NEEDLE G33K :: Jenn Woodall

Break

2011-11-30T19:32:00.003-05:00

That was quite a while between posts. Things have been pretty crazy. I spent all of September working diligently on my tutu for the National Ballet of Canada which had to be near completion before the Word on the Street. I didn't get it completely finished but I don't think you could tell. Anyways, I attended the Romeo and Juliet premiere on November 16th and my tutu was on display, completely finished. Afterwards, it's going to be professionally photographed and on exhibition with the Tutu Project, which will be at the Design Exchange and the Four Seasons center next summer. Then all of the tutus will be kept online on the National Ballet website in a digital museum of sorts. Sounds pretty awesome.
I spent October working on Resident Evil 5 which was really great. I worked on Total Recall earlier this summer but I wasn't there for too long and thus didn't get to see a huge amount of the costumes. But I got to see quite a lot on RE5 and it is just amazing to see those detailed and elaborate garments up close. You also learn quite a lot working in a costume shop which you will never learn from fashion school or in a production setting. And I love learning new techniques and experimenting with new materials. I'm actually taking a leather-molding workshop in about 2 weeks time which I am terribly excited for. YAY AMMONIA. The class is being taught by Adam Smith who I met working on Total Recall and also worked on Resident Evil 5.
November has been pretty slow. I decided to take some down time because I was just so tired and I needed to focus on finishing the tutu. I've just been doing some part-time theatre work and I'm also doing costumes on William Shatner's 'Weird or What' for December. ALL THE NERD CRED IS MINE.
Other than that, I am playing Skyrim and it is awesome. I totally dismissed it at first because I am a hardcore old-school RPG nerd and I was unimpressed with the lack of party characters, the non-linear format and the vast sandboxiness of it all. But now I am currently eating my words, running around as a badass thief wood elf with a penchant for destorying faces with my trusty mace.
I think I will now make dinner and finishing building this crazy creature costume.

TUTU MADNESS

2011-09-11T13:27:00.005-04:00

So my whole life right now is working on this tutu for the National Ballet. Which is AWESOME, but stress-inducing as I want it to be absolutely perfect.
Moving right along on the tutu so I don't have much time to write an entry. However, I'll be attending the premiere of 'Romeo and Juliet' at the National Ballet in November (fancy) and my tutu will be there on display for the event! So EVEN MORE PRESSURE to do amazing work.
So far, I did some sample embroidery to know what I'm going to do. After purchasing the felt, I dyed it all myself at home with an acid dye. There's another skill for the ol' resume. Afterwards, I cut it into the pattern pieces and quilted it onto some polyfill batting. And that is where I am right now! Next step is to add all the lace, the cording and then begin beading.

Oh yeah, they asked me to gear my design towards 'Romeo and Juliet' as they wanted a specific tutu for that project. Which is why it is no longer the tree-branch idea I originally had. I retooled it to be more appropriate for Romeo + Juliet. Here is the initial design:

Anyways, maybe another post after this project is well under foot. OR PERHAPS NOT. (There probably will be another post.)

National Post article

2011-07-26T23:04:00.003-04:00

Hey all, the sci-fi short I worked on in June, 'The Ballerina' got a write-up on the National Post website! It was a great project with an even better crew. Read all about it and look at the costumes as well.

National Post Article

Everything's comin' up Milhouse

2011-07-21T12:21:00.006-04:00

So things are pretty dang awesome lately. I'm going to Montreal from July 29th-August 1st! I'm going to the Fantasia Film Festival and I am really looking forward to it. And since I now work in the film industry, I'm going to fling my business cards like ninja stars at everybody I meet. But in a non-deadly fashion. And in a professional way, somehow. Yes.
Also, I had an interview with Cirque de Soleil this week which went really well. My second interview is next week. They are looking for crew to work on the new show, 'Totem' which will be opening in Toronto early August. Wish me luck with the next round!

As well, I entered a competition with the National Ballet of Canada for their 'Tutu Project' which I was selected for. So I get to build a tutu! It's very exciting. To me, at least. Because I love making things. This was my entry:

Also, some friends of mine are doing a short film, slated for shooting this October. I'm doing the costumes and I get to design/sew an awesome outfit. More details later on, maybe. Confidential!
Cloth and Ink is going really slowly. I got sick, then I was sick AGAIN and my schedule was just wacky, so I've missed 2 weeks. THIS WEEK, FOR SURE. Must get back on bandwagon!!
I went to a life drawing session at the Toronto Cartoonists Workshop yesterday which was great. I'm going to try and make them a weekly thing, I think. Get better at drawing and all that jazz. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Toronto area wanting to do some life-drawing.
Another project is drawing to a close shortly, so stay tuned for that information.
Now I'm going to eat guacamole and play video games, because it's my day off and it is so hot out I can't even deal.

