OUGD603 / Extended Practice: Alice in Wonderland for MAC - Watching the film.

OUGD603.

EXTENDED PRACTICE.

Alice in Wonderland for MAC cosmetics.

Today I watched Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. As this is the film the collection will be based on, I thought that it would give in some inspiration as to colours, imagery, type and colour. 

Typography used in the film is very whimsical it has juxtaposed placement and causes the eye to wonder.

Something I learnt from the film was that there is a very classic style carried throughout, in speech and in costume. Although one may assume that the film is very psychedelic, and somewhat childish, being a children's story, the film still manages to hold onto some maturity. This is something that could affect the style of my design.   

The white rabbit is a pinnacle character in the story, and is what leads Alice into the amazing underworld of 'Wonderland'. The rabbit is the first sign in the film that there is something 'wonderish' and out of the ordinary going on. 

The first image of Alice looking down into 'Wonderland' through the rabbit hole. This is the last time we see her in the 'regular' world. 

After falling into Wonderland, Alice lands in a room in which she must follow instructions. Falling into a room of doors, Alice attempts to open each one, with a key she finds on the table. However the only door that opens is one far too small for her to fit through. She puts the key on the table and spots a potion underneath. She drinks it and shrinks to a tiny size, small enough to fit through the door. However she has forgotten that she has left the key on top of the table, and so she cannot reach the key. She takes another magic substance where she grows very large, and is able to reach the key again. Taking the shrinking substance again, she enters the door into 'Wonderland'.

It is clear from our first view of Wonderland that this world is distincively different from the last. We are introduced to a pallet of new colours and scenes of grande illusions.

Scenery plays a large part in the style of the film, plants and animals are a large indicator and visual introduction of what is to come. When it comes to the visual effects throughout the film, there is almost no limit. 

Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee are also a prominent visual aspect seen in the film, and are an icon what makes the film recognisable. The speech spoken by them also helps to add another eccentric dimension to the wacky world of Wonderland. 

Again we are asked to question the idea of proportion when Alice is seen with Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee. 

The wonderland is emphasised through a assortment of extra characters which would be unseen in the real world. 

Above is a selection of characters known to be part of the 'red knights' army. The characters are based upon the optical vision of playing cards, a well thought about idea as the rulers of the army, are the red knight and the queen of hearts, both originate from playing card terminology.

The Queen of hearts is a massive icon in the film, and is when we see the idea and resolution of elaborate make up really coming into play. We are also introduced into one of the main colours in the film, red. This might be something to consider, maybe not only in terms of packaging but gives contextual information such as colours of the products, lipstick etc.

A visualisation of the red knight. 

Another prominent character in the film is the cheshire cat whom also adds another dimension of colour, and is one of the most recognisable icons within the story.

The mad hatter is what I would call the most pinnacle of all the characters in the film, In both make up, costume and Speech. The mad hatter boats the most vivid make up look, covering an array of colours. However this is contrasted to his attire, although still kooky, his costumer plays homage to the classic roots of the story, wearing a tailcoat suit and top hat, complete with neckerchief. His speech and personality, echoes the lunacy of his make up. 

The tea party is also an iconic memory from the novel, and is a symbol that will resonate, even with people who have not seen the film or read the story. 

The mad hatter, and all iconic characters keep the same make up looks throughout the film making it easy to staple key moments and colours for a possible make up collection. 

Lastly, the white queen is another cast member with a very extrusive make up look, featuring dark eyes, lips and eyebrows against a stark white background. The white witch can be seen as the 'good witch'.

Throughout the film I also made notes of any quotes and keywords that I thought could inspire both the context and aesthetic of the designs. 

- Down the rabbit hole. (Black eyeshadow)

- Alice's dress. 

- White rabbit. 

- It's my dream. 

- Queen of hearts. (Lipstick)

- Toadstool / mushroom.

- Cheshire cat. 

- Tea party. 

- Mad hatter. 

- Futterwacken. 

- White queen / White queens crown. 

- Mind your head. 

- Jabberwocky. 

- Red knight (Lipstick)
- Two teaspoons of wishful thinking. 

- Hair of the hatter.