MIRROR IMAGE
ONES ALTER EGO OR HIGHER SELF
MODELS INVOLVED
MODEL CHOICE, RELATION TO RESEARCH AND TECHNICALITY
CHOOSING THE MAIN MODEL
VARIATION: Anatomists have determined from the differing head ad skull shapes, there are three types of heads. The term used to measure the head is (cephalic index). There are three classifications: Dolichochocephalic- Long head, Mesocephalic- Medium head, Brachycephalic- Broad head.
ANATOMY OF THE HUMAN HEAD:
Markers exist on the skull that will allow you to identify features typical to human identity from different regions around the world. They structurally influence facial features and have been found in larger samples to provide evidence of characteristics typical to a region.
(Beckmann-Wells, Wells, and Wells, 2013. P.1)
Ethnicity: Japan.
Ethnicity: Puerto Rica, Choctaw Indian.
Ethnicity: Philippanes, England.
COMPARING FACE SHAPES TO SUIT THE DESIGN
Above: Beckmann-Wells, P., Wells, S. and Wells, P. B. (2013) Face it: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling. United Kingdom: Focal Press. P. 112, 114 and 118.
Knowing were the key features are located will give you a starting place to compare other skulls to. The comparison will allow you to identify features that are different in different faces.
We are all very much alike, but our faces portray unique differences, as demonstrated by the images to the left. The people in the images are from all different ethnic origins around the world. To create a successful prosthetic make up to suit my final design idea I had to be very selective of the model. The models face couldn't be too angular or broad as I will be building the face outwards to eliminate any natural features.
Left: Beckmann-Wells, P., Wells, S. and Wells, P. B. (2013) Face it: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling. United Kingdom: Focal Press. P. 25
ASIAN SKULL: MALE AND FEMALE
-The nasal root is flat and the nasal angle is obtuse.
-The zygomatic bones retreat posteriorly from the plane of the face.
-The nasal aperture is broad superiorly and inferiorly.
- The anterior nasal spine is short
(Beckmann-Wells, Wells, and Wells, 2013. P.41)
Above: Beckmann-Wells, P., Wells, S. and Wells, P. B. (2013) Face it: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling. United Kingdom: Focal Press. P. 41-43
I chose to work with a female asian model to suit the final make-up design, the Asian face isnt as angular from the front or side profile, particularly the female, see the images above. Ultimately, the model choice is the most important part of the process in terms of technicality and making the prosthetic work, and, as the female Asian nasal root is flat and the angle- obtuse, it was inevitable that the ethnicity would be Asian.
MODEL: MARCELLA CHAN
GENDER: FEMALE
ETHNICITY: CHINESE
AGE: 21
Above: Beckmann-Wells, P., Wells, S. and Wells, P. B. (2013) Face it: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling. United Kingdom: Focal Press. P. n/a
PHOTOS OF MODEL
I advertised for a female Asian model and had three responses, Marcella Chan best suited my design facially and due to the appeal of the final film, her body shape also best suited the gowns that I would be renting for the final film.
Models head and neck measurements:
Neck- 32 cm middle
Base of the neck-39 cm
Top of the neck-33 cm
Around the face-58 cm
Back of the head to the forehead- 52 half cm
Back of the head to the ears- 53 cm
Crown of the head-50 an a half cm
FEATURE CLOSE UPS:
Above image: Beckmann-Wells, P., Wells, S. and Wells, P. B. (2013) Face it: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling. United Kingdom: Focal Press. P. 20
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I took photographs of the models face from all angles in the room which the final make up would be applied and filmed, this way, I was able to determine the shape and size of the sculpt and the necessary colour for the basic skin base.
