Again, the fittings ran so smoothly - at times we were ahead of schedule which I've never known for fittings before! Which is a massive positive - as this is the first time I have ever been in charge of this many people, and trying to organise them to be ready in a certain place at the right time, I am especially pleased at this outcome. Today we reversed the roles, so I was checking people in and getting them ready, and Amber was in the fitting space with the makers she is supervising.
This morning we had a mini tutorial with Frances and our tutor regarding the issue of not having all the accessories. I understand that we should have had everything possible for these fittings, and unfortunately we have not managed to provide that.
Reflection: From this I learnt that organisation is the most important thing for a supervisor. I think we went wrong with thinking that things were going OK because we had the fitting schedule organised, and because we spent so much time over the stocking issues (of trying to find them a. cheap enough without looking cheap, and b. trying to find natural fibre stockings in the first place). I have been spending a lot of my time comparing prices of items, and maybe that's time we didn't have to spare. I've also learnt that everything needs to be considered at the same time - everything needs to be accounted for.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Fittings - Day One
The fittings ran incredibly smoothly today - everyone turned up on time, no problems, which I wasn't really expecting! We had organised it so that Amber was checking everyone in as they arrived and making sure they got dressed and ready, and then I was in the fitting space with the designer and makers that I am supervising.
The downside to today was that we hadn't managed to get everything together in the way of accessories. I think this is down to this being the first time I have supervised anything - time has run out and I didn't see it coming! We did have a lot of sample stockings to show Frances though, so we can get an idea of which ones she prefers and which ones are no good.
The stockings themselves took soo long to find - originally we were asked to source stockings made from natural fibres so that we could dye them appropriate colours, but after researching into them we found that they were about £20 per pair, and there's no way the budget, or the students, can afford this. After contacting Frances she agreed that we could use stockings with man made fibres, as long as the denier is thick enough.
Reflection: From today I can see that we were not fully prepared for the fittings, as we didn't have enough accessories to show Frances. I think that this is because this is the first project we have done as supervisors, and I have definitely learnt that time goes a lot faster than you think it will! Time management for getting things is something I am going to try and focus on and improve.
With the issue of not being able to provide cotton stockings, I learnt that compromise is key to making a production work, especially when we're trying to get together so much on such a small budget.
The downside to today was that we hadn't managed to get everything together in the way of accessories. I think this is down to this being the first time I have supervised anything - time has run out and I didn't see it coming! We did have a lot of sample stockings to show Frances though, so we can get an idea of which ones she prefers and which ones are no good.
The stockings themselves took soo long to find - originally we were asked to source stockings made from natural fibres so that we could dye them appropriate colours, but after researching into them we found that they were about £20 per pair, and there's no way the budget, or the students, can afford this. After contacting Frances she agreed that we could use stockings with man made fibres, as long as the denier is thick enough.
Reflection: From today I can see that we were not fully prepared for the fittings, as we didn't have enough accessories to show Frances. I think that this is because this is the first project we have done as supervisors, and I have definitely learnt that time goes a lot faster than you think it will! Time management for getting things is something I am going to try and focus on and improve.
With the issue of not being able to provide cotton stockings, I learnt that compromise is key to making a production work, especially when we're trying to get together so much on such a small budget.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Fittings...
Fittings. Something I was dreading creating a timetable for, and then when we came round to organising them I was surprised at how straight forward they were. However...nothing ever goes smoothly!
After a tutorial with our course leader, Amber and I were more clear on what we had to prepare: samples of shoes for each design (for which we are using the AUCB costume store), samples of stockings for each design, samples of accessories, for example, jewellery, ribbons and maybe some props, and a sample of the petticoat we are making ourselves for the character of Rose. The designer also wanted to have the fittings scheduled so that each design group are together, so that the group can be looked at as a whole. We decided that the best way to approach this would be to put Team Mandy on Tuesday the 29th March, and Team Will on Wednesday the 30th. We also had to account for which models and assistants would need to be in, and tried to make it as fair as possible so that each student would be fitting, modelling and assisting once each.
Reflection: This was, initially, a fairly straightforward process, simply slotting in each maker to a specific time whilst keeping the designs grouped together. However, problems started to arise when makers/models could not make their alloted times and had to change days, as this meant that the whole schedule had to be changed so that we were keeping designs grouped together. From doing this fitting schedule for the first time, I learnt that schedules have to be planned at least a week in advance to allow time for any changes to be made, and for things to go wrong! There also needs to be plenty of time for the makers/models/assistants to find out when their time is so that everyone can arrive promptly and hopefully everything can run to plan.
