''Untitled Film Stills'' by Cindy Sherman

A film still (sometimes called a publicity still or a production still) is a photograph, taken on or off the set of a movie or television program during production. These photographs are also taken in formal studio settings and venues of opportunity such as film stars' homes, film debut events, and commercial settings.

Cindy Sherman ( born 19 Jan 1954, Glen Ridge, New Jersey )

Thinking of Cindy Sherman, we see her groundbreaking work, made in 1977-80, titled ''Untitled Film Stills''. It is a series of sixty-nine black-and-white photographs made between 1977 and 1980. In them Sherman appears as fictitious characters in scenarios resembling moments in a film. She uses vintage clothing, wigs and makeup to create a range of female personae which she then photographs in apparently solitary, unguarded moments of reflection, undress, or in conversation with somebody off-set and outside of the frame. The ‘stills’ are set in a variety of interior locations as well as outside in urban and rural landscapes.

The artist, who appears in all of the photos, performs stereotypical female roles: the ice-cold sophisticate, the chic starlet, the bored suburban housewife or, the young runaway - as in the photo below.

The image appears as a simple frame that has been taken straight out of a movie from the Hollywood glamour era of the 1950s and 1960s. A gawky-looking girl waits by the kerb at dusk. The road and suitcase suggest that she is running away. The framing feels epic, the lighting brooding. However, the artist staged the scene solely for this photograph.

TASK SECTION:

1) What does she produce?

Cindy Sherman produces photographs using the ''film still'' technique, meticulously preparing every detail that is in the photograph. Nothing is left to chance. Using her skills in the field of theatrical make-up, she can achieve almost any look to accomplish various effects. Playing different roles, it is hard to recognise that each character is herself.

2) What is she trying to say with her work?

In her works, Sherman wants to show the role of women in various situations in everyday life. Using the language of film stills, she artistically deconstructs Hollywood. Her photographs almost parody voyeurism, but on the other hand - without naming her works - she encourages the viewer to interpret them on his/her own.

3) In your own words write a detailed description of each of these photographs by Cindy Sherman.

''Untitled Film Still #48''

''Untitled Film Still #92''

''Untitled Film Still #48''

In the above photo, I see a young girl, probably running away from home. Assuming she's standing still, she doesn't look like anything is threatening her life. She looks more like someone who is fed up with something or wants to have an adventure. She takes one suitcase with her, so it's not a deliberate decision. She works under the influence of emotions and the moment.

It's a warm summer evening. She is standing in the street with her hands behind her back, impatiently waiting for a car to pick her up. However, this night may not end the way she wants. She is young and unaware, and travelling into the unknown with a stranger can be dangerous.

In terms of image form, looking at this photo, we are there with her. The perspective that the artist offers us makes us look forward to this car with her. We stand behind her, the lines lead our eyes in the same direction.

Sherman constructed an image of negative space and placed the model at a critical point in the frame using the rule of thirds. The entire photo is kept in low contrast, but the model wearing a light blouse on a darker background does not blend with the bright colour of the sky.

Part of the scenery was lit behind the model. The light was quite extensive so that it was not point-like but illuminated her entire silhouette.

Given the fact that we can translate our own narrative into the photograph, which would complete the story, Sherman successfully created a film stills work.

''Untitled Film Still #92''

Looking at another photo from the Sherman's collection, it is noticeable that it is in colour. The blue tone often reminds me of the film effect. The photographer deliberately used the sky-blue hue of the model's shirt and skirt for this purpose. The whole maintained in such shades gives the feeling of a frame from a movie. The vignette, straight from a silent film, the woman at the end of the escape, the terrified face - everything raises the question: whom is she looking at? Something is undoubtedly happening outside the frame.

'Filling the frame' technique used by Sherman in this photo draws our attention to the emotions accompanying the whole scene. She puts emphasis on the model's face by using a shallow depth of field behind her - but not dramatically - so we can still see her hands.

Overall, Cindy Sherman is undoubtedly a multi-talented artist. Her theatrical, artistic and makeup skills have allowed her to convince us extensively that each of her photos looks like a frame from a movie. Not only she was a model in all her works, but also she photographed herself which makes me say: Chapeau bas!

4) In response to Cindy Sherman's photographs produce at least 5 photographs of your own film stills.

In an attempt to achieve a similar result to the photos taken by Cindy Sherman, I reached out to the knowledge of film - how to frame. With undisguised modesty, I would like to mention that there's still much work ahead of me to master this technique. What seemed simple in my vision turned out to be challenging to do in reality. I hope I could convey the film's atmosphere at least slightly.