In part, this is shameless self-promotion...
The film I made costumes (and some props) for is about to have its World Premiere as part of the Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival.
"A Sweet and Vicious Beauty" is a low budget independent film, with lush costumes, settings, and original score, capturing the Gothic flavor of the Hammer Studio's films and Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe movies.
I made a "How to" for a "fake wedding dress" here: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/fake-wedding-dress
You can "like" the film's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sweet-and-Vicious-Beauty/374780702545952?ref=ts
And check out the trailer here: http://www.asweetandviciousbeauty.com/
But I'm also curious about other people's experiences working on costumes, props, makeup, etc. on no-budget or low-budget productions (movies, plays, etc.)
And if there are any tricks you've used to make things quickly and on the cheap.
Also, any opinions on the look of the film and costumes would be greatly appreciated. We were not historically accurate at all, I can tell you that - lol.
Boards
Recent Posts by Bette C.
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DIY Movie Making
Started 8 months ago · Last post 8 months ago ·
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Model/Actress
Started over 2 years ago · Last post over 2 years ago ·
Acting and modeling require different skills. I don't know much about the modeling side of things, but as an actor, I may be able to help.
Agencies aren't really the place to start. Depending on whether you want to do theatre and/or film, you really just need to jump into it. Take classes, of course, if you can. However, you will learn the most by doing it.
Start auditioning. Go for local theatre. Do student and indy films. You'll need to build your resume as well as make some connections. If you're interested in film work, you'll want to build a film reel.
You're not too far from NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and DC, if you wanted to audition elsewhere. I'm based in Maryland, myself.
Unfortunately, most agencies don't really work for the actor. They have thousands on file and you really need to do a lot of work to keep yourself on their mind. Few places have "real" agents that only take on a handful of talent. So, agencies aren't a panacea and won't really help you get your career started. You'll be lucky if they call you in for an audition at all, even after signing you.
I bet there are a lot of acting opportunities near you.
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Harry Potter Crafts
Started almost 3 years ago · Last post over 2 years ago ·
Maybe it's really dorky, but I've made Harry Potter costumes for my dogs several years ago. I made Professor Quirrell and Professor Lockhart.
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I am new and wanna find fantastic friends here
Started over 2 years ago · Last post over 2 years ago ·
Hi!
Though I joined a while ago, I feel kind of new, too, since I haven't really played in the boards or participated in any of the swaps. I only just recently put up my first tutorial. Mainly, I've been a lurker.
I've made a few plushies. Eventually, I'll put up some pictures of them. I still feel like I'm not quite up to par with crafts or sewing - and almost everything I've done has been out of desperation.
I would love to see some Harry Potter tutorials. I've made some wands myself. The coins sound really intriguing!
For my wedding, my husband and I made Famous Wizard and Witches cards for our wedding party with their pictures on them.
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Calling all crafters!!
Started over 4 years ago · Last post over 4 years ago ·
1. How come your so crafty?
Genetics and necessity.
For me, I really think it's innate. I have absolutely no training (or know-how sometimes) in any of the craft-type stuff I do. Usually, I make things because they're needed for some project I'm working on (theatre or film) and no one else has any idea how to find/make what is needed (necessity). So, foolishly I volunteer. Luckily, everything I've had to do so far has turned out fairly well. Both of my parents are artists and my grandmother did a lot of sewing, but she died before I was old enough to really learn from her (genetics).
2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
Craft has become important to me because it's tangible. I work primarily in the performing arts as a fight choreographer and actor and those things exist only in time. When I make a craft, I can hold it and I can look at it whenever I want - and it will always be the same.
I'm not sure I have a craft philosophy yet. I still feel pretty new to this world.
3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
I'm not really to the point where I make crafts just for myself, so I'm not trying to communicate anything specific. I'm happy if a project turns out roughly how I imagined it.
4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
For me, the internet has been an invaluable in terms of research. Some of the things I've had to work on required quite a bit of research and technology has made that a whole lot easier for me. I just recently discovered sites like this - and it seems to be a great place to get inspiration and ideas for new projects.
5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I'm not particularly familiar with London's craft scene, but I imagine it would be an excellent way to network.
6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
They have helped me feel better about myself. As an actor, I admit I'm a bit insecure - always wondering whether the audience or reviewers will like my performance - or whether a casting director liked my audition and if I'll get cast. With crafts, I don't need anyone else to create a piece of art. I can be completely self-sufficient. And I can look at something tangible and think, "Wow, I made that."
7. What purpose would you like them to have?
I would like my crafts to make people smile... and maybe even say, "Wow."
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what are you working on?
Started over 4 years ago · Last post over 2 years ago ·
I just finished (as of Friday) decorating this dress. It was a plain white dress before it met me. Now it has gold and beads and jewels. I also worked on the bolero a bit.
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Craft Chat & Swaps » Craft Challenges
design my wedding dress!
Started over 4 years ago · Last post over 4 years ago ·
Okay, I think I figured this out. Sorry for the poor photo quality of some of the pictures. We just didn't have good lighting and I needed to make sure I got the dress done, so I didn't get much of a chance to get good photographs.
I just added three rows of beads to the top.
Some details on the skirt - and some pencil sketching of what I want the rest of the pattern to look like.
Just starting the back of the dress.
A good portion of the dress finished.
Back of the dress on the actress.
Back of the dress with train.
Front of the dress (sort of).
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Craft Chat & Swaps » Craft Challenges
design my wedding dress!
Started over 4 years ago · Last post over 4 years ago ·
I'm new here and have never written on one of these boards before, so please forgive me if I can't figure out how to post pictures.
I took a plain wedding dress that was found at a thrift store and decorated it with "fake" embroidery and beading. It took me a full week to do working everyday for many many hours - usually 8 - 20 hours a day. Insane, I know. We needed this costume for a micro-budget indy film I'm working on - which I somehow ended up as costumer on (even though I have no clue what I'm doing!)
The "fake" embroidery & beadwork is primarily hot glue (gold, white sparkle, and clear), thin cording loops or spirals and glued down, and various beads & jewels (some strung, some not).
The bolero top was also found at a thrift store or yard sale. I painted the gold onto it and since we needed it to have a little bit of a shine as if it were made of a finer fabric, I again used some hot glue (with glitter) and lightly went over some parts of it - so it would catch the light differently as the actress moved.
Now let's see if I can figure out how to post some pictures...
... okay, clearly I failed. I'll keep trying.