Day 1: First Production Meeting

Now that I'm back in Bournemouth, things are really starting to kick-off!
Today I spent some time making an 'ultimate sourcing list' which I'm sure will be added to over time,  I've printed out multiple copies which I then distributed at the production meeting.
Here is a copy:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=31843A379A3CA19!122&authkey=!AKyKIx6KDgTzWIU
At 2:45 I had my first meeting with Sarah my wonderful costume supervisor and we basically just talked through everything that would be needed for  each design and how we would go-about obtaining these things. We're both still a bit stumped about the yellow uniforms, but we think sourcing white jackets and dyeing them is definitely the way forward. We talked about going to Southall next week but that plan has since been altered via the production meeting. We also had a talk about to what extent props were part of the costume team's responsibility, and where to draw the line.

At 4:00 I had a production meeting in the theatre with the director, the production manager, the head course tutors, and my student team (minus one of the makers and the scenic artist). It was a whirlwind of a meeting and I came-out feeling totally bewildered and overwhelmed- I'm just going to make lots of lists and then hopefully I'll know where to start.

General Notes:

• Flame retardant fabric for the seating will be really really expensive, sacrifice making it 'indian fabric' and just use normal display fabric with a couple of runners sewn along some of the cushions.
• Get Flame-proof display fabric from MacDougals, again will be expensive.
• Benedick will be splashing in the pool and will need rubber boots for that scene.
• Kirsty the technical supervisor has a meeting on Monday afternoon which I might try and get in on, so I know what her role is.
• The first 2 weeks of rehearsals will be off-site in Winton. 
• The Set needs to be basically complete after those 2 weeks to enable the actors to rehearse in the space.
• The floor is really important to get done asap.

Costume Notes:

•  -Look at Denny's and Alexander's for jackets, also livery companies.
  - Look in Army surplus stores and online for the watch
  - Research the right type of braid we need to embellish the jackets (thickness etc)
  - Look in the costume store at the Arabian Nights costumes to see if there is anything suitable

Set Notes:

•   Balcony: The laser cut screen could restrict the view of lighting, sound and DSM too much. They could be out on the balcony or the pattern could be more open.
• - Need a plan B for the audience entrance in case of Rain
• - Illuminated fire exit signs need to be visible
• - Wooden Ladders not widely available due to health and safety regs, if there is a ladder there it needs to be usable.
• - Need somewhere else for the actors to sit, perhaps a couple of wooden benches. These could be used in the wedding scene and could fit under the stairs when not needed in the space.
• -Make sure all fabric is fireproof, buy it in the right colour, don't dye it.
• - First 2 weeks of rehearsals will be offsite, the third week will be in the theatre with the set as near to complete as possible.
• -Tech rehearsal will probably be 24th october, Dress 25th in the afternoon before the evening performance.
• -Scaffolding painted a distressed blue not solid colour?
• - Send John images of swords and he will source them.

So I've got a lot to be getting on with, but I'm not quite sure where to start. So I made a to-do list for the weekend.

SATURDAY
am- Tile Research
am- Try to contact Banyards about tree.
Mid- Visit Pokesdown to try Vintage Shops for Striped Blazer for Benedick.
pm- (go to the bank)
pm/eve- Update Script Breakdown and Costume Plot- send to Sarah
eve/night- (finish unpacking)

SUNDAY
am- Complete remaining designs (6)
eve- Brief Maker about missed meeting.
night- catch-up.

Lads on Tour

Lads on Tour part 1:

Conrade and Borachio.....

Ladies in Waiting

Margaret and Ursula are now complete.
The research for this actually took a lot longer than anticipated.
It took me a long time to find-out the names of the types of Saris that I wanted to use. Both pictured are special traditional Saris each using 9 yards of fabric- much more than the usual amount. This creates a Sari that is more practical for moving, and less sleek and elegant than Lady Hero's attire. It also took me a long time to get the colour-scheme right, in terms of balancing the colours of the rest of the production,

I know the composition is a little squashed, but I felt that it was important to have both the servants on the same design, as the colour interaction between the 2 costumes is really vital.

Work Experience Updates!

Now that time has passed, I can reveal a bit more about what I was doing for my summer work experience.

First of all, the press release has finally been issued for the exhibition I had the pleasure of working on at the V&A.....
It couldn't have been more perfect if I'd planned it myself- turning up for my first day of interning and being lead to a room where I'm surrounded by David Bowie...
The best person in the world.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198467/Ziggy-Stardust-jumpsuit-hand-written-lyrics-hundreds-items-David-Bowie-memorabilia-public-display-time.html  

And the second placement, where I worked as a Costume Supervisor for Natural Shocks, a company producing 3 shows for the Edinburgh Festival under the umbrella title of 'Peep'... I didn't want to give any spoilers away, but now the festival has been and gone....
And the reviews are in....
The Guardian
The Telegraph
Fest
Fringe Review
EdFringe- Audience feedback.

Photo courtesy of Fest Magazine.  Mr. Meredith sporting my adapted Rocky Horror Costume.

 Costumes for '69'

ALL OF THE PRINCIPLE COSTUMES ARE NOW COMPLETE

And Last but not least....
Hero's Daywear.

I need a Hero

oh but here she is...
so it's fine.

Hero's Bridal-wear... (with the addition of a veil for the final scene)

This has taken the longest of all the designs in terms of rendering.... so many accessories.... and shiny bits....

Fabric Sourcing in London

Over the last few days I embarked on my second round of fabric sourcing- to tie in with a trip to the Paralympics (which incidentally- was rad).

I spent Monday completing Goldhawk Rd- where as usual the fabric was in my price range- but most of the finishes were way too modern- too many synthetics and whatnot- most of it was cheap but looked cheap. Although  in saying that, I did find some gems.
Interestingly I completely neglected to consider the potential embarrassment of showing my Much Ado Designs to all the fabric shop owners- most of whom seem to have Indian heritage...
Leonato certainly inspired a few laughs to say the least....
But the good thing is, no-one reacted with offense... so I guess I can't complain.
On Tuesday I hit Berwick Street. As most of my garments will be sourced rather than made, the fabric sourcing that I'm doing at the moment was not as focused on budget as it might have otherwise been. Primarily I was collecting samples that I felt gave the clearest impression of how I want the garments to look, but the sampling will not lead to actual purchase of that fabric, and will merely inform the supervisor when sourcing the final piece, therefore I could have plenty of fun sourcing expensive stuff from Broadwick Silks and whatnot.
Despite relative success, there are still some fabrics I am struggling with. For one, no-one will let me have a sample of Tweed- so sampling for the Don Pedro design featuring Green Herringbone Tweed is becoming a problem. Also I'm finding it hard to source for Beatrice, I got a lovely selection of turquoise trims, but nothing in terms of the deep red Silk/Silk-Chiffon for the trousers, and no patterned yellow fabric either!
So I think Southall is the next stop.
A problem that I REALLY didn't expect is that the orangey yellow of the Uniforms seems to be a very hard colour to come across. This spells less trouble for the actual production (As at the moment I think the most likely option is sourcing white military dress coats and dying them) but I would still quite like to have a sample of exactly the right colour to go with the designs. Maybe I could do some dying now- but it seems such a waste just for a few little samples.

Here are just a few selections from my sample-book I've been building-up: