PR Visit

Took a trip today to meet Ann-Sofie's PR and see her collection in person. Unfortunately the two pieces I am going to book out for the shoot weren't there at the time, but I took a picture of a similar shirt with the flash on to show the great reflective quality of the material! It literally glows.
Should be fun in the studio with the mega-flashes. Now to organise the sets...and build the bespoke camera rig...

Research/ Inspiration

Back on Track!

Woo hoo! Just had an email from my client who is back on track and ready to go! Really good news. Am going to visit her PR next week to take a look at the clothing in person and select the pieces I'll use, above is the one she suggested. It's reflective!
Ann- Sofie Back's website
Bio of the designer

Techy Bits

My head is spinning a little (sorry, terrible 360˚ joke...) from all the technical aspects of getting the interactives shot in the studio. After having spoken to a couple of post-production studios, I've learnt going to be quite difficult as if the shot is one or two degrees out, the entire thing won't work. I've found an apparatus that the industry uses to rotate watches, shoes and small objects but a large heavy item of clothing is another thing altogether. I might have to construct an entirely new base and rig set up and hang this all upside down to get the desired effect. Here is a movie (kindly forwarded by David) that shows the process when used in film. Each dot is a separate camera!

SHOWstudio

Me on their webcam!

So have just completed a couple of days assisting SHOWstudio’s Creative Director in preparation for their ‘Revue’ event that just happened. You can check out some of the design work I did that was handed out on the night for them here (then click on live event>download schedule).



After a long talk with their CD discussing my project as a proposed format for them to solve their major current issue of not making any money, I’ve learnt that actually, they are going to do it. They had the same idea to use moving image and interactivity as a format for advertising and have been working on how to implement it and make it a reality.

The main problems being the luddite reluctance of the industry to make the shift from print to digital and the overbearing beaurocracy of it all. He said that whilst everyone agrees it’s a good idea and would like to do it, the reality of getting something like this to be approved and funded by the many strata of marketers, accountants and other office-types involved, is a long and arduous task with many setbacks. They are essentially going to do what I had in mind, just figuring out how and with whom is the only thing stopping them.

So on one hand it’s slightly annoying that I’ve proposed something they’ve already considered instead of it being something they hadn’t thought of but on the other hand, he said that it’s pretty astute timing on my part and I’m quite chuffed with myself that I had the same idea as a group of some of the industries leading practitioners. Unfortunately they don’t accept any contributions that aren’t commissioned specifically by them so I can't submit it, but it will be interesting to be how theirs turns out in comparison. Now all that remains is to get it made!

PLEASE VOTE NOW!

So I've come to a bit of a dilemma. My client has cancelled numerous appointments and hasn't given me any feedback in regards to concepts for the video shoots and has generally been pretty reticent about everything. Whilst she was fully supportive in the beginning and believed in the project's aims, I'm beginning to get frustrated by the one way street this has become and it's holding my schedule plan back. I understand that working with someone who is successful is going to be difficult as they are in constant demand, but I'm not in a position to wait around.

It's not essential for this project to have a client as the main focus is the idea of and the actual format, but the benefits of having a client are having a good name to the piece and the unforeseen turns that a collaboration brings.

So people, I ask you,
To drop the client or not to drop?

Virtual 360 Sketch

(click to play animation- takes a while to get going!)

This is a very rough experimental sketch as to how the VR piece would function. It makes clothing look more like sculpture than functional objects and draws attention to their construction.

Virtual Reality and Horses

Here are some pictures as promised from the Selfridges surrealism exhibit. The hallway with nothing at the end (black and white photo) was fun. Bit Gareth Pugh don't cha think?

Also met with some flash programmers who would be coding the piece today in Battersea and we were discussing Quicktime VR (virtual reality as in those websites where you can spin a mobile phone 360˙ to see all sides) possibilities, which is exciting! Definitely something to chew on...

Some more potential pieces

LOVE this one above.

More Research Tidbits

So have been to some exhibitions that have provided some fodder for the aesthetic of my piece, including the not-so-great Face of Fashion show at the National Portrait Gallery. Some great photos from Mert and Marcus but otherwise a little dull.. An exhibition should have some point to get across instead of merely presenting work that is accessible in newsagents...BUT some good ideas for lighting.
Second outing was to see the launch of Selfridges' new 'happening' in their basement coinciding with the surrealism show at the V and A. (Note surrealist perfume ad for a perfume with no fragrance! ) This was great to see as it pretty much reinforces what I'm trying to achieve in adding narrative to how clothing is percieved and brands created.
I'll try and sneak some pictures next time!