Melina Pico

For my last year at University I created the production design for a speculative adaptation of the YA book : The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, the story follows the life of Jude Durante, a mortal girl who was taken from her home to the faerie world of Elfhame along with her older sister Vivienne and twin sister Taryn. Now at the age of 17, Jude navigates the treacherous politics of the faerie world and seeks to prove herself to the High Court.

In my minor project I chose to design chapter 20 the Outside of the Palace of Elfhame and the Interior of Great Hall. The final outcome consists of  storyboard and a rendered model on Blender.

In this chapter the story is set in the High Kings Palace of Elfhame described to be “Under the hill”. On the day of the Coronation, Jude and her family travel together to the Palace. There is dancing, mingling, food and drinks before the ceremony. As the ceremony starts Prince Balekin attempts a coup which takes a bad turn. Jude and the rest of the court witness the bloodshed and the assassination of the High King.

For my final major project I designed a different location of the same book: the Interior of Madocs Stronghold described as ” whitewashed plaster and rough cut wooden beams “. The Final outcome consists of Vray renders, technical drawings and a white card model.

Story context : When Jude was young, she lived with her parents in the human world with her older sister Vivienne and twin Taryn. Their parents got murdered and the children get taken away to Elfhame to live with their adopted father Madoc (a faerie). The story continues with Taryn and Jude as young aldults living in Madocs Stronghold (a mansion).