Today I am going to show you how you can achieve this gorgeous outfit shown on Liberty Matthews in my film The Imitation. I have already shown you how to create the makeup look, and now I am going to show you how you can achieve the outfit!

Similarly to her makeup, I wanted the clothes worn by Liberty to reflect her personality. Liberty is dressed in a black floral floaty dress with red heels. The black floral dress has many symbolisms. The floral pattern expresses her femininity but the black colours represent the evil leaking out in the death scene in which she wears the outfit. The floatiness of the skirt shows that she is no longer restricted in her relationship with Richard, and this is the scene when she becomes free. The red high heels show her fierce side, and the colour red also connotes blood, danger and warning.

| Items worn in this outfit |

Black Floral Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Red Heels - Primark

Gold Hoop Earrings - New Look

I hope you enjoyed this 'Get The Look', and as always I love to see your photos if you ever try this outfit, so please tag me on twitter @atthepicturesblog and on Instagram @atthepictures!

x

I had an amazing time filming The Imitation and I am very happy with the outcome. The idea took some time coming up with, but the idea surrounding 'The Secret', was something I was keen to use and develop. I really wanted to create a film that was not a typical film for teenagers (what most young film makers do), but actually something that would be perfect for older ages too.

The basic concept of The Imitation was a women trapped in an abusive relationship, and her plan to escape. I also wanted the majority of the film to follow Liberty after she breaks free from her relationship. The audience see how she struggles to stay hidden, and we watch how the detectives and police uncover her secret.

I had such an amazing time creating this film production piece with Amy Hale, and I was very happy with the outcome. We believe we have created an amazing new mystery film targeted at women who are 15+, but I am sure men would love it too! When filming we had a few issues with lighting in our location, but I was glad that I could make the best out of the situation using my editing skills. The music was brilliant to add into our sequence, and our actresses were amazing to work with.

I cannot contain my excitement for the screening at The Little Picturehouse cinema during a Film Fest competition for young filmmakers this 26th June. The evening will be phenominal and I can't wait to see some the other entrants work. Fingers crossed for an award, but I just truly can't wait to see everyone's hard efforts in the showcase.

That's a wrap!

Lily Richards

P.S. I hope to see loads of you there at the evening, it will be so much fun! (Check out the contact me page for more information on the event)

The determined protagonist in The Imitation, Liberty Matthews, always looks amazing! If you want to look sassy and fierce then take a look at how Liberty Matthews does her makeup. To achieve her look, keep reading!

I tried to capture Liberty's personality in this makeup look. Liberty lives a sheltered life due to her abusive husband and housewife role, therefore I gave her a natural look. Although, Liberty has a fire within and her interior darkness and fierceness is what I brought out by using the red lipstick.

| Products I Used |
Real Techniques Brushes

Benefit Porefessional Primer
The Body Shop Foundation (Bora Bora)
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Topshop Glow Stick
L'Oréal Blusher (Peach)
Soap & Glory Mascara
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick

Hope you've enjoyed this 'Get The Look'! If you try out this makeup look or a similar one, tag me @atthepicturesblog because I would love to see them!

x

Liberty (Karen Richards) has found her true love, Richard Matthews (Richard Murphy). At first a facade of a blissful marriage; the couple both with good occupations and a romantic lifestyle. Her friends would see Liberty with a smile on her face at all times, and she was an environmentalist. A match made in Heaven to the outside, but not everything was as it seemed. Richard shortly starts his abuse towards Liberty, both physically and mentally. Richard comes home drunk and beats Liberty regularly, and soon starts his first of many sexual encounters with Megan (Liberty's sister played by Sarah Whitnall). Continuous drinking and cheating causes guilt to build up as rage inside Richard, and it becomes harder to cover up the bruises.

Liberty fears for her life, and how society will treat her, and she can no longer carry on this way. The determination within Liberty causes her to follow her husband, and she shockingly discovers the truth about the affairs between her sister and husband. She is distraught. A fire builds within her, and a plot to escape her miserable life forms. She soon realises that it is impossible to just disappear, therefore in an endeavour to create a better life for herself, she needs a body.

Liberty Matthews

Marital status: Married to Richard Matthews

Age: 42

Nationality: British

Hometown: Tunbridge Wells

Siblings: One sister called Megan Foster

Occupation: Teacher/House wife

Habits: OCD

Interests: Attending eco-friendly organisation meetings, going out to social gatherings

Style: Fashionable, casual dress with style

Personality: Bubbly, polite, fun, happy, determined / depressed, unconfident, shy, introverted, afraid, fierce

With a great career in teaching and in a loving, devoted marriage Liberty has a charismatic and bubbly personality. Her friends would always see her with a smile on her face, and she was dedicated to helping the environment. After a few months, the people surrounding her saw a degrading difference; she quits her steady job as a teacher, loses her smile, her cheerful persona disappears and she is never seen out of the house. Her friends begin to worry, but soon after being told that everything is fine, ignore and forget about Liberty. She becomes a house wife, and after taking beatings night upon night from her drunk and abusive husband Richard, she loses her confidence and pride, and therefore becomes depressed – but her fierce and determined qualities drive her to turn her life around. 