New blog!

2011-07-05T15:53:00.009-04:00

Huzzah for progress! A few months ago, I had the idea to start a fashion illustration blog and focus on the unique people of Toronto. Since I'm having a bit of free time at the moment, I decided now was the time to put it up. Still needs a better banner, template and many other things, BUT IT IS UP and that is that.

Cloth and Ink
That is my first entry. Ya'll should go and follow it, if you like.
ANYWAYS - I got invited to be a guest speaker at the Design Exchange again this year. I'll be talking to 12-14 year olds on costume careers and the like! It was really great last year, I'm looking forward to going back.
Just finished up my current theatre gig for the most part, so now I'm waiting on replies from some other film opportunities.
I really need to get internet back at my apartment. I am tired of paying to sit in coffee shops.

Are we not MEN?

2011-06-25T11:56:00.005-04:00

Yet another long overdue update.
Things have been really crazy, this is my first day off in about 3 or 4 weeks. I've been doing daily/weekly calls on 'Total Recall' in the sewing department, which is really great. I'm enjoying it immensely and I hope I can go back again soon. As soon as my week was wrapped up there, I went into 7 straight days of building for 'The Ballerina', a sci-fi short with an amazing crew. Then I was on set for 3 days to dress the actors, maintain continuity and all that jazz that Costume is all about. It was my first time ever doing design and build for a film, so I was incredibly excited. And I think it's going to turn out quite amazing! I'll post a lot more about it when I am at liberty to do so.

I had to build a VFX suit as well. Basically, a gray jumpsuit and cap. I also had to silk-screen all the trackers and create markers. I hope I did a good job and that rendering the CGI will be a bit easier because of my attempts at perfection. This image is a sample of one, but I basically mimicked it in every way. And now I have a silk-screen with that tracker image, I can always make one in the future.
Afterwards, I did a commercial and another BravoFact short film. I've also been working as a costume designer assistant to Michelle Bailey for a 'MacBeth' production with the Driftwood Theatre. It has been very tiring indeed.

About 2-3 weeks ago, the screening for the CFC short film 'Silent Cargo' happened downtown. I did the costume on that and it was a really great experience. I hope the film gets to play at a few festivals. I also can't stress how awesome all the actors were. Especially considering I had to make their wardrobe filthy and throw make-up dirt on them on a daily basis. I definitely wouldn't have been as amiable.
Other than insane amounts of work, I saw DEVO perform in Toronto as part of NXNE and it was rad as hell. I wish I could say I've done more but I have literally been working like a mad woman for quite a bit, so my social life has been non-existant.
Anywho, I really gotta get started on all that art I wanted to do and also eating and sleeping properly.

A little bit of down time

2011-05-18T16:29:00.004-04:00

As the title suggests, I am actually getting a little bit of time off lately. Which is lovely, because I need it creatively and I also need to sit on my butt and shoot zombies while eating macaroni. These are things I feel every human needs.
I've been busy with permit work with IATSE and it's been really good. Hoping to get even more busy as the summer progresses.
I attended the Toronto Comic Arts Festival this year and it was amazing, as always. Didn't get a chance to volunteer this year as I was busy during the training sessions, but there is always next year. I bought a copious amount of prints which are now all over my studio's wall.

I purchased a print from Hellen Jo along with some minis and I am in love with her art. It is seriously beautiful and makes me want to work with watercolour forever. I also purchased art from Phil Rynda, Micheal Cho and Adrian Alphona. Plus lots of minis and the like. I'll post a better picture when I manage to recover the cord for my camera (aka never or until I buy a new one, also never.)
Currently I am in go mode for a sci-fi film I am working on slated for June. It is going to be AWESOME. It is very refreshing to work with a director who is so passionate about the visual elements of the film. Not that this is rare (I really don't know), I just haven't had much chance to work with very many. I am a newbie at all this, after all. You can view the script, some awesome CG work and some awesome initial costume designers over at their tumblr.
Finished up about 2 short films in the past month, and I have another contract with Michelle Bailey coming up for June which I'm looking forward to. I'm also working on a production for Bravo Fact at the end of June as well! I'm also going to be starting a new illustration blog very shortly which I hope will go well. Time will tell!
Trevor Henderson is starting a new illustration project over at this blog, which you should definetely be following if you A) love monsters B) love movies C) love art or D) you are awesome and love all of these things.
Also, we are planning our trip to Italy in September (fingers crossed we save enough) so it is very exciting. I think our plans at the moment are Milan, Rome/Venice (or both), Paris, Madrid. That is the goal, at least. Actually, the real goal would be to go all over Europe and finish off in London so we could nerd about Dr. Who. But we'll see.

