Technical - scars using moulds

Moulds are a time saver as they’re ready to use. All you have to do is cast them with gelatine, rubber, plastic or even silicone.

Gelatine is safe to use on the skin (mentioned in previous technical files) and can be cast, or used to make moulds. It’s also reusable, cheap and easy to get hold of. Another advantage to gelatine is that you can freeze it for weeks or even months for future use.

What is silicone?

This is a soft, colourless rubber used for making prosthetics and is easily pigmented to provide realistic skin tones. It also has high elongation with dimensional stability which can be used on the skin several times. It’s often used for creating life like animals, dragons, monsters, body parts and also realistic cuts, scars, wounds, lumps and bumps. This product has been popular as a medium for moulding. It can also withstand temperatures approaching 400 degrees. You can also paint over dried silicone. Once it’s dry, you can remove it from the skin and reuse it again. Like gelatine, they’re safe and can also be re-used.

Platsil gel:

‘Platsil gels are relatively inexpensive and deliver natural flesh like results. They can be used as mould rubbers, to create prosthetic appliances. Unlike any other silicone product, it is quick and easy to use, also has a translucent colour.

This product is used by the world’s top Prosthetic technicians. It has been used in movies such as The Iron Lady, Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings and Pans Labrinth.’

10, P.G. (1638) PlatSil gel 10. Available at:

http://www.mouldlife.net/platsil-gel-10-1150-p.asp (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Harry Potter’s makeup artist, Nick Dudman quotes: “we used platsil gel throughout Harry Potter, using nearly 4 metric tonnes on Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 alone. I used it because it is reliable and gives me the realism of movement I require. It has the perfect qualities for prosthetic appliances.”

Another artist, Waldo Mason quotes “I used platsil gel for the creation of Ernest Manby’s body in BBC’s Ripper Street because it was soft. It provided the body with effective realism and movement.”

Gorton, N. (no date) Special FX & Modelmaking. Available at:

http://www.mouldlife.co.uk/special-fx-modelmaking-home/ (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Example of a bullet wound mould made using silicone

LanguageEnglishDeutsch, J.H. (2015) SFX // Bullethole. Available at:
http://www.janherms.de/portfolio/sfx-bullethole/ (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Technical lesson six:

Model name: Grace
Skin type: dry
Skin tone: fair skin with neutral undertone
Natural eyes/contacts: natural eyes
Allergies: none
Medication: none
Any open wounds/scars, cuts etc.: none

Required products/materials: mould, Pros-aide adhesive, pro-clean (this is a gentle oily adhesive remover), Kryolan supra colour palette, wound filler, cotton buds, stipple sponge, Kensington Gore fake liquid blood, witch hazel, Kryolan translucent powder, scissors (optional), makeup brushes (powder puff and small pointy brushes, preferably non-beauty ones for the colouring).

What is Pros-aide adhesive?

‘For over 30 years, Pros-aide adhesive has been the worldwide industry standard for use in the professional medical prosthetic and special effects make-up industries. Pros-aide is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and is non-irritating. All Pros-aide products are water-based and completely safe. When dry, Pros-aide adhesive gives absolute waterproof bonds to all skin surfaces – the kind of adhesion that is required with medical prosthetic applications and the demanding needs of professional special effects make-up artists. This product has been used in numerous projects both on stage and TV.’

Authorized, U. (no date) Medical grade adhesive - special effects makeup - Prosthetic adhesive - skin adhesive. Available at: http://www.pros-aide.com/ (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Image reference: Prosthetic adhesive no. 2 by Kryolan - costumes wigs theater makeup and accessories (no date) Available at: https://www.mallatts.com/store/theatrical-costume-makeup/skin-adhesive-and-adhesive-remover/prosthetic-adhesive-2-by-kryolan.html (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Step-by-step guide:

Before starting the practical, I set up my station and got rid of any bags, scarves and coats that were in the way for health and safety reasons. I then placed a towel around my model again for hygienic, health and safety reasons. Next, I ensured the area I was working on was clean (the arm). Grace had no product on her arm therefore I went straight in with the mould.

Sue had given us all a mould to work with. You may have to trim the edges of the mould with scissors however this is optional. I didn’t trim mine at all as I thought it looked more natural with rough edges rather than straight ones.

I firstly applied a small amount of the Pros-aide glue onto the area of the arm I wanted to place my mould on with a cotton bud. I also applied this same glue onto the back of the mould (ensure the wound surface is covered; go right up to the edges). Make sure you close the glue lid once you’re done using it otherwise it will dry out and go lumpy. Before placing the mould onto the skin, you have to make sure the mould (and skin) are both dry. You’ll know it’s dry once it goes clear like DUO.

After it’s dry, stick the mould onto the skin and press hard. This is really important as you don’t want it to fall off. Next, using another clean cotton bud, dip it into witch hazel and go over the edges over the mould to soften them. Do this in a downward motion.

Now, you must powder the area using the Kryolan translucent powder and a powder puff brush. After you’ve powdered, and spot a hard edge, you’ll need to go back in with the witch hazel and soften it. Ensure not put witch hazel underneath the mould as this will cause it to fall off.

Once you’re happy with the application of the mould, you can start the colouring. I first coloured the inside of the cut with black (071) supra colour using a thin pointy brush. It was also optional to use Sue’s bruise wheel from Kryolan which consisted of deep plum colours however I stuck to my supra colours. For the outer corners of the wound I mixed red (079) and the black together to achieve a dark red. I also applied red just around the cut, using a stipple sponge. I patted this on, as it irritates the skin to swish it around due to its texture. I also used my fingers to apply some of the same red on areas I thought needed colour. Ensure to blend this out for a more realistic effect.

For the final part of the colouring, I applied the fake blood and wound filler. I took some wound filler out from its pot and applied it gently to the centre of the cut (where I applied the black) using the same brush. You don’t want to go too over the top with this as then it’ll just end up looking fake. I also used some of Sue’s Kensington Gore fake liquid blood. I used a stipple sponge to apply this blood around the cut and empty areas of the arm as Sue told us to not just concentrate on the cut itself and look beyond it.

To remove this, gently peel the mould off the skin. You can wipe any excess glue from the arm using the Pros-aide adhesive remover and a cotton bud. Clean off any remaining makeup from the skin with a cleanser and wash thoroughly with water. Moisturisers can also be used after removal to prevent the skin from drying. Finally put the mould into the bin.

