JUDGING
Liya: Hello lovely ladies, and welcome to your fifth judging! This week you had two assignments to work with, though they weren't particularly related. One of your tasks was to star in a motion editorial with free range of theme and styling to impress me, and the other task was a campy Home Shopping Network, or HSN, inspired editorial for Elle Magazine. So let's get started!
Abbey LeeMotion Editorial - What I liked most about this was that it was very different, both from what the other girls did this week and from what you have done in the past. I loved how often you smiled, it wasn’t something I expected from you and it really lit up the video. My favorite parts were when you were applying your lipstick and when you looked up at the sky while hugging the guy towards the end, both of those moments really caught my attention. There were some distracting moments interspersed as well, but overall I think you did well.
Photo - This photo mimics the inspiration spread very well Abbey Lee, this looks like it could actually be a still from an HSN program. The outfit looks quite nice on you and you look beautiful, and though your face is quite blank, that actually works for the campiness I wanted this week.
BarMotion Editorial - Hmm, this reminds me a lot of a music video actually, perhaps moreso than a motion editorial though there is often overlap between the two so that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway, I like how you kept it classy and whimsical for the most part as opposed to going super sexy. Your reading parts were good and your underwater motions were quite fluid and natural, but my favorite part was definitely that brief glimpse of you against the sun. The only part I really didn’t like was when your buttcheeks were the focal point underwater, but otherwise I enjoyed the video from start to finish.
Photo - This is so cheesy that it hurts, and I love it because it screams HSN to me. Your smile is rather over the top, but I think that’s my favorite part because it adds a great campiness to the shot, and your body and the outfit also look quite nice. You nailed it.
CatherineMotion Editorial - I really liked this Catherine, it was quite animalistic, edgy, and fierce. You had a lot of conviction and emotion without going over the top, and even managed to change up your looks from ferocious to sensual, and you managed to look good while doing so. I was impressed, I just wish there was more of you to see here.
Photo - Your film was disappointing this week Catherine, you didn’t really seem to fully grasp the concept in any of your shots but this is kinda close. The montage effect makes it work more for the theme, as well as how obvious and cliche your accessory and outfit display techniques are. Your expressions are a little too harsh and edgy though, I would have liked to see more fun and cheesiness because then this would really work for the theme.
CintiaMotion Editorial - This took me a little while to warm up to, but by the end I quite liked it. You reminded my of a vintage actress being followed and fawned over, and you looked absolutely stunning from start to finish. In fact, I’d say that out of all the girls this week, you looked the best in your video by far. My favorite individual part was probably the close-up sunglasses transition, but overall I don’t think there was any true “Wow!” moment which is my only big critique of this, but otherwise well done.
Photo - This is fantastic Cintia, it’s cheesy in a way that works perfectly for the theme. Your body looks amazing, especially your legs, facially you look gorgeous, you work with the scooter well, and overall you just completely captured what we were looking for. One of your eyes is distractingly droopy, but otherwise this is flawless.
EmiliaMotion Editorial - I wish I could have seen more of you in this Emilia because it was a crowded film and you got lost for most of it, but at least I liked the little I saw. You brought a lot of emotion and intensity to it and seemed to be one of the most committed models in the editorial, and your motions were very fluid and strong. I do think that you could have actually reigned back a bit on your expressions though because some were rather unflattering, but at least you went for it.
Photo - You had a great film this week, you really understood the campiness I was looking for. This photo is kinda awkward in a cheesy way, which works perfectly for the shoot. You look quite youthful and very pretty, and overall this does look like something I would see on the HSN.
EugenaMotion Editorial - I like this Eugena, though it had its ups and downs. I really liked your silhouette in the beginning, and I absolutely loved the nude scene at the end. The shots of you walking away from camera and the close-up shots of your face were great too. The shots of you walking towards the camera needed more gracefulness though, and you looked confused facially. Also, be more conscious of the camera angles. Overall good job though.
Photo - This shot is delightfully cheesy, Eugena. You have a very big and natural smile, your legs and skin look great, and overall you body language is both natural and awkward in a way that works. Well done.
JacMotion Editorial - Wow Jac, this was much sexier than I was expecting from you! You pulled it off quite well though I must say. I loved the earlier topless segments, they were so sensual and fluid and in-the-moment, though my favorite part was definitely that two second close-up bit in the middle when you stare so powerfully over your shoulder. I also liked the angelic ending with your hands. Nothing aside from the close-up took my breath away, but overall you did very well.
Photo - This is an interesting shot Jac, just on the cusp of the theme but on the side that still works. The outfit actually looks very good on you and your surprised yet blank expression works well for the campiness I wanted. Your arms are awkward in the shot though.
JessicaMotion Editorial - Ooh, steamy, I like it! I could tell you really had fun with this one, all of your smiles and motions and general whimsical attitude was very genuine. You looked gorgeous throughout the whole thing and your body was just killer, and you were selling those swimsuits like a pro. And one thing that I loved is that you managed to work well with the sunlight, which shows that you listened to my Calzedonia critique. My one complaint would be that something sexy like this was expected of and easy for you, but you pulled it off seamlessly at least.
Photo - You had a good film this week Jessica, but then this photo is just perfect. It’s sooo cheesy which is exactly what I was looking for, but it’s also cute in a way too. Your smile is actually quite natural and your pose is simple yet effective, and the way you hide behind the heart is what really makes this cute and cheesy and campy enough to work.
JosephineMotion Editorial - Pristine is the first word that comes to mind for your motion editorial. You looked so dignified, posh, and regal, and very beautiful as well. It was a bit dull though to be honest and rather slow-paced, so it didn’t really hold my attention or stand out in any way.
Photo - This is a gorgeous photo, Josephine, which unfortunately isn’t quite what I was looking for. You do look absolutely stunning with a great fire in your eyes and your hair just looks incredible, but this lacks the cheesy campiness I had hoped for. I don’t think it strays too far though, like I think it would have worked for the Vogue Italia spread and I could see it in a really high end HSN program, but it’s a little off the mark.
KirsiMotion Editorial - That was very haunting and creepy Kirsi, and I mean that in a good way! It seemed like it could have been directed by Tim Burton or something. You portrayed a creepy mechanical doll very well and did a good job of displaying your designated props and outfits. I don’t think there was any stand-out moment in it though, nothing at all really caused any great reaction; I felt there was so much buildup, but then by the end nothing really happened.
Photo - Well, on the one hand I think you definitely captured the cheesy campiness we were looking for, so kudos for that. You look very quirky and awkward, but I think the awkwardness bleeds through a little too much and your expression seems unsure and uncomfortable. Plenty of girls have been going for blank expressions this week, and while yours is almost blank, there’s an insecurity behind your eyes that I can see. Overall I think you did well enough though.
LilyMotion Editorial - I really liked you motion editorial, Lily; you are one of the few girls who really told a clear story. I loved how much emotion you brought to it, switching from melancholy to longing to happiness to nostalgia, and each emotion was believable. I also think you did a great job of selling your ensembles. My one major critique was that you looked rather tired, and my one minor critique was that there was no big climactic moment that made me go Wow, but overall yours was among my favorites.
Photo - You nailed it Lily, you totally brought the energy and cheesiness I was looking for. Your legs look amazing and I like how you did a montage, it really makes this look like an HSN special. I don’t have anything negative to say really, you captured the theme while still looking great.