Smelly garbage standing around being useless

2011-04-19T20:51:00.003-04:00

I am incredibly tired. I know I say that a lot, but I really am. It seems whenever I have an incredibly busy period of work, I look forward to the time afterwards when I can sleep in and relax. But there is always more work to be done!
Since last month, I have been:
- Working at the Tarragon theatre as a sewer for a stage production of 'Forests'
- Costume designer for a short film which just wrapped Sunday night
- Sick with a terrible, terrible cold.. again.
- Registering for some design competitions and planning some later entries
- Various contract work
And then there is my ever expanding to-do list, which I feel will never be conquered. Or maybe just not be conquered until I have a solid month off (see: never).
Me and Trevor went out a week or two ago with Kat Verhoeven for her Drawn and Devoured food blog. It was delicious and pretty reasonably priced. I would say more but I'm sure Kat will do a much better job of it than I, plus my brain is so tired and worn out the only things it can think are 'food', 'sleep', 'boop', 'buh', and 'guh'.
I am currently playing Portal 2. It is amazing. I wish GLaDOS would stop insulting my weight and telling me I smell like garbage.. What a jerk.

Aid for Japan

2011-03-15T20:32:00.005-04:00

So since last summer, I've been tinkering with the idea of opening an Etsy shop where 50% of all sales goes towards different causes I'm passionate about. I wanted to start it initially when the flood in Pakistan struck, however I was too financially troubled to invest in any new creative ideas. And I've wanted to do it time and time again when other events happened, such as the current uprising and turmoil in Libya. So, I've created some small pouches I'm selling on Etsy with 50% of the sales going to Red Cross for Japan disaster relief.

Japan Disaster Relief Pouch

I'm going to expand in the coming weeks, hopefully creating one to aid victims in Libya, to gay rights groups, to support planned parenthood and many many others.
$5 goes directly to the Red Cross. The other $5 covers materials and supplies. The 70 cent fee is the lisitng and transaction fee that goes to Etsy.
This pouch is perfect for change, receipts (which I am constantly hoarding for budget breakdowns), your iphone, ipod, any loose knick-knacks in your bag, etc.

Donate to Japan here:
www.redcross.ca
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Things keep happening

2011-03-10T13:26:00.005-05:00

Wow, it's March already. But it certainly isn't any warmer. I'm fine with rain, I'm just pretty sick of the snow/ice situation. I want to be able to go outside in leather boots and sneakers rather than having to wear my giant rubber snow boots everyday. Soon enough, I hope.
I'm incredibly exhausted. I just got the craziest month and a half of work I've ever had. Basically, I started work on another Stage West production mid-January. It was a really fun production to work on but the hours were quite demanding to get everything finished.

I've never seen the show, but it was a musical adaptation of the show 'Happy Days'. I sewed so many dresses and altered so many waistbands. I actually sewed Joanie's prom dress from start to finish myself for the production, and I was really proud of myself. It was a beautiful mint green stretch-satin with a voile overlay. The voile was rose pink with flower embroidery all over it. The voile was also decorated with rhinestones.
I also had another sewing contract I agreed to prior to my Stage West gig. Which would have been very simple and easy, but I got an offer to be costume designer for a CFC short about 3 weeks ago. So from mid-February to last Friday, I was working like mad either sourcing fabric and constructing garments for a marketing company, or I was running around buying clothing for the film, doing alterations and making them all looked aged (which is actually a very time-consuming process. Making things look authentically aged and dirtied requires lots of time and different materials.)
So last Friday was the wrap party for the film and it was lots of fun. I had drinks, there were nachos, people congratulated eachother and were generally merry, it was great. I'll post news when the film is finished and there is a screening. I'm very excited, and all the cast and crew were totally amazing.

A bit of bad news - I withdrew from FAT this year. There was no way for me to financially support myself and to get all the funds together for the show, and I'm a bit heartbroken over it. However, I'm going to design an even better collection for next year, get some sponsors and so forth. I'll also spend this new free time doing some competition entries and creative projects on the side. YEAH!
Trevor is organizing a show for the next few months. I don't know how much I can say, but it is very exciting and I think it'll go very well.
As for me, the next few months will be great. I saw Mother Mother yesterday at the Pheonix, which was a great show. There are lots of good concerts coming up I'm super excited for: TV on the Radio, The Mountaingoats, Bright Eyes, The Pixies, Architecture in Helsinki! It'll be finally spring, working as a daily with IATSE, softball, drum lessons, art shows, freelance film work, and hopefully planning a few trips. I also might be picking up some part-time courses in film to get a better understanding of the industry. But we'll see!
P.S. My brand-new amazing website by the fabulous Gillian Blekkenhorst will be up in a matter of days, hopefully!