Reflection:

Overall, I was very proud of my work as it was my first time doing a cut using a mould. Sue gave me great feedback and said the wax is blended well into the skin. She also said the colouring of the actual cut is great itself however I could’ve applied more colour onto the rest of the arm to prevent it from looking stuck on. 

Technical - dirt

All through the historical backdrop of the screen, make-up has set the state of mind for some a character. The most-utilised product is presumably the one regularly underestimated: dirt. There

are different products you can use to create a dirt effect on the skin which include:

Dirt powder – this is dark, highly pigmented loose powder used to give the skin a dirty, dusty look. The realistic colours of these powders create a natural look. They have a loose consistency that can easily be applied to enhance a characters makeup. Dirt powder has the same look and feel of actual dirt and can also be used to create a realistic effect of being covered with sooty ash. It is safe to use on hair, skin and clothing. 

Company, 2014 Alcone (2006) Mehron Texas dirt. Available at: http://www.alconeco.com/mehron-texas-dirt (Accessed: 10 April 2016).

Dirt spray – ‘dirty down sprays are designed to dirty and age costumes and props, used in films, TV and theatre. These sprays are translucent, water-soluble dyes so you can still see the surface beneath them, they can be made wet again even after being left to dry and can be smudged with a daft cloth to give the effect of real stains. They can be applied on most fabrics, glass, mirrors, leather, timber, furniture, paper, card, metal, painted surfaces, plaster, brickwork, stone, plastics and more.

This product is a dye, therefore it may cause permanent discolouration to all types of absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces. Dirt sprays are solvent based.’

Dmedia, 2 (2016) Dirty down sprays 200ml. Available at:
http://www.screenface.co.uk/sfx/dirt-grime-ice/dirty-down-sprays.htm (Accessed: 10 April 2016).

Fullers earth – this is a fine, light dust used to create the appearance of dust or dirt. It can also create effects such as cracking, breaking, stone and mud. This product is completely safe to use on the face and body.

Fullers earth

Reserved, A.R. (2016) Fullers earth Greenstripe. Available at:
http://www.rogergeorge.com/special-effects/dust-dirt/fullers-earth (Accessed: 10 April 2016).

Technical lesson five (continued):

Model name: Lia
Skin type: combination
Skin tone: medium skin with yellow undertones
Natural eyes/contacts: natural eyes
Allergies: none
Medication: none
Any open wounds/scars, cuts etc.: none

Required products/materials: Kryolan fullers earth, hairdryer, water, a bowl, dirt spray and Kensington Gore fake liquid blood (spray form).

Step-by-step guide:

Firstly, I poured some of the Kryolan fullers earth into a mixing bowl (a quarter of the bowl) and added water to it until it got a bit thick (not watery/runny). You won’t be using any brushes to apply this product onto your desired area therefore make sure you have washed your hands beforehand. When I felt like it was thick enough, using my fingers I applied this onto my models hand, dragging it across the arm. Make sure the application is smooth and not clumpy. Once you’re happy with this, dry it using a warm hairdryer for about 30 seconds. After its dry you won’t be able to move the product around anymore as it’ll just fall off the skin.

It’s now time for the colouring. I used Sue’s Kryolan dirt sprays in shades brown, black and grey. Hold the spray away from the hand (about 30cm) otherwise you’ll just end up with a blob of colour. Mix the colours up and ensure to go in between the fingers, knuckles and most importantly the nails. As I got closer to the fingers, I applied more of the darker spray.

For a shoot/scene it’d be ideal for you to give the nails a chipped effect to make it seem more realistic.

I also applied some of Sue’s Kensington Gore fake liquid blood which was in a spray tube. I sprayed this onto the arm, again holding it 30cm away. When blood is applied on fullers earth, it tends to dry rather than drip.

For the removal, just wash off the product from the arm/hands using warm water. Any remaining colour such as blood can be removed with a cleanser or almond oil.

Reflection:

I had used dirt powder before and I found it much easier to use than the dirt spray. I believe powder looks a lot more natural than spray as you can build up the colour rather than creating blobs on the skin.

It was my first time doing this therefore I was just experimenting with the colours. I didn’t quite like the overall result of the fullers earth as I felt like it looked clumpy. Where I went wrong is before the process of the drying, I didn’t blend out the product enough onto the skin. Sue also told me I applied too much of it and if I had used less, it would’ve looked a lot more natural. Also with the blood and the dirt, I applied it too close to the skin resulting to an unnatural look. I created blobs, I especially with the blood as I had never used liquid blood in a spray form before.

Technical - black teeth

Technical – black teeth:

‘Black teeth are common in our daily life. Professionals say that if you drink coffee, strong tea, cola and other colourful food for a long time, you’re more likely to have black teeth. It is hard to remove the pigment which deposit on your teeth. And after a long time the tartar will form in large quantities. The original yellow teeth even will turn black slowly.

Other bad habits such as smoking and chewing betel nuts can also cause black teeth. The dark pigment not only deposits on the surface but comes into the tooth enamel. Besides, the smoke itself which was sucked into the mouth contains a lot of black particles. Some of the particles directly adhere to the teeth and then they will form ugly dark spots. So having good living habits is important.

Usually endogenous black teeth appear more stubborn. The most common endogenous black teeth are caused by tetracycline, a kind of antibiotics. The drugs will influence the tooth tissues in the process of tooth development and cause permanent discoloration. When the situation is very serious the whole tooth will become black. The degree of colour change depends on the quantity of drugs and the time length of taking drugs. Sometimes although the teeth may look very smooth, there are many invisible sockets and ditches on the surface. A lot of bacteria hide in the narrow and deep ditches and the continuous decomposition of sugar produces acid in the mouth. Moreover, the lack of calcium can damage tooth enamel. Once the tooth enamel is corroded, the colour of teeth will change gradually from white to black. Finally they will detach completely.’

(no date) Available at:

http://www.ismile-dental.com/en/article.php?id=89 (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Other causes of tooth discolouration include:

• ‘Tooth decay – e.g. eating too many sweets. You should see a professional for treatments because the old fillings or improper therapy can also lead to tooth discoloration.
• Ageing – the tooth enamel will get thin and lose transparency along with the growth of ages. Relatively the yellow linings will thicken and make teeth become more and more yellow and black finally.
• Dental materials – some materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a grey-black colour to the teeth.
• Poor dental hygiene – inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
• Genetics – some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
• Environment – excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.’

