Costume Store Research.

I went into the costume store today to do some research into whether any costumes from there can be used for my production. There's not really a lot that could pass for medieval although I have only looked at the costumes that are on campus. My first thoughts are that shoes could be difficult - they must look medieval although from my research I found that they are not hard to make. This could still be an option. I think it's good to see what there is so I am more prepared for the autumn term. Below are a couple of pictures of shoes....

I think I would like the shoes etc to be quite simple as most of the characters in the the cast are not high class. The black ones above are simple and I liked the worn and woven leather look of the yellowish shoes, although I'm not sure what character these would suit. It was good to have a look at what the store has that might be usefull and it's more research I can take forward into the autumn term.

Costume Designs and Photoshop.

I am planning to finish off and apply my drawings to a generic background using Photoshop. I think that especially over the past academic year I have really come to appreciate how much can be done with this programme. I think that the use of this has become part of my style of working. Over the past year I have really experimented with it and I think this has helped to develop my design skills. I  feel very confident in using the programme and although an extensive use of it for this project will not achieve the style I want, I still think it is an essential tool. I really enjoy using Photoshop and I think it is a good skill to have. I plan to overlay many of the tale's characters garments over the true characters garments using Photoshop, for example the Emperor in the Man of Law's tale over the Knight. I have chosen to do this as I wanted to show how the costumes would actually look overlaid on the original costumes. Where relevant I have changed the characters position and facial expression so that I don't lose the sense of the tale character they are playing and yet still give a sense of their original character. Basically I'm trying to show how the Nun's Priest would represent Theseus (Knight's Tale) etc. To create the painted medieval look for my designs I have used a combination of watercolour, chalk (particularly for the more woollen or textured fabrics), fineliner and colouring pencil. I think this is working well and so far I am pleased with the results.

Costume Designs and Developments.

I have begun to do my final costume designs. I have chosen to do them in mainly an analogue style and intend to put them into photoshop to get them all on the same background and to make any necessary changes. I wanted to give them a hand drawn feel as I felt it suited the style of the production and also because I felt I could achieve the textures of the fabrics best that way; from previous experimentation with photoshop if the weave of a fabric is quite small it can get lost when scanning. Yesterday during my tutorial I heard of some interesting developments that could take place with the layout in the studio theatre. It is early days yet but I think this could really add to the performance and therefore I am really looking forward to the Autumn term. I think I have learnt so much already from doing this project and the more exciting opportunities available the more I think I will gain from the challenges and problems that could come with them.

Learning Agreement

NAME:                                   Lauren Holman

COURSE:                             BA (Hons) Costume with Performance Design        

UNIT TITLE:                         Self Directed Project                    

REF. NO./LEVEL:               CSS518

WEIGHTING:                        2.0      

DURATION:                         9 Weeks       

HOURS OF STUDY:           300 Hours    

Unit Leader:                         Adele Keeley/Graham Cottenden

Your Blog address:           ...http://laurenholmansdp.blogspot.com/…

DESCRIPTION:

For this project I am going to design the costumes and set for the School of Production performance of The Canterbury Tales by Mike Poulton. This production will take place from November 8^th until the 10^th during the autumn term 2012. I chose this opportunity because I wanted to learn what it is like to design a production through from beginning to end and also to experience working with a director. I want to experience how costume makers and other members of a production team would interpret my designs and therefore how they will be ultimately realised. I chose The Canterbury Tales in particular as it has many specific challenges involved which would require experimental techniques and thinking to overcome them. I felt this would enhance the experience for me and therefore increase my learning. I also want to experience what it is like to have the challenges and considerations that come with working to a budget. I intend to analyse the script and produce a script breakdown, and also carry out research into the period, clothing worn and Chaucer himself, including thoughts and research into the original Canterbury Tales. I will consider the fabrics that would have been worn in the medieval period and use this research to create an appropriate colour scheme. I am going to do a one to two-week work placement at Salisbury Playhouse as well, working on their production of Epsom Downs. For assessment I will produce a design sketchbook detailing my ideas, research, inspiration and design development. I will create the majority of the designs for The Canterbury Tales, taking into account the set and the feel of the whole piece. I will produce an ‘in the round’ set design for the studio theatre consisting of a 3D model. I will reflect on and update my progress in my blog and complete this with a 750 word evaluation and bibliography detailing the sources used for my research. I will also produce a 1000 word evaluation reflecting on what I have learnt on my work experience placement, with consideration on how I will use what I have learnt in the future.

