Styling for Simba (Lion King)

For the styling of Simba I was apprehensive because I didn't want my dancer to look too cheesy and safe. Since I'm interested in working in theatre, I thought I should show my skills with prosthetic pieces whenever I could. I decided that I wanted to purchase a latex lion nose and shade his face to look as close to a lion as I could make it. He then would wear a similar costume to that of which, appears in the musical, be topless and I would paint his torso and shoulders. I wanted to fashion a high collar out of grass to keep the Savannah theme and make a mohawk mane. Below are pictures that gave me inspiration. 

Styling Ideas for Phantom

After receiving good feedback from many potential dancers, I decided it was time to really start brainstorming looks and interpretations of the Characters that I want to use. Below will include images of inspiration.

Phantom of the Opera
For his styling I wanted it to follow the theme of the original costume but I wanted to put a different twist onto it. After researching I found a style called 'Steampunk'.

"Steampunk is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of Steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art."

I wanted to make the phantom mask myself. I decided that I would experiment with liquid latex and different molds. In the meantime I looked at possible shading techniques for the face uncovered by the mask and also how best to shade the mask in to give it a really sinister deathly look.

Phantom of the Opera [film]

Phantom of the Opera [Musical]

Image manipulation

His hair I believed would be best slicked back, it would be easier for the model to dance in and also it wouldn't draw attention away from the masks I will make. Also the idea of slicked hair, represents sleekness and neat. Presentable and a 'well-groomed' gentleman, possibly with a 'slimy/evil' side. Perfect for Phantom.

Copyright Law Research

After having the presentation yesterday, it was brought to my attention that the music that I am hoping to use (adaptations of the original musical scores) are at risk to copyright infringement. To find out more about the issue I could potentially have to deal with I researched copyright laws and regulations via

 http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/copyright/index_en.htm

&

http://www.youtube.com/t/copyright_permissions

It was a bit complicated and I would need to get official permission from owners and companies to use it in my video. Once I had contacted those who I needed to contact, I decided in the mean time to have a back-up plan in case I didn't get permission. I contacted a few students studying music production as well as a local band to see whether they could write something for me to use.

Location, Location, Location.

Where the Flashmob will be filmed is incredibly important, the location could make or break the whole project. The locations I thought suitable consisted of:

- Shopping Centers like Harrods, Selfridges, Westfield and Bluewater

 I got the idea for shopping centers from the likes of Derren Brown and the E4 Flashmob both done in the Whitgift shopping center in Croydon.

- Train/Tube Stations

Victoria, Waterloo, Angel, Kings cross St Pancras, London Bridge and Charing Cross

I was toying with the idea of using the stations more because of the most popular flash mobs are situated in stations. I also had the idea of possibly doing a some sort of simple dance on the escalators of the tube. I thought 'Angel' was appropriate due to it having the longest Escalator.

After researching different flash mobs I did want to see if I could film even a small part on the tube. Similar to that of Step Up but maybe not as outlandish because of health and safety.

I also thought about filming on the streets of London. Bringing the stage to the streets.

The Street Locations I thought of consisted of:

Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Brick Lane

Collaboration

To ensure that my video is to the highest standard, I wanted to work alongside a videographer with a reasonable amount of experience. Because of my budget, I wouldn't be able to afford a professional and so I sent out ads and casting calls today. Using websites like Model Mayhem, Mandy.com and Linkedin I sent out as many as the sites would allow. I put up a notice on the student bulletin board and emailed as many videographers that would trade for print via their personal websites.

For the dancers, I ideally wanted to have 15. I want to style five as the main characters from the musicals I chose and then each dancer to have two back up dancers, styled more naturally (to blend in and out of the crowd). I had clear pictures of the looks I wanted my dancers to have and they also had to be quite photogenic. With this in mind I decided to look for models with a high experience in dance; different but appropriate styles for each character. So today I also sent out a casting call for around 30 models/dancers around London, using the websites mentioned above. As I have no experience in choreography I wanted to either find a dancer/model with choreography experience or hire/find a trained choreographer.

From the beginning!

 I was extremely excited to get completely stuck in this project. I wanted to create a format that would truly bring the stylings in my head to life and what better way than to showcase my skills and passion for theatre than in a live performance? I had so many ideas buzzing around my head.  The ideal outcome of this project is to create a video of a flashmob that will promote theatre performances. The video will feature will be burned to a disc and also hopefully on my website and  and will attempt to go ‘viral’ through the mediums of YouTube. The idea to a do a theatrical flash mob is quite unique as most flashmobs are based around adverts for mobile phones and TV channels but through research its evident that it is done for fun purposes as well. Through carrying out a survey, going to the theatre seems to be the option that people neglect most because its believed to be too expensive and 'inaccessible' to many of those in the public. How ever there are plenty of shows that booked early enough or even those less known are completely affordable according to the subjects in the survey’s price range
This week I explored into all types of flashmobs, trying to get a feel of the type that I would end up doing.

Here are only a few examples I found:

Liverpool Street Station - (T-mobile Dance) was said to be one of the first to really 'leave a mark'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3d3KigPQM 

Step Up 2 (small, but professional [film]) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaxJjd-jABE&feature=relmfu

I Believe She’s Amazing Flash Mob – Toronto Eaton Centre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfcKvevod3k&feature=player_embedded
  
Glee - II Flash Mob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NhbK2bMTRbI#!

Flash Mob Decathlon Bailleul France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fsL2Z7f4SpM#! 

Frozen Grand Central

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jwMj3PJDxuo 

Flash Mob Black Eyed Peas
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CttB6FmMgT4 

That wasn't even an 1/8 of what I found, from Prison inmates doing Michael Jackson's Thriller to one of the most elaborate wedding proposals to have reached the internet. There were hundreds, big small, professional, amateur and yet they all had the same feel good feeling; spreading awareness and bringing an incredible sense of unity. 

West End to Broadway...

From the hundreds of musicals that theater's offer firstly I narrowed it down to these:

-Annie
-Beauty & the Beast
-Cabaret
-Cats
-Chicago
-Grease
-Guys and Dolls
-Little shop of Horrors
-The Lion King
-The Phantom of the Opera
-Wicked

After much consideration, I narrowed it down to the five:

Chicago
Lion King
Phantom of the Opera
Wicked
Cats

I chose the above because I think that I can really play with the styling. The makeup is all very striking, exaggerated and popular. I wanted it to be popular because I want the characters to be recognised by the public.