I AM (ALMOST) A QUARTER CENTURY.

2011-01-30T22:14:00.005-05:00

So this Wednesday is my birthday. It is Groundhog day. It is also Chinese New Years Eve! How about that. When I was growing up, I thought my Chinese zodiac was 'The Tiger'. I always thought this was very uncharacteristic of me, since the Tiger is described as a born leader, outgoing and a people-person. Years later, I discovered that since I was born before the Chinese New Year, I was technically born on the very tail-end of 1985, making me an Ox. The characteristics of an Oxen are typically obstinate, quick-tempered and motivated. And honestly, that is 100% closer to my personality than a 'born leader' or an 'outgoing personality'. THE MORE YOU KNOW.

So I'm kind of sort of having a mid-mid-quarter life crisis? Although it's a very calm one. It's more like, 'okay, I need to decide where I am going now. Do I go back to school for my Masters? Do I move to the US? Do I just focus on work with IATSE? Or do I just become a rolly derby girl / kung-fu disciple?' So many decisions. I'm sure I'll make up my mind.. someday?
Things have been good. Started work on 'Happy Days' at Stage West. Just finished work on 2 short film projects. Trying to get everything finalized for Alternative Fashion Week this year. Also very excited about a CERTAIN FILM being filmed in Toronto this Spring.. Silent Hill 2. ONE OF MY FAVOURITE GAMES. Oh yeah, joining my friend Sheila's softball team for the Spring, which will be fun! Hopefully I don't get beaned in the forward and die.
Have you been reading Kat's new blog Drawn and Devoured? YOU SHOULD. It's great. And me and Trevor are going to go on a dinner date with Kat in the next few weeks! WHEEEE.
Anyway, to summarize - Birthday, questions, theatre, film, nerdity, softball, food.
P.S. Thanks to all who came out to the art show at the Steamwhistle gallery this past month. <3

Steamwhistle Show

2011-01-04T12:33:00.004-05:00

Just a reminder, tomorrow is the 'Space and Time' Art show at the Steamwhistle Gallery! Come out and see some art from some poor art / design students.
BlogTO linked to the show!

The Steamwhistle Brewery and Gallery
255 Bremner Blvd
Toronto, ON
7pm - 11pm

Artists featured:
Featuring:
Abe Nelson
Erin Ornstein
Gillian Blekkenhorst
Jenn Woodall
JJ Tebrake
Kaity Hill
Katherine Verhoeven
Laura Harte
Mary Verhoeven
Molly McCracken
Trevor Henderson

Happy Holidays

2010-12-31T13:35:00.004-05:00

Hope ya'll are having awesome times with your family and friends. I was sick for a majority of Christmas with a nasty virus. To the point where I was barely eating Christmas dinner. And I am kind of a non-stop food bag.
But aside from that, it was magical. My parents got me lots of warm winter clothes along with a rice cooker (HELL YES) and Trevor got me an Ashley Wood Designer Toy Robot, a silver bracelet and some lovely perfume I wanted. I also got Christmas money so I was able to buy myself some new boots so I can stop wearing my crusty buckle boots.

Anyway, tonight is New Years! Not sure what the plan is yet, but something fun will happen for sure. I always really like New Years because it feels like a 100% new start so I always make a ridiculously long list of resolutions. Here are just a few:
- Read a new book every month at least
- Learn to cook like a ninja
- Start prepping and sending out fashion illustration portfolio
- Visit Europe
- Try to buy things from local businesses if financially possible
- Try to buy as much organic food as possible
- Start an initiative to help those in need (eg. Pakistani flood victims, animal abuse, etc.)
There are more, but I'm not about to upload a book onto blogger. Anyways - Embroidery is going well, almost finished. Moving onto costumes soon and simultaneously peeing my pants. I swear, I always get sick at the worst possible time. And aside from that, I just finished up a BravoFACT production 2 weeks ago, have some contract work lined up for the next few weeks and shall be quite busy.
OH YEAH, and to all Toronto people, please stop by the Steamwhistle Gallery January 5th in the distillery district to see our 'Time and Space' show!

