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Erasmus+ Call 2016
KA 202 Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training
Stage Design Professions in Bulgaria: Scenographer and Stage
Costume Designer
OUTPUT 1
Technics Handicraft Exchange Around The European
Regions
Project ID 2016-1-IT01-KA202-005358 CUP 616J16000550006
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Stage Design Professions in Bulgaria:
Scenographer and Stage Costume
Designer
“with what care he selects a chair, and with what thought he places it!
And it all helps the playing…”
The Playwright’s speech about the
Theatre of the Stage Designer Caspar Neher THE MESSINGKAUF DIALOGUES, Bertolt Brecht
I. Conceptualization
1. The Local Definitions in Global Context
The international discussion on the indefinable conundrum, called “What is Scenography?” is still vivid and ongoing also in Bulgaria. A wide range of
lively debates show a large spectrum of local and global views. Here is just a small exampled list of responses of world prominent artists on the ques-
tion. What is scenography?
• Jerôme Maeckelbergh, Belgium: The adaptation of a given space for
a theatrical happening.
• José Carlos Serroni, Brazil: The spatial translation of the scene.
• Iago Pericot, Catalonia: The visualisation of the dramatic text—
seeing is believing!
• Stavros Antonopoulos, Cyprus: The visual intersection of the ordi-
nary, with the imaginative.
• Jaroslav Malina, Czech Republic: The dramatical solution of space. If
architecture is a huge three-dimensional sculpture in an outdoor sit-uation, so then scenography for me is a sort of reversed sculpture
inside (and sometimes outside) any concrete space.
• Antoine Dervaux, France: To make—and break—the performance space.
• Achim Freyer, Germany: To create an open and transparent vessel
which makes wealth and character of the work experienceable and
discoverable.
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• Dionysis Fotopoulos, Greece: A self-contained design beyond the
word—a meta-lingual image.
• Tali Itzhaki, Israel: Everything on stage that is experienced visual-ly—in essence, a human being in a human space.
• Luciano Damiani, Italy: Not one entity. It only comes to life when
the dynamism of the human body penetrates the space.
Conceptualization of Scenography in Bulgaria
In line with the above-mentioned ideas, the internationally ac-claimed Bulgarian theatre director Galin Stoev has defined Scenog-
raphy as:
“Choosing a text to stage. Which means to define your own world “here and now” and determine your priorities. But you never stay at
one point, because your concept constantly experiences all kind of
metamorphoses on the way.”
The famous Bulgarian scenographer Nikola Toromanov explains the
process of stage design as starting from “the pleasure of reading a
text, which is about to be visualized: probably the happiest moment
of the whole process. Everything is yet to be explored, a whole world
of (maybe) endless directions and possibilities. Often, the text turns
against you; it fights back until the moment when you nail it down
(or it nails you down).”
Being a scenographer, stage costume designer and director, as well as a
multiple ASCEER Academy Awards winner, Toromanov was asked wheth-
er he thinks that scenography is, or could be, a separate art. Here is
what he replied:
“If you go to a scenography exhibition, you can see great ideas in
the scale models and sketches, but this could be noticed by experts
with a sharp eye. Apparently scenography is part of the applied arts,
and the success of a scale models depends on the general level of
the performance. If the question is, “Does vision make a
performance?” It does as an exception but not as a rule.”
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II. Historical Context
The Stage Design Professions in Bulgaria emerged from the old
shadow theatre, drama performances and puppet theatre in the
folklore, merging with the musical performances traditions and even
with those, related to Pagan and Christian Carnivals, as well as with
travelling sports and circus shows.
Through the last two centuries, the stage design professions in
Bulgaria were focused on all visual elements of a performance:
scenography, costume design and light design.
Some of the biggest designers in Bulgarian performing arts lived and
worked during the second half of the twentieth century. They have
worked with the most interesting filmmakers of this period, and are
built up and evolved the Bulgarian theater, opera and film art.
During the times of Communism (1944 – 1989) and the following
post-communist period (1989 - to date) in Bulgaria the scenography
for performing arts and cinematography were quite advanced both as
studies and practice.
