The Book Is Finished!!!!

The Book Specifications

Book Size: A5: 148 x 210 mm Portrait.

Inside: Photographs on the left with interview text layout as quotes and questions on the right. I was also thinking of having the interview handwritten to personalize it....not quote sure.

Outside Cover: Purple/ Deep Purple with "Signed" Autograph, black and white Photograph inset into cover with inset border or Purple Flocking of “Molly Moggs” Pub Wallpaper Decorative Detail.

Title: "Miss Julie Paid" Spot Varnished / Embossed into Cover: Autograph colored pink or light purples.

Spine: "Miss Julie Paid" -Autograph, embossed.

Outer/facing pages: Colored Photographs of Julie.

Binding: Perfect Binding / Possible French Fold with Interview Printed Inside with edges to be peeled away to reveal interview inside.

Page edges: Colored/ Silver or Gold.

Presentation: Slipcase/ Outer Sleeve Possible/ Ribbon tied around the outside and fastened with a costume jewel pin. Highly decorative Ribbon/ 1950's fabric design, could be printed on with title or quote from interview.

Presented in a box: Book on top with possible doll underneath/Handmade costumes/Make-up kit underneath as individual boxes. Ribbon to tie lid to base.

Sequins, Ribbons, Zips, Clasps....

I need to start thinking about how the book will be visualized and interacted with. After studying the photographs I picked up on some imagery that could be reflected in the presentation of the book:

-Zips, Unzipping, Zipping up, clasps etc. The idea being to reflect upon the idea of undressing or dressing up the book or "revealing something". Maybe you have to physically unzip th book to reveal its contents. Alf is quite shy and yet when he becomes Julie he takes on this whole new character that is outspoken and charismatic.

-The format of the book could reveal more of the images as the reader turns each page, The idea of Julie as a mask crops up quite a bit during the interview.

-The idea of physically revealing what is on the page to get a better understanding of who he is/interview hidden on the inside of a French folded page, perferrated edging to reveal the text etc.

-Ribbons, 1950's fabric. Reflective surfaces, like a Mirror, Sequins and jewels, Gold Clasps.

Comments please, Thanks.

Doll/Make-up Package?

I found yesterdays feedback session and the comments helpful. I know how I want the book to look like etc, but I'm not entirely sure how I can get around illustrating my subject without actually changing the photographic images that I already have....I like the images, but by manipulating them too much would change the overall aesthetics of the image. I have started to think about and develop some ideas that were discussed. I have been looking on the net for some manufacturers of Dolls as I thought it might be an idea to actually get a doll made that looked like Alf, Not sure if this is possible as most of the Doll manufacturers are in China! And I'm not sure if it would be made and shipped in time. I suppose I could buy an action man doll and actually make the dresses for the doll to wear, but would be actually buying a doll, without somehow personalizing its look make in too unoriginal? I went back over the photographs that I took of Alf and I saw his tattoos and thought that I could maybe design some a transfer stickers of his tattoos and transfer them onto the dolls body to personalize it as a subject. He actually said that sometime he/she wished he could have a transfer for his make-up so he could apply it quicker and easier.

Although I like the idea of packaging a doll underneath the book, I was thinking of other ways to communicate the same message and get around the idea that I don't have to manipulate my original photographs by thinking of other ways to illustrate the subject of my book.

I thought maybe I could do a Make-up set, boxed-similar to vissionare, Including the make-up he uses, False Eyelashes, (Not sure about the Wig) Fake jewellery (Just a set of earrings etc) maybe I could it in a similar style to the jewellery box he has on his Dressing table (See Pictures). Maybe a do-it-yourself Kit, made up of a few elements associated with Drag Acts, Not sure about the costumes being included in this kit, I researched into compressed clothing, Like T-shirts, but that doesn't exactly say "Tarnished " or 1950's glamour, and obviously there will be limitations according to what type of clothing could be compressed etc.

Basically, The brief is about the book, so that’s the main importance, Its getting around the issue of finding another way of illustrating my images further without actually changing them in anyway. That’s the sort of theme that I would like to communicate strongly, Glamour in a pub setting etc.

