A Love of the Dark: Introduction to Claudia, Quentin and Mrs Laderman

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Project Brief:

• Select a Gothic Horror TV series and research its concept 
• Study the demographics for the horror genre. How will it effect my design for each character 
• Use relevant imagery/film clips as creative reference, how will they inform my design.
• Create 3 mood boards- 1 for Each character, based on key word; 1 for the series theme
• Develop my 2 chosen characters based on research- it must visually reference the series. Progression through work and face charts
• At least 1 of the characters must be photographed in the studio

What's the attraction to horror? 

• Temptation to play god?
• interest/fear of death
• The possibility of salvation
• Opportunity to see things that are taboo
• Affinity with the monster within us all
• Addressing mans inhumanity to man
• We like to be scared

Horror is an great vehicle for this demographic because it..

• Has a limited amount of ideas to be explored
• Often features metaphors for life
• Offers cautionary tales (horrific consequences of the actions of the protagonists 
• Explores social commentary 
• Explores fear of the unknown 
• Explores awareness of our mortality and death (and our attempts to cheat it)

Female Horror Archetypes-

• Sex crazed bimbo
• badass babe
• the smart one
• the bitch
• the invisible one
• the witch
• the Post Modern

12 Horror TV series to choose from-

• The Walking Dead
• American Horror Story
• Dexter
• True Blood
• Bates Motel
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Vampire Diaries
• Penny Dreadful
• In the Flesh
• Being Human
• Hemlock Grove
• Hannibal

Choose 1 key word per character to develop for inspiration-

• Special delivery
• Blue coat
• Hydro bath
• White rose
• Ascend
• Glass prison
• Red rave
• White rave
• Taste
• Bandages
• Fork
• Stitches
• Save us
• Hellevator
• Slipping
• Veiled
• Spinning
• Exam
• The Woods
• Spiral
• Awakening
• Door
• Face

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Claudia-

Claudia is a girl in her twenties. As a child she was left alone to develop with little parental guidance and through her relationship with T.V. movies developed an unhealthy relationship with Horror films, believing this to be the way life really is.

All the scenes take place in various parts of Claudia’s apartment, which is European in style with
a great deal of kitsch décor. She is agoraphobic and is kept in touch with the outside world by her neighbours who provide her with her every day requirements.  She models herself on a variety of girls often twisting her look to suit whichever film she is watching at the time and there is often
a nod to the main character in the current film within her appearance.

The script portrays her as psychotic and there is always the feeling that although her character is scripted/can be seen as humorous, danger is just around the corner.   However all this is normal to Claudia and she is of a cheerful disposition in this mad world of hers.

Quentin-
Claudia has an imaginary boyfriend, Quentin, who is long suffering and a constant disappointment to her. They don’t live together but he visits regularly and they talk on the telephone if he can’t get in to see her. As he is part of her imagination his appearance changes to suit her mood. Sometimes he will be a David Beckham looking guy, whilst in another scene he will appear as a Pete Docherty type, Daniel Craig type or a Hollyoaks Babe. If she is having a bad day he will morph into an uncouth couch potato chav with all that brings with it.

He is as into the horror film genre as she and into role-playing to suit her whims and moods.

Claudia has a paranoid suspicion that he is constantly having affairs behind her back and keeps him firmly under her thumb, sometimes restraining him or keeping him prisoner in one of the rooms.

Mrs Laderman-
Claudia’s neighbour in her 40’s. She alternately changes into a variety alter egos and is Claudia’s friend and confidant. Living in the apartment opposite, she was Claudia’s only link to the outside world. Although they are friends there is suspicion that Mrs L’, has designs on Quentin. In fact she has designs on Claudia