Evaluation

I chose to supervise Moulin Rouge because I wanted to challenge myself and learn new skills, which I certainly feel I have done. Parts of the project I have found really difficult, because everything was totally new to me, and I have no prior experience in supervising at all.

Even collaborating with another student was new to me. I am very used to working on my own, at my own pace, and without having to communicate with anyone else what I am doing. I think it took a little time for both of us to get used to each other! Only in the fact that we needed to work as a team rather than a single person, and I think we did work really well together – we took on roles that we were strongest at (Amber was at more of the admin side of things, and I was making and sourcing) and once we had sorted this out everything began to run really smoothly and well. It was finding the balance of working on our own side of things but liaising with each other so that we were both always aware of what was going on.

I struggled at the beginning of the project. I feel that I didn’t really know what I was doing – even though things had been explained to me, it was still a lot to take on and for me to get my head around. I did feel a bit overwhelmed, and for me, that’s where it began to become obvious that I needed more direction. Even though the tutors were available to ask for help I didn’t feel as though I could because this project is ‘self-directed’ and I thought that I had to work things out for myself, so in hindsight this is something that I’ve learnt – that I can always ask for help, especially when it’s something totally new for me! I’ve learnt a lot about how militant a supervisor has to be about organisation, which again I don’t think I fully understood exactly how extreme the organisation needs to be.

It was strange as well to be on the organising and supervising side of things rather than making something and this was the thing that I really wanted to learn and get out of the project. I’ve always been a fairly quiet person so I knew this was going to be a challenge, but I wanted to put myself in that situation so that I could gain the most from SDP. Working with the 1^st years and organising them has been really good actually, and one of my favourite parts of the project. One of the things we were told at the beginning of the project was that a supervisor should have a good relationship with their makers, and this is something I feel I’ve achieved. It has been surprisingly smooth to get people to certain places at certain times, and I think this is down to good communication, and also because of a good relationship.

I’ve really gained a lot from working on the photoshoot and filming too. The photoshoot was, I felt, a great trial for the filming in a way, as it was the first time we’d had all costume and make up on all the models. It was also the first time I had to liaise with the students, designer, and director. I did feel quite a lot of pressure, but I think the day still ran really well. The organisation that Amber and I kept up throughout the day was really good, and I think that this was because of what we’d learnt from organising the fittings and the costume parade.

Something that I found particularly ‘alien’ to me was organising people who wanted to help. I really think that at the beginning of the project I would have thought that Amber and I would be doing everything, which would have been far too much, but when the first years volunteered to help it was great. I found giving people jobs to do quite strange at first because I felt that I should be doing everything, as we usually do with individual projects, but once I got into the swing of things I found it really helpful, and I can see now how it is part of the supervisor’s job to organise helpers, such as dressers, hair and make up, and runners. The first years have been great at volunteering to help too, which has been a real help.

Overall, SDP has definitely been my most challenging project to date. I’ve learnt the most from this project too, and I feel that if I were ever to supervise again I would be far more prepared from the experience. Although there were a few hiccups and things weren’t as organised as they should have been in the beginning, I think that the project really pulled together and I am really proud of how Moulin Rouge looked as a production.

Photoshoot - May 17th 2011

Extras and Changes

From the costume parade we know we need to get a few more bits: dance tights/opaque tights for some of the models wearing the especially see through onesies so that their underwear isn't showing up quite so much; hair spray/mousse to create all the hairstyles; powders and make up bits; more jewellery pieces so that we can throw them on whichever models need more jewellery, which we are playing by ear. This is why is is so great to have the extra week to really perfect everything and get together everything needed.

Costume Parade

The costume parade was yesterday, a sort of final fitting/showcase for the completed outfits. Amber and I managed to pull everything together for it, and all of the costumes were completed which was great to see. I think this just goes to show that if we'd known we had a bigger budget to begin with we could have been buying everything that we'd seen and considered too expensive in the first place, but at least it has come together.
There are a few touches that need to be added to some of the costumes - some of the stockings are way too bright, especially the white ones that look too clean and new, and some of the brighter pink ones on the Lily character have come up really neon pink, so we're going to try and dye them down, and it was also suggested that we buy a couple of back up pairs as spare if the dyeing goes wrong or does not work.
With the petticoats I made Frances has said to each of the makers to cut off the overlocking as this is too modern and does not fit in with the historical look we are going for. The makers are also going to give the petticoats another ruffle or two in their own fabrics to make them more personal, and individual to their costume and character.