I am open to any ideas as to how to get around this/develop so your comments would be great, Cheers.

A Conversation with.....

I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Alf whilst he was getting ready before one of his performances. To be honest, it turned into more of a conversation with me asking the odd one or two questions to get the conversation started. This really gave me a chance to get to know a bit more about him and ask some of the questions I wanted to ask. I am really pleased to say that Alf was really responsive, and was more than happy to talk to me openly about his background, and the life story that brought him to crate such a Character like Miss Julie Paid. Throughout the conversation I was suprised at just how personal some of the responses were. After editing the interview and printing it accordingly alongside the illustrations I think it will provide an insightful outlook before and during his life as a Drag Act. Below is just an example of some of the answers that he gave as the interview went on for a while, Here is a really short extract:

How do you feel when you are "Miss Julie Paid"?

"I enjoy being a Drag Act, It’s amazing; it has lifted me out of Depression so many times. My Mother is a clinical schizophrenic and I have always had that fear. And with this, you know, you can allow Depression to take over quickly and this allows me to vent whatever I’m feeling."

How do you wish Julie to be perceived by the audience?

"Fearless, absolutely fearless…. its very rare that someone gets one up on me but I want her to be perceived as a ballsy, gutsy girl but who is completely sweet…. and really, If I offend somebody, even through my comedy, I’m mortified, absolutely mortified. So I like to try and get that balance of being catty, bitchy, and sexy. Do you see?"

If you were to look at the characters as two separate Identities, Yourself and Julie, How would you as a personality differ to that of Julies?

"I can be quite insecure…. I don’t trust my own instincts, I have suckered by people that I trusted, you know, to have as friends and learnt that actually it’s not me they wanted to know, it was Julie. And they tend to take the piss or whatever. I was far too trusting or too naive…. but you know what, Julie will have none of it. It’s amazing that when I am Julie on stage, you can’t cut crap with me. "

"So with Julie who is strong, independent looking woman I can be whoever I want to be, I can have every confidence in being Julie. I think she’s fabulous. I don’t have to worry about what people think of me or whatever and that’s the way Julie is."

"I have massive confidence with her and I know that when I am Alf, Maybe sometimes feeling low and down thinking “I can’t do this tonight” and feeling lousy, ummmm…. but as soon the make-up, and when I put that Wig on, Bang! It changes there and then, Julie takes over, it becomes a mask, absolutely a mask. Julie just takes over and I don’t have to think anymore, its just autopilot."

So what is the process that is involved in getting ready?

"Its all about layering, If you think of a shop dummy and see one being sprayed, its done in blocks or stages, It’s the same. You have to put in highlights, your low lights, your block colours, and your shadings."

The photographs I have taken of Miss Julie Paid I think could become good images to refer back too and work from. I like the effects that the subdued lighting had upon the subject and atmosphere of the Dressing Room. As the photographs aren't representing something staged or stylized, which is more often associated with a fashion shoot, I hope the digital manipulation of the image can enhance the the colour of the make-up and shiny fabrics of his costumes. The only thing is, Could the digital manipulation of these images by making them overly glossy completely change the aesthetic of the photographs according to the setting in which they were taken? I think I am going to have be careful not to over do with the effects, as it might look a bit over kill as an illustrated image.

I am happy with some of the shots, Even if they are for research purposes, and may prove useful even to draw illustrations from? HOWEVER.....I might have the chance to go back this Sunday and take some more with a higher res camera. If not, then I hope it will be possible to arrange another time. Basically, I have just that allocated time to get the shots right as he gets ready in the dressing room, so its important to be prepared by just having some idea as too what kind of composed shots I want to take away from my visit. Anyway, After reviewing the images, I thought maybe some more cropped or close-up shots to establish a contrast between feminine fabrics and make-up with male features such as hands and face would be good. It might be interesting to form a before and after, one shot of his face for the inside and heavily made-up one for the back-cover? Not entirely sure at this stage.

Some more images to follow....

Comments Please! If anyone has any ideas for potential shots, Then feel free to comment, Would be helpful....Thanks!

A Concept Review.

