Stop Motion Video

Presentation

Editing Day

Today we edited everything and are starting to work on our presentation for tomorrow. Megan and Allison worked on putting together our presentation on iMovie, and I worked on Photo Shop and InDesign doing the cover and still life and putting together the spreads. After doing so we worked on the "Stop Motion" video that we were to create to be like an app on an iPad. Everything looks great! I'll show you some of our pictures. Today is Megan's last day, her parents are here, they are leaving for Sardinia in the morning. We brought champagne to class to drink with our professors (they really do love us) and took pictures with them. I can't believe tomorrow is my last day here.

After school Allison and I walked around the Duomo and went to Zara and H&M. After we got ready and took a cab to Guilio Pane E Olio (a really nice Italian restaurant) and met Megan's family! Loved her family, I such a great time! After several glasses of wine, delicious pasta, and chicken with potatoes, her parents got us a cab. We decided to go to Moschino, a really high class bar. It was only 11:30 and we didn't want to go out yet, so we just had a couple glasses of wine and some of their appertivo (even though we were full). After we got a cab to Just Cavalli (our fav) it was 35 euro to get in! Oh well, we went anyway and it was SO much fun! Italians love their 90s hip hop for sure. Ja Rule, Eve, DMX, you name it, they played it! After dancing for forever our feet hurt and it was time to say goodbye :( We all were crying in the cab, its fine. The cab driver probably thinks we are insane. I didn't think time would go by so fast and that I would meet and connect with so many great people! I'm going to have to make a trip to New Jersey/New York soon.

Here is a preview of the shoot:

Photo Shoot

We woke up early to get to the studio around 9. On our way we spotted a Bagel Cafe so of course we had to stop! The owner was from Seattle, so we could order in English. They also had "take away" coffee! We've been searching for this luxury all month, shocking that we would find it our last week. We get to the studio and it is just Megan, Erin, Allison and I...and our professors. We don't start hair an make up for another hour, but our shooting was quick. Our model Hanna (so gorgeous) knew some English and was perfect for our "American". After we were done with our first look we waited for hours, didn't get to start shooting until 6. (Class gets out at 4) By that time we were delirious and everything was funny. I convinced Megan that the man who owns the studio.. (He is one of the top advertising agency's in the world. He works with Chanel, Armani etc) that his name was Paul. He was trying to get us all out of there and was cleaning and moving tables, and one of the tables we were using as a prop. So, Megan runs over yelling "Paul! Paul..Paul!" He looks up and says.. "My name is Federico". Most embarrassing slash funniest thing I think I have ever experienced. GOOD! I'm so satisfied with our shots. Everything is going to look so great. I can't wait to edit and show you all!

Last Week!

I can't believe that this is our last week! Yesterday we did more preparing for our photo shoot. Our concept that we chose is "You Are What You Drink". We are comparing the way that Italians drink, to how Americans drink, also what you drink and where you drink and how that describes you. Sounds confusing but once you see our spreads, hopefully you will get it! Today everyone else was shooting (we decided to wait till Tomorrow because we know how hectic and unorganized everything is, and the teachers love us and want to concentrate on ours more :)). We did our video interviews and worked on our movie presentation for Friday. Alissia (one of our teachers) is our Italian muse, SO chic. So we are making her model for our shoot. In one of our shots for the American we plan to have her "popping champagne" so we are brining multiple bottles to drink with our teachers so we can have fun too! (yes, this is acceptable, and they love us). We stayed after school late because we love our teachers so much. Basically, we are obsessed with them. So incredibly funny and they know SO much! Tomorrow we shoot in the studio (no one else is getting to do this haha) We have to get to the studio around 9 to tell hair and make up what we want, and hopefully start our first shoot. Our second doesn't start until. Thursday we will be editing and Friday presenting! I'll be sure and upload a "rough" draft of the shoot.

We all made an Italy Bucket List, so of course this week we are scrambling around to complete EVERYTHING on the list. Unfortunately, because we stayed later after school 2 weeks ago, we missed our chance to see the Last Supper. I could cry. Yesterday we checked off a couple of things. Because of the construction, we woke up at 8:00 so we were up and ready to go early, we stopped at a cafe on the way to school and got a nutella croissant and fresh squeeze orange juice. YUMMY! We walked/jogged around Colonne (a park). AND, we started packing! Mom you should be so proud. Today, we stopped at a bakery and tried to get a conollie (apparently thats only a Southern Italy thing) instead we bought muffins. We would be getting more things checked off the list but it started pouring, so we will have to delay it another day. I can't believe I come home Saturday! So bittersweet.