THE OTHER MODELS
I wasn't concerned about gender for the other models involved in the making of the prosthetics, through my research I looked in depth at beauty ideals, beauty campagnes on self perception and the roles that certain facial features have in determining one individual to the next. All of the research has collectively formed this idea of swapping the features around and ultimately, making the original model unrecognisable in a hyper realistic style. I wanted to use male and female models of different ethnic backgrounds in order to truly achieve the desired effect- noticeably seeing a new face with every feature swap.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MODELS INVOLVED:
MODEL: EMMA STACK
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 20
ETHNICITY: BRITISH
CAST: LIPS, NOSE
MODEL: ANU RAJAGOPAL
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 22
ETHNICITY: INDIAN
CAST: NOSE
MODEL: PAULO OLIVIERA
GENDER: MALE
AGE: 22
ETHNICITY: BRAZILIAN
CAST: LIPS
MODEL: KATE STANNARD
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 21
ETHNICITY: BRITISH
CAST: LIPS
MODEL: YASIN ALI
GENDER: MALE
AGE: 21
ETHNICITY: BRITISH- UGANDAN
CAST: NOSE
MODEL: EMMA FREEMAN
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 24
ETHNICITY: BRITISH
CAST: EYES
MODEL: HELENA FOEFANOV
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 20
ETHNICITY: ESTONIAN
CAST: LEFT EYE
MODEL: JAMES HALL
GENDER: MALE
AGE: 24
ETHNICITY: BRITISH-INDIAN
CAST: EYES
MODEL: LIISA MURD
GENDER: FEMALE
AGE: 20
ETHNICITY: ESTONIAN
CAST: RIGHT EYE
All of the models involved in the casting were made aware of their purpose and duties throughout. I firstly, cast individual features on their faces, these features were to be re-sculpted and altered in shape and size to fit the cut out sections of the new sculpted ‘no face' prosthetic. I deliberately asked the models to choose the features that thy either weren’t necessarily happy with or their most desired, this resulted in an accumulation of features, all of which were dramatically different from one another in shape and in size.
Secondly, I made the models aware that I would need video footage of them all discussing their preference, linking my research into self perception, cosmetic surgeries and beauty ideals to the chosen features involved in the casting. I wanted to know about their likes and dislikes and find a reasoning to their choices; I looked at various ‘dove commercials’ as influence for the questioning. The main model, Marcella, will be wearing the features in replace of her own and through this I felt the model would look as though she had stalked the individuals, keeping mugshots of them as polaroid’s and choosing to wear the desired features based on the photographs she has collected. Various artists I looked at use polaroid cameras to create a sinister image in their works and the images influenced the polariod element of the filming,
PURPOSE AND DESIGN RELATION:
ARTIST INFLUENCE: STEEVE LUCKNER AND RANKIN
Above, artist Steeve Luckner collaborated with a young man, Xavier, who was slowly dying of aids. The project lasted for three years and the photographs have a stalker feel to them. He also allowed the subject to photograph him in return, this was he was able to gain the subjects trust and they were both able to scrutinise each other. The subject explained:
“Immediately, I choose this one. It brings to mind the worlds aquiline, malice, devil.” Xavier.
Ewing, W. A. and Herschdorfer, N. (2006) Face: the new photographic portrait. United Kingdom: London : Thames & Hudson, c2006. P. 102
Below: Rankin. (2007) Visually hungry. 20070802nd edn. London: Rankin Photography. p. n/a
RANKIN- VISUALLY HUNGRY
RANKIN often highly influences my work and I am inspired by the artists ability to capture natural and unnatural behaviors so effortlessly. The images invite you into the lives of the subjectsinvolved and I like the natural feel they have to them. Th subject isnt posing in any way and they do not look to be repressing any personal desires they have. This way, the features are captured in the mist of differing emotional responses and the photographs are sstatement images.
MODELS POLAROID'S
DESIGN RELATION:
Polaroid images almost have a stalker essence to them and I feel they are relevant for the filming of the final prosthetic make up application on film, incorporating the Polaroids in the film will tie the subjects features to the 'no face' higher class individual. This way, the viewer is able to see and understand that the features being used are in fact taken from the various subjects faces and put into place on the 'new face'.
Below: Rankin. (2007) Visually hungry. 20070802nd edn. London: Rankin Photography. p. n/a
I wanted the polaroids to be authentic in the film and not printed images, in order to achieve the quality I purchased a Fujifilm instax mini 7s camera for £49.99. I was not phased by the price as I have been looking to buy one for personal reasons and the film is relatively cheap to buy for this particular model (20 films being £15.99)
MODELS VIDEOS
50 people, all-different in age, gender and ethnicities were gathered and asked one question: “If you could change anything about your body, what would it be?” And they all answered honestly. The responses are all relevant to beauty ideals and how children aren’t yet socially programmed to want to look a certain way.
All of the adults comment on areas of their bodies/ faces they are dissatisfied with, however, the children comment on what they are happy with and innocently explain they would like things such as Mermaid tails’ or ‘shark mouths’. One woman explains: “I chose to stay this way and not change myself, because I wouldn’t be me otherwise.”
JubileeProject. (2014). Comfortable: 50 people 1 question. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0tEcxLDDd4&app=desktop (Accessed: 15 march 2015).
