Sunday 29 April 2012

Props List

I need to pinpoint exactly what I want to source for both interior locations so I am not just buying random items, and I can keep tabs on what I have and need to purchase:-

Vampire's Lair:

Furniture                                                                            
  • Victorian Writing Desk                                          
  • Chaise-longue
  • Fireplace
  • Chair
  • Large mirror
  • Babooshka's chair
  • Coffins x2
  • Rugs x6
Handheld
  • Quill
  • Letters
  • Candels
  • Candelabras
  • Drapes
  • Netting
  • Old books

Victorian Bedroom:

Furniture
  • Four poster bed
  • Upholstered chair
  • Dressing table
  • Bedside table
  • Paintings x2
  • Wallpaper
  • Lino Flooring
Handheld
  • Mirror box
  • China trinkets
  • Organza drapes
  • Bedding - make sure it doesn't drown costume colour

I need to start sourcing these items, I am going to start by looking in AUCB's Film and Acting prop stores, as the less I have to pay for the more of my budget I can use on wallpaper and fabric for draping which will be expensive.

Sunday 22 April 2012

What to take forward from my research....

I need to find the key items first and try to spend as little money as possible will a budget of £500 and having to find some authentic items, e.g writing desk and four poster bed. I have learnt so far that wallpaper and paint are far more expensive than I expected and also that I think the majority of my budget will go on these two things as well as draping fabric.

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Wallpaper Research

I went to several hardware stores to see what period wallpaper they had and their prices.



These wallpaper's are all of a cream and gold colour scheme, however none are quite suited to my brief, also they are all too distracting with several colours and also the gold glitter on the last one is too over powering. I need to look for a plain paper I can then paint to the colour I prefer.



These two prints are ideal, I tested both colours to see which I prefered and I loved the large leaf print with the Fern Green paint, also the Easter Morn colour was nice and would tie in well with the gold and cream theme of the room. However I decided on the Fern Green and the large leaf embossed wallpaper. Later meeting with the Costume Designer she suggested I took the tone of the paint down a notch so it was slightly less bright. I took her advice on board and when buying I decided to get the Sage Green instead.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Colour Scheme

Victorian Bedroom - I want this to be more natural, pure, neutral, pastel and calm. Using my research I decided on light colours and these are some swatches I've found.









Vampire's Lair - The lair is to be dark, gothic and rich in colour, here are some colour swatches I want to try.


Saturday 7 April 2012

Furniture for the Lair

The Lair  - Key feature - WRITING DESK

The key shot in this location is when Babooshka is writing letters to her x lover and she is surrounded by all her minion vampire's. I am going for a gothic, dark, ladies boudoir look for the lair. I need to concentrate on the colour scheme as well, and I do not want to reveal the colour red, other than the costumes and then in the final scene on the beach.

I have researched some writing desks which could be suitable in the lair, I think they are good colour wise and are historically accurate.


 The colour of this wood is perfect, I love the dark tone to it and the green marble top compliments it so well. The added draws on top add levels as well which the camera can work well with. The general look of it is sophisticated, but grand as well.
 This piece is much more plain, the colour is slightly lighter, but it has lovely shaped legs, and could add more angles to the lair.  I said before how I wanted the lair to be created into a space not to just look like 4 walls and a room.
 This piece is similar to the first one in colour, and I like the side panels as well.

This piece is lovely too but a bit too light in colour.











I need to look in antique shops for items like this as they will be far too much to buy, so hopefully I can rent them.

The Director also wanted a Chaise - longue in the Lair. I think this is a perfect idea as the actors' can lay across the chaise - longue and use it to show off their costumes from different heights and angles.







I love all of these styles, and  I deliberatley picked the right colours that I am thinking of trying to find. The purple piece in particular stands out to me, I want the rich padded effect that is seen on the one closest above as well. I need look in antique shops but also online as they aren't a common piece of furniture.

The writing desk and chaise-longue are the key pieces of furniture I need in the Lair, however, I do also want to look into a fireplace and handheld props including candelabras, drapes and old books.

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Furniture for the Bedroom

I want the Lair to look Gothic and Underworld like, where as the bedroom to look quaint and as Victorian as possible.  This week I started researching the furniture and was able to get an idea of what I want in each set.

The Bedroom - key feature = BED

Here I've just selected a few images that caught my attention online which I may try and find or replicate.




This bed is the key feature of this room, as is crucial that it is authentic and holds some historical accuracy.  The main shot in this room, is when Babooshka has been bitten and is having a ceasure as she turns into a Vampire. I need the bedroom to look calm and neutral, so that the change to the lair is dramatic. However, my concern is that to hire an antique Victorian four poster bed could cost up to as much as £300 excluding transport. Therefore I need to explore other options.

One I thought of was to use an existing bed and build up the four posts and then dress them with fabric so that the timbre would be hidden. Another possibility  would be to use something like this found on the B&Q website, it is usually used as the last pole of a bannister for a stair case but would work perfectly, and could be seen as it's nicely carved.






Along with the bed I will also want other items to make it look like a whole bedroom, for example a dressing table and bedside table. As well as an upholstered chair, maybe a balloon back chair, which was a common chair in the Victorian era. There are some images below:



I then looked into existing chairs to see what fabrics were used to upholster the chairs with as well as the variety in size and shape.

Both these chairs are very different in style, but the over all balloon back shape is similar. Both are a green one paler than the other, I think I am looking for a more pastle fabric to contrast the later rich coloured lair.


These two rose and cream chairs are more the colour pallet I'm looking at. They would fit in well with my pastel Victorian bedroom. So I need to get sourcing!







I also need to show that it is a Victorian bedroom not just a room with a bed, therefore I may include a dressing table and bedside table as well. This will allow the camera to have more intestering shots, and makes the room more homely.

Dressing tables/ Bedside tables


I love this style of dressing table, this is obviously a modern day replica, however if I could find a white painted Victorian style similar to this, it would be perfect. I want the bedroom to look light, clean, pure and natural. The white furniture would complete this look so well.


These two tables are a darker wood and more traditional. However I want the lair furniture to be dark, so want to avoid these if possible for the bedroom.
These are the main pieces of furniture I need to consider. However flooring, painting and ornaments will have to be looked at nearer the time, for now I need to source and locate the key furniture.