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The images are memorable: Amy Winehouse limbo dancing, Madonna doing the ironing and Paris Hilton acting every bit the princess while in jail. Though the paparazzi-style photographs show famous faces as we never see them, they aren’t actually real.
“I use look-alikes of public figures and celebrities to depict what goes on in private behind the public face, behind their public persona and show very private moments,” explains award-winning photographer and filmmaker Alison Jackson. “[I show them] at home, show what they’re really saying and create these films and photographs that I hope look totally realistic.”
Jackson’s work is often amusing but by creating pictures that go beyond the usual paparazzi shots, whe feels it also asks questions about our relationships with fame.
“I suppose we’re always thinking about celebrities, we think we know them intimately and yet very few of us have actually met the celebrities for real,” she said. “I though it was an extraordinary situation that we live our lives and they’re sort of like a new folk religion.
“They’re so important to us but we don’t really know them so I thought ‘does it really matter if they’re real or not?’ because we only know them through imagery anyway.
“We’re always suspecting this or that, we think so-and-so is up to this or not telling us the truth. So I can create these worries or create these suspicions.”
It isn’t only the film-stars and divas that Jackson includes in her work. Politicians, including Tony Blair and George Bush, have been portrayed but she revealed she has travelled to Scotland to hunt down a look-alike for a figure who will dominate the news in the next few months.
“For seven years I have been searching for a Gordon Brown look-alike and it is imperative that I find someone now,” Jackson revealed.
”Time is potentially running out, it’s the run-up to the election and it’s an incredibly important election. We haven’t had this situation for 12 years or so and I haven’t got a Gordon Brown look-alike, nobody has come forward.”
The photographer is appealing for anyone who bears a resemblance to the Prime Minister to come forward and see if they could make the grade and appear in her work. As well as participating in something enjoyable, and that comments on contemporary society, she added that the financial benefits were more than attractive.
“The David Beckham look-alike I used makes about a quarter of a million pounds per year,” she said.
“The Prince William look-alike I met when he was very young, is now in his early twenties. He came from a small village, he now has a five bedroom house and two kids.
“So the potential is enormous, if Gordon stays in power, but there’s a lot of work to be done between now and the election, so it is lucrative.”
Jackson is holding open auditions in Scotland this weekend. For details of the casting sessions visit her website at www.alisonjackson.com or if you look like Gordon Brown but can’t make it to Edinburgh or Stirling send an e-mail and a recent photo to hannah@alisonjackson.com.
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Free Scotland said
Is Alison Jackson going to pay compensation to the look-alikes when they get a sore jaw from someone who thinks it is the real Gordon Brown. I bet she has a get out clause.
topwal said
there is a look -a-like near stirling ,,it is tall with 3 prop blades and sits on a WIND farm, nearest u will get to this halfbaked human wind bag.
Gunhand said
Alison Jackson says she finds the lookalikes -
she doesn't! She gets them from agencies!
Alison Jackson says they look nothing like anyone until she photographs them - complete ********!
Alison Jackson says the Beckham lookalike earns £250K a year! He doesn't!
Alison Jackson said that the Prince William lookalike has a mansion now - he doesn't!
Alison Jackson pays £300 quid and the lookalikes make nothing from her!
truth said
Look no further than his colleague Nigel Griffiths.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/...68x355.jpg
stormxxx said
Oh no! i could've been him! i never knew she was looking, sayin that, there is a few wee differences between him and i,,im female to start with an i got blonde hair! maybe next time then,,,