Tooth Discoloration (teeth darkening) from MedicineNet.com (1996) Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=43091 (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

All of humanity (no date) Available at: 

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/510103095264713294/ (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Technical lesson five:

Model name: Lia
Skin type: combination
Skin tone: medium skin with yellow undertones
Natural eyes/contacts: natural eyes
Allergies: none
Medication: none
Any open wounds/scars, cuts etc.: none

Required products/materials: cotton buds, tooth enamel and surgical spirit.

What is tooth enamel?

This product is similar to nail polish, an alcohol based varnish applied on the teeth to make them look dirty, or as if they are missing. It adheres to the surface of the tooth perfectly, without damaging the enamel or the gums. In order to apply this, the teeth must firstly be dried with a tissue and the bottle must be shook. After, you can apply this on the teeth and wait for it to dry as then it becomes waterproof. It is durable and resists saliva for several hours. Tooth enamel must not be used on false teeth as it can be difficult to remove. To remove this product you must soak tissue in an alcoholic liquid such as surgical spirit and gently rub it against the teeth. To get rid of stains in between the teeth, you must brush the teeth as you normally would with toothpaste. This product is often used for special effects and should be included as part of every artist’s kit.

PROFESSIONAL, K. (2016) Professional make-up. Available at: https://us.kryolan.com/product/tooth-enamel (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

What is surgical spirit?

Surgical spirits can be purchased from any chemist or pharmacy e.g. Boots. It is completely safe to use on the skin and on the teeth area. It’s often used in hospitals to help treat wounds. It can also be used during pregnancy and lactation. It’s best to keep this product out of the reach and sight of children as it contains castor oil which may cause skin reactions.

Express, B. (2016) Surgical spirit. Available at: 

http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk/surgical-spirit-hygiene-pbskincare458/ (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Step-by-step guide:

Before starting the practical, I set up my station and got rid of any bags, scarves and coats that were in the way for health and safety reasons. I then placed a towel around my model again for hygienic, health and safety reasons.

I next dried my models teeth using cotton buds. I then shook the tooth enamel I was about to use for a few seconds. Next, I dipped a clean cotton bud into the black nicotine coloured tooth enamel and applied it on certain areas of the teeth. I also did the same thing with the yellow mustard colour tooth enamel using a different cotton bud. If any colour goes on the lips, you can remove it using surgical spirit and a cotton bud. Follow the same procedure to remove any product on the teeth. Note that you shouldn’t apply tooth enamel on newly bleached teeth. If you wish to colour inside the mouth, use food colourings.

Reflection:

I find it quite difficult to use this product as, as soon as I applied it on the teeth, when I wanted to go over it using another layer, the cotton bud would completely take the first layer off. It also tended to dry very quickly on the cotton bud and just wouldn’t stick onto the teeth which resulted to a patchy look. If I was to do this again, I'd probably use a paintbrush to apply the product on rather than a cotton bud.

I preferred the black tooth enamel to the yellow as it looked very weird on the teeth. I also didn’t like the taste of it or the process of removing it. Surgical spirit didn’t taste pleasant at all. I’d hate to have this done on myself again however doing it on someone else for a shoot/scene, I wouldn’t mind.

Kat's seminar - Monster Mash

In our second seminar with Kat we were doing monster mash. We were split into 5 different groups and each of us got a topic to discuss/brainstorm. The topics were:

Ghosts:

‘A ghost is a human (sometimes animal) figure, witnessed by someone, which cannot be physically present. Ghosts have been seen at all times of the day or night and any time of year. There is certainly no bias towards Halloween or Christmas, as some people assume. A recent survey found that two thirds of reports of haunting activity occurred in the afternoon. Many ghost reports are one-offs, not associated with any pre-existing haunting.

The duration of ghost sightings can be summarised as brief - usually seconds rather than minutes. It can feel longer to witnesses as weird sights often leave a strong impression. Ghosts have been reported in many different places, but particularly where people live and work. This may simply be because potential witnesses spend most of their time in such places. Ghosts are not, contrary to popular belief, reported more frequently in graveyards. A recent survey found that older buildings produced the most reports of hauntings.

Ghosts usually appear as clothed figures. They are not usually surrounded or accompanied by any background scenery. Most ghosts look like normal people - not transparent, or glowing like their fictional representations. You could walk past one in the street and not notice it. Ghosts do, however, often vanish spontaneously or occasionally walk into walls. They also sometimes appear in enclosed spaces. Although ghosts are sometimes seen in 'period' costume, as if from an earlier era, this only started being reported at the beginning of the 20th century. Before that they were normally reported only in contemporary dress. Some ghosts appear to cast shadows or reflections though it is not clear what proportion as the fact may simply not be noticed in some cases.

People sometimes report areas of dense mist as ghosts. However, solid figures are not reported turning into mist, or vice versa. Nor do such mists behave like humans. Therefore, there seems to be no real evidence to support the idea that such areas of mist are ghosts.’

2009, M.T. (2009) What is a ghost what do we know about ghosts ASSAP. Available at: http://www.assap.ac.uk/newsite/articles/Ghosts.html (Accessed: 8 April 2016).

Ghost

James, P. (2015) Did the ghost of a grey lady sabotage my marriage?. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3258312/Mysterious-lights-Inexplicable-cries-spectre-face-hate-spin-chilling-question-Did-ghost-grey-lady-sabotage-marriage.html (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Is There a Difference Between Ghosts and Spirits?

‘It’s believed that a ghost is a spirit that has not yet gone to the light. The light is a cleansing process with a life-review, which from what we can deduce, acts as a time of reconciling with the past. Fear is always connected to the past and blocks the way to our future. By removing the past fears, the spirit of a person is able to move on in the life-journey and leave the old, earthly life behind. This is not to say that a spirit of a person cannot visit loved ones here on Earth, but suggests that a brand new perspective is gained of seeing not only the past, but the present and the future, as well. This is quite a healing change of mind.

The future of our understanding of ghosts will undoubtedly be advanced and supported by what is to come in the modern-era. Quantum physics is already putting forth theories that will coincide and explain not only ghosts, but the existence of what has long been difficult to perceive: the invisible, realm of Spirit.’

What are ghosts? What is a ghost? (no date) Available at: http://www.angelsghosts.com/ghosts_92009 (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Monsters:

‘The word monster is derived from the Latin word "monstrum", which in literal terms means omen. Monsters are often described as a character that is morally evil, sadistic, uncaring and larger than humans. The definition of monsters in the dictionary depicts it as an imaginary or legendary creature, having a strange or frightening appearance. It may often combine parts from various animal or human forms.

