Jonathan’s Look
Let’s take a moment to regroup. So far, we have two characters to work on: Jonathan and Matthew. We've made progress in fleshing out Jonathan through his monologue and questionnaires, while Matthew's questions have been completed but not explored further. Our ultimate goal is to create a monologue for Matthew and a dialogue for the scene we'll shoot.
For now, let's focus on Jonathan's appearance, his style, and how he carries himself. As a 54-year-old executive living in Bel Air, Los Angeles, Jonathan's fashion choices exude a sense of refined charm and sophistication. In the office, he is often seen wearing tailored suits in neutral tones, meticulously fitted to his slender frame, reflecting his professional status. He pairs these suits with crisp dress shirts and tasteful accessories like pocket squares and luxury timepieces.
During leisure time and art collecting ventures, Jonathan embraces a more relaxed yet still polished style. He might be spotted in well-fitted blazers with designer jeans or chinos, striking a balance between trendy and elegant. Whether at work or in his downtime, he takes great care in grooming, ensuring his salt-and-pepper hair is neatly coifed and his overall appearance is impeccable.
As we continue developing these characters, we'll soon delve into Matthew's perspective through his own monologue and work on the scene where their paths will intersect. But for now, let's focus on portraying Jonathan's appearance, personality, and mannerisms to bring depth and authenticity to his character on screen.
Styling and propping characters can be quite challenging, especially when we don't fully "know" the character. The more detail and backstory we have, the easier it becomes to make choices, like selecting the right sunglasses, for instance. It reminds me of my approach to lighting design for tableau images or any other visuals. When I'm figuring out how to light a scene or a person, I ponder who they are and where they fit into the story. Once I have a clear understanding of their identity and place in the narrative, the lighting decisions flow effortlessly. I draw on my past observations of light and everything falls into place, creating a cohesive and meaningful visual representation. I'll be sharing more about this in an upcoming blog post. Styling and propping the character follow a similar path, and it's especially helpful when collaborating with stylists, bringing the character's essence to life through their appearance and props.
Working with a skilled stylist can be incredibly beneficial in bringing the characters to life. They can use their expertise to translate the character's essence into their wardrobe and props, enhancing the visual storytelling and adding depth to the character's portrayal.
But for you as the photographer, who’ll be putting together the mood boards and wanting to ‘direct’ the look of your character, having a clear picture of the character's motivations, preferences, and experiences will make researching ‘the look’ much easier.
Once armed with knowledge about my character, Jonathan, and the era we are working with, researching the basics of his attire became a breeze. Here's a rundown of his stylish ensemble:
- Footwear: Allen Edmonds loafers in a deep walnut colour.
- Trousers: Impeccably tailored Hugo Boss trousers with fabric imported from Italy.
- Shirt: A custom-made Italian silk shirt in a rich emerald-green hue.
- Belt: A vintage Hermès belt featuring the iconic H1 buckle in polished gold.
- Sunglasses: Cartier aviator-style sunglasses with lightweight titanium frames.
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp. Vintage 1985 Print Ad
With these elements in place, Jonathan's appearance exudes the refined taste and sophistication befitting a successful executive in 1980s Los Angeles. Now I have a very clear idea of his appearance, and so would a stylist. The next part I found rather fascinating I took my list of props, clothes, a description of Jonathan’s career and life and snippets of the monologue and loaded this into ChatGPT. This was the result:
Jonathan strides through the bustling hallway of the ad agency, his attire meticulously curated to reflect the status and style of a successful executive in 1980s Los Angeles. Every detail of his ensemble oozes with a carefully cultivated sense of opulence and brand obsession.
His feet are adorned with a pair of sleek, polished Allen Edmonds loafers, the deep walnut colour complementing the tailored lines of his appearance. The soft leather moulds to his feet, exuding an air of refined elegance with every step.
His legs are encased in a pair of impeccably tailored Hugo Boss trousers, expertly hugging his form while maintaining a sense of sophistication. The fine fabric, imported from Italy, drapes just right, accentuating his lean physique.
Above, he wears a custom-made Italian silk shirt, the rich emerald-green hue drawing attention to his impeccable taste. The fabric, smooth to the touch, whispers against his skin as he moves, the meticulously sewn seams a testament to the craftsmanship that defines his world.
A vintage Hermès belt, with its iconic H buckle gleaming in polished gold, cinches his waist, adding a touch of luxurious extravagance to his ensemble.
Jonathan’s gaze is framed by a pair of aviator-style Cartier sunglasses, the lenses reflecting the vibrant energy of the office around him. The frames, crafted from lightweight titanium, sit comfortably on the bridge of his nose, effortlessly accentuating his chiselled features.
His coifed hair, styled with precision, showcases the expertise of his trusted hairstylist at the famed Beverly Hills salon, Cristophe. Every strand is in place, a testament to his unwavering attention to detail.
Jonathan completes his ensemble with a subtle hint of fragrance—Creed Aventus cologne. Its intoxicating blend of citrus and woody notes envelops him in an aura of power and confidence, leaving a trail of sophistication in his wake.
As he walks, the fabrics caress his skin, the designer labels and meticulously chosen accessories marking him as a man of status and excess. His appearance is flawless, a calculated facade of success in a world that thrives on surface allure.
The description of Jonathan provided a solid foundation, and the added embellishments of the props were spot-on. The AI response not only captured his appearance but also offered ideas for hairstyling and cologne, providing deeper insights into the character. While I might not use all the suggestions, they certainly give more depth to Jonathan's persona. I needed to research each suggestion, but I must admit they were quite accurate and on the money!
As we continue to refine the characters and finalize all the elements, we're getting closer to the casting stage. It's remarkable how far we've come, from a mere idea to a faint outline, and now to a fully developed character like Jonathan. I can almost visualize him in front of me, so vivid and real that I can almost smell his cologne!
In the next blog post I’ll get back to Finding Their Voice Part 2.
Always check your research (and others)
Creed Aventus cologne did not exist in the 1980s; it was launched in 2010. Instead, we could consider Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men or Giorgio Beverly Hills for Men. After examining the advertisements for both fragrances, Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men stood out as the more appealing choice for Jonathan. The adverts exuded a strong homo-erotic quality that resonated with him, featuring images by Bruce Weber that captured near physical perfection. Additionally, openly gay photographer Herb Ritts, who was HIV positive, also worked for Calvin Klein and sadly passed away from pneumonia in 2002. This information opens up possibilities for your story, as Jonathan and Matthew could have been involved in these shoots or had connections to the Calvin Klein account at their advertising agency.
Intriguing possibilities start to unfold as we consider Jonathan and Matthew's potential involvement in the Calvin Klein shoots featuring prominent photographers like Bruce Weber and Herb Ritts. Perhaps they were both present at these shoots. The allure of the fashion world, with its intimate connections to beauty and desire, may have drawn them in deeper.
As they navigate the opulent realm of advertising in 1980s Los Angeles, the names of legends like Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, and even supermodel Kate Moss add an air of excitement to their world. Connections to the Calvin Klein account could have shaped their journeys, unveiling secrets and desire. The fragrance of Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men could become more than just a scent; it might symbolize the allure, the passion, and the complexity of their entwined destinies.