We have also told the makers/models/assistants to arrive at least 20minutes before their fitting time, to allow time for getting into their costume, taking photos, and pinning out any alterations which are obvious. We also have all of their contact details, so if anyone is late/doesn't show up we can get hold of them. Hopefully this will mean that everything will run smoothly and that fittings will not run over the time alloted so that the days aren't too stressful!
After a tutorial with our course leader, Amber and I were more clear on what we had to prepare: samples of shoes for each design (for which we are using the AUCB costume store), samples of stockings for each design, samples of accessories, for example, jewellery, ribbons and maybe some props, and a sample of the petticoat we are making ourselves for the character of Rose. The designer also wanted to have the fittings scheduled so that each design group are together, so that the group can be looked at as a whole. We decided that the best way to approach this would be to put Team Mandy on Tuesday the 29th March, and Team Will on Wednesday the 30th. We also had to account for which models and assistants would need to be in, and tried to make it as fair as possible so that each student would be fitting, modelling and assisting once each.
Reflection: This was, initially, a fairly straightforward process, simply slotting in each maker to a specific time whilst keeping the designs grouped together. However, problems started to arise when makers/models could not make their alloted times and had to change days, as this meant that the whole schedule had to be changed so that we were keeping designs grouped together. From doing this fitting schedule for the first time, I learnt that schedules have to be planned at least a week in advance to allow time for any changes to be made, and for things to go wrong! There also needs to be plenty of time for the makers/models/assistants to find out when their time is so that everyone can arrive promptly and hopefully everything can run to plan.
We have also told the makers/models/assistants to arrive at least 20minutes before their fitting time, to allow time for getting into their costume, taking photos, and pinning out any alterations which are obvious. We also have all of their contact details, so if anyone is late/doesn't show up we can get hold of them. Hopefully this will mean that everything will run smoothly and that fittings will not run over the time alloted so that the days aren't too stressful!
Friday, 18 March 2011
Shoes
The shoes, I think, are going to be the biggest issue - we have less than £5 basically per pair, and unless we can get enough donations from students I think we're going to struggle! We looked in the AUCB costume store to see what we can find, and we have a few good pairs to go on for the moment.
Although some of these aren't the right colour, they might be useful as absolute last resort back ups. I really love the red boots though! They have the perfect heel, and I'm really glad we found them.
Reflection: I am glad we know that shoes are going to be a struggle this early on, because we can begin to resolve the situation. We're going to have to ask for a lot of donations, and this will mean keeping a good relationship between supervisor and makers - if the makers feel comfortable with us they are more likely to want to help out with shoes!
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Underwear Issues!!
The underwear must be flesh coloured - the onesies are see-through so we don't want to see black/coloured/patterned underwear...it's not quite in keeping with the whole historical image. We have asked the students to provide their own underwear as a) the budget isn't big enough to buy 70 pairs of pants and bra cups, and b) underwear is quite a personal thing! For the fitting they can wear leggings and strap tops, but for the photos/film they will definitely need flesh coloured underwear.
Reflection: I've been reminding the students and models again and again to buy the underwear, so I'm hoping that everyone will turn up with what they need now. Again, this has been a huge learning curve - organising lots of people takes time, and I've been emailing, facebooking, telling everyone in uni at meetings about it so I'm hoping that the message is out there now. Communication is key, and I feel that I've allowed time for them to provide their own items now. I am also going to buy a few back up pairs of knickers from Primark (as they are cheap enough), because I want to be prepared in case anyone else isn't, and not to have to dash out to buy things last minute!
Reflection: I've been reminding the students and models again and again to buy the underwear, so I'm hoping that everyone will turn up with what they need now. Again, this has been a huge learning curve - organising lots of people takes time, and I've been emailing, facebooking, telling everyone in uni at meetings about it so I'm hoping that the message is out there now. Communication is key, and I feel that I've allowed time for them to provide their own items now. I am also going to buy a few back up pairs of knickers from Primark (as they are cheap enough), because I want to be prepared in case anyone else isn't, and not to have to dash out to buy things last minute!
Monday, 14 March 2011
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Moulin Rouge
For SDP I chose to supervise the 1st years VNC project of 'Moulin Rouge'. I will be working jointly on this project with Amber, and we will each be overlooking half of the 1st year group, and working together to make the production work as a whole.
We had our first meetings with the designer, Frances Tempest, last week, and one of the main topics of discussion was what we are sourcing for each costume design, and what the 1st years will be making. We will need to source:
Stockings (various patterns and colours)
Shoes (black and some pairs red)
Garters (?)
Jewellery pieces, dependant on each design
Individual pieces for each design, ie. a mask for 'Calypso'; black velvet ribbon for 'Jade'; net petticoat for 'Kiki' etc.