In the 1990s the works of many of their young colleagues reflected
this tradition and determined the development of the Bulgarian
scenography and theater in the first half of the twenty-first century.
The artistic collaboration between those temporally distant
generations of stage design professionals built a bridge through time
establishing a continuum in the stage design school.
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III.
III. Socio-economic context
The Scenography and Stage Costume Design field before 1989 was a
well-developed field of study, serving the advanced cinematographic
industry of Bulgaria, which hosted the biggest film studio in the
Balkans, Boyana. Theatre and cinema costume design before 1989 was
only studied in the National Academy of Fine Arts in the capital, Sofia.
After 1989 there was a turbulent evolution of the profession of the
stage costume design, as there was a rapid and significant decline of
state support to arts and cultures, combined with an economic and
political transition.
The market of stage design production, including scenography and
costumes for theater, cinema and musical performances shrank
significantly for the following reasons
- The cinematographic industry faced very intensive decline during the
post-communist period of transition between 1989 and 2007. Founded
in 1962 as Boyana Film, the Bulgarian Film Production Complex was
unique for Southeastern Europe. It was one amongst the few sites
in Europe that combines all the necessary facilities for a full film
production cycle with complete services and facilities for film, TV
programs and commercials pre-production, production and post-
production. Boyana Film was the main location for film production
during the communist regime when Bulgarian cinema was at its peak.
In accordance with the economic and political changes in the country
during the early 1990s the studio was transformed into a state-owned
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company in 1995. In 2005 it was sold to the California-based studio Nu
Image.
- Theatres in Bulgaria faced a transition between a well-provided
state-financing during the regime until 1989 to a very modest state
support in the 90s until now. Market-orientated approaches were
promoted and lots of small private theatres were created.
Unfortunately, due to the financially worsened situation in the country,
the theatre and high music performance industry faced a serious
financial crisis, which led to significant lowering of the interested in the
profession of the scenographer and stage costume designer.
- During those changes, the scenography and stage costume
designers faced a traumatic transition between a state-funded
professional domain to a market-orientated creative enterprise, which
led to the exclusion and bankruptcy of many professionals in the field.
- Although by 2017 there are more professional education
opportunities in the field of scenography and stage costume design, the
profession does not receive adequate public attention and student
interest. In contrast to scenography and general stage design, which is
well covered in the national vocational training, there are very few
applicants for the high schools and universities that offer the
professional qualification “Stage Costume Designer”. This is mostly
because of the shrank market and the withdrawn state support, in
addition to the fact that the young professionals starting salaries are
usually as low as 200.00 EUR/month and the theatre industry in the
country is facing the most serious decline since the beginning of 20th
century.
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IV. Holistic Approach to Stage Design
The professionals worked with exploring concepts, following the
holistic idea that the subject chosen for the artwork does not only
include text and actions on stage, but is crucial for both the creation
process and the final production; in visuals, space and atmospheres.
This way, all disciplines are thoroughly analyzed from the start to be
tested against the visual dramaturgical concept of a performance.
Stage design professions in Bulgaria at the moment are including not
just the Scenographer and the Costumographer, but also the
Costume Assistant, Costume Maker, Costume Supervisor, Dresser,
Puppeteer, Set Designer, Stage Assistant, Video Designer, Wardrobe
Assistant and Wardrobe Supervisor.
• Distinguishing between Costumography and Stage
Costume Design in the local professional tradition
Тhe term costumography on the other hand has been mostly referred
to the study of traditional Bulgarian costumes, which were part of the
highly politicized ethnography and folklore studies, serving the
building of nationalist ideologies.
Costume designing professions were mostly connected to
scenography.
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V. Professional Education Examples
1. High Education in Scenography and Stage Costume Design in
the Stage Support Technical High Schools in Bulgaria
Bulgarian vocational training schools for stage costume design
professionals are specialized high schools which prepare designers,
able to work in the system of performing arts as scenographers and
designers of stage costumes.
1. Students are getting acquainted with the peculiarities of the whole
process in the implementation of stage costumes, the main types
of theatrical genres, materials and techniques in its
implementation.