This is in the Colonne area. 

Cinque Terre

Allison and I woke up at 6:15 and got a train to Monterosso one of the Villages in Cinque Terre. It was only a 3 and a half hour train ride... I forgot my headphones, and we sat next to a German family, that had a child, a VERY loud child. We walked out of the train station and walked like 20 feet and there was our hotel. Hotel Baia, so much nicer than what we have stayed in! We had an ocean front room with a balcony! We immediately put our bathing suits on and head for the beach, shocking. The beach was like another 20 feet away...rough life. After 5 hours of laying out, with no sunscreen, we were lobsters. The hotel was owned by a really nice Italian family, and had their own restaurant. We ate there that night because everyone we had talked to said it was THE BEST. Of course we got the gnocchi (I'm obsessed) and it was literally melt in your mouth good. It was a very relaxing night, just what we needed for our last week in Italy! After dinner we decided to walk around the village and take pictures, we came across a couple churches, a castle, a grave site, and several vineyards. While walking around we came across a catholic church, the pastor was speaking and there were speakers outside of the church so everyone on the street could hear his sermon. I thought that was pretty cool. Sunday we woke up, had an amazing breakfast at the hotel and hiked to Vernazza. The hike is about an hour and a half one way, not too bad. The whole first half was STAIRS and STAIRS and more STAIRS. We definitely got a work out. Vernazza is so small and quant. I loved it. We walked around the town and bought pizza and gelato :) we had to taste test it of course. We attempted to climb to this castle but got half way up and discovered that it was 7 euro to walk like 10 more feet. No thanks! It was only 1.60 euro to get back to Monterosso, and only 2 minutes to get there. We laid out for the rest of the day and got lunch. We boarded a train that we were told to get on. Guess we were wrong, because it was high speed! Way more expensive. We figured it out because there were assigned seats, and a cart boy selling things. GOOD. After 4 stops we got kicked out of our seats and crossed our fingers that the conductor wouldn't catch us. Good news, HE DIDN'T! We spent 12.40 euro to get home an hour and a half faster. Boom.

Monterosso

 Vernazza

The church we came across

Thursday night we decided to do research for our assignment, "Milano To Drink" we went to an appertivo close to our apartment and then headed to Just Cavalli (Roberto Cavalli's bar). We were there pretty early so everyone was still eating. After being their for an hour or so watching people dance to bad Italian techno, they put on 'Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa so of course we all freaked out. That was probably the best night out yet in Milan.

Friday we went to Fornarina's (an Italian designer) Show Room. We toward the building, watched the making of several photo shoots and ad campaigns. We also go to view their Fall/Winter 2011 line. After lunch, we were allowed to leave early so we went home to nap! Had to rest up for our amazing trip planed for the weekend! Allison and I decided to have a chill night and made gnocchi and got our favorite gelato and watched Just Go With It. Since we don't have a couch, we made a pallet on the floor and watched it on our computer. Gotta do what you gotta do!

Second Session Classes

First day of new classes! Allison and I walked into our Fashion Management Workshop class 2 minutes late and she had already started lecturing. We sat in the back as our professor proceeded to talk in broken English (she’s from California?) She was going over our syllabus, I noticed that I had already had 3 different versions of this class. She explained our final project (8 page critical analysis paper, a speech and a PowerPoint) No thanks. We went around and introduced ourselves. Tons of master’s students in the class…people from all over. Czech Republic, Turkey, Ecuador, India.. you name it! So on our ‘break’ (which is every 15 minutes in this class) we left to switch our schedule. The coordinator at NABA said that the Intermediate Fashion Styling class we wanted to get into (with Megan and Erin) was full! So we insisted on asking Matteo (our crazy professor that loves us) permission. Of course he said YES! Thrilled to be back with amazing professors. Our assignment for these next two weeks is to research our concept, do a photo shoot, make a video, make a 5 page spread and a cover. It is different than last time because it is supposed to be as if it was an App (on an iPad or iPhone not a hard copy magazine). Our concept is “Milano to Drink”. We are supposed to go out to clubs, bars, appertivo (happy hour) and observe and drink. Literally word for word of our assignment. After lunch we had a lecture over upcoming trends all over the world. Pretty Cool. Orietta (our other professor) I’m obsessed with. She is SO CHIC!) These next few weeks should be interesting. We get to go to Marc Jacobs appertivo tomorrow! Can’t wait. 