It is a creature with an evil mind with structural defects or deformities physically, which inspires horror or disgust. Whether real or imaginary, monsters are abnormal with deformed body parts which are frightening to look at. The skin may be patchy with multi-coloured polka dots, or with large hairy extremities which often involve the eyes, arms or nose.

Some of these monsters have become real famous over time, because of their reputation for their fear factor capabilities and the eerie way of scaring people. Having specific unique tactics which are parallel to their own personalities, some of these monsters are commonly used in films, fantasy or role-playing games. Aliens, all kinds of legendary creatures, or mutated versions of regular animals are referred to as monsters.

Sometimes a monster can be a display of God’s anger, sometimes an omen of the future, or even a symbol of moral virtue or vice. They can also occur sometimes as an accident of nature. So we can see that the monster is more than a repulsive creature of the imagination. A kind of cultural category, it is found to be employed in fields as diverse as religion, biology, literature and politics.’

What are monsters?- famous monsters explained here (no date) Available at: http://www.thehouseofmonsters.com/what-are-monsters-famous-monsters-explained.html (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Monster

Jaded (2015) Monsterpalooza. Available at: 

http://churchofhalloween.com/page/176/ (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Zombies:

‘In popular culture, zombies are people who have died and been reanimated as mindless, nearly invulnerable monsters that band together and attack the living. They are also known as "the living dead," "the walking dead," or "the undead."

Though many people are familiar with zombies from horror movies, TV shows, and video games, their history dates back hundreds of years, to stories in Haitian Voodoo folklore. In the Haitian culture, there are hundreds of stories of people dying and being brought back to life by a witch doctor; the reanimated person has no awareness of who he used to be, though he is not dangerous to others.

Zombies did not gain a strong presence in American popular culture, however, until the 1968 release of George A. Romero's classic horror film, The Night of the Living Dead. The film featured slow-moving, violent, cannibalistic zombies, and many critics believe that it sparked a new era in horror film-making. Romero has directed numerous sequels to the film, all using zombies to represent a critique of society.

A recent British film, Shaun of the Dead, released in 2004, was a parody of Romero's movies about zombies, billing itself as a "zom-com" or "zombie comedy." Other famous zombie films include Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's Braindead, which was titled Dead Alive for its U.S. release, and a 2004 remake of Romero's Dawn of the Dead.

Zombies have also been frequently used in TV shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and frequently appear in many video games. In Michael Jackson's famous "Thriller" music video, he and a large group of corpses become zombies and perform a dance routine — the 14-minute clip is one of the most famous music videos in history. Zombies also have a strong presence in music, with bands like metal group White Zombie and 1960s pop group the Zombies naming themselves for the mythical monsters; the Cranberries also had a popular single called Zombie.’

2016 (2016) What are zombies? (with pictures). Available at:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-zombies.htm (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Zombie

(no date) Available at: 

http://weknowyourdreamz.com/image.php?pic=/images/zombies/zombies-09.jpg (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Vampires:

‘The word conjures up images of suave, handsome, or strikingly beautiful creatures, such as is depicted in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. One of the most famous vampires of all time is, of course, Count Dracula - the brain child of Bram Stoker who based his immortal monster on the blood thirsty ruler, known as Vlad Tepes, which when translated means "son of the dragon", a nickname that was well earned. He was also known as Vlad the Impaler due to his habit of impaling people on very sharp stakes and letting them suffer until they died a horrible and extremely painful death. The legends of vampires were around long before Stoker wrote his book.

From very early times there have been reports and tales of vampires which means, when roughly translated, "blood drinker". In nature there are all kinds of vampires. Mosquitoes, tick, fleas, bedbugs, and a species of bat that drinks blood, named most aptly the vampire bat.

What about the vampires of legend; do they exist? There are some well documented accounts that indicate they do. There was the case of Arnold Paole. It was reported that Arnold was bitten by a vampire while he was serving as a soldier in his country's army. When he returned home from service he became a farmer. One day while cutting hay Paole had an accident which killed him. A few days later, people started dying from loss of blood. The people started saying there was a vampire in their midst.

There were several eye-witness reports that said they had seen Arnold walking around after his death. His eyes were glassy and his teeth had grown long and sharp. The locals went to dig up Paole's body, and when they had unearthed the corpse, there was no decay and there was fresh blood on the lips and a bloom of colour in the cheeks. Arnold looked as fresh as the day he had died. The locals pounded a stake through the vampire's heart and heard the vampire screech in agony. Then they cut off the head and burned the body.’

(no date) Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Leadenhall_Street_J_Hopkins.jpg (Accessed: 28 March 2016).

Vampire

Photos of real vampires images & pictures (no date) Available at: 

http://becuo.com/photos-of-real-vampires (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Wolfmen:

This was the topic me and my group were given. We each had a sheet and had to brainstorm our ideas of what we thought wolfmen were. I did some research on my phone and came up with a few ideas:

’In the last century, several werewolf sightings have been recorded. Many of them have taken place in Wisconsin, where the origins of werewolves are believed to have begun.

As myth's greatest monsters are able to do, the werewolf legend has spread across borders, even across seas and oceans. Vicious animal attacks have been reported for centuries, yet during the day no one can find a trace of the creatures responsible. Those who study mythology have long known that few creatures have the power, speed, and mindless slaughtering propensity the way that werewolves do.

The Shapeshifter Wolf – fans of twilight will recognize this type of "werewolf". Like the character Jacob Black and certain other members of the Quileute tribe, the shapeshifter wolf has the ability to change form at any time. This is believed to have been the original power of the first werewolf before it was taken away. The shapeshifter wolf can transform from human form to wolf form at will, though aggressive energy or anger may increase the likelihood of causing an unintentional transformation.

The shapeshifter wolves considered "werewolves" can only change from human to wolf form, though "pure" shapeshifters can transform from human form to any other animal form, including a wolf. It is believed that all shapeshifters are born into this ability, and one cannot be transformed into a shapeshifter by the bite from the creature. The exception to this is the Navajo Skinwalker, which is not a true shapeshifter, but a witch using an animal hide to transform.

The Wolfman – many "werewolf" stories, including sightings of the legendary Bray Road Beast, describe a creature that is physically a combination of a wolf and a man. This mutant wolf-man typically has a mostly human-shaped body, stands on two legs, but is covered in wolf hair and has claws and fangs. The Wolfman is often called a "werewolf" because in many legends this creature is believed to share many of the traits of the werewolf "curse". Depending on the legend, some wolfmen are humans by day and wolf-men by night while others are in their duel human/wolf form at all times.