2. Students acquire basic skills and knowledge to design, silhouette,
styles and historical development of the suit as part of the
material culture of the people.
3. The high school profession education programs are designed in
relation to the overall implementation of stage performances and
screen productions. Both classic and new technologies for
production of costume are taught including disciplines such as:
computer graphics, practical stage costume design, theory of
costume design.
➢ Examples of High Education Programs, offering Vocational
Training in Scenography and Stage Costume Design
National School for Stage and Screen Arts, Plovdiv
http://www.skadri.org/kostum.html
MAJORS in School Year 2016 - 2017:
➢ "Theatre, film and TV decor"
➢ "Decorative lighting for theater, film and television ''
➢ "Stage Costume"
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➢ "Pantomime actor"
Entrance examinations - after VII grade of high school education
(age 14)
➢ Entrance exam for the profession "Designer" majors
"Theatre, Film and Television Decor", "Decorative lighting for
theater, film and TV" and "Stage costumes".
➢ Exam in painting - painting of a group of three bulky bodies
in kind. Version with black material chosen by the candidate.
Size drawing sheet - 35/50 cm. Duration - 6 hours.
Professional High School in Clothing, Sofia
http://www.pgo-sofia.com/pgo-scencostum.html
➢ The course for professional qualification "Stage Costume Design"
will prepare designers who will be able to work in the sphere of
performing arts as designers of stage costumes. Students are
getting familiar with the specifics of the process of design and
implementation of stage costumes, with the main types of
theatrical genres, with the materials and techniques in drawing,
sculpturing and sewing. Students acquire basic skills and
knowledge in costume design, silhouette, styles and historical
development of the costumes as part of the local and European
material culture. Specific focus is put on the stage costumes in
relation to performance and screen productions.
➢ The professional training includes the following disciplines:
professional foreign language training; computer 2D and 3D
graphics; stage costume, color science, construction,
perspective, plastic anatomy and more.
➢ Along with the specific vocational training, students receive
training in a number classical art disciplines, such as art history,
drawing, painting, sculpture, history of costume, as well as
computer design. They are a necessary and important
component of the overall process of training and preparing
executives for dramatic theater, puppet theater, opera, cinema,
television.
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➢ Students obtain very good theoretical knowledge, which they
apply during the school practice in a real working environment.
2. University Level – Higher Education Programs for obtaining
Stage Design professional qualifications for Scenographer
and Stage Costume Designer
Bulgarian BA programs in Stage Design incorporate a wide range of sub-
jects aiming at educating artistic designers in all types and genres of stage
and film art, as well as in stage costume, state lighting, digital stage de-
sign and animation, multi-media performance and installations.
In the local universities, the nature of this discipline is determined by the
main, traditionally established specific characteristics in the profession of
stage designer, taking into account the dynamic changes in visual arts and
theatre and film, resulting from the overlapping of inter-genre boundaries
and the effect of digital technologies.
The artist in the repertory theatre or the opera, in the marionette theatre,
as well as in ballet, film, video, TV, digital animation and visual perfor-
mances, is also a creator of a synthesis between time and space in which
the principles of visual and space composition are interpreted in the con-
text of time composition and drama conflict. Tuition and curricula aim at
meeting these diverse requirements.
Generally, the BA level of study on the subject "Scenography" prepares
artists - designers and developers of tailored artistic solutions for stage
works and screen arts. Its characteristics are determined by the Bulgarian
traditional features of scenography, new technologies, media, fine arts and
the film.
Generally, the Bulgarian BA programs in Scenography and Stage Costume
Design aim at providing students with multilaterally addressed fundamen-
tal and special theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the main gen-
res of stage and film art: in the repertory theatre or the opera, in the op-
eretta, in the marionette theatre, film, video, TV, digital animation, as well
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as in the authors para-theatre skills such as multimedia performance,
happening, kinetic installations and other forms of interactive public spec-
tacles.
Therefore there is a smaller number of BA programs as they seek to pro-
vide a general education, while the MA programs on the other hand offer a
an in-depth specialized knowledge and skills development in a wide range
of subjects in the field of Stage Design.
