The City: Anna Theroux Ling
“Art is something which lies in the slender margin between the real and the unreal.”
Foreword
Art director. Set designer. Yokohama International School + Arts University Bournemouth + Cardiff Metropolitan University. Pure sunshine.
Preface
Mirror Mirror is a personal project that I created with my friends who work in film back in London. As my work revolves around creating an abstract imagery or environment that is not completely reality, I wanted not only to visualize something that has a surreal and mesmerizing atmosphere to it, but also challenge the viewer’s perception and create a world that can only exist in film.
To create the illusions and trickery for Mirror Mirror, we used mirrors and identical twins, but also manipulated the imagery in post-production to really merge the lines between what's real and what's not, which was pretty confusing to film - the positioning had to be exactly right to not reflect anything we don't want. It definitely was an experiment on its own, and we finalized the compositions in frame to get it perfect.
The post-production was also a big part of the concept as it really opened up the possibilities of making that odd but natural aesthetic come through. It adds another dimension to the film, which was something that could not be done physically - that’s my favorite part of the film as well as a new avenue I want to experiment with in the future.
Everyone on the team contributed a massive amount to make my vision come true, so I am very thankful that I was able to create a unique and fun project like this. A big up to Eloise Rudd for organizing the team and project, Ben Matthews for his amazing skills and dedication, Noemi Schelbert for going above and beyond my expectations, Amy Gregory for her amazing energy, and Evan Burris Trout for the super talent and opportunity to make something special!
Mirror Mirror
Watch Mirror Mirror on Vimeo
Epilogue
I've always been interested in creating artistic videos like this as it allows you to show your imagination that cannot be shown in any other mediums. There’s something special about mixing tactile art (fashion, set, lighting) with digital execution (editing and special effects) - it puts the viewer into the creator's eye to understand their vision, while editing alongside with special effects helps to highlight and elevate what is actually there to capture.
The more I make films, the more I get excited about collaborating with other talented people - not only it’s truly inspiring, it also gives you more creative freedom in terms of production, and encourages you to stand up for what you believe in.
Bibliography
The City
Favorite thing about living in New York ↝ Buzzing energy
One thing you can't survive without in the city ↝ Passion and dedication. And google maps.
Three adjectives describing New York ↝ Stimulating, restless, expressive
The most inspiring spot in the city ↝ My rooftop. Every time I look at the skyline of Manhattan, I get really inspired and have to pinch myself that I'm actually here!
Current obsession ↝ Lauren Nikrooz // NR Magazine // Uninvited by Mallrat // People-watching // Film photography
