Estella

Estella

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2064629/GREAT-Expectations-Gillian-Anderson-leads-star-cast-BBCs-festive-adaptation-Charles-Dickens-classic.html

Estella is probably one of the most complex characters in great Expectations. We see her at first as a young girl at Miss Havisham's house at she comes across as extremely stuck up, spoiled and very detached.  Pip falls in love with her nonetheless and when she next appears in the story, she has grown into a woman. We find out she has been reared by Miss Havisham to break mens hearts. She warns Pip not to fall in love with her, as she "has no heart". Pip perseveres however, and there is a moment that we see a much softer side of Estella. When Pip learns that Estella is marrying Bentley Drummle, he pays Estella a goodbye visit. She acts very nonchalant about everything and tells Pip that she will probably be out of his thoughts in a week, to which Pip responds: "Out of my thoughts! You are part of my existence, part of myself. You have been in every line I have ever read, since I first came here, the rough common boy whose poor heart you wounded even then. […] Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil. But, in this separation I associate you only with the good, and I will faithfully hold you to that always, for you must have done me far more good than harm, let me feel now what sharp distress I may. O God bless you, God forgive you!" 

- Quote from Charles Dickens novel 'Great Expectations', Chapter 44. 

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_expectations_2012/trailers/11182913/

Estella goes on to marry Drummle, as she was intended for. She endures a long suffering, abusive marriage to him, until he dies (approximately 11 years later) whilst mistreating a horse. A few years later, Estella and Pip meet again. It is the Estella at this point in the story that I would like to base my version of Estella on. She says to Pip :

“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.”

-Quote from Charles Dickens novel 'Great expectations', Chapter 59, pg 379.

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/gtexp12.ela.lit.everafter/great-expectations-3-happily-ever-after/

I would like to show a much softer side of Estella. She is obviously a little older at this point in the story, and so I will use some of the ageing techniques we learnt, to age her a little bit. I plan to keep the general makeup very minimal, to stay historically accurate. 

In terms of the hair, I would like to keep the overall style very soft. I think of Estella as a survivor, but I think giving the hair too much height would give a much harsher feel to the look than I would like.