THEA 3290    Costume Design 1

Spring 2004

            MWF 12:00 – 12:50

Martha Munro 111

 

 

Instructor: Alan Yeong

Office Room: Martha Munro 204A

Office Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 (MWF); 10:00 – 12:00 (TR)

Costume Shop Hours: 1:00 – 5:00 (MWF); 2:00 – 6:00 (TR)

Office Phone #  (770) 838-3068          Scene/Costume Shop Phone # (770) 838-3144

Email: ayeong@westga.edu

 

Course Description:

This class is designed for advance theatre students who are interested in the field of costume design or to those who would like to enhance their theatrical skills. In this course the student will be introduced to the role of costume designer in the design process in which includes play analysis, researching skills, costume period and style, designing problems, rendering and construction skills, organization skills, and an understanding in the principles and elements of design. The course involves class lectures and studio/lab projects. It is hope that by the end of the course the student will achieve greater understanding in costume design for personal growth in this area or as supporting knowledge to other theatrical areas.

 

Course Objectives:

1.      To understand the role of costume designer.

2.      To understand and investigate various costume/garment terms and period styles.

3.      To explore and develop personal artistic skills/styles and conceptual thinking.

4.      To understand basic construction skills.

5.      To understand the relationship between the costume designer and costume shop.

6.      To establish a foundation for advance costume design courses.

7.      To establish an overall appreciation for the design and production of theatrical costumes.

 

Learning Degree Outcomes:

  1. Students will demonstrate that they are familiar with a representative selection of plays, indicated by a demonstrable knowledge of selected plays, theatrical conventions, and theatrical movements important in formation of the modern theatre.
  2. Students will be able to critically understand basic knowledge of theatre history, theory, and criticism, as well as research sources and methodology.
  3. Students will develop skill in analyzing plays, using theatre technology, and conducting research.
  4. Students will express through performance, writing, speaking, and other modes of communication the results of research and critical judgment, indicated by a demonstrable ability to reach an audience effectively through at least one of the components of theatrical art (acting, directing, designing, playwriting, etc.)
  5. Students will be prepared to work and/or continue study in both the technical and performance areas of theatre upon graduation.
  6. Students will have the ability to apply skills they learned in courses to a variety of work and social environments.

 

Required Texts:

Anderson, Barbara and Cletus              Costume Design           Harcourt Brace College Publishers        2nd ed   1999.

 

One Act Play or Monologue – TBA (Class handout)

 

You are responsible for obtaining a copy of the following plays.

Ibsen, Henrik.               A Doll’s House

Pirandello, Luigi.           Six Characters in Search of An Author

Johnson, Ben.               Volpone

 

Recommended Texts:

Ingram, Rosemary        Costume Designers’ Handbook

Ingram, Rosemary        Costume Technician’s Handbook

Strand-Evans, Katherine           Costume Construction

 

Course Requirements/Expectations:

1.      The student is graded upon personal growth throughout the course.

2.      Attendance and class participation will be graded. You are not encouraged to skip any lectures and lab hours.

3.      You are allowed one free absences. You are required to support your second or future unexcused absences with valid documentation or with the consent of the instructor. However, the second and future absences will result in grade reduction, 5% of the attendance points per absences.

4.      The student is encouraged to observe all individual class project deadlines. Late projects will be penalized one letter grade per day after the deadline unless you have the consent of the instructor.

5.      You must supply all class project materials unless otherwise noted.

6.      You are responsible to read all course materials before the day of the lecture. Additional supplements will be handed out to you as deemed necessary.

7.      The class is divided into three sections: (1) Design lectures, (2) Costume lab, and (3) Rendering/drawing lab. Please check course schedule religiously to avoid confusion.

8.      You are required to attend all departmental productions for Spring semester.

9.      You are to write two critiques of the production based on principles and elements of costume design in relation to other design areas. The paper is limited to no longer than 3-pages.

10.  There will be one pop quiz, portfolio review, midterm and final examination. The final examination is a Project #5, Volpone. Your portfolio review will be comprised of mainly all your class projects and any projects realized or unrealized from other design courses or UWG productions. Emphasis will be given on costume design work samples.

