Critical Evaluation
Throughout my final major project, I have tried to meet the learning outcomes through applying new skills and materials, collaborating, devising a work plan, budgeting, and considering ethical, social and cultural issues.
Throughout my research I have collected research regarding new materials and skills I can apply throughout my project. I have applied this to my practical work, in particular my main character makeup where I explored foam latex for the first time. Along with this were other experiments which led me to think about a broader choice of materials. I also took on the challenge of bald caps as I feel I avoided them up until now. I also applied a partial bald cap for my third character, which in itself was a new technical application. Using previous skill in hair work, I developed these into bigger, more elaborate pieces for my characters.
I have demonstrated my ethical, moral and social issues in different ways. My cast were all of different races, so as the viewer there is a multi-ethnic image, reflecting a mature and culturally versatile collaboration. My research is also sensitive in relation to any offence which may be caused by my medical information.
I have created and followed my work plan, which I feel helped me to keep on track with my work as efficiently as possible. I have also included a budget of costing on my website which helped me keep up to date with expenses and my budget.
I have demonstrated my ability to work independently as I gathered a crew of which I hadn’t previously worked with before. I had a large crew, which involved all departments, to give me a high quality final film. The whole team I collaborated with were all passionate for this film as they too wanted to be marked on this film and enter it in a film festival. I, the director, film and costume met up on occasion to discuss progress and ensure we were all happy with the decisions being made. Schedules for the film itself were developed and posted frequently onto the Film page I made over Facebook, as this was the most convenient for all to see to keep up to date.
Throughout this project, I have learnt new techniques, skills and have progressed in creating more technically advanced make-ups. I have become more confident with different skin types, hair types and which products are suitable to each of these.
Character 1 – Remus’ character was successful in the sense that I managed to create a full head piece made of foam which worked. The paint job of the panels itself replicated metal well as intended and the contrasting UV paint gave the impression of light embedded within his head. The issues I faced with this makeup were matching the face piece to my model. I found it difficult to match the foam to the skin as I was still unconfident with painting foam even after practicing previously. I also found the edges of the foam difficult to disguise. However I did develop my bondo skills, as I used this to create the transition between foam and skin, as smooth as possible. When applying the head, it was difficult to get both sides sitting snug behind his ears. I assume this is due to shrinkage.
If I were to do this makeup again, I would allow more time to practice painting foam, as I only did one full test with my model for this piece. I feel that this extra practice may have helped me to create a better finish with a more realistic outcome. I would like to continue working with foam to figure out the best methods for disguising methods also.
Character 2 – Hannah’s character was successful as the wig I knotted was a very clean cut style. This worked well with the glowing chip prosthetic I applied on top of her bald cap. Her bald cap was required as this was a half wig, making her appear half bald.
To improve this makeup, I would like to spend time or do a course specific to applying bald caps. I had issues adhering bald caps at the nape of the neck due to my models hairline. This meant that once the prosthetic panel was applied, it stuck out away from her neck, regardless of the position of her head when I applied the bald cap and panel. Wrinkling was also an issue which reoccurred through tests on both this character and character 3. On both I made the bald caps out of Glatzan, as it blends away beautifully, however it is so thin, that it encourages wrinkling. I think cap plastic may have been a suitable material, however I did not use this as I was concerned about disguising the edges.
Character 3 – Doctor Character – I enjoyed this makeup as it was a challenge to create a partial bald cap. I was glad to see it come together as it fitted my context well and the light up panel worked particularly well with this makeup.
If I were to do this makeup again, I would have made an extra corn row on each side, as when the whole makeup came together, there was a gap between the fauxhawk and corn rows which I thought would look better if I had filled that gap with an extra corn row.
This makeup also had bald cap issues. I found that Glatzan wrinkled slightly all over, which may have been prevented with a cap plastic bald cap, as they are thicker. It was difficult to attach the bald cap as it was going on top of Gafquat. I tacked it down with prosaide in some areas on top of the Gafquat, however I used minimal amounts to steer clear of any potential hair damage. This task may have been easier on Caucasian hair, however, from using a black model, I have learnt more about hair types and skin colouring. The top edge of the bald cap needed to be hidden with more hair. If I were able to buy longer hair to weft with, I think this may have helped to bulk out the fauxhawk and help me to cover the top edge. My next issue came where the Glatzan bald cap was adhered and blended away into the face, however tiny hairs appeared underneath the thin bald cap, creating a strange texture, and encouraged the bald cap to lift at the front. I tried to apply more Glatzan to this area but it was difficult to maintain a thin bald cap edge once it was re adjusted.
Overall feel that my characters were unique as I had never seen panels inserted into prosthetics, neither had I seen prosthetic corn rows. I think my combination of characters were a new interesting collection of makeups. Generally this was a successful project when considering the research behind my characters, the experimentation and the collaboration of film, acting, photography and costume. I am thoroughly happy with the crew I got together as they were all very committed to this project too. I feel that they did my makeups justice as I stressed to them how important it was to showcase my makeup. This project has explored and meat all four learning outcomes to the best I could when balancing another project alongside. Looking at the learning outcomes, I feel I have fulfilled these expectations to an appropriate level and I am confident that my film itself will reflect all of these tasks.
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