Aims:

A1       To provide opportunities for self-initiated, autonomous learning

            and develop the ability to plan time and work independently

A2       To provide opportunity to study the contextual development of costume and performance design

A3       To further develop the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation within a self initiated environment

A4       To propose, develop and evaluate professional aspirations through professional development planning

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1     Identify and define the context for the development of your own work towards professional aspirations

LO2     Demonstrate an understanding of the development of Costume with performance design

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LO3     Have developed the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation

LO4    Consolidate and demonstrate professional aspirations and planning   

Assessment Requirements:

Hand In: A collection of costume designs and a set design (to include a model box) for the production of The Canterbury Tales by Mike Poulton supported by a design sketchbook and a personal reflection of the development of your project in your blog. Including a 1000 word evaluation on your work experience placement. Under pinned by personal development planning (in your blog journal) and a final written evaluation (750 words) evidenced in your Blog     100%

Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit

Assessment Criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):           

           

1.      Evidence of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues – The level to which you have considered the context of your project and evidenced that to your body of work (LO1, LO2)

2.      Evidence of understanding through synthesis and development – The application and extend to which research has informed decision-making and project development together with the appropriate management of time (LO2, LO3, LO4)

3.      Evidence of evaluation and reflection – The extent to which you have reflected on the progress of your project and used it to inform personal development planning (LO4)

4.      Evidence of realisation through the communication of ideas - The presentation of your work and the level to which specialist knowledge has been applied, communicated and evidenced (LO3, LO4)

Reference Material

Alexander, M (e.d.) (1996) The Canterbury Tales, Illustrated Prologue. London: Scala Books.

BBC (2012) Geoffrey Chaucer [Online] London. Available From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historicfigures/chaucer_geoffrey.shtml [Accessed: 15th March 2012]

Cunnington, P and Willet, C (n.d.) Handbook of English Medieval Costume. London: Faber and Faber Ltd.

Hansen, H-H (1956) Costume Cavalcade. London: Shenval Press.

Hartley, D (1931) Medieval Costume and Life. London: B.T Batsford Ltd.

Hodges, L.F (2000) Chaucer and Costume. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer.

Houston, M (1965) Medieval Costume in England and France. London: A&C Black Ltd.

Laver, J (1969) A Concise History of Costume. Norwich: Jarrold and Sons Ltd.

Mortimer, I (2009) The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England. London: Vintage Books.

Poulton, M (2005) The Canterbury Tales. London: Nick Hern Books.

Ideas....

I have completed my initial ideas for the costumes and set. I also have an idea about how both will work together as I think it is important that the cast use the set to their advantage in telling the tales. I am pleased with how my costume ideas are looking as a group as I want them to work together yet I don't want them to appear too similar in colours or silhouette. I intend to start planning how I am going to develop these ideas and how the actual designs will be realised. I want the costumes to have quite a rustic medieval feel therefore I think it might be interesting to use linen and experiment with dying samples to achieve unique and interesting colours. From my research I realised that many fabrics would have been dyed using vegetable dyes and that the poorer the person the less vibrant the colour. I will consider this when sampling for my final designs.

Sampling and Fabrics

I have been unsure as to whether it would be a good idea to visit London, Shepherd's Bush etc. to source my fabric samples so I asked the advice of the 3rd years who did this project last year. Their advice was very helpful and it enabled me to put my thoughts into the right context for the amount of time there will be to make the costumes in the autumn term and how many may be made. An issue with buying the fabrics this term, particularly from London, is the distinct probability that they won't be there in the autumn term.  However something similar could be bought instead. Ultimately things will have to be changed in the autumn term but I know the kind of feel I want to achieve for this piece. Changes will be a matter for the supervisor and myself to discuss in the autumn term. To start my research I will look in the shops in my local area. I think I want quite textural fabrics that could be dyed, yet are quite plain to reflect the period. At the moment I feel these would not be too difficult to source locally.

Updated Work Plan.

The Canterbury Tales.

I now know I am doing The Cantebury Tales by Mike Poulton production - Costumes and set. My first thoughts are because of the time period, this show will be on the 8 - 10th of November, there will not be time for big makes. So I'm thinking of interesting ways I can represent a knight without a full suit of armour etc. Also because of the nature of this production I want the set to be quite minimal but used in an interesting way so it becomes all about the story telling. Now I intend to start researching and analysing the script. Looking forward to seeing the director....

Work Plan.

Introduction to my Blog.

My blog is a reflective journal on what I will learn during my self directed project. For this project I am designing the costumes for one of the School of Production performances which will take place in the autumn term.
It is the first day of Self Directed project and I'm very excited. I have began by asking for tips about the project from 3rd years that designed last year. Main points that I got back were:

• Be flexible and willing to adapt to what the director asks for, but also to stand my ground when necessary.
• Have confidence in my work and good communication with the director.
• Research the time period very well before going fabric sourcing.
• Try to go to rehersals as much as possible.
• Think ahead and be good with time management.

The feedback that I got from my last project was that I have a good approach to research and I communicated my ideas well with my costume designs; however I need to push my fabric samples further and think of the context for these fabrics. I'm going to take this feedback forward and use it to help me in this project.