7th March 2011
This was the first day of my new unit and my new challenge, Supervising the Level 4's Visual Narrative; Construction. The Level 4 students are making costumes interpreted from Frances Tempest's designs. They will be made for a photo shoot and a music video style film. There are ten designs for 70 students, so one design will be interpreted by 7 students differently. The students are separated into two groups, TM and TW, and I will take one of these groups whilst the Supervisor I am collaborating with, Camilla Thompson will take the other group. This way our workload is not too overwhelming.
I attended the Level 4 Unit Briefing on 1st March to see where Frances Tempest's inspirations came from.
This production of Moulin Rouge is a far cry from Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge of 2001, this is a historically accurate "Fin de Siecle" production based on Toulouse Lautrec's illustrations and paintings and photographs of The Storyville Girls; girls working in a brothel in New Orleans. Some more references are "Moulin Rouge"1952, "French Can Can" 1954, and "Can Can" 1960.
Frances Tempest's Moulin Rouge has feelings of melancholy and poverty, which is a genuine feeling received from the working girls of the turn of the century. These girls were dancers who would expose themselves for the enjoyment of me; they were prostitutes. The Designer also wanted some costumes to look like the more garish onstage costumes, but some others to look like the were from backstage; muted tones and broken down.
The ten designs are all of women in a basic Combination (onesie) and a 19th Century corset, tightly drawn in at the waist. Tempest wanted each costume to look different, and individual characters to be created. Here are the designs of the ten characters.
Camilla's Group (TM);
Lilly
Jade
Rose
Amethyst
Lulu
My Group (TW);
Candy
Calypso
Ruby
Pearl
Kiki
The last 5 designs are those that I will be focussing on, but Camilla and myself will be working together throughout to help each other source the items needed. These will mostly be stockings and shoes but will need to meet with with designer to discuss her requirements.
I felt it was important to attend this briefing, as I learned exactly what Frances Tempest wanted from the team of Makers. I also learned how important is for the Supervisor to know the Designers influences and inspirations so I can make sure the accessories I source will compliment the garments being made.
I'm excited to get started as I know my strengths lie in sourcing, especially hosiery as I have a wide knowledge of it. I'm also confident about interpreting the costumes well but I feel I need to research into the time period a little more just to back up my existing knowledge. I'm worried I wont be as organised as I need to be, so I'm going to start organising straight away so I keep on top of it.
