HYBRID - BRIEF

Brave New World

This project brief is devised to develop creative methods of addressing the body through light special effects. The body - the most visible and real site of identity - is naturally the single unifying thread for all artists and designers. The aim therefore is to create a new understanding of beauty, one that is derived from creating a human hybrid that is a link between nature and the body, and the use of special effects and light prosthetics. By doing this you will have the opportunity to interrogate and subvert the stereotyping of accepted norms of beauty, and by deconstructing and presenting alternate representations of the cosmetic body you will have the tools to re-map and re-invent it in new ways.  Through the experimental approach to the use of materials applied to the face and body, you will create your own innovative beauty ideals of
a human hybrid.

Brave.

Technically advanced process of creating silicone appliances you will start by making a wound, learning a technique widely used in the film industry allowing precision and continuity. Working in teams of two you will be given a specific wound to research, design and create. You will be working with your partner making the same type of wound but creating individual outcome. In this part of the unit your partner will also be your model. You must give careful consideration to your final outcome.  You need to analyze the type of the wound, what has caused it and where on the body you decide to place it and why? To produce a believable outcome you are asked to characterize your model in order to tell her/his story. Your design will then translate into
a close-up and mid length shot.

New.

Using the concept of physical transformation as a point of inspiration, you are asked to design
a creature character to represent the theme of Brave New World. The basis of your investigation into the theme of Brave New World should range from concept design references, history of prosthetics in TV and film, anthropological and anatomical references. Based on the world of nature you are asked to design and create a human hybrid using silicone appliances.

You should begin early to find models that are willing to be made over and photographed. You will also need to consider the whole look of your Brave New World character. However, rather than the emphasis being on clothing, you should place emphasis on decorating the body in combination with accessories, which can be made, borrowed or loaned from shops.

To help develop further your research skills with the exploration and experimentation of product and technique, you will develop a blog to record your journey throughout this project. You should look to use your blog as a device to record and be critical of your ideas. Your blog should contain a mixture of drawings, sourced imagery, typewritten reflection and explorative trials.

In addition to your blog, you will create a moodboard based on the Brave New World theme. You must use your moodboard as the basis for your design development.

Throughout this brief the testing of your ideas and practicing is of great importance. You should be prepared to spend time outside of taught seminars, lecturers and technical sessions to test your ideas and practice your sculpting skills that are the basis of any successful SFX make-up.