11.  The student is encouraged to challenge his or herself and not be intimidated by unfamiliar skills.

12.  There is one extra credit opportunity. Details provided below.

****Note: Syllabus schedule is subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to get the changes.

 

Department Performance Dates:

Three Postcards                                        Feb. 18 – 21, 7:30pm & Feb. 22, 2:30pm

 

Image Plays: New 10 Minutes Plays            Apr. 14 – 17, 7:30pm & Apr. 18, 2:30pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading:

 

Flat Patterning (10 points each), include paper pattern and muslin

  1. Bodice
  2. Skirt
  3. Sleeves

30 points

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

 

 

 

A  1700 -- 1481

B  1480 -- 1261

C  1260 -- 1041

D  1040 --  821

F    820 – 0000

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Credit

10% of final grade

(Option 1)

5% of final grade

(Option 2)

Machine stitching

15 points

Hand stitching

15 points

2 critiques (50 points each)

100 points

Midterm

100 points

Finals: Portfolio Review

150 points

Sketch Journal

100 points

Attendance, class participation, pop quiz

100 points

Project #1

50 points

Project #2

50 points

Project #3

  1. Roughs (50 points)
  2. Research (50 points)
  3. Plates (50 points)

150 points

Project #4

  1. Research (50 points)
  2. Roughs (50 points)
  3. Layouts (100 points)
  4. Collage (50 points)
  5. Swatches (50 points)
  6. Plates (70 points)

370 points

Project #5

  1. Research (100 points)
  2. Roughs (50 points)
  3. Layouts (100 points)
  4. Swatches (50 points)
  5. Plates (60 points)
  6. Paperwork (100 points)
  7. Written statement (50 points)

470 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Projects Guidelines

 

Project #1       Character Analysis
  1. Read assigned monologue or one act play.
  2. Research his or her clothing style/period and design the character’s garment based on analysis and research material.
  3. “In the closet.” Make a list of garments that you think he /she will have in his/her closet.

 

Project #2       Inspirational Design
  1. Design two costumes inspired by a selected source.
  2. Costume designs can be in any era but they need to relate to the inspired source.
  3. Apply principles and elements of design and render one male and one female costume.
  4. You are allowed to use any media of your choice.

 

Project #3       A Doll’s House
  1. Read and analyze the entire play.
  2. Create a design concept.
  3. Research Victorian period – fashion, socio-economic, political and so on.
  4. Design this play for an intimate space, i.e. black box theatre.
  5. Sketch all costumes for five characters in Act One – Nora, Torvald, Mrs. Linde, Dr. Rank, Krogstad
  6. You are to present all rough sketches, from preliminary to revisions to final sketches and all research materials.
  7. You are not required to have a final rendering.
  8. Each finalized costume design sketch must be on a separate paper/plate.

 

Project #4       Six Characters in Search for an Author
  1. Read, analyze, and research.
  2. Create a design concept.
  3. Your period choice must be in the 20th century. Choose any one period from mentioned century.
  4. Design this play for a medium size stage, i.e. Townsend Main stage Theatre.
  5. Design costumes for the following characters: The Father, The Mother, The Stepdaughter, The Son, The Boy, The Little Girl, and Madame Pace.
  6. The project must include: research material, roughs, concept collage, and final rendering with swatches.
  7. Watercolor only.

 

Project #5       Volpone
  1. Read, analyze, and research.
  2. Choose a period for your design from Renaissance to 18th century. Then research the chosen period thoroughly.
  3. You are not to design this show historically accurate.
  4. Use the chosen period style and deconstruct the period to fit the characters. Your task is to create a theatricalized version of the period style.
  5. Develop a design concept.
  6. Design this play in a large theatre, i.e. Broadway house.
  7. Design costumes for the following characters: Volpone, Mosca, Voltore, Corbaccio, Corvino, and Androgyno. Act One only.
  8. The project must include: research material, rough sketches, color layout, final rendering with swatches, all paperwork, and written statement.
  9. You have the choice of using any media for the final renderings.

 

Sketch Journal

  1. You must buy a sketchbook as your journal.
  2. You are asked to keep daily drawings either from your class project researches or study of the human figure or just for plain fun.
  3. There is no special format for this project. All you are asked is to draw as much as you can.
  4. This exercise’s objective is to enhance self-observation between you and your surrounding. It is also hope that by sketching daily you will improve your drawing skills such as drawing values, weight lines, styles, and so forth.
  5. You must hand in a completed journal.
  6. Journal deadline: Last week of classes.

 

Extra credit project

This project is optional. If you choose to this project you must follow specific guidelines as mentioned below.