Steamwhistle Show

2010-12-07T12:21:00.003-05:00

Opening on the 5th of January and running through the end of the month, Space and Time is a group show of illustrators and textile artists.
Lose yourself in time at the opening with drinks, food, conversation AND live music by

BEST MAN ( http://www.myspace.com/bestmanbestman )
THE ETHERS ( http://www.myspace.com/theethers )

Featuring:
Abe Nelson
Erin Ornstein
Gillian Blekkenhorst
Jenn Woodall
JJ Tebrake
Kaity Hill
Katherine Verhoeven
Laura Harte
Mary Verhoeven
Molly McCracken
Trevor Henderson

Big thanks to Kat Verhoeven for all her hard work in keeping this organized.
Also, probably no updates for the remainder of the month. Gotta get Steamwhistle work finished, some sketches for film projects, contract work for company, repair work for solo performer and somehow fitting in a seasonal Christmas job in order to afford gifts. Sigh.

Sneak peak

2010-12-02T00:58:00.006-05:00

Hey ya'll,
So I just finished my first piece for the Steamwhistle show in January. Well, 80% finished. I just gotta bust out some real fancy stitches for the border. Anyway, here is a sneak peak of piece #1 for my 'Fabric of Time' exhibit!

Just finished my gig at Stage West. It was excellent. Going to see the show tomorrow with the boyfriend. He'll get to see all those Egyptian collars we slaved over for weeks! It'll be great. Plus, free food. The thing I cannot resist.
Anyway, lots of stuff coming up. Designing a collection I hope to be shown at Alternative Fashion Week come spring. Doing some indie film projects.
ALSO - ANOTHER JENN WOODALL?! It's true! I recently discovered another Jenn Woodall (although she is Jen whereas I am Jenn) here in Toronto who does some work on film! Will the madness never end?! I linked her on my sidebar, because how can you not keep tabs on your bizarro twin living in the same city?
On a final note, I am planning to go travelling next September. I would love to visit Madrid (for the Gaudi architecture), Paris (because it's Paris), and Italy (to see Rome and Venice. Venice being a place I have wanted to visit since being a youngin.) We'll see how this pans out. I'll probably just end up sitting at home in a beret watching Amelie and weeping.
Oh yes, and Jenny Hart is part of an art show going on in Toronto starting November 18th at the Drake Hotel. If you love embroidered art, go and check out her work. It's amazing beyond belief.

Moved out and moved in

2010-11-06T12:17:00.006-04:00

I am officially a resident of Toronto once again! Oh, Toronto. How I missed your 24 hour action. How I missed your crazy people vandalizing TTC property. How I missed reading the angry political discourse in NOW magazine.
So what have I been up to? Just finished work on a short film about a week ago. Just started my new gig at Stage West in the costume department. Working on a sewing contract for Black Diamond. OH YEAH, I had an art show about 2-3 weeks ago. I should have posted about it but I am forgetful. It was at Function 13, it was cool, it's finished now, tada! I got some lovely feedback despite having a mental breakdown during the show. Oh, constant self-criticism. My worst enemy.

OH, so last Wednesday, the Design Exchange had an AMAZING panel on costume design. The guest speakers were Marjory Fielding, wardrobe supervisor at the National Ballet of Canada, Monique Prudhomme, costume designer for films such as 'The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus' and 'Juno', and Dawna Pym, a teacher at Seneca who runs some costume programs at the ROM that I have to check out now. Did I mention it was amazing? Ms. Fielding discussed the history of dance and ballet, as well as the history of the Tutu. (!) Ms. Prudhomme discussed working as a costume designer for film and some stories from productions she's done. Ms. Pym told us about the ROMs costume collection, as well as Senecas, and it was really interesting. And they even brought in garments from previous ballet productions and the costume collection at Seneca! It was so great to see a tutu up close. We had to wear special gloves to touch them. It's amazing the amount of work that goes into tutus. It makes me really want to try and make one myself.. Maybe when I'm less frantically busy.

And afterwards, they had a short Q&A. They actually stayed even later to talk to people one and one! I can't tell you how giddy I was to speak to Monique Prudhomme, whom I just think is an amazing designer. I also introduced myself to Marjory Fielding, as we only knew eachother via e-mail. I left the event feeling giddy and walking on clouds. It was such an amazing night. Then I went out with Trevor and Mary to grab dinner and had ultra delicious guacamole. Speaking of which, I should make some for my housewarming party.
Oh yeah, the design exchange is pretty much the coolest thing ever. I did a guest-speaking gig there back in June. Link is on the side. For any designer or artist, they are always doing great things that you should definetely check out!
What else, what else.. The steamwhistle show is approaching for January. Starting it now, really really excited for the show. I think it'll be great. I have to apply for Toronto Alternative Fashion Week 2011 very soon. OH, I have a really great gig coming up.. But it's top secret! And super nerdy and amazing! I'll definetely post pictures and info later on when the jig is up.
Oh yeah, and our new apartment? So awesome.

