'Sabotage' Development

'SABOTAGE'

"I was at a swimming competition, Olympic Trials, and everybody was getting drunk on Lucozade in the field behind the pool and there were lots of colour lights. Recently the doping system had been increased with checks. A rival swimmer spiked my drink with performance enhancing drugs and I was overdosing, throwing up and looking visibly ill. I got taken to hospital and was drug tested. I failed and got banned from competing forever and my Olympic dreams were shattered."

I often had dreams about swimming competitions which would be about either being late or not performing well. These often happened when I was stress with deadlines or exams. But this dream was different. At the time of the dream I had a suspicion about a student copying my work at University. This could possibly be the reason why I felt as if my work was going to be marked down or 'sabotaged' as a result. This clearly was playing at the back of my mind, and as per usual this feeling was translated in an unusual dream experience. 

I have chosen to recreate this dream because I believe that there is lots of potential to create something colourful yet disturbing. The image will not be intended to look beautiful in any way, but to look graphic and create a representation of the ill state I was in with use of clever makeup and a vomit representation.

INSPIRATION:

The colours from the lights were comparable to the vibrant lighting in a club. This will influence the photography techniques and I aim to use gel lighting to hit the models body in different areas to create an interesting outcome. This lighting effect can be demonstrated by Photographer Jamie Nelson who uses colours and glossy textures to produce beautiful vibrant images with a contemporary feel.

http://jamienelsonphoto.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/shoot-with-model-dina-chekalova-at-mc2.html

The party scene has inspired me to delve into the club culture and interpret the overdose idea as if the drugs were party drugs. This drug/party culture is portrayed throughout the fiml 'Party Monster'. The drug abuse and reckless behaviour was similarly displayed by some of the other athletes in my dream. The makeup in the party scenes are particularly inspiring for this shoot concept.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV7MND4r0mY

The heavy makeup is very theatrical and camp, the exact style I wish to present in this project. The makeup look form Galliano 2007 shows a similar sense of theatrical/clown-like makeup. I particularly love the glossy/metallic finish to the colours. The model in this image looks under the influence as a rsult of clever makeup application in specific areas. I really enjoy this striking look and will incorporate elements into my designs.

http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows?lookbookId=mylookbook266141

In terms of styling, everyone was wearing their swimming costumes and were wet, as if they had just emerged from the swimming pool. Therefore I would like to still remind the viewer that this was set in a swimming pool location but creating a wet textured skin and the model wearing a vibrantly coloured swimsuit.

http://abcbabcba.tumblr.com/post/42354769247

https://www.missguided.co.uk/clothing/shop-by-trend/holiday-shop-1

MOOD BOARD:

HAIR & FACE CHART:

MODEL & PHOTOGRAPHER:

Model: Presiyana Pavlova


Presiyana is a fantastic model from what I have seen from her work. She has quite an alternative style that I believe will really fit this project.

TEST SHOOT IMAGES:

REFLECTION:

The images portray the party scene part of my dream as envisioned and Presiyana was extremely comfortable and captured the character perfectly with her acting abilities. Unfortunately she was allergic to the eyelash glue I had and we couldn't stick on any dramatic lashes or apply water to the face without the gems falling off. The liquid dripping from her mouth is melted jelly with glitter and gems to reflect and glisten in the camera flash. I had a lot of difficulty in finding the best edible liquid 'goo' for this element and ended up wasting a lot of money on ingredients i had bought following online recipes. But on the day I figured it out and it couldn't have been any more perfect. In terms of the hair and makeup I am very satisfied with the outcome and feel that there isn't massive amounts I could change to better fit my dream vision. I feel as though the photography technique had so much more potential, but this can only be tried out with another photographer.

IMPROVEMENTS:

- purchase an alternative eyelash glue so I can apply the desired eyelashes and gems. With the gems being fully secured I feel as though I can really wet her skin for a heavily glossed result.

- I think that the makeup could be bolder here as the lighting detracts from it and isn't as visible as it was in person.

- I would like the hair to have a wetter, dripping look. I think this will convey the setting of the dream better.

- I will also create a stronger brow and lip and lots more glitter to create a more theatrical outcome.