The making of the masks...

The liquid latex was extremely messy and let off a very strong smell. Not to mention that it took a long time to dry. In the end I had to resort to using a hairdryer to dry in-between layers. It was a long lengthy process but I think they were very effective in the end. When painting them I wanted it to have the 'aged, cracked look' I think it looks more sinister if it wasn't perfectly painted. For example 'the joker in batman, the dark knight'.

Masks

I bought venetian masquerade style masks to use as mold for the liquid latex. Below are pictures of the masks that I bought.

Design Development

After finally being guaranteed 10 dancers, meeting up with them and helping them with their routines, sorting out the music and brainstorming costume ideas, everything finally started falling into place. Since we decided to have them perform a routine together, I thought if they all had really strong makeup it would just be too much for the crowd to focus on. So after much consideration I scrapped the idea of having different theatrical characters in one dance and changed it to:
'The Phantom of the Opera' as I was very happy with the liquid latex mask I made. I wanted the flashmob to mirror the Phantom and extra during the scene at the Masquerade ball. (link below)

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

With this in mind, I bought more liquid latex and now will proceed to make 6  masks. I wanted to experiment with different mediums so because it was young. After much thought and consideration, we felt it best if I dressed them very casually since that way they can melt in and out of the crowd quite easily, Hair quite simple, because if I added in large hair pieces it would draw too much attention too quickly.

A Change in Plans..

Today got into contact with hiphop dancer and teacher from Essex. He seems very interested in the project, especially with all expenses  paid. He assures me that if I give him enough time then he can round a group of dancers together. I agree and try to get hold of a more reliable videoographer.  I finally get into contact with a media student from Southampton Solent, so thing have started to look up once more.

Day of Shoot... Take Two

Had my second shoot today. Dancer proved difficult to work with, didn't want the makeup on. Refused to wear the costume I made outside the studio. Got a few photographs with videographer in studio with full makeup. Dancer felt uncomfortable wearing the makeup and costume outside and so removed makeup and all styling straight after the studio time and though I got some footage of the dancing, film is not useful for final edit and therefore must be considered as test shoot. I have been constantly on the phone trying to round up my dancers as soon as possible but with no luck.

Below are shots taken in the studio I hired.

Day of shoot... Take One

Traveled back to London in preparation of shoot. Four of my models pulled out this morning and both videographers. I was unable to cancel my studio and they refused to refund me the money. I have another shoot tomorrow that one of the models can make, so I will book another studio (the one I paid for is unavailable).

Booking Studios

I have gotten all my dancers and two videographers and now I need to decide where to shoot. Due to health and safety reasons, I can't film in or around the tube with only a student license which would cost £50, I'd need a professional license which would cost £500 an hour and for a few minutes of footage its just not worth it. I therefore decided to do it at Trafalgar Square, where there's a big open space and plenty of tourists to interact with. I needed a space to meet the dancers, do all their makeup and get some good stills of them. After searching and searching I found a photographic studio that was reasonably priced and close enough to central London called Green Studios. After securing a booking I informed my models and videographers of the day, time, directions etc 3 weeks prior to the shoot.