Vote for me!

2010-10-07T12:21:00.004-04:00

I have a profile on Talenthouse.com. Recently, they announced a competition to design a stage outfit for Florence Wench, of 'Florence and the Machine.' (Listen to 'Cosmic Love' if you haven't, it's excellent.) I entered the contest myself so I can trying to rally support! If you have a minute, please go and vote for my entry! If you don't wanna vote for me, feel free to go through all the other submissions!

>> VOTE FOR JENN! <<

Other than that - Incredibly busy!! Working on film sets, sewing bags for my online store, working part-time. OH, one thing I no longer have to do is house hunt! We found the perfect apartment and we'll be moving in November 1st. Maybe a few days before if possible so we can have a radical house-warming/costume party. But we'll see!
Anyway, I'll update again soon when I don't have a pile of sewing to tackle.

UNION! UNION!

2010-09-12T19:13:00.004-04:00

Wow, no updates for a month? I AM TERRIBLE. But I'm updating now, so it's okay. I just got home from the IATSE set etiquette course over the weekend. I am now a permit with IATSE Local 873! IATSE is the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which means I can now (hopefully) start getting work on union film gigs doing work in wardrobe. Then eventually I can apply for membership. SO EXCITING. It makes me feel like I'm some sort of half-adult with some figments of responsibility.
Things have been pretty busy! I'm done with the Feature in Collingwood. This month I also helped Nina with some contract work for the Toronto International Film Festival. She really is the nicest lady and so incredibly helpful. It's great to meet people who are so passionate about helping out little underlings like myself. Then last week, I was on a shoot with a costume designer by the name of Nicole Nader, another awesome lady, for a Canadian band 'The Trews'. Right now I'm waiting for my part-time job to get back to me, because I got an offer for work on a feature in Hamilton, and I need to book that time off in order to go on location. With Megan, a fellow Ryerson grad! Who is great!
Me and Trevor are vigorourly continuing the apartment hunt.. And by me and Trevor, I mean me. Mainly because he works full-time, I'm more of a freelancer so I have a bit more spare time. Also, I'm incredibly thorough so I am good at this searching, detail-oriented stuff. We saw a beautiful apartment earlier this week so we're waiting on a call for that place. FINGERS CROSSED

In OTHER news, I want this so desperately. It's a new figure by Ashley Wood, sold at the Magic Pony in Toronto. (Go to the Magic Pony - Go amazing.) I keep wanting to go drop some of my dollars on it but I'm SO FRUGAL it hurts. But robots are so awesome. CONFLICT!
Anyway - I can't think of much to say. Probably because I'm exhausted? I've only gotten a few hours of sleep every night this week so.. That is bad.

Collingwood has werewolves

2010-08-05T18:27:00.005-04:00

HERE IS MY EXCITING UPDATE: I am on a film set in Collingwood. PRETTY EXCITING, I know. I can't say much, except it's an indie low-budget feature horror flick in the same vein of movies as 'The Monster Squad.' It is pretty fun, and pretty exhausting. I'm working under a costume designer, Olivia Sementsova and her assistant, Megan. They are both super awesome ladies! And Megan is a fellow Ryerson graduate, so she can feel my pain. Olivia is a really nice lady and is very patient with my extremely constant stream of questions about costume. Her costumes for the film are also AMAZING. I'm learning a lot and hopefully someday I'll be half as competant as Olivia or Megan.

ALSO EXCITING, I am going to be working for 'So you think you can dance Canada' come September! I recently worked with a costume designer called Nina Okens and I mentioned I was trying to find work with SYTYCDC. She knew a costume designer working in the department and put in a good word for me. Jolene Antle is a costume designer working on the production, and she is also incredibly nice. I'm really excited to start this position.
Man, usually I have a ton more to write, but my brain is kind of dead. Most likely from the constant sewing, production antics and general lack of sleep.
I AM GOING TO DRIVE INTO THE SUNSET NOW AND PICK UP PAPERWORK FROM STAPLES.
Also, are you pumped for Scott Pilgrim.. I AM. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Design Exchange Guest Speaker

2010-07-18T23:14:00.006-04:00

A short and sweet update. I know I mentioned in my previous post that I'll be a guest speaker at the Design Exchange, so now here are the details. I'll be a guest speaker at the Design Exchange's 'Drama + Design' workshop from July 19th to July 23rd. There are some other really great Toronto designers that'll also be speaking all throughout July and August. Click the link below for lots more details:
Design Exchange Design Camp
Also, new updates on the website.. New content in the costume / illustration sections. I got an e-mail today from the owner of the Sleeping Giant gallery in Toronto where a bunch of my illustrator friends have had work on display and I've been accepted into an art show for October 1st. Should be fun!

