Drag design projects
Roberto Manzini and Ricky James conceptualised and brought to life drag looks for various theatrical and event collaborations with Enmore Design Centre. These looks were created, made and performed as part of the EDi annual Costume showcase : KULT in 2018 and the Sydney TAFE Mardi Gras float "Love Bugs" in 2020.
'Perfect the Picture'
By using an existing painting, the team re-created a replica using practical set dressing, prop making, photography and lighting. Original reference was Still Life with Cake by American painter Raphaelle Peale, 1818.
Designers and makers: Luca Yates and Roberto Manzini. Art department advisors: Annie Wright and Natalie Beak.
Cinematography: Peter Moses.
'Solitary' proof of concept
This project used a combination of practical set elements with a virtual production world created in Unreal Engine and executed using the volume.
Created, written and directed by James Croake
Designers / art department : Luca Yates, Eleanor L'Estrange-Stranieri, Roberto Manzini, Lachlan Odgers
Unreal Engine designer: Reilly O'Loughlin
Virtual Effects Supervisor: Krista Jordan
Cinematographer: Velinda Wardell
Video Exegesis: Design of the MGM musical.
Created as part of the Masters of Arts Screen program at AFTRS, this research video dives into uncovering the main question around 'how' the lavish production numbers from the MGM musicals were created. This research was undertaken to inform how historical design might be applied to a contemporary concept. (22 minutes).
Some of the books that informed the research:
Past collaboration: 'Monster Mash' video project
This was a fun collaborative video project made as part of the Diploma of Production Design at the Design Centre Enmore. Created under the guidance of three teachers, the students conceptualised the story, built and made props, sets, costumes and SFX makeup for the alien characters.
The story follows two giant alien beings who wreak havoc on an unsuspecting city, when in the end all they'd been looking for is a lost phone.
Past collaboration: 'Black Widow' short film
Set in present day Chernobyl, we follow tourist Stanley who meets Boris a hotel owner who's job it is to find victims for the hybrid lady-spider Natalia, who lives in the attic. Who will be her next victim?
This work was a collaborative short film created during the Advanced Diploma of Production Design course at Enmore Design Centre. 18 design students and 3 teachers worked for about 12 weeks to produce this short thriller film, from writing the story to designing, building and finishing the sets to creating costumes, props and SFX makeup and then crewing the 5 day shoot.
This film as a finished piece will never be seen. This is because it has unfortunately, been lost to a faulty hard drive. Though we do have photos from the production, which show a glimpse into the the countless hours the team put into creating the visual story world and its characters.
Film stills
Behind the scenes