It is believed one begins by transforming from human to wolfman on full moons only, then over time it increases to every night, and eventually the body settles into a pure wolfman form at all times. The degree to which a wolfman can control his mind and emotions also degrades as these transformations become more permanent.

The True Werewolf – a true "werewolf", according to most legends, is a human being that uncontrollably transforms into a wolf during a full moon. The original werewolf curse transformed a Shapeshifter Wolf into a Werewolf, effectively taking away the ability to control the shift but also taking away the ability to think as a human while in wolf form.

Werewolves, when in wolf form, have uncontrollable rage and hunger. They are driven to kill everyone and everything they encounter, regardless of their relationship as humans. The curse causes these wolves to lose all control of their minds, and when they wake up in human form in the morning, they don't remember anything (though they may revisit certain memories in dreams). It is this form of werewolf that can transfer their condition through a bite, assuming of course that the human being bitten survives the attack.’

The truth about werewolves (no date) Available at:

http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/werewolves.html (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Wolfman

SEILER and profile, V. my complete (2006) About me. Available at: http://jasonseilerillustration.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/wolfman-for-t-shirt.html (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Reflection:

I enjoyed this lesson as I learnt things I had no clue about before. I hadn't ever really done profound exploration into any of the above in this manner therefore had no idea what was coming in the lesson. I briefly knew of the topics however never had confidence in them. As a Christian believer, I have belief in spirits i.e. The Holy Spirit however zombies, vampires and so forth simply doesn't appear to be genuine to me. I believe it's all anecdotal and utilised as a wellspring of amusement for books/movies. I trust no human has control over God to simply choose to transform into a wolf one day or drink blood for tea. That is to say, there might be individuals out there that themselves trust they have this force but at the end of the day, it's all in their creative energy/considerations. They persuade themselves they're something else. I've seen individuals say beasts live under their bed or there are phantoms in their bathrooms, yet genuinely I discover it entirely crazy. It's all fantasy. This however is only my opinion and I know others may disagree with me. Overall this lesson was fascinating, as not just I learnt of the points clarified above, I additionally got the chance to hear the class' perspectives/feelings on them, and what they have belief in.

Technical - illness/black eye

What is an illness?

This is a condition of being unhealthy in your body or mind. Some illnesses are minor, meaning they come and go quickly such as a cold or flu whereas other illnesses are continuing, perhaps a lifetime such as asthma or diabetes.

What is a disease?

‘A disease is a particular abnormal condition that affects part or all of an organism. The causal study of disease is called pathology. Disease is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by factors originally from an external source, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases. Diseases usually affect people not only physically, but also emotionally, as contracting and living with a disease can alter one's perspective on life, and one's personality.

Death due to disease is called death by natural causes. There are four main types of disease: pathogenic disease, deficiency disease, hereditary disease, and physiological disease. Diseases can also be classified as communicable and non-communicable. The deadliest disease in humans is ischemic heart disease (blood flow obstruction).’

Disease (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

What is a sickness?

Often people confuse the words sickness and illness together as they believe they mean the same thing however a sickness is believed to be when ‘a part of the body is broken or malfunctioning. Any medical diagnosis or psychiatric malady is a sickness. Illness, on the other hand refers to our emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual reactions to our sickness. Most patients report that the pain from their illness is far more severe, long lasting, and personally traumatizing than is the pain from their sicknesses.’ 

Illness, H.Y. (2016) SICKNESS VS. ILLNESS. Available at: http://www.healyourillness.com/page.asp?page=3332 (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

Symptoms of an illness:

’There are symptoms caused by an illness, or the damage it is doing. If you have a bacterial infection, the bacteria could be releasing toxins that cause pain or discomfort. Discomfort from an illness is immensely varied, and can range from a minor feeling of unease, to unrelenting pain from a serious cancer.

There are symptoms that indicate your body is fighting an illness such as inflammation, pain, swelling and vomiting. There are also symptoms of healing, when your body is replacing cells that were damaged by the illness. These may include itching, swelling, even discomfort and pain. When your body is clearing out toxins from the illness there may be many more symptoms. These symptoms might start - as soon as the illness is present. When your body detects an illness, it starts to feel the illness, to fight the illness, and to heal from the illness - all at once.

There are also symptoms that appear when you have recovered. If you were sick for a while, your body might feel agitated, eager to get moving, stretching, etc.

When you take medications for an illness it gets even more complicated. There are many symptoms that might result from the medication. Some aspects of medication might make you 'healthier', which will cause specific symptoms. Many medicines are toxic and have a wide variety of symptoms as a result. Clinical testing of medications does not attempt to distinguish between 'healthy' effects and 'unhealthy' effects of a medicine. Side effects are listed, often without judgment or analysis of their cause or meaning.’

Kolenchuk, T., Founder, Freedom, P.H., Healthicine, to, Health, T. of, Arts, T. and Health, S. of (2015) Are your ‘side effects’ symptoms of illness or Healthiness? Available at: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/are-your-side-effects-symptoms-illness-or-healthiness (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

Ill baby (skin reddening)

Choices, N. (2015) Skin rashes in babies - NHS choices. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-rash-babies/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

Technical lesson four:

Model name: Lia
Skin type: combination
Skin tone: medium skin with yellow undertones
Natural eyes/contacts: natural eyes
Allergies: none
Medication: none
Any open wounds/scars, cuts etc.: none

Required products/materials: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, cotton pads, water/contact lens solution, liquid latex, glycerin, stipple sponge, Kryolan camouflage concealer palette, Kryolan supra colour palette, and makeup brushes.

What is glycerin?

Also known as ‘Glycerol’, this product is an oily liquid used for sweat, tears, and raindrops on the face/body or lymph on a burn for instance. It can also be mixed with gelatine. Glycerin is sold in most high street chemists. Glycerin is non-volatile and intensely water-loving, meaning it draws water to itself from the surrounding it’s in. It is also often added to face/body paint for an added glossy shine.

Image reference: Dmedia, 2 (2016) Kryolan glycerine. Available at: http://www.screenface.co.uk/sfx/blood-sweat-tears/tears/kryolan-glycerine.htm (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

Step-by-step guide:

Before starting the practical, I set up my station and got rid of any bags, scarves and coats that were in the way for health and safety reasons. I then placed a towel around my model again for hygienic, health and safety reasons. Next, I cleansed her. This is an essential part of basic skin care routine used to wipe of the oil, makeup and dirt off the face to leave the skin looking clean and tight. I applied a bit of cleanser onto a cotton pad, and gently wiped it on the face. I then toned her face. I always do this after cleansing to shrink pores, give the skin pH balance, remove any dirt the cleanser didn’t and hydrate the skin. Again I applied a bit of toner onto a cotton pad, and gently wiped it on the face. The last part of the cleansing routine is to moisturise the face to smoothen/silken it. This method is good
for those especially with dry skin in order to hydrate it. I did this using my hands. (Make sure they’re clean!)