Wednesday we were told places to go to research and observe people drinking, Thursday we are supposed to break up in groups and go to certain areas of Milan. After lunch we had a guest lecturer, she worked for Ferragamo, and designed for Prada and Mui Mui… no big deal. The topic was how fashion is killing people in different countries and how fashion and textiles are affecting the Earth, basically promoting the whole Green Movement. After school I went to the doctor because I failed to bring the correct amount of meds. He is an American doctor from Chicago? Random I know! He has a private plane and flys out of Wiley Post a lot, so we bonded about Oklahoma and its 'beauty'. We were discussing what I was studying and where and he says "Oh, well Giorgio Armani is my next door neighbor." Casually, like it wasn't a big deal. Then goes on to say talk about Armani and how nice he is etc. then says, "Milan is actually a really small city, you see everyone everywhere" Of course at this point I'm drooling. Made a friend, maybe he will hook me up with Armani? Just a normal day in Milano. 

Thursday we went to class, and Larissa (our Tutor, or you could say T.A.) basically told us we didn't have to go around Milan, because we have already been everywhere and experienced it all. She told us to go to Cavalli (Roberto Cavalli's restaurant and bar/club) and get appertivo and go to the Design Museum (for drinks). All for research! So we basically had a day off of school. We went home and napped are getting ready to go out to appertivo and drinks! Let the research begin.

Paris!

Friday we got out of class and went home to pack, we went to the train station to get our bus tickets. I was proposed to on the way to buying our tickets. “You are the best, be my wife!” Good start to the trip! We got to the train station to find out that Erin had forgotten her passport, so she went back to get it. We got on the bus to take us to the airport….Erin was left behind. On the bus (that we were told would only take 15 minutes) ended up taking 50. We were pushing on time and didn’t think we would make it. Two 16 year old girls from Belgium sat in front of me. So cute and had so many questions about America and the high schools and driving and drinking ages. I wish they would have joined our trip to Paris. Erin ended up finding her passport and got a taxi to the airport. We went through security and literally ran to our gate, Erin still not at the airport. We waited in line to get on the plane (which took forever, shocking!) so Erin made it! We landed in Paris around 11:00pm and had no idea how we were getting out our hotel an hour away. Found a bus, then got a taxi to our hotel. Our tai driver was hysterical and loved the US. He showed us his CD he made of him playing the guitar. It was a good time! After traveling for so long we were starving so we ventured out and found a 24 hour café. We had pizza which was the best pizza I’ve had (weird it was in France)

Saturday we woke up and took the metro to the Eiffel Tower. The Paris metro system has like 50 lines so it’s pretty confusing. but we figured it out! The Eiffel Tower was amazing! We went and got champagne and orange juice and a baguette and had a picnic on the lawn in front of the E.T. Such a relaxing day, just observing the people. We went shopping after and grabbed a quick dinner at a family run café next door to our hotel. We walked in and there was an old man in a button down that was hardly buttoned, so you could see his chest hair. He was dancing with a phone in his hand. He immediately saw us, sat us, wanted to know our names and as we were looking at the menu he insisted on us getting the lasagna, grabbed our menus and walked away. So lasagna it was!

Sunday we woke took the metro to The Louve, had an amazing breakfast at a place right across the street. We saw The Mona Lisa, Aphrodite, and  The Winged Victory of Samothrace. After that we started walking away from The Louve and came across a theme park. We had to go an a ride of course! So we did the swing, it was fun! Going high up I was able to take pictures looking over The Louve and the Eiffel Tower. We bought a hot dog baguette, so good! After that we walked around and shopped and eventually ended up at the Arc de Triomphe. After walking all day long we went home and got ready for dinner. We were told we were going to the Latin Quarter, but I'm not sure that it was. We found a cute little restaurant and ate there. I finally had meat! Sirloin it was. Happy Girl. 

