Date post: | 09-Feb-2017 |
Category: |
Art & Photos |
Upload: | mary-reilly |
View: | 8 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Portfolio
Mary Reilly
Essential Process of Costume Design
Study the text Know the audience Research: saturation in the subject Conceive and visualize: Tearsheets Discussion and Decision: The Director’s vision
clarified: Textures, tones, colors, forms, action, meaning and communication
Sketches, swatches, planning Actualization –resources: staff, materials,
construction, functional execution of creative inspiration and intent
Practice pragmatism and open-mindedness
Portfolio - Section ThreeMary Reilly
“The Amazing Food Detective”
Kaiser Education Theater Program (ETP)(presented free of charge)
Life Skills plays and workshops for Los Angeles area schools Production Manager:
Michael Millar
Photographs by Michael Lamont
“
The Amazing Food DetectiveI. & ll.
ETP has a full-time ensemble and most parts are double-cast. They tour nearly year round in all types of facilities.
Day to day practicality was a key consideration for the costume designs. Actors were provided with at least 2 costume sets for each character . In specific cases, seasonal changes were provided as well for some characters.
There are two versions of essentially the same storyline – the first is geared toward younger grades K-4; the 2nd for 5th, 6th, 7th graders. This production is one of eight life-skills plays currently offered.
Character concepts for costumes: The Detective – selected inspirations for an updated classic sleuth legacy
Detective costume concept sketches
• Shown left is a sample of the graphics established for this character – this image is used with workshop handouts and promotional materials .
• The live actor costume concepts were created referencing detective genre but uniquely specific to the new script.
scene: The Detective and the
students make surprising
discoveries
Detective “signature”
costume: (colors, hat & coat style) were established
for use with both K-4 and upper grades
shows.
Photos -Academic apparel made to order & Real –life kids dressed up like the Harry Potter film characters
The Detective as “Head of the Academy”-selected images: Inspirations for costume design ideas and discussion-
The Detective – sketches for the Academy
The Detective as the Head of the
AcademyAcademic regalia has specific appointments that communicate the wearer’s special knowledge and achievement.
The robe and hood were custom ordered from a company specializing in academic gowns.
Modifications for fast changing and ease of movement in performance were addressed by the designer after the special order robe was completed. The black velvet cap was also custom made for this character.
Heraldry A specific costume concept included creating a special insignia for the academy uniforms: the patch was applied to the blazers , vests and caps. The costume design patch included food groups styled into traditional “heraldic” patches.
• This design was incorporated into graphics for scenery.
• Students completing their workshops received their own embroidered patch as a badge of achievement.
Costume design sketch Kaiser graphic adaptation Banners on set
The Kids
Selected research: From newspapers, schools in Los Angeles and advertisements:
The audience demographics, popular sports, reading and film for youth were a constant in generating the style and communication of the costumes. The tone for this play – high energy & positive
reinforcement.
Selected research kids – private academy, public schools, fashion trends & sports
Sketches – Academy uniforms & afterschool newsboy
Scene: Characters dancing - Good eating means good energy
AFDII (upper grades script): Characters are active in sports – the script emphasizes physical exercise along with smart eating
(and in contrast to computer games and other passive activities).
Shown: costume design sketches for script 2 characters
Character costumes included
additional appropriate sports safety equipment such as helmets, elbow and knee
pads –visual reinforcement of healthy habits for
the young audience Character -TylerScene: learning about good food and high energy activity
Scene: A Mystery : the community is struck by a “snack-burglar” -the mystery is solved when the Detective finds a creature is the culprit
Selected costume research images for Creature concepts
A variety of cave creatures, sea creatures and the art of the Americas inspired concept discussions about the creature costume
Discussions about the creature designs included: age appropriateness (level of “scariness”) and
fast-change functionality - key perimeters for ideas
Shown above: selected variations for creature costume design concepts
Design influence : Casting-two actors who alternated performances would be using the same costume: one 6’‘2” male, one 5’4”female.
Design inspiration: each actor would have their own boot covers and their own set of creature arms – leaving the head & body components as a “one size fits all” feature.
Discussion and sketches continued –variety creature costume concepts shown above
Sketches – costume designer sketches:
options for separate creature arms
More creature ideas were explored
Shown: more variations for discussion meetings -costume design creature concepts
The final design:
Photo – the creature revealed
In order to travel with the tour, the creature costume needed to be in 2 parts: head and body. The “tentacles” tucked and head tucked into the body unit for travel.
The actor in the creature costume needed to fit through a standard door –approximately 3 feet wide
Materials used included: L-200 closed cell foam, open cell foams for view screen and trims, and lycra fabrics.
Technical Considerations: dimensions and materials
Shown: costume designer’s technical sketch & swatches
Scene: Once the mystery of the creature is solved, the characters return to the academy for the final test for Tyler
After the play concludes, the cast conducts the student workshops on smart eating
End section three portfolio Mary Reilly
This material is intended for private review and consideration only.
All creative content, images and text contained in this presentation may not be used without the
explicit permission of the producers, photographer, scenic designer, lighting designer
other originators of this work.