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These costume props add visual interest to the overall costume design. They are often the items that truly distinguish one character from another. 1.
Typology: Schemes and Mind Maps
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Costume designers create the look of each character by designing clothes and accessories the actors will wear in performance. Costumes may be made, bought, revamped out of the theatre’s existing collection or rented. The details (like shapes, colors and textures) that the designer chooses can tell the audience much about the show and the characters. The costume designer creatively collaborates with the director and the set and lighting designers to ensure that the costumes are smoothly integrated into the production as a whole. Stage costumes can provide audiences with information about a character's occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and personality. Costumes can also:
Analysis : The costume designer’s first step is to read the script or play, paying attention to the time period, the tone, and the world of the play. They will create a costume plot, which is a “map” that shows which characters are in which scenes, when the actors change costumes, and any specific costumes mentioned in the script. Students: Read the story that your character is from. Design Collaboration : This is when all of the designers (scenic, lighting, sound, etc.) meet with the director. The designers and the director discuss the themes of the show and what message they want the audience to get from the show. Together, all the designers will create a cohesive world in which the story takes place. Students: discuss the story with a family member. Costume Research : The costume designer gathers research about where and when the play takes place. They research what clothing looked like during that time period, or, if the play takes place outside of real-world time, they’ll gather ideas of what the costumes could look like. Costume designers must also consider what they want to say about a character’s personality, status, age, and circumstances. Students: use the internet or books to gather ideas. Preliminary Sketching : Costume designers begin by creating preliminary sketches to get a feel for how the costumes will look when put together. The costume designer will then go into more detailed sketches and will figure out the specific costumes and colors for the character. During this time, they are continuing to collaborate with the director and other designers of the show. Students: use the body outline to make practice sketches. Final Sketches : Once the costume designer and the director agree on the costumes and the ideas are fully fleshed out, the designer will create final sketches. These are called renderings and are usually painted with watercolors or acrylic paints. These final sketches show what the designer wants the character to look like and the colors of the costume. Students: use the body form (below) to create your final rendering.