more dry and chapped if I had picked at the duo glue more. The dry patches I created with latex as well had good, smooth edges but the actual 'dry' section isn't very clear or obvious in the photos which is a bit frustrating. The most annoying thing about this assessment was the fact I forgot the blouse I intended Beth to wear! I had to ask her to grab something similar on her way (as I arrived about 20 minutes before) and had to work with what she had. It is very frustrating as I know cannot use this top in my next assessment for continuity purposes and it will not be a completed look. 

I finished the look in good time and I am very confident in completing this look successfully again next time as I have got good continuity pictures to work from.