Megan Foster

Marital status: Single

Age: 38

Nationality: British

Hometown: Tunbridge Wells

Siblings: One sister called Liberty Matthews

Occupation: Personal Assistant

Habits: Bites her nails

Interests: Socialising, and attending gigs and festivals

Style: Indie

Personality: Extroverted, dull, lonely, sly and secretive

Megan is an extroverted woman. Her façade is of happiness, thrill seeking and self-control, but her desires cause her to be sly and to betray her sister. People would see Megan as someone who is full of life; but internally she is lonely. She attends festivals and clubs to seek companionship, this causes her to become promiscuous and causes her to sleep with her sister’s husband [Richard Matthews]. Liberty finds out, and karma bites back.

Richard Matthews

Marital status: Married to Liberty Matthews

Age: 45

Nationality: British

Hometown: South London

Siblings: Only child

Occupation: Policeman

Habits: A violent drunk

Interests: Socialising at the pub with his mates and gigs

Style: Smart

Personality: Masculine, dominating, controlling, romantic

Richard Matthews is respected in society with his role in the police force. His masculine physicality means he is more respected and this manliness is what makes him so attractive to Liberty. He is a romantic guy, and has a deep and loving marriage with Liberty. Richard is a typical lad, and after a day at work, he likes to have a pint or two with his mates. The problem with this choice of activity is that Richard turns violent with alcohol consumption, and this causes him to abuse his wife. His dominating nature also drives him to have an affair with liberty’s sister. Liberty cannot cope with Richard anymore.

Welcome to the behind the scenes of The Imitation!

Today I have a twitter Q&A with the brilliant actress Karen Richards, who plays the role of Liberty Matthews. I asked you to send in your twitter questions for Karen to answer with the hashtag...

#libertyqa

We received lots of amazing questions from you all, so today Karen is going to answer them for you!

1. @bloglilyrose: What was your favourite scene to film in The Imitation? #libertyqa @atthepicturesblog

I enjoyed filming every scene in The Imitation, but my favourite has to have been the scene in the living room when I kill Megan. I could really delve into my evil and menacing character, and show off my acting talent.

2. @lucylanning: Why were you interested in being a part of The Imitation? #libertyqa @atthepicturesblog 

When approached with the idea for The Imitation, I loved the idea and the theme of the secret. Lily and Amy seemed like two lovely, enthusiastic directors, and I couldn't wait to be involved in their film. 

3. @holsharrington: How many bottles of prosecco did you get through during filming? Love you btw! #libertyqa @atthepicturesblog @karenlilynancy

To be honest, we lost count! Let's just say enough to keep everyone happy! Haha.

4. @xlaurenrainerx: What was it like working with Sarah Whitnall? #libertyqa @atthepicturesblog 

Filming with Sarah was amazing. Many may not know but we are actually friends off screen and have worked together before. We had lot's of fun!

5. @jack_richards99: Will you be at the showcase evening at The Little Picturehouse? #libertyqa @atthepicturesblog 

Yes, I can't wait! I'll be there from 6pm on Friday 26th June. Everyone come along and say hi, and support Lily and Amy with there brilliant production piece.

6. @ilovefilms: Have you got any other acting roles coming up in the future?

Yes! In fact, thanks to this role in The Imitation the casting director of Spectre and Skyfall, has requested for me to play the Bond girl in the next 007 film. Of course, how exciting! They are looking for a more mature women, and I can't wait to hopefully take on the role.

Thank you very much Karen Richards for your brilliant answers, and thank you all for sending in your questions!

Welcome to the Behind the Scenes of The Imitation!

Today I am interviewing the lovely Sarah Whitnall, who plays the role of Megan Foster, to delve deeper into the making of The Imitation...

What interested you in becoming a part in The Imitation?

I was so excited to work with the two budding directors/producers, Lily Richards and Amy Hale.

When you first heard about the film The Imitation, what were your initial thoughts on the storyline?

I thought the storyline 'The Secret' was very interesting and I was interested to see how Lily and Amy brought the narrative to life!

In The Imitation, you played the role of Megan Foster. How would you describe her character?

Megan is not a very nice woman. I would describe her as vain, self-obsessed and unable to hold down a steady job. For most of her life she is jealous of her sister Liberty and this is what drives her to have an affair with her sister's husband. You'll see how this unveils in the film...

What was life like on set?

Filming was tough. The experience was condensed into a short amount of time, but with a truck load of biscuits and tea we pulled through - oh and also the cases of prosecco!

Where was the film located?

There is a funny story actually. When I first signed the contract I was told the film would be filmed in Barbados, but this location was soon changed to Orpington. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be filmed in Orpington!

Within the film, you really had the opportunity to showcase your true acting talents, especially in such scenes as the collapse - was a stunt double used?

No, I did all my own stunts. There were a few hairy moments such as the death scene as I collapsed on to the rug. I still have some carpet burns, but luckily first aid was on hand.

After this role in The Imitation, where do you see your career heading in the future?

Well...after The Imitation being showcased at The Little Picturehouse Cinema, I think this could be the stepping stone into my career in acting. All I can say is 'Hollywood - watch out!'

A large thank you to Sarah Whitnall for answering our questions, and to see Sarah Whitnall's performance as Megan Foster in The Imitation, come to the showcase at The Little Picturehouse at 6pm.