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Ember as Cinderella 1 of 4
by Treefox
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Woohoo, my next pic is done! I could only do it so fast, because of my heavily reliance on reference material.
Okay, this is going to be a looong text with a lot of rambling about the 1973 Czech/East Germany movie "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella".
So, I've been carrying this idea around with me for almost 20 years, I kid you not! This movie is an absolute classic when it comes to Christmas movies in Germany. You can literally catch it on TV 24/7 during Christmas time.
Actually, thematically, the movie has nothing to do with Christmas. It was just always shown around that time to help kids pass the time until they finally can open their presents (which we do on the evening of the 24th). And also they movie takes place in a beautiful snow-covered landscape that just fits Christmas vibes.
This movie is truly something special! Not only is Cinderella a great character in this, all the characters have, well, a character! Even the Prince! And he's pretty likable as a mischievous guy having his own Merry and Pippin who follow him around and are also fun. Also, they actually meet several times before they fall in love, so it's not completely love at first sight because she's so beautiful (it's still not perfectly developed, but at that time it was special to devote time at all to them getting to know each other). The Prince is impressed with Cinderella as she out-runs, out-hunts and out-wits him and his companions. Cinderella is really such a great character in this version. And even the King and Queen are so likable and have such a sweet relationship!
And let's not forget the friggin' campiness of the 70s! You want to see men in colorful tights? With garters? You get them galore!
Man, it's really a product of it's time, but a pretty progressive one.
So, this version of the tale, she receives three magical hazelnuts, each containing an outfit to bring her closer to her happy end. My plan is to make a picture for each of her outfits with a different character, including her normal servant outfit, which Ember is wearing here. This is a calm and beautful scene in the movie where she sneaks out to enjoy some a ride with her trusted horse, Nikolaus (a gift from her late father). I love this movie for including this calm scene, just a moment to breathe and enjoy the scenery and see this side of Cinderella.
I thought Ember would be fitting here, as I could see her do the same with a wolf. Also, I thought this outfit would look good on her.
And of course, her fiery hair blazing like a torch in the cold.
If I have gotten you curious, here is a pretty good summary of the movies, also featuring the outfits yet to come:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRqekAqhTw
Posted November 14, 2024, 01:21:42 AM
November 14, 2024, 01:23:36 AM
Okay, this is going to be a looong text with a lot of rambling about the 1973 Czech/East Germany movie "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella".
So, I've been carrying this idea around with me for almost 20 years, I kid you not! This movie is an absolute classic when it comes to Christmas movies in Germany. You can literally catch it on TV 24/7 during Christmas time.
Actually, thematically, the movie has nothing to do with Christmas. It was just always shown around that time to help kids pass the time until they finally can open their presents (which we do on the evening of the 24th). And also they movie takes place in a beautiful snow-covered landscape that just fits Christmas vibes.
This movie is truly something special! Not only is Cinderella a great character in this, all the characters have, well, a character! Even the Prince! And he's pretty likable as a mischievous guy having his own Merry and Pippin who follow him around and are also fun. Also, they actually meet several times before they fall in love, so it's not completely love at first sight because she's so beautiful (it's still not perfectly developed, but at that time it was special to devote time at all to them getting to know each other). The Prince is impressed with Cinderella as she out-runs, out-hunts and out-wits him and his companions. Cinderella is really such a great character in this version. And even the King and Queen are so likable and have such a sweet relationship!
And let's not forget the friggin' campiness of the 70s! You want to see men in colorful tights? With garters? You get them galore!
Man, it's really a product of it's time, but a pretty progressive one. So, this version of the tale, she receives three magical hazelnuts, each containing an outfit to bring her closer to her happy end. My plan is to make a picture for each of her outfits with a different character, including her normal servant outfit, which Ember is wearing here. This is a calm and beautful scene in the movie where she sneaks out to enjoy some a ride with her trusted horse, Nikolaus (a gift from her late father). I love this movie for including this calm scene, just a moment to breathe and enjoy the scenery and see this side of Cinderella.