The designer made it clear that she wanted the sourced items to be made of natural fibres wherever possible, ie. cotton stockings rather than nylon, incase we need to dye any the right colours. They also have to be stockings rather than tights or socks as the costumes will be part see through. After having a quick look on the internet I realised that this would make sourcing 70 pairs of stockings on a budget quite a challenge as most sites price them at between £7-£15 per pair. In regard to the shoes, we hae been advised to look in the AUCB costume store first to see whether the university can provide anything as it would be cheaper, before looking to see where we can buy/hire shoes from.
We were also asked to make some items for the characters ourselves: for the character of 'Rose' we will be making the large petticoat she has because this would be too much for the 1st years to be making on top of the corset and 'onsie'.
We discussed the photoshoot and filming that is happening at the end of the project - the photoshoot will be on16th May, and the film will be before this although the date has not yet been confirmed. Initially there was only going to be a photoshoot, which would make sourcing items such as the stockings and shoes easier as the models could switch them over between photos. However, now that the costumes will be filmed together, there is a need to have all of the shoes and stockings for each model at the same time.
The Budget has not been confirmed, although we are now working with an estimate of £500, meaning that the two groups, Team Mandy and Team Will, have a budget of £250 each.
Reflection: From the initial meeting I have realised how much we have to do. I'm quite excited about this project - I have never supervised before, and I really want to gain the experience and understanding of what is involved in being a supervisor, from sourcing items on a budget, to organising fittings and the final performances.
I can already see from the quick look I have had that sourcing natural stockings will not be possible on our budget as they are too expensive, so this is where we will have to start to liaise with the designer. I think it's really good to work with a professional designer as well, because we can get an idea of how to behave and what to do in a professional environment. I'm a little apprehensive of what we have to source on our budget, but this is where research is really important, so for now that is what I can really get on with!
From this project I hope to gain experience in taking more control over situations, and experience in being in charge, liaising with designer and director and more experience in pre-empting situations and trying to be prepared for anything that may happen. I'm also hoping to gain more knowledge in organising and scheduling, as this is something I have never done before.
We had our first meetings with the designer, Frances Tempest, last week, and one of the main topics of discussion was what we are sourcing for each costume design, and what the 1st years will be making. We will need to source:
Stockings (various patterns and colours)
Shoes (black and some pairs red)
Garters (?)
Jewellery pieces, dependant on each design
Individual pieces for each design, ie. a mask for 'Calypso'; black velvet ribbon for 'Jade'; net petticoat for 'Kiki' etc.
The designer made it clear that she wanted the sourced items to be made of natural fibres wherever possible, ie. cotton stockings rather than nylon, incase we need to dye any the right colours. They also have to be stockings rather than tights or socks as the costumes will be part see through. After having a quick look on the internet I realised that this would make sourcing 70 pairs of stockings on a budget quite a challenge as most sites price them at between £7-£15 per pair. In regard to the shoes, we hae been advised to look in the AUCB costume store first to see whether the university can provide anything as it would be cheaper, before looking to see where we can buy/hire shoes from.
We were also asked to make some items for the characters ourselves: for the character of 'Rose' we will be making the large petticoat she has because this would be too much for the 1st years to be making on top of the corset and 'onsie'.
We discussed the photoshoot and filming that is happening at the end of the project - the photoshoot will be on16th May, and the film will be before this although the date has not yet been confirmed. Initially there was only going to be a photoshoot, which would make sourcing items such as the stockings and shoes easier as the models could switch them over between photos. However, now that the costumes will be filmed together, there is a need to have all of the shoes and stockings for each model at the same time.
The Budget has not been confirmed, although we are now working with an estimate of £500, meaning that the two groups, Team Mandy and Team Will, have a budget of £250 each.
Reflection: From the initial meeting I have realised how much we have to do. I'm quite excited about this project - I have never supervised before, and I really want to gain the experience and understanding of what is involved in being a supervisor, from sourcing items on a budget, to organising fittings and the final performances.
I can already see from the quick look I have had that sourcing natural stockings will not be possible on our budget as they are too expensive, so this is where we will have to start to liaise with the designer. I think it's really good to work with a professional designer as well, because we can get an idea of how to behave and what to do in a professional environment. I'm a little apprehensive of what we have to source on our budget, but this is where research is really important, so for now that is what I can really get on with!
From this project I hope to gain experience in taking more control over situations, and experience in being in charge, liaising with designer and director and more experience in pre-empting situations and trying to be prepared for anything that may happen. I'm also hoping to gain more knowledge in organising and scheduling, as this is something I have never done before.
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