Box Staining
Even though I had sanded the box down which helped with the overall presentation, I wanted the box to have a more finished look. I went back to the image of Louis Le Prince's motion camera and looked at the smaller details that were implemented.
I then decided that varnishing the outer box would then start to give it a more finished look than if left with the original colour. I know that the box itself is not the main focus of this project, only a way for my images to be presented. But I still wanted to show that I can develop the design the look of my outcome, much like Le Prince did when he first developed his 16 lens camera to his single lens.
I used a walnut varnish for my box, it was slightly tedious to apply the varnish itself as the groves in the wood made it so some areas were not covered and so stood out. But this was soon resolved as I had to go back anyway for a second coat as some areas were uneven.
Staining
Detailing
Image 1.
I looked back on Le Prince's motion camera for inspiration as I wanted there to be more connection to the original. I then thought about the idea of the brass ornaments that were common at the time for cameras and decided that I could implement something similar. I didn’t think imitation gold leaf would work as it does tend to flake off over time so I settled in the end with gold paint around all the edges for a similar effect.
I was planning on adding doorknobs to the box but couldn’t find ones that really matched the design the outside that I liked. I then found two worn gold coloured doorknobs which I thought were the perfect size for the box. One thing that took a while getting right was the size of the screw itself as I had to cut them to fit properly. I then had to file the ends down to create a thread so that they would screw into the doorknob properly.
19th Century Poster Reference.
I started to look at 19th Century Posters as a way of showcasing information and as another way of decoration for my box. The use of bold lettering and lines helps the overall text stand out. It also is from the same time period as Le Prince and so it has historical significance as well.
Image 18. - Original playbill for The Royal Pavilion Theatre. Advertising Oliver Twist, Monday, May 21st, 1838, and during the week; and 'Sir Roger De Coverley'. Printed by Fairbrother, 'Garrick', Covent Garden. (5.a)
Image 19. - Theatre Royal. Drury Lane. Lessee - Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. Charles Mathews. Stage manager, Mr. Robert Roxby. The scenery by Mr. William Beverley. Mr. Charles Mathews will appear each evening, in the character of Sir Charles Coldstream, in Us. December 1855. (5.b).
Image 20. - Original playbill for the Theatre Royal St. James's. Advertising the first night of Oliver Twist, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, March 27, 29 & 31, 1838. [Adapted by Gilbert Abbott Á Beckett]. Printed by W. S. Johnson, Soho. (5.c) .
Detailing (Continued).
As a final detail to the inside of the box, I lined the bottom section with felt to create a smooth surface for the acetate sheets to lay on top of. I thought that the roughness of the wood might scratch and damage the sheets over time, so this was just a way of preventing that for as long as possible.
I used double sided tape instead of glue as there was a possibility of the glue going through the felt itself and I didn’t want there to be a difference in the feel of the material itself. Also with the tape the felt will be easier to remove if I need to replace it.
Poster Box Designs.
I decided very quickly that I did not like the text design on the front of the box as I thought that there was too much on the front and visually did not look as pleasing as I thought. I also tried the text if it were on the back of the box but I came to the same conclusion as I did for the front.
Even though the text on the box did not work, I didn’t want to scrap the idea of the text entirely as I think it could be developed for another use. I began to think about how I could display some information about Louis Le Prince, as there are many who don’t know who he is or what he did. I was also concerned that my images would not be understood fully to others if they did not know at least some basic knowledge on my chosen figure.
I started looking into silent films and the use of title cards to show dialogue, even though these were not implemented into Le Princes work and only came around in 1903. Even though the use of title cards came about after Le Prince disappeared, I thought that it would be interesting to implement something that came about because of what he invented - a link between old and new trends/inventions. (5.d).
Title cards were implemented to show dialogue and to also help with explaining the plot if the film cannot. (5.d).
(Image 21).
This image from 'A Trip to the Moon' or 'Le Voyage dans la Lune' is one of French directors Georges Méliès silent films. I liked the ornate designs around the boarder which I think nicely frames the overall text on the image. (5.e).
I didn’t like the way the text came out on the above outcome as it looks too clunky, I also had trouble drawing out the n's and s' for this outcome which I don’t think looks as effective as it could be.
For the next outcome however I decided to remove all text and just focus on the detailing around where it would be. To neaten this for the final piece I will draw it out on illustrator to produce a smoother finish.
I do believe that with more development and experimentation I can produce an outcome that has resemblance to silent film panels. But I think due to the time that I have left to the end of the project it would be better to focus on the parts that need actual work done to them as opposed to things that don’t effect the final outcome.