For this look, we first started concealing out any spots or blemishes on the skin. I used shade D3 from the Kryolan camouflage concealer palette using a thin flat concealer brush. Sue told us it’s best to use our fingers to blend out the edges of the concealer onto the rest of the skin. The look we were trying to achieve was a high temperature/fever, meaning we had to make the face red and sweaty. Often a fever results to red eyes and a tired face results to bluey/brown eyes. To create this effect, I applied some red (079) from the Kryolan supra colour palette using a stipple sponge. I used a very small amount of this as I wanted it to remain as natural as possible. I also patted the colour in some areas using the heat from my fingers. I made sure I went into the hairline, nose and ears. Once I was happy with this, I moved onto the black eye.

What is a black eye?

‘A black eye is bruising to the tissue under the skin surrounding your eye. It's usually caused by a blow to the face, such as a punch, or an accident such as a fall. Sometimes, a black eye can occur after cosmetic surgery to the face, such as a facelift or a nose operation.

The area around the eye turns bluish or purple because tiny blood vessels under the skin burst and blood leaks out into surrounding soft tissue. Your skin may be painful and swollen and may make it difficult to fully open your eye. Your vision may also be temporarily blurred and you may have a headache.

A black eye is not usually serious and you can usually look after it at home if there are no signs of a severe injury. After a few days, the swelling around your eye will start to go down and the bruise will turn brownish-yellow before eventually fading. Like any other bruise, a black eye will usually take about a week or two to heal completely.’

Choices, N. (2015) Black eye - NHS choices. Available at:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/black-eye/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

What is a bruise?

Bruises are coloured patches that appear on the skin when blood vessels, called capillaries break or burst underneath the skin. Red blood cells leak out of these blood vessels which causes a bluish, reddish or blackish mark. Bruises go through colour changes as the body begins to heal. When the colour changes, this means the body is metabolising which is the process that the body goes through to repair itself.

The phase of a bruise:

1. A bump will occur that may look red/purple. The bruising may be tender or swollen.

2. After a few days, the bruise will turn blue/black.

3. After about a week it will start to look green/yellow.

4. After about two weeks the bruise will most likely be a very light brown, and then fade away by time.

To reduce the swelling of bruises, ice must be used right after you receive the bruise. People with dark skin can bruise also, however it shows up more on fair skin. Some people also tend to bruise easier than others; especially the elderly as their skin in thinner and the tissue underneath is more fragile.

Example of a black eye

Hellem, A. (no date) How to treat a black eye. Available at:
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/black-eye.htm (Accessed: 2 April 2016).

Continuing on the step-by-step guide, to create the bruise we had the option of using our supra colours or Sue’s bruise colour wheel. (A bruise colour wheel is crème based makeup placed in a wheel consisting of different colours, used to create realistic bruises. They can be applied directly to
dry skin). I firstly went in with the same red I used earlier from the supra colour palette and applied this gently onto the eyelid using my fingers. (Make sure your nails are cut otherwise this will irritate the models eye). You want to make sure u get the colour right down to the eyelash so it’s best to use a thin shadow brush, preferably pointy. Dab/feather to colour onto the eye rather than dragging it. The brush can also be used in a circular motion to help with the blending. I went right into the inner corners as well as the socket line. I also mixed some black (071) with the red to achieve a dark red
and applied this on the under eye crease. With bruises, you can apply colour over colour so I decided to mix some blue (091) with the same red and apply this again in the inner corners and under eye crease. You can wipe off any mistakes with a cleanser using cotton buds. To finish off my bruise,
I added a small amount of moisturiser on the eye so add some shine. You’re more than welcome to apply this anywhere on the skin where u think it’s required. Do not however apply powder as this takes the shine away, making it look unrealistic. For extreme black eyes, Sue told us we can also use silicone. It’s also important to consider what stage your bruise is in e.g. early/late before creating it.

I next moved onto the lips. I wanted to make them look dry therefore I applied a very small amount of liquid latex using a small stipple sponge. I patted this onto the lips to give it a flaky effect. Ensure to go over the edges of the lips to create sores. You also have the option of achieving this effect using DUO.

After, I achieved the sweat effect. To do this, I put glycerin on the back of my hand and dabbed it on the upper lip, neck and nose using a stipple sponge. It’s also optional to apply water on the hair and back of the neck to achieve sweat however glycerin is better as it doesn’t run down the face.

For the tear application, tilt the models head backward and drop some water/contact lens solution or normal eye drops into the eye. (This is completely safe to use in eye; make sure u are 100% sure a product is meant to be used inside/around of an eye before you apply anything due to health and safety reasons). Remember tears fall out the inner corners of the eye. You could also lengthen the tear by applying glycerin down the cheek. For tears, do this just before a shoot/scene (last minute) otherwise the effect will disappear after a few minutes or so.

Reflection:

I was very pleased with my overall look. I think the application of everything was very balanced (not too much or not too little). The only feedback I received from Sue was that I could apply more purples/blues into my black eye. I also could’ve applied some water on the neck/hairline to give it an extra sweaty effect.

Key notes (taken in class):

• In film/TV, less is more.
• Don’t create unnecessary spots/scratches for continuity. 
• Always try new products on the back of your hand before trying them out on someone’s face. 
• Research an illness and the effect it has on the skin before applying anything. 
• You could draw stencils for continuity. 
• You could use food colourings to colour inside the mouth. 
• It’s easier for a male model to grow a beard rather than you create one for continuity. 

Continuity

Continuity in this industry is particular to keeping the look of a character/model in a scene constant when it is shot over a specific amount of time. This could be a month or sometimes even a year. As the designer, you must deliver the EXACT same look each time that scene is shot paying little attention to the day, time, area or conditions when you are working with that particular character/model.

Having a decent worksheet to report the character/model's face can help you rapidly go after the item you require without obliging you to consider what you have to do. It spares time knowing straight away the product you have to apply or use to accomplish a specific look. Pre-arranging is the way to making your work process simple and steady.

What should I include in my continuity worksheet?