➢ Master Programs
The MA programs aim to create a personal creative form of education of
specific artistic style, following the work in various manners of interpreta-
tion of the MA task. New theoretical material is under viewing, to prove
the relations between elements of the newly created style and some basic
aspects of the entire history and theory of culture and art.
The related masters degrees offered currently in Bulgaria are:
• Master Degree Program on Stage Design of Drama Theatre
• Master Degree in Musical Scenography
• Master Degree Program Stage Design for Puppet Theater
• Master Degree Program Stage Design of Film and TV
• Master Degree Program Costume Design
• Master Degree in Stage Costume Design of Musical
Performances
• Masters of Sculpture – Shape and Motion
• Master Degree Program Design of Stage and Film Lighting
• Master Degree in Costumes and Accessories for Thematic
Games, Carnivals and Attractions
• Master Degree in Digital Scenography
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At PhD research level, the doctoral dissertations in Bulgarian academic in-
stitutions usually focus on a research which studies on specific fields of
knowledge mainly relating to the wide range of problems of Stage Design.
➢ BA in Stage Design
1. Examples of Higher Education Programs in Bulgarian
Universities
National Academy of Arts, Sofia, www.scenography-
bg.eu
➢ BA in Scenography trains artists to design and implement artistic
solutions related to stage and screen arts. Its characteristic is
determined by the specificity of traditional stage design, new
technology, media and transfusion between genre boundaries in
visual arts, performance and film. Stage designers graduating with
BA degree obtain complex knowledge and skills of space vs time
fusion creators in all stage and screen arts as follows: drama, opera,
ballet and puppet shows, film and television productions, musicals,
commercials, fashion shows, carnivals, etc. They are capable of
working in cooperation with directors, actors, conductors,
cameramen, choreographers, playwrights, screenwriters, animators.
They are also competent in forming and heading performance
teams. Those who have a minor in “Theory and practice of art
education” obtain professional qualification and are entitled to
teaching in general education and vocational schools.
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National Academy for Theatre and Film Art, Sofia
➢ Bachelor Degree in Stage and Screen Design
The course aims to prepare qualified artists who specialize as a
stage, screen or costume designers. From the very beginning of their
studies students work closely with prospective filmmakers, actors,
cameramen, etc.
o Form of education: Regular, lasting 4 years
o Founded: 2004
o Educational level: BA
o Graduation: The training ends with a public defense -
theoretical work (minimum 15 pages) on project design stage
and costumography work (colored designs, models, drawings,
sketches for costumes and props) and participation in the
implementation of audiovisual work.
➢ Examples of Master Programs
Master Degree Program Stage Design of Film and TV
The program deepens professional skills of the artist at work in the
field, in the pavilion and in design and creating complex special
effects in modern cinema and television. Students are working on
scenarios, selecting and developing complex stage design tasks. A
detailed plan is drafted for the preparatory work to create a
storyboard and animatic in which areas of action and plans are
brought to the concretization limit. The aim of the program is to
guide the efforts of the artist to cooperate closely with the operator
and director of film production.
Graduates who have acquired a diploma may exercise the following
activities: artist, producer of sophisticated complex performances,
film productions and others, requiring management of large design
and executive teams; Manager, Director, Deputy Director of artistic
and technical issues, chief artist of theater, film, television, private
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companies, public non-profit organizations; expert consultant on
issues of artistic technical nature of performing arts and film and all
forms of public performances under the auspices of ministries,
municipalities, community organizations and others; member of
scientific teams with creative and exploratory nature.
Master Degree Program Stage Design for Puppet Theater
Theoretically, methodologically and technologically based on Bulgari-
an academic school of directing, acting and stage design for puppet
theater. It presents the specifics, history and excellence in tradition-
al systems and types of puppet theatre; introduces into the specific
literature and its forms in classical, modern and contemporary dra-
ma; informs about traditional acting techniques and their modern in-
terpretations.
