h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I don't know what's wrong with my access from a remote pc - probably the company firewall - but I can't load any of the pictures

At least I can post a blog entry with hyperlinks back to here

Thanks for the positive feedback . Any suggestions for the remaining masks? I've not just got to create four more, but paint them all and consider how they are going to be attached to the pygmies' faces.

Finally met up with the props person who asked me to make the masks. Unfortunately not in a position to have the masks with me, or even photos, so discussions fairly general. The masks are to be painted garish, rather than natural, tones.

I like the ones with horns, so perhaps you could do others with spikes or horns? Or you could add some wild-looking hair around the outside?

What's that 'Stiletto' pic on your blog, btw? Professional or amateur production of Rocky Horror Show?


Lbclaire

Professional, but cheap. So I got paid, but couldn't have lived on the pittance I received - and some cast members received less than half of what I got! I thought you had browsed the sadly uncommented journal thread of that show I created as Caractacus.

Hypatia had a journal thread that drifted into lists of how many pairs of what types of shoes researchers had, and I confessed to owning a pair of stilettos, and a photo was requested. Not such good quality as I had to scan it in rather than having a jpeg.

As far as the masks I was considering adding a row of hanging beaded threads from bottom edge of some masks. Could be quite dramatic effect. Another contemplated addition is decorative rows of bumps, as eyebrows or to accentuate planes of the face. Just have to find time.

Ah yes, that rings a bell actually. Sorry! Don't think I saw the pic before though (who did you play again?)

Beads and bumps sounds good

The Narrator - the one in the middle of the stage in the pic.

But before I get caried away with ornamentation I need to create another five masks. I've roughed out and cut the card templates for five more masks - including one with tall gazelle horns, one with fox whiskers, and one that appears a little alien with square ears and round eyes.

I'm hoping the props person likes the designs I've made , as my current mask making has all been ad hoc without direction. She may say she'd like 12 versions of a basic mask, and not want the animalistic ones

I really must get her to give some feedback. Without it I don't want to go beyond basic white masks, which offer the freedom to make drastic alterations without ruining work already done.

Aha, yes. Nice fishnets .

I had planned to meet the pantomime props lady tonight, but she was called unexpectedly to another rehearsal for another show she is working on - the one on before the Merry Widow at the Gaiety theatre - so imminent.

She phoned to apologise for not turning up as arranged, and we are going to meet tomorrow just before we disappear to our various rehearsals (her husband to one (which I would be going to too if it weren't for MW), herself to one for the pantomime, and me to another Merry Widow one)

Well.

The props lady liked the masks. Particularly the goat rabbit.

The producer of the panto however has changed his mind. Instead of a dozen children as pygmies with half-face masks, he wants to have five adults in full-face narrow tall masks.

This obviously means considerably more work - I'm no longer in the home straight. The work done already shouldn't be entirely wasted, as the props lady assured me that I would be compensated for the unfinished masks, which no doubt will be useful for a future production. She'll purchase them in white unfinished state, and if changes are need in the future I may be asked to revise them and paint them then.

I have an idea for design of the new masks, from the research I did in June. I plan to use the same basic techniques I have done for the smaller masks. Ho hum. Back to the drawing board.

Well, at least the original masks won't be wasted - nor your time and expense in making them.

Tall masks sound quite exciting - I have visions of Easter Island statue-type things...

Lbclaire

Only made a start on these (three sheets of card cut to shield/lentil, two partially formed into curved shape with a layer of paper on), but the style is more similar to the middle right image on following poster http://en.easyart.com/art-prints/Atelier/African-Masks-50651.html

When I've got them into a decent state I'll publish more photos. Don't hold your breath, as you're aware I have little 'free' time at moment

I like!

For those worried by my hectic rehearsal schedule I can say I did spend some quality time yesterday evening with my wife, watching the last episode of Jane Eyre on TV. I multitasked, and added layers to two of my newer masks.
The three I've started are looking fair. All roughly lens shaped, with rectangular eye slots (two also have rectangular mouth slots). I've needed to give them all noses, as it was clear they wouldn't fit comfortably without. I've done them in different ways to se what works.
One was started by slitting an upside-down T between the eyes, folding flaps out and papering over gap.
One was a three sided triangular flap (still joined at top point between eyes) pushed out, and gaps papered over.
The third method was on a mask with a vertical fold down centreline, a T slit was made below the nose, and the two flaps pushed in, overlapping and making a shallow subtle nose. Photos later.

I have made a couple of in my other active journal thread (Merry Widow ramble F116773?thread=3537411 ). The masks have been approved in principle by J, but she has cautioned they should be passed by director too. We don't want to have to start *again* if I'm going down a blind alley as to what is required.

Well, now at last I've met the pantomime producer (one of a group of three people jointly producing it). J, the props mistress, was also present, and was whinging to me over perceived slights (being ignored since arriving at the rehearsal, and not offered a ). We were both given , and greeted when there was a break. I guess I just don't get aggrieved as easily as she does

The producer, D, liked the masks, and filled me in on the effect he wanted to create. He is looking for masks which appear African, intimidate and also don't reveal they are worn by women. To achieve these aims he said he wanted monochrome patterned masks (mostly white, with dark/black contrast), chose mask most resembling an African shield (tall narrow lens), specified 'angry eyes' for the eye slots (angled down to centre of mask, wide at outer edge, narrower at nose), and made clear that 'straw' should sweep back from mask to cover head.

This last requirement will necessitate purchase of more straw by costume mistress who hadn't been appraised of the practical need for obscuring, and had only bought straw for decoration.

The masks sound interesting. I hope we get to see pictures of them when they are finished.

photos are being taken as wrok progresses. I won't post until I have got to some kind of end point.

You do such interesting things, Pimms. I'm very jealous. I'm looking forward to seeing the photos when they're ready.

I haven't been on BBC radio. If they ever schedule you in I'll be properly then. I can't recall being quoted in a book either - I bought a book of New Scientist Q&A's (Why Don't Penguins Feet Freeze?) and spotted an answer written by Gnomon (I think - details seem very plausible)

The radio gig is looking less and less likely. I've been on local radio and TV loads of times, but it is such a small audience that it doesn't count. I was on a live radio show from San Francisco once, talking about banned books. That's the farthest away so far.