Every artist may like to design their detailed worksheet of the day’s shoot in their own specific way however I think the following information should definitely be included:

• Production title 
• Date 
• Actor/models name 
• Character name 
• Scene number 
• Episode number 
• Face preparation – moisturiser, primer, eye primer, foundation 
• Face products – eyeshadow, liner, mascara, eyebrows, cheeks, lip liner, lipstick/gloss 
• Makeup notes 
• Hair notes 
• Camera settings 
• Weather 
• Crew list 
• Audio and picture quality of each shot 
• The action that occurs 
• Printed pictures of costumes, hair and makeup, set dressings, actor positions and props to compare.

Worksheets such as the above will help prevent continuity errors. Having to re-shoot again can be time consuming and often beyond the financial/technical abilities of the producer.

Example of continuity notes

Buffy’ season 7 episodes - makeup continuity sheets & Polaroids - good quality photo - article #22033 (no date) Available at:

http://www.whedon.info/Buffy-Season-7-Episodes-Makeup.html (Accessed: 1 April 2016).

In the dominant part of film/TV industry, scenes are often shot out of sequence for a number of reasons such as access to areas, accessibility of specific on-screen characters/models or even climate conditions. This means you could be dealing with the last shot of the film with performing artists proceeding with a scene that was shot a year prior.

As I've mentioned above, it's very important to take notes on continuity characters/models. It's your job to deliver the same clothing, skin tone, hair style/length and makeup design. In the event that this isn't the situation, the outcome will be unfortunately perceptible when the film is altered. You will come across difficulties such as having to recreate a look from four months ago because the director said so. This means you'd have to remember exactly what you did and used. You may have ran out of a specific product, or lost a hair accessory meaning you'd have to make new purchases. Whilst such situations might be distressing, they are an acknowledged part of the employment.

It is regularly up to the individual to work out their own particular continuity, either by taking photographs of all the fundamental performers - front, back, and profile. Any changes to the appearance (even small) must be noted down with a scene number and date of shooting.

To make life less demanding, hairstylists will often keep a haircut the same throughout filming however this doesn't mean you shouldn't take continuity pictures as the styling of the hair may differ in specific scenes.

Artists may be required to apply synthetic beards and moustaches to coordinate a character/models regular facial hair which they may have shaved away. Also, if an actress has cut her hair into a bob you may have to supply a wig for her to coordinate previous scenes she's played.

Continuity gone wrong:

‘Maintaining continuity can sometimes go wrong such as in the classic, The Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy and the Scarecrow are fighting the trees, the Scarecrow taunts the trees and gets hit with a lot of apples. The very next shot, Dorothy is wearing black shoes instead of her Ruby slippers. This very quick but obvious continuity error is easily explained and prevented. When making the film, Judy Garland would have worn comfortable shoes except when her feet would be seen. Obviously, in this shot, the frame was a little larger than anticipated or, in the fury of the shoot schedule; someone forgot to look at her shoes. Always check your actors' costumes to make sure they are correct and in the same position. Watch for straps, buttons, zipper placement and other parts of the costume that may change.

Makeup and hair can also be a very big problem. In the original Batman, Jack Nicholson's Joker character rubs a bit of skin-toned makeup off his forehead revealing his dead white skin beneath. This small patch of white skin changes shape and location throughout the remaining series of shots.

In Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Frodo has a wound on his lower right cheek near his chin. Later in the film, it flips to his left cheek. When Sam cradles his head while sitting on the slopes of Mount Doom, the scar has obviously changed positions (or the film was flipped). When working with makeup and hair, make sure you take Polaroid or digital pictures, so that you can duplicate the look days later. Watch for pieces of hair getting into the actor's face or the style falling or slightly changing between takes. If the hair is wet, makes sure it is wet in all subsequent scenes until given a chance to dry. Don't let an actor go underwater without having his hair wet in the remaining close-ups.

Jewellery can also be a bit of a hassle. Sometimes it is so small or insignificant that it is easily forgotten. In Rocky Balboa, Marie's necklace disappears and reappears several times during her conversation with Rocky outside of her home. As with makeup, maintain a series of photos of the actor's jewellery to make sure it is consistent.

In Spiderman, the web-slinger comes to the rescue of Mary Jane, who is being mugged by four men. Spiderman throws two of the men through two windows behind Mary Jane. When we next see Mary Jane, the windows behind her are unbroken. This continuity problem can be eliminated by carefully maintaining a photographic record of the set. This will help you make sure that, when you shoot out of sequence or are doing singles of your main characters, the setting matches the look for that part in the sequence. Obviously the two shots of Mary Jane were shot at the same time. Someone forgot that Spiderman throws the guys through the window behind her.’

Contact Info (2007) Available at:

http://schoolvideonews.com/Pre-Production/Maintaining-Continuity (Accessed: 1 April 2016).

Harry Potter

BuzzFeed (no date) Top 15 biggest Harry Potter film mistakes. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/501307002246769600/ (Accessed: 1 April 2016).

Wizard of Oz - Dorothy's hair changes length

From Tom Hiddleston’s quick-dry trousers to spectre's disappearing diners: The continuity bloopers that left us baffled (2016) Available at:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fabulous/7034795/From-Tom-Hiddlestones-quick-dry-trousers-to-Spectres-disappearing-guests-The-film-and-TV-moments-that-have-left-us-baffled.html (Accessed: 1 April 2016).

Kat's seminar - The Gothic

In our first seminar with Kat we got introduced to the background of gothic horror and how it’s been carried out through centuries. The term ‘gothic’ includes 4 characteristics:

Sinister:

This means evil, relentless or corrupt which comes from the Italian word ‘sinistra’ meaning left. Reason being is when someone, in particular children touched an item with their left hand they were punished as it was believed left handedness was to be a sign of the devil.

Supernatural:

‘A liking for the strangely eccentric, the magical, and the sublime, sometimes subtly intermingled with the realistic. Supernatural elements influenced the Gothic writing technique the same way it influences us; psychologically.

When a topic is deepened by a mystery, it automatically grasps the attention of the reader, as our minds always need closure. Yet, when you add to that deeper mysteries that involve life, death, fate, the nature of things, and other general questions we consistently pose to ourselves as parts of our existence, the Gothic element comes to life.

Supernatural elements satisfy that paradigm. They instil wonder, respect, fear, suspicion, and they are impossible to proof and to explain. Whether you’re sceptic or not, the influence of the ‘supernatural’ is worth the argument as there’s no evidence of whether it exists or not. That is the magic of it. It is one of those very few things that we cannot explain and allows our imagination to run wild.