I thought Ember would be fitting here, as I could see her do the same with a wolf. Also, I thought this outfit would look good on her.
And of course, her fiery hair blazing like a torch in the cold. If I have gotten you curious, here is a pretty good summary of the movies, also featuring the outfits yet to come:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRqekAqhTw
Posted November 14, 2024, 01:21:42 AM
November 14, 2024, 01:23:36 AM
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Startear
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Comment #1 - Posted November 14, 2024, 12:49:26 PM
Oh my God, I love that movie so much! You captured the feeling in the early part of tge movie so well, the magical ride she has through the woods! I never expected to see this crossover, but Ember really is the only one who has the personality to match Popelka! Though it makes me wonder who the Prince is, neither Teir nor Mender really match the Prince, lmaooo! Using that angle on a running horse is so hard, but you executed it so well. I also like the way she contrasts the background.
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Treefox
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Comment #2 - Posted November 14, 2024, 01:08:15 PM
Oh, you know the movie!!! That's too great! It is really more widely known in Europe than I expected! Which is great.
Oh my gosh, yes,who would be fitting to be the Prince?? Such a good question. Hm, he's a bit mischievous, doesn't like his prince duties, but also earnest... Maybe we'll find a good match for him, too? And really, I drew this horse while intesly looking at pictures of galloping horses from the front. I couldn't have done it without that. But as you know the movie, you know what's next: her hinter outfit! My favorite! |
Afke
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Comment #3 - Posted November 15, 2024, 06:36:34 AM
Another project you've taken on?? And it looks so detailed and lovely and cold. I just love winter and snow.
 That movie sounds good too, I just watched the video you've linked. Don't know it, but somehow feel nostalgic anyway. Must be the filming style or the overall look of the time? |
Startear
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Comment #4 - Posted November 15, 2024, 01:07:20 PM
Yes yea, the hunter outfit is so good! Also, question, in the Norwegian version, we have one guy voicing over everything, while you can hear the original Czech voice under it, how is it in Germany? Is it fully dubbed, or? Honestly, the problem with casting the prince is that there are almost no one who fits perfectly, the guy who is out hunting all day could fit Rayek, but is too aloof. Skywise is too interested in other women, Scouter looks the part but is too devoted to Dewshine, Redlance is not enough of a dick, and Zhantee is too gentle… you get it.
Oh, and is Winnowill the evil step mom? |
Treefox
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Comment #5 - Posted November 15, 2024, 09:49:35 PM
Thanks so much, Afke! I do want to do other things in between portraits, so there will be side projects in the future as well.
 I think as the movie truly breathes the style of it's time, it feels very nostalgic indeed. Just the grain of the physical film alone almost gives it a warmth that I really like.Startear, yes, I also think there is no Elfquest male character that really fits the Prince. From looks alone Scouter would be pretty much perfect. Ohhhh, Winnowill as the evil stepmom! Ahhh, that's so great! I mean Winnie is much more sophisticated in her wickedness, but imagine Winnie in that legendary hat! I need to draw a caricature of that! And yes, it is indeed fully dubbed in Germany and a very high quality dub at that. It was an interesting production, as some of the actors were Czech, some German and parts of the movie had to be dubbed Czech for the Czech people and other parts German. I think it's pretty cool and really wonder how that worked on set. |
jaRf
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Comment #6 - Posted November 16, 2024, 11:32:13 AM
Ah, that was really fast. You really developed an astonishing speed. And this is a nice crossover. Her intense hair colour is a strong contrast to the wintery forest. And it looks quite dynamic. It's also a nice pose like she is greeting the forest or stripping the snow from the trees while riding by.