Reflection: From the costume parade I learnt that even accessories look different on certain models, for example, some of the spats for Lulu looked good on some people, but not on others simply because of their frame. The longer pairs, on smaller girls, draw far too much attention to their legs and don't balance with the rest of the costume. I suggested that I could look and see if I could buy some smaller pairs, but Frances said she was happy for some characters not to wear the spats, and to simply try what we have on the models on the day of the photoshoot, and then the filming.
I'm actually quite thankful now that the film and photoshoot dates were moved back - originally they were going to be on the 10th (today) and that would not have been enough time to perfect everything that we want to. I've learnt that a final show of complete costumes and accessories needs to be well in advance of any shoot days/shows to allow for any changes that need to happen, which seems like such an obvious observation, but it's so important and I don't think I realised just how important before actually attempting this project!
It became clear after the parade that we're going to need lots of hair product - mousse and spray - to try and make the more modern hairstyles fit into the production. This is something totally new for me (as much of this project has been). We have hairpieces already, but may well need more, and with a couple of the models Frances and the director Gareth would like their hair to be slicked back into an androgynous style.

Garters

The last thing I have to make are the garters. I was planning on making lots of different pretty styles for each character in all different colours, but after emailing Frances to show her what I'd done so far she explained that they wouldn't really be seen. So I have some colourful pairs which are purely decorative that Frances can choose to include should she wish to, and then I've made what feels like hundreds of pairs of simple, plain elastic pairs which can be rolled under the stockings to keep them held up.

These are examples of some of the garters I have made so far, I have more in different colours but again, these are purely decorative and it's up to Frances if they are included, as they are not in the original designs.

Reflection: I have provided each model with a completely plain pair of elastic  garters so that each person has them if they need them, on top of making some more decorative pairs that can be used if they are needed. From previous experience on this project, I know now to provide as many options as possible, so this is what I have tried to do. There is also time that if Frances decides that she really likes a certain pair of decorative garters that I can make more.

Petticoats - Rose

Finally got to do the Rose petticoats - I think it really helped having a tutorial to clarify what roles Amber and I should be taking on. So now I am concentrating on the making parts, and Amber will be organising. Each petticoat is a full circle with a hole cut out which will be the elasticated waist (so that one size fits all) and then lots of ruffles. I sewed on the first set of ruffles and then dyed everything before sewing on more ruffles in different colours. It took longer than I thought because uni didn't have any purple dye so I had to bring everything home and dye the purple bits in the bath, which was a challenging experience! But I am happy with the outcome, and after emailing the pictures of them over to Frances she says she loves them so I'm hoping that that is another issue out of the way and dealt with.

Reflection: I have learnt, again, to allow enough time for things to go wrong - after there was no dye in uni I had to get my own and dye in the bath which took a lot longer than I was expecting! But I had enough time to manage it, so I think the petticoats have turned out well.

Making

Although I've not been in uni as much as Amber this past week, I hope that it doesn't give the impression I'm not doing my share of the work. I've been spending all my time trying to get everything that needs to be made completed from start to finish, and it's taking a lot of time! We agreed that while I get on with this Amber will be doing more of the organising side of things. So we are splitting the workload, but the work I'm doing may not be as visible as I'm not in uni all day.

Kiki petticoats

Frances has said she wants the petticoats for Kiki to be fun little frilly things, so that's what I've tried to achieve with them. Each one is slightly different with where I've placed the ruffles. Frances had approved them too (when  I sent her a photo) so hopefully they'll look just as good on the models with the onesie's and corsets.

Reflection: We have now divided the roles we are taking as supervisors to try and get things in order: Amber is doing more organising, while I am making all the petticoats and garters. I think this is a good way to be working and that we can get a lot more done quickly.

Gloves

Along with my own gloves and the pair I found in the charity shop, I did a bulk order on ebay and found some gems. It has been a lot easier to source things with a bigger budget! I think this is proving itself seeing as it is taking about a week to get things together rather than how long it was taking before. Again, I've gone for variety, so that we can have a wide range of options and so that Frances can pick her favourite.

The photographs above show the gloves I have found for Rose, all elbow length. The ones below are the short gloves I found for Lulu.

I also have a couple of pairs of short lace gloves that could be useful, even though Frances said she didn't want lace gloves I want to show them to her to give her the option.

Masks for Calypso

 Two of the models for Calypso have already said they have masks they can provide, which are really beautiful lace masks from Venice and which Frances loved, so that means there are five masks still to provide. The photos show the range that I ordered to try and cover everything.

Reflection: From what I've learnt so far, it's all about providing as much variety and choice as possible, so I ordered lots of different styles and types of masks for Calypso so that when we have the costume parade Frances can pick the ones she likes best and we can have a nice variety of style and texture.