RELATION TO DESIGN:
The above video and various different videos, seen on my research pages, related to body confidence and beauty campagnes are all relevant to the models features and their choices to cast certain ones, their likes and dislikes. Sometimes, the models least favourite feature is their most distinctive and it alone can depict who they are and how they are recognised by others (as seen on my research page- faces) and often, in modern society, we find that our preferences are programmed into our brains by various media sources and modified celebrity images. The below videos are of the models involved in the project I have labelled 'Mirror image: Ones alter ego or higher self'. My model and Photographer Marcella Chan kindly took the below videos of the models for me.
Models Comments: If my lips were really thin, Id be shocked andI wouldn't like it, there wouldn't be any depth. If I was born with thin lips, I'd probably look towards wanting thicker lips, fuller and bigger.
I dont particularly like my nose, I was bullied when I was younger, its quite flat and it doesn't have much bridge, im ok with it now though. I would want it to be slightly langer so that it hides the nostrils. In chinese culture it is not seen as ok to have your nostrils on show, apparently it means you are very money orientated.
Models comments: I have almond shaped eyes which I like, my nose is quite small and it doesn't curve which I like. Im really concered about noses so I would be very sad if my nose was fatter.
I would like soft and oval shape face, I do not like my cheekbones, from the side profile they are sharp.
Models comments: I dont see many people with green eyes or full lips, my lips have body to them. If I had thin lips it would be dreadful, my dad has thin lips and they look awful. Its one of those things in the 21st century, whether you are are a guy or a girl, you want thick lips.
Theres somitting about my nose that I feel doesn't fit my face very well, I just dont know! I would get the bum chin taken out of my chin and a straighter nose, its not as straight as it could be.
Models comments: I like my eye colour, it is quite light in the sun and green. My eyebrows are easy to maintain and I like that. If I had bushy eyebrows, I would be self conscious about them, Id pluck them a lot more, because of standards of beauty. Everyone has to have kind of a similar look to their eyebrows.
I dont like my lips because they are small, I would have bigger lips.
Models comments: I like my teeth, they are nice because I feel that teeth are important, if your teeth are not good it isnt beautiful. I like my eyes, they are small but they do not have one colour, they are grey blue and green. I can do cool eye make-up.
My face is quite round and I would like a more oval shape. Overall, I wouldn't change much.
Models comments: I like my eyes and my lips, my lips are symmetrical and full, it is deemed more attractive to have a symmetrical face. I like my eyes because they are a yellow brown, they go with my hair too, the golden tones.
I would make my lips fuller if they were thin, I would have Botox. I think it would look stupid with my face if I had thin lips, I wouldn't be able to wear red lipstick with thin lips. fuller lips look better in lipstick.
I would want higher and more contoured cheekbones and a smaller nose.
Models comments: I like my eyebrows because they are saped and quite natural so I do not have to do much to them. I like my eyes because I think they make a statement, if they were smaller I wouldn't be able to see the world as I do. If I needed a lot of maintenence on my eyebrows I would feel angry, colouring has a technique to it and I dont know anything about that. It would take up too much time in a morning.
I do not like my eyebags, the colouring is too dark and if I didn't have them, I wouldn't have to wear make up. I like my face, I think it is fine.
Models comments: I think I have very plain eyes, I see a lot of people with hazel and green eyes, if I had the choice to change anything I would say my eyes, I think I am attracted to people with green eyes, id like to see myself with gren or even blue eyes. I think it wouldbe exotic to see me with blue eyes.
FINAL DESIGN RELATION:
All of the comments can be seen ont the research pages on the webstite and the ability to change your Original face is becoming more popular in modern society, I have looked at this flaw and how the world will develop, what a future face will look like. And this is the basis of my project, future faces? Instead of choosing your favourite necklace for an evening event, will you choose a different face, or a different nose shape? this starts with confidence ans self esteem and develops with growing technology, as seen on the film 'surrogates'.
Models comments: I like my eyes and my lips, If my lips were different I wouldn't like them, I'd want bigger lips.
I dont like my nose, I think its too big, I would make it smaller. (central to the bridge)
Unfortunately, the other models involved were not around and Marcella could not take the video footage of them, questioning them about their faces. Therefore, I asked the modelss to take the videos in their own time, purely as a reerence of understanding their thoughts during the casting and linking their answers to my research. A lot of the models explained that they like 'fuller lips' and on the faces page of the website you can see text which backs this thought process up. Fuller lips are deemed more attractive to a male because they represent the fullness of a womans genitals when she is aroused. A symmetrical face is deemed scientifically more beautiful and an oval face is traditionally beautiful across all ethnicities, the models also mention both of these factors in their answers.