Monday we woke up and took the metro to an area around the Eiffel Tower and had a really nice brunch! Afterwards, we did the tourist thing. We took a bus and saw the Notre Dame, the Are de Triomphe...etc) It was such a good way to see the city in a day! After seeing everything we did more shopping, found a Starbucks and a Subway..amazing! (Sue me!) We had to make it to the airport because it was an hour away so we headed back to the hotel to sit in the airport for 3 hours! Eventually, we made it back to Milan around 12:30am. and headed to bed!

Day 14 and 15

Yesterday was my photo shoot for my styling class. We set our alarms for 7:50am and actually were EARLY for class! We were supposed to start shooting at 10:00am... we ended up sitting around until 2:00. We started hair and make-up and an not long after were ready to trek to the canal to start shooting. MILAN IS SO HOT! The photo shoot went... well. The only challenge is communicating. The photographer and the hair/make up stylist and the model all spoke different languages. It was a good time, lemme tell ya. My model didn't even speak Italian. She was pretty stiff and couldn't do any poses I was wanting. Literally, all my photos look the same. I finally got her to do something different for ONE photo. Pretty frustrating. Needless to say after an hour and a half of this I was ready to just call it quits. The pictures weren't as bad as I thought they were going to be, but not what I was hoping for. But hey, what can I do? Finally, after getting our pictures Allison and I stopped at the market for some crackers and nutella, it was that kind of a day. Really longing America and the easy communication skills. Not to mention the way Americans work. I admit.. I'm a pretty impatient person, but Italians move at their own pace. I am so OCD when it comes to organization so when things are unorganized and chaotic, I tend to get even more impatient. Not okay.
We decided to make some grilled cheese, Allison burned hers, and the spatula. GOOD! The rest of the day was relaxing, which is just what we needed. 


Today we walked to a studio a little ways from school. It was a friend of Mateo's, and this guy is basically AMAZING. He works with all the big names... Chanel, Gucci, Armani...you name it. We shot our still life shots and chose our pictures for our 5 page spread, and our cover! Can't wait to see how it all plays out. Tomorrow we will be editing all day and putting together our final presentation. We finished school early, and finally booked a hotel for Paris! Its Paris Fashion week this week! I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. We will be there with all the celebs and designers :) Can't wait to stalk everyone. Maybe I can sneak into a show! Oh, it gets better. Fashion Week is in Milan next week! We are going to try and see a new up and coming designer's show, pretty cool. Can't wait to see everything/everyone in Paris and for this next week! I'll also be starting a new class called Fashion Management Workshop and our professor is from California! Finally, someone American. Can't wait!

Day 11, 12 and 13

It's been awhile since I have update, I've been SO tired and SO busy! Saturday, Megan and Allison and I decided to take a trip to Venice. We woke up late, shocking I know, and took the metro to the train station, and of course missed our train. We were told at information we could take a train to Verona and then hop on another going to Venice. So, that's what we did. Little did we know that once we got to Verona that every train until 1pm was all high speed (so expensive). So since it was only 11:30am we had some time to kill. We ended up going to a supermarket and grabbing a couple bottles of wine, nutella, peanut butter, crackers and bread... sat in this park and drank and ate this lunch of champions until our train. We only had about an hour or so in Venice, so we basically power walked through the town taking quick snap shots all the way to St. Marco's square. SO WORTH IT! Literally, obsessed with this city. Saw everything you need to see in an hour but could spend days just soaking it up.

Sunday we finally got to sleep in! It was the starting of sales in Milan which is like our Black Friday/Crazy Dayz. Literally INSANE SHOPPING. Everything is 75% off or more. So of course Allison and I hit up three H&M's, yes three. And Zara of course, including others. Luckily found several things for my photo shoot and for Paris! Definitely a successful shopping trip. We came home and made Gnocchi with carrots and peas, we are so domestic here in Milano. One point for us! While we ate this awesome dinner we decided to watch When in Rome and Passport to Paris... yes both Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movies, and totally classics. Such a great day.