The program focuses on the diverse symbolic nature of puppet thea-
ter space in the different systems and the interaction of the actor
with a mask, puppet and figure, with music, dance, lighting and oth-
er components of the show in light of the idea of the ‘triple actor’.
Graduates who have acquired a diploma may exercise the following
activities: artist, producer of sophisticated complex performances,
film productions and others, requiring management of large design
and executive teams; Manager, Director, Deputy Director of artistic
and technical issues, chief artist of theater, film, television, private
companies, public non-profit organizations; expert consultant on is-
sues of artistic technical nature of performing arts and film and all
forms of public performances under the auspices of ministries, mu-
nicipalities, community organizations and others; member of scien-
tific teams with creative and exploratory nature.
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Master Degree Program Design of Stage and Film Lighting
The content of the Master Degree Program Design of Stage and Film
Lighting is related to the peculiarities of development of stage
lighting in dramatic theatre, puppet theatre, opera, ballet, film,
television, fashion, museums, galleries, architectural interior and
exterior. Classical and contemporary lighting concepts are studied,
which lead to intentional suggestions for perception of art objects.
Modern technical means are explored for achieving kinetics and
recomposition of stage reality.
Students must learn to collect and systematize bibliographic units
associated with the thesis of the Master project; to create and work
with notions directly related to the clarification and formulation of
Master thesis.
Graduates who have acquired a diploma may exercise the following
activities: artist, producer of sophisticated complex performances,
film productions and others, requiring management of large design
and executive teams; Manager, Director, Deputy Director of artistic
and technical issues, chief artist of theatre, film, television, private
companies, public non-profit organizations; expert consultant on
issues of artistic technical nature of performing arts and film and all
forms of public performances under the auspices of ministries,
municipalities, community organizations and others; member of
scientific teams with creative and exploratory nature.
Artists who have completed Master Degree in Design of Stage and
Film Lighting can be teachers in all high schools of the arts, work in
public administration, produce and distribute works of culture and
art.
Digital Scenography and Animation MA
The Master Degree Program Digital Stage Design and Animation is
closely related to the development of digital technologies and opens
for the artist – stage designer endless opportunities to create all
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kinds of digital objects, characters and spaces. Exploring the
techniques of the TV screen, alpha channels and animated masking
allows live captured or computer-made characters to be embedded
in the digital space simulations. The aim is to prepare artists-stage
designers who have in-depth expertise to work with specialized
software. The program provides work under one of the following
areas - working on advertisement clip, working on a music video or
working on a short digital animated film.
The Master programs are based on the artistic achievements of the
visual arts and theatre of the twentieth century and have focused on
identifying unique experimental guidance in career development of
artists-stage designers. The purpose of the general academic
professionalization is to deepen students' knowledge in the field of
modern concepts for the development of the visual arts and theatre.
In this respect, their interests are directed to areas of scientific
knowledge, such as philosophy, aesthetics, psychology, semiotics.
Students must learn to collect and systematize bibliographic units
associated with the thesis of the Master project; to create and work
with notions directly related to the clarification and formulation of
Master thesis. Graduates who have acquired a diploma may exercise
the following activities: artist, producer of sophisticated complex
performances, film productions and others, requiring management of
large design and executive teams; Manager, Director, Deputy
Director of artistic and technical issues, chief artist of theatre, film,
television, private companies, public non-profit organizations; expert
consultant on issues of artistic technical nature of performing arts
and film and all forms of public performances under the auspices of
ministries, municipalities, community organizations and others;
member of scientific teams with creative and exploratory nature.
Artists who have completed Master Degree in Digital Stage Design
and Animation can be teachers in all high schools of the arts, work in
public administration, produce and distribute works of culture and
art.
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Master Degree Program Costume Design
Master Degree Program Costume Design is aimed at enriching the
professional and specialized knowledge in the field of theatrical
costume and makeup. Master thesis is related to the specific
requirements of the type of theatrical performance (drama, opera,
ballet, etc.); to the requirements of staging concept in terms of
compliance or violation of the schematic requirements of the genre
(comedy, tragedy, etc.); to the characterization or theatricalization of
the character; to the formal and semantic connections of costume
design projects with stage design solutions of the performance. The
ultimate goal is the costume design solution to be a set of visual tools
containing in concentrated form aesthetic, philosophical and moral
categories of perception, served in a non-literary kind.
