Explaining the looks

Explaining the looks

Tape:

In this image, I am going to distort the face entirely by changing the illusion of normality to a stereotypically distortion of what is seen as ‘distorted’. Thinking about the comfort of the model, will determine which type of tape is used i.e., cellotape, masking tape, magic tape etc. The tape texture has to be considered also to make sure that it can be camouflaged with make-up and the camera.  Use of grease paint could also affect the way the tape sticks to the face and could result in the tape peeling off of the face leaving no distortion.

The tape is not only giving an odd feel to the performance, but is leaving questions in the mind such as, what is beauty? What does the film mean? The beauty of the film is that every individual person will walk away thinking differently with different question about the film. There are no set answers and it will be seen as different to every person. The tape really starts the film perfectly, as you do not see the model’s features as he is, but in fact distorted in a way that could be real. What is normality??

Thick layer of foundation:

This layer of make-up will cover the tape, it represent an extreme version of the concealment process many of us go through to cover up 'imperfections'. It creates a thick barrier and mask, changing our physical appearance. It gives a caged kind of feeling, a sense of hiding and surrealism due to its unrealistic appearance.

This look is created by mixing a tinted moisturiser with a regular moisturiser to get a thick substance. 

Make-up:

This next looks is very theatrical and unnatural. The face can be seen as even more distorted, layering the face with even more textures and colours. The make-up used in this image is grease based, for example; the eyebrows and lips are supracolours and the base is tinted and normal moisturiser. This could be a potential problem for the tape as grease and anything oil based results in the sticky part of the tape peeling away from the skin as stated in the previous paragraph.

This look could put across a number of thoughts to the viewers as it is potentially normal makeup used over distortion but with a theatrical feel. The ‘caking’ effect will show up well on the camera.

I also thought of adding lashes to distort that balance between gender however this is something I need to test to see what impact it has on the overall look.

Smudging:

The smudging will add eeriness to the performance, making the viewer’s question the sequences’ meaning more and more. The face will now be completely unrecognisable and different to what we perceive to be normal. Why is this? What is the message putting across to the audience? The issue with this look again could be the grease base while smudging as it could irritate the tape. The look itself will be completely ‘ruined’. The face will be busy with different mediums of disfigurement. Make-up, features, textures and colours.

Icing Sugar:

The next look could or could not flow with the previous sequences. It shows much colour and again, an extreme look. The colours will not flow in with each other but will have a dripping effect. The colours will be vibrant and will fall into each other without fading. The texture will be 3D and indented. 

Clay:

The face will be covered fully with the clay and then have the makeup (oil paints) be drawn on by myself and then the model will proceed to smudge and scrape the clay off of the face throughout the course of the video. The face will be completely distorted now, and completely unrecognisable. This sequence may come across to the viewer as quite disturbing. But one of the points of the video as I have said before is to cause questioning and difference in opinion to broaden imagination so ideas of what is being put across to the audience can be combined. It could also set off in people’s mind; what is disfigurement? What is normal? There are so many warped views of what is stereotypically normal, that this video crosses all boundaries in order to make people consider different possibilities of what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’.

I am still deciding on how to carry it on, I am thinking of creating the same sequence as above on the clay but instead of smudging it having the model scrape it off. I need to practice this on a model instead of myself to see what impact it has, and how they cope with having all these products on their skin as I know some of the looks are slightly uncomfortable.