Similarly, with Gothic literature, the element of supernatural mystery allowed the writers to let their imagination run wild, while enticing even further those of their readers. It’s a synergism made in supernatural heaven.’

nastasja (2010) In the gothic novel, why are supernatural elements interesting?. Available at: http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/gothic-novel-why-supernatural-elements-intere-395815 (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

Horror:

‘Many modern writers of horror exhibit considerable gothic sensibilities. Examples include the works of Anne Rice, as well as some of the sensationalist works of Stephen King. Gothic is said to be becoming horror, a term properly applied to the most famous late-Victorian example of gothic, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The opening section of Dracula uses some familiar Gothic properties: the castle whose chambers contain the mystery that the protagonist must solve; the sublime scenery that emphasises his isolation.

Stoker learned from the vampire stories that had appeared earlier in the 19th century (notably Carmilla (1872) by Sheridan Le Fanu, who was his friend and collaborator) and exploited the narrative methods of Willkie Collins’s ‘sensation fiction’. Dracula is written in the form of journal entries and letters by various characters, caught up in the horror of events. The fear and uncertainty on which Gothic had always relied is enacted in the narration.’

Freedman, E. of B. (2014) The origins of the gothic. Available at:

http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-origins-of-the-gothic (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

Medieval style of architecture:

‘The various elements of gothic architecture emerged in a number of 11th and 12th century building projects, particularly in the Île de France area, but were first combined to form what we would now recognise as a distinctively Gothic style at the 12th century abbey church of Saint-Denis in Saint-Denis, near Paris. Verticality is emphasized in Gothic architecture, which features almost skeletal stone structures with great expanses of glass, pared-down wall surfaces supported by external flying buttresses, pointed arches using the ogive shape, ribbed stone vaults, clustered columns, pinnacles and sharply pointed spires. Windows contain stained glass, showing stories from the Bible and from lives of saints. Such advances in design allowed cathedrals to rise taller than ever, and it became something of an inter-regional contest to build a church as high as possible.’

Medieval architecture (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_architecture (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

We also got told the key motifs in Gothic:

• Strange places – ‘It is usual for characters in Gothic fiction to find themselves in a strange place; somewhere other, different, mysterious. It is often threatening or violent, sometimes sexually enticing, often a prison. In Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula, for example, Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer’s clerk, suddenly finds himself trapped within Castle Dracula. That scene occurs in Central Europe, but often in classic Gothic fiction – in the novels of Ann Radcliffe for example – it takes place in distant, marginal, mysterious southern Europe; and it could just as easily be somewhere like Sati’s House in Great Expectations, a decaying mansion just down the road. 
• Clashing time periods – Just as places are often mysterious, lost, dark or secret in Gothic fiction, so too are its characteristic times. Gothics often take place at moments of transition (between the medieval period and the Renaissance, for example) or bring together radically different times. There is a strong opposition (but also a mysterious affinity) in the Gothic between the very modern and the ancient or archaic, as everything that characters and readers think that they’ve safely left behind comes back with a vengeance. 
• Power and constraints – The gothic world is fascinated by violent differences in power, and its stories are full of constraint, entrapment and forced actions. Scenes of extreme threat and isolation – either physical or psychological – are always happening or about to happen. A young woman in danger, such as the orphan Emily St Aubert in Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) or Lucy Westenra in Dracula, is often at the centre of Gothic fiction. Against such vulnerable women are set the great criminals or transgressors, such as the villainous Montoni in The Mysteries of Udolpho or Count Dracula. Cursed, obscene or satanic, they seem able to break norms, laws and taboos at will. Sexual difference is thus at the heart of the Gothic, and its plots are often driven by the exploration of questions of sexual desire, pleasure, power and pain. It has a freedom that much realistic fiction does not, to speak about the erotic, particularly illegitimate or transgressive sexuality, and is full of same-sex desire, perversion, obsession, voyeurism and sexual violence. At times, as in Matthew Lewis’s The Monk (1796), Gothic can come close to pornography.’

Bowen, J. (2014) Gothic motifs. Available at:

http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/gothic-motifs (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

• Sexual power 
• The uncanny 
• The sublime 
• Crisis 
• The supernatural and real 
• Terror and wonder 

Kat played a video from YouTube called ‘The Gothic’ by Professor John Bowen. In this video, he discusses the key motifs in gothic novels such as the uncanny, sublime and supernatural. This video was filmed at the Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham.

The British Library (2014) The gothic. Available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNohDegnaOQ (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

‘John Bowen is Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature. He joined the Department in 2005 from Keele University, where he was Professor of Modern English Literature. He read English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and then took an MA and PhD at the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, University of Birmingham. His main research area is nineteenth-century fiction, in particular the work of Charles Dickens, but he has also written on modern poetry and fiction, as well as essays on literary theory. Some of his work includes:

• Other Dickens: Pickwick to Chuzzlewit (Oxford University Press, 2000) appeared in paperback in 2003. 
• Dickens's Barnaby Rudge for Penguin 
• Palgrave Advances in Charles Dickens Studies, co-edited with Professor Robert L. Patten of Rice University. 
• Oxford Reader’s Companion to Dickens, the Cambridge Companion to Willkie Collins 
• Victorian comic and satiric writing for the forthcoming Cambridge History of English Literature. 
• Regular reviews for the Times ‘literary supplement’
• BBC Radio 4’s Front Row 
• In Our Time 
• Open Book 
• Woman’s Hour 
• BBC1’s Inside Out 
• Dickens’s Secret Lover (Channel 4, 2008) 
• Discussing ‘Dickens and debt’ on Radio 4 
• ‘The Phenomenal Charles Dickens (at the British Library)’

John Bowen - English and related literature, the university of York (2011) Available at: https://www.york.ac.uk/english/our-staff/john-bowen/ (Accessed: 31 March 2016).

Reflection:

I found this seminar to be quite confusing. I hadn’t researched into gothic horror beforehand therefore I didn’t exactly know what it’s all about. I knew of gothic horror as two separate things. I thought gothic was completely different to horror. I thought of both of them as genres in the film/book department. To be completely honest I was even more confused after watching the video Kat showed us. I’m not really a fan of gothic horror or special effects as I’ve always been more on the fashion and beauty side. It’s interesting to know, I mean it’s always important to learn new things however it’s not something I’d look into after leaving university. I like the whole period stuff, such as researching into the Victorian era as I have been doing so for a while. Looking back at the video, I sort of understand what John is talking about every now and then but in general the language he used and the topics he was discussing, just doesn’t really get into my head. I did some research, as shown above on the video we watched, and I felt like reading about it helped me a lot more to know where John is coming from.