Master programs are based on the artistic achievements of the visual
arts and theater of the twentieth century and have focused on
identifying unique experimental guidance in career development of
artists-stage designers. The purpose of the general academic
professionalization is to deepen students' knowledge in the field of
modern concepts for the development of the visual arts and theater.
In this respect, their interests are directed to areas of scientific
knowledge, such as philosophy, aesthetics, psychology, semiotics.
Students must learn to collect and systematize bibliographic units
associated with the thesis of the Master project; to create and work
with notions directly related to the clarification and formulation of
Master thesis. Graduates who have acquired a diploma may exercise
the following activities: artist, producer of sophisticated complex
performances, film productions and others, requiring management of
large design and executive teams; Manager, Director, Deputy
Director of artistic and technical issues, chief artist of theater, film,
television, private companies, public non-profit organizations; expert
consultant on issues of artistic technical nature of performing arts
and film and all forms of public performances under the auspices of
ministries, municipalities, community organizations and others;
member of scientific teams with creative and exploratory nature.
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Artists who have completed Master Degree in Costume Design can be
teachers in all high schools of the arts, work in public administration,
produce and distribute works of culture and art.
➢ New Bulgarian University, Sofia, www.nbu.bg
MA in Film and TV Design and Costumes
o Subject: Film and Television Arts
o One of the 5 possible Qualifications is Master of Film and TV
Design and Costumes
The MA academic program goes through theoretical and practical courses
in film and television directing at the different types of cinema, working
with the actor on camera presents cinematography theoretical courses on
the structure of the screen image, to build a vision and operator style
feature and documentary films, television, introduces digital technologies
in film and television.
The program contains courses in screenwriting, creating knowledge and
skills to understand and create a narrative structure and writing well-
structured scripts for feature films and documentaries and formats for
different series. Students study film marketing, aesthetics of cinema,
directing the installation, producing at film and television, cimena scenario.
Division in five specializations happens during the third semester. During
their studies, students have the film practicum shooting a movie in
conditions that resemble production.
The program offers preparatory module for candidates from other
educational areas and building on module for professional bachelors
candidates from the same professional field
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Academy of Fine Art, Music and Dance, Plovdiv
MA in Scenography
http://www.artacademyplovdiv.com/subjects.html
MA in Stage Costume Design of Musical Performances
http://www.artacademyplovdiv.com/setdesign.htm
Started in September 1995, the MA program provides an opportunity to
get an MA in Scenography and Stage Costume Design.
The academic curriculum includes basic courses for the acquisition of
knowledge, skills and creativity in the field of:
o Stage design,
o costume,
o lighting,
o drawing,
o painting,
o computer animation and multimedia,
o directing analysis,
o history of art and others.
Developing students`creativity, the program prepares its trainees for a
postgraduate career via a wide range of activities relating to all forms of
theater, cinema, television, opera, advertising, design, contemporary art,
teaching and others.
➢ Theatre College “Liuben Greuss”
Graduate Course in Stage Makeup and Costumes, focusing on
stage design, makeup, costumes. The course lasts 60 academic
hours, divided into 2 modules, and carries 4 credits.
Annual exam is based on developing the theme of the studied material and
determine the membership of a particular style and era of shown
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photographs and reproductions
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VII. Classification of the profession of the Stage Costume Design-
er, according to Bulgarian Ministry of Education
✓ Occupation: DESIGNER
✓ CODE: 214 010 - THIRD DEGREE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING
PROFESSIONAL FIELD: "DESIGN"
✓ KEY WORDS: theatre, cinema, performance, scenery, makeup,
wigs, arranging, dolls, design, costumes.
✓ POPULAR professional nominations: Scenographer, Stage
Costume-maker, Makeup Artist, Arranger, Light Technician.
