The brief for my final University project was to design the concept for the adaptation of a book to a feature film. A book full of description would aid in the visualization. I explored a variety of genres but chose a book series called Gallagher Girls which follows a quartet in a prestigious all-girls academy as they learn the art of espionage. 

Set in modern day Virginia, near a small town lies a Mansion which was converted to a school in 1865. I was really interested the architectural history of the Mansion, combined with the technology of a modern spy school as well as the American architectural style. 

The project involved designing the sets for a particular sequence within a book. I chose to study a sequence in the second book, where a cumulative examination takes place in the Great Hall, having been transformed into a Ballroom, with exchange students from an all-boys institution. I also designed the Entrance Hall and Library in accordance with the movement within the sequence. 

This was a huge undertaking and I was really proud of the result. Take a look below to view the finished model, technical drawings, storyboards and visuals.  

Entrance Hall & Great Hall - Section

The students have an end of year cumulative exam in the form of a ball and the Great Hall has been transformed for the occasion. The sequence I chose follows the journey to the Great Hall where they discover they must take on cover identities for the evening. We experience the ball through protagonist Cammie's eyes but as she dances with Zach her dress rips.