Starting my new job this week.. I'm excited!
P.S. Check out the side bar for my link on IMDB.. I have credits on IMDB! HOW RAD IS THAT. SUPER RAD.

Finally!

2010-07-12T11:30:00.003-04:00

A couple of months ago, my friend Joshua Von Garber agreed to shoot the costumes from my thesis collection. This has been ongoing for quite a while - Trying to schedule time between our conflicting commitments and ALSO trying to sort things out with the 2 models. In the end, we only ended up using one model, Noemi. But she was absolutely perfect and looked beautiful in all the outfits and photographs. Josh also did a really amazing job with the location selection, lighting, posing, EVERYTHING. So now I can finally post them all up on my blog. Whoooo!

I`ve got a lot of work to catch up on, phone calls to make.. I`m waiting on some news right now. Hopefully, it will be positive! Maybe I`ll have something exciting to post soon.

Frantic

2010-07-07T13:37:00.006-04:00

The craziness of the G8/G20 is over. So that means I can share my work with the people of the interwebs. I was hired by Oxfam Canada to be the costume designer for their protest stunts to draw attention to certain issues during the summit. Pregnant stomaches and nude suits were created and used to bring attention to the maternal health of women across the Globe. Oxfam was gracious enough to send me all the media coverage they could find, which is linked below:

The Star
The Toronto Sun
The Vancouver Sun
Calgary Herald
The Edmonton Sun
Global TV
CBC

I loved working on this project for a variety of reasons. The G8/G20 summit was something I was adamently against, so to have the chance to work with Oxfam to stage a public protest stunt was the perfect way to balance my costume designer work with my own political beliefs and activism. I feel the G20 summit was a defining moment for Toronto. I do not wish to paint all protesters or police officers with the same brush - But from what I've read, what I've seen and from close friends who were actually THERE during the protests, I think a lot of people saw the police force in a way they had never seen them before. The injustice of the conduct of these individuals is unacceptable. A public inquiry into the incident is important and necessary. We must exercise our rights as citizens and demand an investigation into the events of that weekend. Linked below is Amnesty International's Appeal to the Government of Canada to have an independent inquiry into the G20.
Amnesty International - G20 Inquiry
I just finished interning with Nina Okens, a costume designer working in Toronto. She was designing costumes for a play of 'Taming by the Shrew' by Shakespeare. I learned so much from her and really enjoyed the work. She was quite the inspirational lady to spend time with. It also proved to me that not ALL industrial machines are evil. So now I am definetely going to save up for one. She is also trying to introduce me to a friend of hers who works in film and television, which would be great! We'll see if it leads to a wonderous work opportunity.
I just finished my entry for the Hand & Locke embroidery competition a week ago or so.

OH YEAH - Other exciting news. I've been asked to be a guest speaker at the Design Exchange in Toronto. Very exciting!! So today I have to take a photograph of myself NOT looking silly (very hard to do) and send off a short bio. Something like, "Jenn Woodall is a sleep-deprived and anxiety-ridden basket case." YES THAT SOUNDS ACCURATE.

I got a job interview for a costume shop on Friday.. ALSO cross your fingers for me. Me and Trevor are plotting on how we can go to Fantasia for 2 days to see the premiere of the Scott Pilgrim movie AND a play with Jeffrey Combs played EDGAR ALLEN POE. Yeah, it IS the coolest ever. Yes, I WILL be poor. Poorer.
The photoshoot for my thesis collection is also finished - and hopefully I'll have some images to upload very soon. STAY TUNED - Same bat time, same bat channel.

