TABLE FOR ONE
16/01/2022 - 30/01/2022
A photographic and 10 seconds video series called Table for One, which includes 10 characters with different scenarios for each of them. They will have table settings according to each personality of each character. The photos and the videos will be shot as if the expectator is the person on the other side of the table.
Initial Stimulus:
This idea came to us during a dinner that Victoria organised at her house, Elif, Helena and I were present. As the dinner progressed we talked about our childhood favorite heroes and some Marvel movie characters and how their costumes and powers were fascinating and inspiring. We wondered what it would be like if they were real and dining in front of us and what their food would be like. This table discussion gave rise to the Table for one project, we wanted to create our own characters and tell their stories that we would represent through set design, costume image making and film. He were inspired by films, paintings and iconographic research.
Audience Idea:
TABLE FOR ONE MOODBOARD & BRIEF + RESEARCH
FINAL OUTCOME
Shooting Days
Friday 21/01 - Day 1
Friday the 21th of January was the first day of the shoot, we only had the studio from 1 to 5.30 that day but we managed to be very efficient and shoot & film two characters. With the production of the pre-shoot which I was responsible for, everything was already in place, we were able to proceed very quickly.
we rapidly got used to the speed of working together and everything started to become quite automatic in terms of distribution tasks between us.
That day there was only one model for the two characters so the preparation time between organizing the next set for character number two went fast.
Our technique was that when helena photographed or Elif was filming the first character , the rest of the group would organise the set for the second table at the same time so that we didn't waste time.
This first day was a good training for us, we knew that the other two days would be more intense because we would have a lot more characters to do.
Monday 24/01 - Day 2
This day was very intense in terms of the amount of characters we had to shoot and prepare but the first day was a good test for us in terms fr preparation because we managed to find out our technic of working to go fast and be efficient. The technician of the photography department were very helpful in terms of lighting because for each character we wanted a different atmosphere and light. We were very happy with the results and had a lot of fun with the models, they really took the role of their character to heart and it was very professional.
Tuesday 25/01
It was the last day, we only had three characters left to do but they were the ones who had the most preparation to do in terms of makeup, hair and set.
The Alien character had the most set up to do especially in the make up which is why it was left until last. We decided with the make up artist that he was going to be completely covered in yellow paint all over his body to really show off the unreal side. Also, the set design for this one was a bit tricky because we prepared it on the spot and we had some difficulties in terms of lighting so we left it at the end only with a white background. The original idea was to create a set like a spaceship by cutting holes into a white poster so the light goes through the holes.
At the end this day was a big accomplishment for us because we managed to adapt even in stressful times and find solutions together and it was thanks to this cooperation that we were proud of our work and looked forward to seeing the final result.
Behind the Scenes:
All photo credit - Catherine Dayoub
Elif setting up the film equipment
Helena holding the set of the Black Widow
Jin Zhang ready for being patient 0 character
Helena setting up the set for Head Surrealist character
Reflection:
Table for one was an independent and collaborative project that I did with three friends in the FCP course at Central Saint Martins, We knew each other since foundation and always had the desire to do a project the four of us in our final year, especially that each of us share different profession and interests. Table for one was a 15 days project and what I can say, is that it has been one of the most intense projects in terms of production and preparation, whether it was in the preparation of the costumes, the set, the pre production tasks or the casting of the models. The amount of work and time pressure was there, but all four of us were passionate and excited to realise our ideas together. We knew that as a group we complemented each other, each of us had a role and tasks to be done and that's what made everything go fast and well organised for the 3 days of shooting.
However, during the days we were shooting, I was sometimes a bit frustrated in terms of doing some movement direction, everything had to go very fast because we had so many characters to do in one day . Sometimes I didn't have the time to do what I had in mind, especially as the movements were too limited due to the position of the model behind a table.
But what I will remember after this project is that even if each one had its role, we were all helping each other and making decisions together. To conclude, I must say that it was a successful one and above all exciting, I have never done such a complete project in terms of costume, set design, photography and film at once. What I can assure is that it made me feel good and satisfied to see an idea succeed professionally and especially made me want to continue create and collaborate with people.
Credits:
Photographer: Helena Cebrian
Costume Designer: Victoria Ruiz
Cinematographer: Elif Gonen
Production & Movement direction: Catherine Dayoub
Set by: Helena Cebrian, Victoria Ruiz & Catherine Dayoub
Make up & Hair stylist: Marie Cuno Cassar
The Characters: Joanna Rossel, Jin Zhang, Jack Montoya, Raban Renatus, Jazz Ezeikel, Desi Bogdonava