VIII. National Register Codes of Professions
✓ 2140101 - Theatre, Film and TV Scenography and Costumes -
third degree of professional qualification. Held training for acquiring
knowledge, skills and competencies related to the basic principles of
design of theater, film and television scenery and props.
✓ 2140102 - Artistic Lighting for Theater, Film and Television -
third degree of professional qualification. Held training for acquiring
knowledge, skills and competencies related to complete construction
of the artistic illumination of the show.
✓ 2140103 - Theatrical Makeup and Wigs - Third degree of
professional qualification. Held training for acquiring knowledge,
skills and competences for the development of all types and styles of
makeup, wigs and accessories.
✓ 2140104 - Arranging - third degree of professional qualification.
Held training for acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies
related to arranging showcase booth and exposure and development
of artistic props.
✓ 2140111 - Theatre Doll Design - third degree of professional
qualification. Held training for acquiring knowledge, skills and
competences for the development of theater as plastic doll work and
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construction.
✓ 2140113 - Stage Costume Design - third degree of professional
qualification. Held training for acquiring knowledge, skills and
competencies related to the production of stage costumes.
Description of professional responsibilities
• Main activities - Depending on the field of activity can be made
scenery, designed and constructed all kinds of puppet structures and
props, masks, costumes by various technologies to realize their
artistic lighting for film, television and theater to create wigs; make
up a human face and body, arrange displays, stands, exhibitions,
design, toys and souvenirs from different materials.
Scenography designers develop, describe, analyzed and presented
artistic fashion sketches, photographs, clothing, accessories and
more.
• Responsibilities - Planning and organizing work in the performing
studio, on stage or on the set, draw diagrams, drawings and
sketches made templates and patterns; shape and decorate.
Responsible to develop the concept and idea and looking for ways to
implement it. Also, one of their responsibilities is marketing the
work.
• Working schedules - Depending on the specifics of the work can
be both normal length in accordance with the Labour Code and late
evening holidays and weekends.
• Professional regulations that must be followed – Stage
Designers must use means of securing each job depending on the
activity they perform. All work tasks must be performed in
compliance with health and safety at work.
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Professional Challenges and Opportunities
• Professional Opportunities
Can work as a freelance designer in artistic team working on the
realization of an artistic project in enterprise cultural institution design
studio.
• Opportunities for additional benefits - participation in projects
for various events, promotional fairs and exhibitions.
• Difficulties and challenges in this profession - designers are
expected to have always new and original ideas and this can lead to
stress. As the profession is creative and involves individual
subjective approach, it is possible that the creative and quality work
of the artist is not always appreciated by colleagues and / or clients.
• Possible contacts - with fellow designers, event managers, theatre
directors, scenographers, performers, models, heads of departments
and creative directors of companies; customers, vendors, suppliers
and users, organizers of shows and other creative performances,
visiting fashion designers, media (especially regarding freelance
designer).
IX. Types of Stage Design Professions, as certified by the
Bulgarian Ministry of Education
Field of professional activity - Design.
✓ Organizations / institutions,
which can be realized designer - Industrial
enterprises, cultural institutions, design studios and
others.
Professions:
✓ • Theatre, Film and Television
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Décor Designer
✓ • Stage Designer
✓ • Artist of models and props
✓ • Decorator of Stage Scenery
✓ • Light technicians
✓ • Electrician, stage and studio
✓ • Theatrical makeup and wigs
✓ • Makeup artist, wigs, hair
Arranging
✓ • Arranger, windows / Stands
• Decorator, exhibitions /
museums and galleries
✓ • Toys and souvenirs
✓ • Artist, artist dolls
Costume design
✓ • Stage costume Designer
✓ • First Assistant Costume
✓ • Space Design
✓ • Arranger
✓ • Artist Models
• Decorator, exhibitions /
museums and galleries
Opportunities for Professional and Career Development
Persons who have acquired this professional qualification have the
opportunity to enhance their skills through courses and seminars
organized by training institutions, professional organizations and others.
Those who obtain the secondary professional education, are acquiring the
level of proficiency in the profession and can continue their education in
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subjects with educational degree "Bachelor" and later on - "Master" in
higher education.