Option 1

  1. You are to select one of your designs from Project #5.
  2. You are to execute one of the following elements from your chosen design:
    • Construct a mock up version of the costume design from muslin
    • Construct one accessories element for your costume design, i.e. hat, jewelry, costume props
    • Execute makeup designed for the character/costume design – must include a makeup sheet and makeup design analysis worksheet
  3. Extra credit project due the day of portfolio review.

 

Option 2

  1. Attend the final dress rehearsal for the opera production of Eugene Onegin at the Atlanta Civic Center – Feb.17, 2004
  2. This is a free event.
  3. This option is only valid Jan. 14, 2004. So make up your mind asap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class supply list

 

Rendering supplies:

 

1.      Pencils—H, HB, 2B—6B

2.      Eraser

3.      4X4 grided paper pad/sketch pad

4.      Set of basic transparent/opaque watercolor

5.      Prismacolor pencils or other color pencil brands

6.      Watercolor brushes—sable brush, don’t get cheap brushes

7.      Watercolor paper, 140 pound—Arches or any watercolor paper from Beifang, Strathmore, or Cresent brand (15”X20”)

8.      Plastic/metal paint mixing palette

9.      Water container

10.  Sponges, rags, paper towels for cleaning

11.  Optional: watercolor pencils, markers, ink pens, craft paints, gouche, cresent paper, Bristol board and so forth.

 

Construction supplies:

**** Note: You are welcome to use any costume shop supplies for the class projects. Make sure you have prior permission from the instructor. But the following supplies you must get yourself.

 

  1. At least 6 yards of unbleached medium weight muslin.
  2. Pencils/marking tools
  3. Fabric scissor – Fiskars or Gingher. I recommend Ginghers for those who are serious in pursuing a career in costume design.

 

PatternMaker6 supplies:

 

Please provide personal zip disk for class projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THEA 3920                 Class Schedule             Spring 2004

 

Date

Lecture

Assign

Due

W  01/07

Course introduction

 

Read pg.94--106

 

F  01/09

Drawing lab: Figure drawing

 

Read Chap.1

 

M  01/12

What Is Costumes?

Role of costume designer & Function of costumes

Read pg.106—133

Project #1

 

W  01/14

Principles of design

 

 

 

F  01/16

Elements of design

 

Read Chap.2

Project #2

 

M 01/19

MLK Day

 

W 01/21

Design process – script analysis, director/designer conference, research, developing the design

Read Chap.3

 

F  01/23

Design process—Refining and executing the designs

Discuss & present Project #1

 

 

Project #1

M 01/26

Tour costume shop and field trip to fabric store & the wonderful world of fabrics

Read Chap.5

Project #3

 

W 01/28

Color Control

Note: Please bring rendering supplies

 

 

F 01/30

Discuss & present Project #2

Rendering techniques: Figure drawing, bring supplies

Read Chap.8

Project #2

M  02/02

Fabric

 

Read Chap. 9

 

W  02/04

Lab: Hand stitching

 

Read Chap. 6

 

F  02/06

Rendering techniques: Figure drawing, bring supplies

Discuss A Doll’s House

 

 

 

M  02/09

Costume Design Portfolio

 

 

 

W  02/11

Lab: Machine stitching

Discuss A Doll’s House

 

 

F 02/13

 

Rendering techniques

 

 

M 02/16

Discuss & present A Doll’s House

 

 

 

Project #3

 

W  02/18

Figure Drawing: Bring drawing supplies

3 Postcards opening night

 

F  02/20

Rendering techniques: Dry medium, bring supplies, class demo

 

 

M  02/23

Discuss 3 Postcards

 

Project #4

Critique #1

W  02/25

Midterm Review

 

 

 

F  02/27

Midterm

 

 

 

M  03/01

Discuss Six characters

 

 

 

W 03/03

Lab: Flat patterning: Basic bodice

(Half scale)

 

 

F  03/05

Rendering techniques

 

 

 

M  03/08

Discuss Six characters

 

 

 

W  03/10

Lab: Flat Patterning: Sleeves

(Half scale)

 

 

F  03/12

Rendering techniques

 

 

 

M  03/15

Presentation: Six characters

 

 

Project #4

 W  03/17

Lab: Flat Patterning: Skirt

(Half scale)

 

 

F  03/19

Rendering techniques

 

Project #5