Costumes & Costume Designers PDF

Costumes & Costume Designers Weekly Outline Review Watch/listen Review the slides. Watch/listen to the narrated lecture of the slides (see next slide). Read Read the assigned chapter. Take Take the chapter reading quiz. Do Do the assignment found in the module. Costume Design ´ This chap...

Costumes & Costume Designers Weekly Outline Review Watch/listen Review the slides. Watch/listen to the narrated lecture of the slides (see next slide). Read Read the assigned chapter. Take Take the chapter reading quiz. Do Do the assignment found in the module. Costume Design ´ This chapter will explore the design process of the theatrical costume designer. The Costume Designer ´ The costume designer helps to tell the story of the play in a nonverbal way. ´ Clothing has many functions: ´ protection from the elements ´ a statement about the wearer ´ economic status, ´ fashion sense, ´ societal rules. ´ Visual cues about the characters themselves such as gender, age, occupation, social status, and relationships between characters . The Costume Designer ´Shape identity ´Consider the director’s concept, as well as the actors’ physical actions. ´Performers must be able to act with ease and confidence. The Costume Designer Process ´ Begins with reading the script. ´ Seek inspiration for the visual world or the characters by looking at photographs and paintings. ´ Research for a particular time period, event, or location. ´ Consider the number of characters and the number of different costumes they require within the production. The costume plot helps the designers keep track of all the items each character wears in every scene. Once the practical needs are determined the designer must begin to visualize the specific choices for the costumes. The Costume Design Process The goal is always to visually represent the physical appearance of the play’s characters. Many designers create artwork to visually communicate their intentions which are called costume renderings. The Costume Design Process ´ To begin the actual construction of a costume, the amount of time, money, and labor is carefully determined. ´ Rendering becomes a blueprint. ´ Mockup is made first, which is a version of the garment made our of inexpensive fabric. ´ The designer must select fabrics that are appropriate for the construction of oft he garment and fulfill the overall visual representation of the character. ´ If costumes are not being created there are several ways to acquire them: ´ Pulling, borrowing, renting, and buying. The Costume Design Process ´The costumes must next go through a profess of fitting. Each garment is tried on and adjustments are made. ´The last step for the designer is to see everything together onstage during dress rehearsals. Refinements can be made or whole ideas can be re-envisioned. The Costume Designer’s Tools ´ Costumes can be used to direct the audience’s attention to particular parts of the body. ´ Costumes can help the audience focus on central characters. ´ The tools in which a costume designer uses include line, texture and color. ´ Line is the silhouette or over all shape of a costume. This is important for historical reference, social ideas, and drawing the audiences’ eyes in a particular direction. ´ Texture is import because different fabrics catch stage light in different ways. Texture can influence a garment’s movement and help define characters’ social, emotional and physical states. ´ Color provokes direct physical response from the audience. It’s one of a costume designer’s most powerful tools. Colors can stimulate or produce calm, and colors can stand out from different backgrounds. The Costume Designer’s Tools ´ Fabric is the most basic tool a costume designer uses. Sometimes they use other things like metal or plastic along with fabric. ´ Costume designers provide ornamentation which gives the costumes extra detail and style. ´ Costume Designers provide the accessories which include hats scarves, shoes, jewelry. ´ Costume designers are also in charge of hairstyles and wigs. ´ Costume Designers are also in charge of stage makeup which comes in three categories: Straight, Character and Special effects. Costume Personnel ´ There are many other people involved in costume design who help the Costume Designer. View these videos to gain a deeper understanding of each role. ´ Assistant Costume Designer ´ Costume Shop Manager ´ Cutter/patternmaker ´ First Hand (assistant cutter/patternmaker) ´ Stitcher ´ Craftsperson ´ Wardrobe Supervisor: Patrick Bevilacqua – My Fair Lady (Asst. Costume Designer) ´ Dressers/Wardrobe Crew: ´ Wig Designer: Paul Huntley ´ Wig Supervisor ´ Wig Run Crew ´ Makeup Designers: Brian Stumwasser & Thelma Pollard Photos from Wikimedia Commons Photos from Wikimedia Commons