The secondary professional education in Stage Design as Scenographers
and Stage Costume Designers in Bulgaria is conducted, according to the
establish by the national Ministry of Education curriculum and training
programs for the profession "Designer" within the Framework program "E"
for initial vocational training to acquire the third level of qualification
pursuant to Art.10, para 3., Item 1, article 11 and article 12 of the VET
Act and in accordance with the requirements of Decree №12 of 12.12.,
issued by the Ministry and published in the State Gazette. pcs. 10
06.02.2004.
• Necessary personal qualities - a sense of form and space, sense
of form and color, ready for independent work, readiness for
teamwork, concentration, creativity, imagination, visual memory,
planning and organizing activities, ideas and improvisations,
technical flair and ability, good sense of color and light, aesthetic
flair.
• Required knowledge and skills - reading and creating sketches,
drawings and design schemes; ability to choose suitable fabrics and
materials; work with specific instruments; making models,
templates, patterns and molds; ability to work with specific
equipment, materials and tools for the specialty; computer work;
knowledge of the terms in the specialty of foreign language; use of
appropriate props and aids.
• Required level of education - Inbound minimum educational level
for attainment of professional qualification in the profession is
completed VII grade or primary education. Successfully passed state
exams in theory and practice of the profession receive a certificate
of qualification.
Where can the professional qualification be obtained - in
vocational schools in classes for the acquisition of professional
qualification in mainstream schools, art schools at the Ministry of
Culture and vocational training centers.
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Subjects that are studied in relation to the profession of the
stage costume designer - depending on the specific
professional profile – Scenography, Performing Arts, Design,
History of Art, Design, Architecture, Plastic Anatomy, Computer
Graphics, Drawing, Sculpture, Color science, Ergonomics, Painting,
Working with specific techniques and materials, among others.
➢ Entry Requirements for Higher Education Training
1. Requirements for admission at educational level: applicants need
to have finished their secondary education with a high school
diploma, approved by Bulgarian Ministry of Education.
2. Health requirements - candidates must be physically and
mentally fit to practice the profession of the “Scenographer” and
"Stage Costume Designer" which has to be certified by a medical
document.
➢ Examinations - State examinations for acquiring professional
qualification - theory of the profession and practice of the
profession.
1. The full higher education courses of professional training allow
acquiring degree professional qualifications in the professions
“Scenography” and "Designer", under the profile "Stage Costume
Design".
2. The vocational training for acquiring professional training ends
with state examinations in theory of the profession and practice of
the profession.
3. The State exams in theory of the profession and practice of the
profession are held at the national examination programs
accordance with state educational requirements for acquiring
qualification in the profession.
4. Completed vocational training attainment of the qualification shall
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be certified by a nationally approved by Ministry of Education
Certificate of Qualification.
➢ System Assessment and Certification
The assessment of knowledge, skills and professional – personal
quality of students is carried out according to the DOI system of
Measurement - Decree №3 of Ministry of Education (SG. 37 of
2003).
The assessment is done on three levels - input, intermediate and
output level.
1. Entrance evaluation
Incoming educational level of the trainee is certified by
document secondary education. The input qualification level
learner is certified by a certificate of vocational training or
professional training.
2. Evaluation of intermediate level
2.1. In theory - tests
2.2. In practice - monitoring by a specialist in performing
practical task
3. Assessing the outcome of the professional training
State examinations for acquiring degree of professional
qualification are two - on the theory and practice of the
specialty and held at the National examination programs in
accordance with the SER qualification in “Scenography” and
"Stage Costume Design" for third level of qualification in the
profession "Designer" - Decree №12 of 12.12.2006
Examinations on the theory and practice of the profession are
held in jobs developed by the training organization.
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X. Related Links
✓ The web page of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education -
http://www.mon.bg - Professional Education, State admission
plan in state and municipal vocational schools and classes for
vocational training in general secondary and special schools
✓ The web page of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture -
http://www.mc.government.bg.
✓ List of schools of arts and culture
http://www.navet.government.bg - Bulgarian National
Register of licensed vocational training centers.