The book will be based around the meeting of a lesser-known Drag Queen who is the glamorous "Miss Julie Paid". I will photograph and interview Alfie, the creator of such a character. This will be presented as text alongside digitally manipulated photographs of Alfie getting ready before a performance which will capture his transformation from man to woman. Through interview, I hope to start to reveal who Alfie really is behind the make-up and lavish costumes, what led to him creating this persona and how he wants Miss Julie Paid to be perceived. I hope not only illustrate him as an interesting character, but to present what I have found out in a way that represents a whole genre in itself that is starting to disappear from the Cabaret scene.

Showtime!

The Costume

The Make-Up

Interview Questions

• What led to Alf creating this female Alter-ego of his Drag Act?

• Where did the idea for "Miss Julie Paid" as a persona come from?

• How do you think that Julie Paid is perceived by the audience?

• How long have you been doing stand-up as a Drag Act?

• If you had to describe Julie Paid, How would you describe her?

• Do you enjoy what you do?

• How do you feel when you become "Miss Julie Paid"?

• How do you want your audience to react?

• How long does it take for you to get ready?
  

• Is there a routine that you follow?

• What are your views on the fact that traditional Drag Acts is becoming less popular?

• Who really is Miss Julie Paid?

• What motivates them as a Drag Act?

• Where did the idea come from?

• What is it about being a Drag Act that you enjoy so much?

• Where are you from? Maybe some background history etc.

• Does the dress you choose to wear donate how you feel on a particular night?

• Do you look to other well-known Drag Acts as inspiration?

Who Really Is "Miss Julie Paid"?

I have started to think about Interviewing Alf before his gig as "Miss Julie Paid". I want to find out as much as I can about him as a separate personality than too the one which is seen during his performance as Julie. I want to think of questions that are interesting enough to really get to know Alf as a person, The creator of Julie Paid. I think the questions should be interesting and different for them to stand out that may even provide a narrative, and/or raise an issue that could be used to represent a whole genre in itself. It may even provide an element of irony, pathos and humor according to the responses I get. I hope that by the end of the book, the viewer begins to become aware of who the real character is, and what it is like to be a Drag Act. I have decided to record the interview by voice recorder as this might inform how I develop and present my illustrations according to what I have found out and observed.

Screen Printing by Andy Warhol

Photography by David LaChapelle

I think that photography is going to the best way to represent the glamor of Miss Julie Paid and the colorful atmosphere that she creates and presents. I really want to visually represent the element of "Tarnished Glamor" by establishing a contrast between the pub-like setting for her act and the glamor reflected in the shimmer and sparkle of her costumes, and vivacious personality, more often associated with the "red-carpet" image. I have decided to use photographs as a means to document my visit and meeting of Alf. I hope to work with the imagery too work from, or even present them as the final illustrations. In order for them to become illustrations, and not entirely whole photographs I think I will have to think of ways to manipulate the photographs by working on top of them in layers. I don't wan tot change the image too drastically though, So maybe working with several filters will do the trick....I'm really not sure just yet so here are some ideas for photographic shots that I may develop further:

Close-up shots, A contrast between the masculinity of his features with the femininity of the make-up, silk dresses and feather boas. Masculine hands doing up a shoe clasp etc.

The dressing room itself as a personal and reflective space both before and after his/her performance, the objects within it, the clothing rails of costumes.

Cropping pictures of the make-up lined up, the hairspray, and Diamonds, The Mirror....basically, the objects becoming a reflection of himself, just how he has left it.

Photographing his stand-up gig and the reaction from others.

I don't want to invade his personal and private space, but to provide a portrait through interviewing and photographing the man behind the mask, behind the persona that he has created and acts out in front of a small audience.

Performance Cancelled!

Just a quick note....Julie cancelled her gig for tonight at Molly Mogg's. I was looking forward to experiencing one of her stand-up gigs and hopefully getting to meet and greet her in person, as this would have been the first contact I have made since finding out about her gigs. However, according to the barman this isn't a habit of hers. Due to tiredness from over performing Alf will be doing other gigs soon enough, So I will be going next week. I spoke to the barman and apparently Julie is always willing to participate in interviewing and often poses for photographers.