Job hunting

2010-05-30T13:39:00.004-04:00

Me and most of my Toronto friends are unemployed. Hooray! It is extremely tough out there to find a job. Although I am being rather picky. The initial plan was to find any job I could in Brampton to save up for Paris. But since funding didn't come through from Ryerson, I had to abandon that plan. Now I'm focusing on finding a costume/sewing job. Which is hard! I had an interview with the Shakespeare festival in Prescott yesterday two days ago, which I think went well. The decision will be made tomorrow and hopefully it will be that I am who they want! If only! Other than that, I have sent out a variety of resumes to some theatre productions in Toronto and ALSO to Cirque Du Soleil. I would most likely die of happiness if Cirque Du Soleil offered me a job, I am not kidding.
Yesterday, I bought this book while at a Costco with my parents. (MY CRAZY SUMMER) PERHAPS it is a bit presumptuous?! However I am considering going to London next year so it would be a handy thing to have if I was able to suck up all the anxiety, apply AND get accepted. We will see.
The Hand and Lock embroidery competition deadline is June 30th so I definetely have to get on that. Money would help.. Currently I am doing contract work for Peach Berserk on Queen Street West. Tote bags! So if you want a tote bag, designed and sewn by me, go buy one. (Note: Nobody reads this blog, sob) And then there is the Grand Prix Fashion Competition in Japan, but honestly the chance of me being accepted into that is equivalent to the chances of me getting married to an alien who looks like Vincent Price.

Graduation, jobs and masters

2010-05-13T15:57:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, I had to withdraw from the Arts of Fashion Masterclass program for June 2010. I had been counting on funding from Ryerson which was unavailable at the last minute. They had a lot of requests this year! My parents are also not extremely wealthy so I couldn't really accept their help as I knew how much it would hurt them financially. As much as it makes me sad, I'm glad to be moving back to Toronto.
And Toronto is full of exciting opportunities! I met with Oxham Canada yesterday. They are organizing a publicity protest to be staged during the G8 summit in Toronto this June. I'm going to be designing and constructing costumes for them which I am extremely excited about.
I'm also doing some costumes for a client in Vancouver for a record release party.. I'm designing some futuristic alien costumes so that is really great for me, being the huge and ridiculous nerd that I am.
So right now I'm studying for my very last undegraduate exam! I got sick during the very last week of exams so I had to be rescheduled to the make-up week as to not infect the other students with the bubonic plague.
I'm also looking for a job.. I've applied with a few places although I'm being pretty picky. I am keeping focused on a sewing or design job so maybe something really excellent will happen soon.
Other than that.. Planning to go to New York City in July, planning to maybe do a weekly costume exercise on this blog? We'll see, currently I am very poor!

Mass Exodus coverage

2010-04-28T23:24:00.006-04:00

So if anyone is interested in viewing my costume collection for my graduate year at Ryerson, all the photos are available on my grandportfolio site, the temporary site for my work while I get my website together.
--> RIGHT HERE <--

And here are a whole bunch of links to coverage of the event and my collection!
Urbane Bloc
Em Oh See Oh
She Does the City
This is Worldtown
FASH
There were also a whole bunch of important media types in attendance of the event who said some incredibly nice things on twitter!
Jeanne Beker: "Jenn Woodall's folkloric collection is bizarre fun!"
Stephanie Fereiro: "Jennifer Woodall, Little Red Riding Hood, Amazing."
Jeanne Beker is the host of Fashion Television and Stephanie Fereiro is a writer for WORN fashion journal (which I love so much.)
That's all for now.. I've gotta focus on packing my stuff, moving, getting over my sickness and getting a whole load of work finished.

First post / Renewed blog

2010-04-20T18:13:00.000-04:00

I decided to erase my old blog which existed on a hotmail account (ugh) and open a new one from my gmail account (hoorah). I am officially done school but for one exam on the 28th. Then I will officially be a graduate! I am very excited. I've been at Ryerson for long enough, although I do sincerely love school so I'm not exactly sure what to do with myself now.
ANYWAYS - Exciting news! I will be going to Paris for the month of July. I was accepted into the Arts of Fashion Foundation's Summer Masterclass program. So I will be studying in the Louvre for the month alongside other creative fashion types, learning about creativity and art in fashion!

So that's incredibly exciting. I need to make money ASAP. Trevor will be coming with me as my travel companion and fellow sympathizer as a failure of the french language. Together we will be ignorant and confused by everything! As long as there is somebody else, it's okay!
Other than that, I've applied to a few competitions.. (Fingers crossed) and I've been doing some freelance work on the side which hopefully I'll be able to finish up soon. I'm also planning on starting an etsy store in the near future to sell some fabric art and hopefully make more money for Paris. So hopefully that will be a huge success that will make me rich!
Me and my illustrator friends are doing an art show at the Steamwhistle gallery. After a little bit of difficulty, we're slated in for January 2011. That's a ways away, however art takes a loooong time and at least this way, we can plan and plan. In my case, sew and sew and paint and paint and embroider.
That's about it for now. OH, if you are a Toronto or GTA resident (such as myself) I strongly advise you go see Gogol Bordello or Los Campesinos! tonight. Both are excellent.