I must re-watch the movie, to check all the outfits. Wasn't there a little owl that was present when she used the hazelnuts? |
Amberfox
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Comment #7 - Posted November 17, 2024, 12:15:11 AM
Wow! Now WHO'S breaking the speed record and holding down a month?! Of course I agree with the amazingly stunning contrast of Ember's hair against the background. So very eye catching and mesmerizing! I also personally love the color of the hair. I can achieve it but can never get it to come through the evil scanning process. The horse is very gorgeous as well, melding into the background but still somehow at the same time breaking free of it. Love the contrast of the eyes against the snowy white fur. The front leg closest to the viewer seems a little off, but I can't seem to figure out how. Either way, it is a very difficult angle to achieve and it is most effectively done. It seems to be galloping right off the image to the viewer! The background has a simple yet realistic quality to it that truly reflects the mood of the overall illo. I admit I've never seen or even heard of the movie and will have to check it out when I get the chance. Sounds interesting (and frankly, I think men looked better in the 70s). Also love hazelnuts. I'd have ruined my own story by eating them before implementing them for my wonderful future. Been meaning to comment on this since you posted it, but it's been a long week and I've been so grossly deprived of sleep. And I have to work today (Sunday, I'm back on weekend rotation). Can't wait to see the next installment! Keep'em coming!
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Treefox
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Comment #8 - Posted November 17, 2024, 10:58:45 AM
Aw, jaRf, thank you! I was so looking forward to paint that contrast of her bright red hair against the gray-ish background. And really, I was only fast because I used so much reference for this and the colors are much much simpler than many of my other pics. Hopefully the next one will be also be done soon! And yes, she has an owl friend, Rosa, who's guarding her treasures and is motivating her to use the hazelnuts.
Wow, thank you for the awesome comment, Amberfox! Sorry to hear about the sleep deprivation... Sounds so exhausting. Is there a time limit to the Sunday work, or will that continue for the time being? But I'm happy you like the picture! It was fun. The horse did cause me some headache. I looked at so much reference material and actually managed to sketch it pretty closely to said reference. But the more realistic the sketch became the weirder it looked as a drawing... So I actually dialed the realism back quite a bit. I think it works okay for me now. It's weird that I can't seem to draw really realistic things... I posted this image on the Elfquest Facebook page and the response was insane... Still can't believe it. So many people across Europe know and love this movie and it seems that at one point in time it was shown in the US! If you're interested to check it out, the full movie in Czech with subtitles is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/I6xsVZn5vz4?si=BuenDx0vGoMc_Fh1 I would loooove to hear more about your hazelnut story, btw!!! |
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Last Edited: November 17, 2024, 12:14:14 PM
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jaRf
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Comment #9 - Posted November 18, 2024, 03:57:59 AM
(by the way: The ?si= parameter is not neccessary in the URL) The video is already geoblocked, at least here. One would have to use some proxy server / VPN that has an endpoint somewhere likely in the Czech republic. Which is silly, since it also was a DEFA-Co-production, so we already paid for it. :p We even have a freaking museum about it at Schloß Moritzburg near Dresden.
Within Germany one might be able to view/download it from the so called public television's "Mediathek". Ususally it is aired in live-TV around catholic/protestantic Christmas. It might be that they (public TV) geo-block everyone else (outsides Germany), though. Silly doings in a world-wide-web. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Wishes_for_Cinderella_(1973_film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070832/ There also seems to be a re-make version from Norway done in 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Wishes_for_Cinderella_(2021_film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10147580/ |
Treefox
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Comment #10 - Posted November 18, 2024, 11:01:48 AM
Oh, the video is accessible to people in North America.
I got the link from someone living in the US and I confirmed it with my VPN. No worries there. This version does seem to be subtitled by a fan, which is pretty cool. That museum and the castle they filmed at are truly gorgeous locations. My friend visited and really enjoyed it. This movie... It's really such a classic over here. It's popularity is amazing and sometimes baffling. But I also love this movie, so I get it.  Oh, I did watch the remake as it is on Netflix. That did not work for me... The 70s Cinderella was much more relatable. The modern one was too perfect for me. And I just realized that the 70s version is also on German Netflix! The hell?? |
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Last Edited: November 18, 2024, 11:40:38 AM
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