Doctor Parnassus's Imaginarium

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is an upcoming fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and Charles McKeown. The film follows the leader of a travelling theatre troupe who, having made a deal with the Devil, takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations.

Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, and Heath Ledger star in the film, though Ledger's death 1/3 of the way through filming caused production to be temporarily suspended. Ledger's role was recast with Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell portraying transformations of Ledger's character Tony as he travels through a dream world. 

I can't wait to see this, as research for my independent project aims to understand the importance of the imagination.

All Things Magical

At the start of September I did some work experience with Warner Bros, it was pretty brief as they were fully booked with interns and I was returning to uni...but nevertheless it gave me a great insight into the film industry as a creative. I worked in the art department for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  

I got involved with anything from with model building, delivering technical set drawings, making cups of tea and assisting the graphic design team.....

....including designing wand labels for Gregorovitch's wand shop.

A final addition to my year in industry.

Studio Martel. Kalou Dubus

Some interesting set design...

Created by Paris designer, Kalou Dubus who really captures spectacular art direction if not slightly surreal scenography. 

http://kalou-dubus.com/

W.11

"Portobello road, Portobello road

Street where the riches of ages are stowed.

Anything and everything a chap can unload

Is sold off the barrow in Portobello road.

You'll find what you want in the Portobello road"

Over the summer I made my way to one of my favourite destinations. ...to the one of London's landmarks, Notting Hill's Portobello Road. Every Saturday, the market opens its doors to buyers from all over the world looking for second hand clothes and antiques. It's amazing, it's a treasure trove for times past showcasing anything from old teacups and war medals to vintage fashion pieces. I was overwhelmed.

The experience rekindled childhood memories of one of my all time favourite films 'Bednobs and Broomsticks':

El Laberinto Del Fauno

A 2006 Spanish fantasy film written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro.

The plot takes place in Spain in 1944, after the Spanish Civil War. Also present is the main character Ofelia's fantasy world which centers around an overgrown abandoned labyrinth. Ofelia meets several strange and magical creatures who become central to her story, leading her through the trials of the old labyrinth garden. The film employs make-up, animatronics and CGI effects to create its creatures.

The idea for Pan's Labyrinth came from Guillermo del Toro's notebooks, which he says are filled with "doodles, ideas, drawings and plot bits." These notebooks spanned twenty years and at one point during production, he left the notebook in a London taxi and was distraught, but fortunately it was returned two days later.

The film has won academy awards in Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Makeup and BAFTAs for Best Film Not In English, Costume Design and Makeup and Hair.

A must see!