Walking to class (in all red white and blue, Happy 4th!) we see our same favorites on the street. We always pass by a policia (police man) and then at this corner of the Piazza there is always an old man playing a fiddle, and then farther along an older couple selling things, she is usually knitting while he reads. I'm going to miss them. In class today we presented our concept design and ideas to Mateo our crazy professor (see picture) And chose our models, times, etc. for tomorrow! Kind of nervous, I'm so OCD about organization and planning etc. I guess that what stylist do though. Excited to see what tomorrow brings! After class got out Megan, Erin, Allison and I headed for the Duomo to do some last minute accessory shopping. After, we all decided to do American things in honor of our independence, so we went to McDonald's and then the supermarket for some beer. We met up with Sarah and Casey and went back to our apartment to have this delicious feast. (McDonald's here is SO different. You actually feel okay after you eat it. Another odd thing is they put your drink in your 'take away' bag. So very odd.) This 4th of July wasn't the best in history but it will definitely do for being in Italy! Missing all my family/friends at the lake. We YouTubed firework shows and the National Anthem, not kidding. Hope everyone is having a great holiday!

Day 9 and 10

The past couple of days have been fun and eventful that's for sure!

I feel like our class gets more interesting more and more everyday, and also confusing! We were told little bits and pieces to our assignment all week each day. Still pretty unclear. The last 10 minutes of class our professor sprung this one on us. Brace yourself. As I said earlier, we are creating our own photo shoot. We have been researching Milan and all the con-traditions (get it?) of the city. Modern/Vintage etc. So we research, come up with a concept for our shoot (Still working on mine) and then create a mood board with images, words and other inspirations for the concept idea. After having the mood board and concept we choose a location. Then choose from 10 different professional models for our shoot. We choose from NABA (My schools) outfit selection (very limited) considering they brought out sweaters? So, I have to find an outfit, shoes (in a size 40/9 for the model) and accessories and anything else we want to have. We have to be able to tell the hair and make up artist exactly what we want. Also, for the photographer we are supposed to have poses, angles etc. for him. (Now comes the finale) We are to recreate a cover of a magazine (such as: ELLE, VOGUE, MARIE CLAIRE, etc.) then from there we are doing a 5 PAGE SPREAD. Also, we are doing a still life, not sure how that shoot will go, but that will be in the studio. After all of this we will be editing and then finally presenting everything to the class Friday! SO SO excited for this opportunity but so very stressed out, with limited resources it is hard to make this perfect. I'm planning on going to some vintage shops around the canal, and Sunday to their Flea Market to hopefully find some gems. Wish me luck! We also got to visit this Vintage Delirium that was hidden a couple blocks from school. Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs... the gang was all there! (see picture) I was in heaven. Too bad everything was like 30,000 euros. Maybe someday...

After finding out our assignment, panic hit. So we all decided to take our minds off of it and go and see Milan nightlife (give it another try) So, we took 2 metro's to get to the other side of town where 'apparently' all the popular discos are. Basically, we ended up getting harassed, and robbed (not really robbed) We went into this disco that was 15 euro, which included a free drink.. drinks were 10 euro.. so it wasn't really free. As we were walking into the disco, Megan was spit on. Yes, a man spit on her. Italians here HATE us SO MUCH! It is so discouraging sometimes. There were supposed to be DJ's but it ended up being a rock/screamo Italian band=no thanks. So after 10 minutes, we left. Milan nightlife is definitely not like other European cities I have been to. Not a fan. So, from now on we are going to their Apertivo's (happy hours) which you pay like 8 euro and get to eat off of their spread. Not a bad idea. We have learned that everyone usually does this instead of discos, or they just leave for the weekends to go to beaches, etc.


Today we woke up earlier and took the metro to the train station, and boarded our train for Verona! Such a short trip (just short of 2 hours) and I slept the whole way. We walked around Verona, down the canal, visited Juliet's house, several of their Piazza's, and San Fermos Cathedral, and the arena. Around the arena is pretty touristy (and we are told to stray from cafe's in touristy areas) but decided to have brunch. Best brunch I have had in a long time. And the best part, I could read the menu! It's the little things... We were going to try and take a trip to Lake Garda (only an hour away) but decided to just head home. Walking everywhere is so tiring, but luckily today it was in the 70's with a cool breeze. Perfect for sight seeing! Verona is probably my favorite city yet. So gorgeous, just like I would picture it looking like. All of the buildings were beautiful! No graffiti anywhere. (SO different than Milan) Milan is what I like to call a Mexican New York City. Dirty, Hot, Chaotic, Chic and beautiful in its own way) Tomorrow Allison and Megan and I are headed to Venice, can't wait to have more adventures there. Wish us luck, we need it.. but really.