I
decided to spilt my EMP in half and completing two very different projects. The
first a 1920’s suit, the second working within part of a team on The Threepenny Opera. I chose to do a self-directed
project for the first part of EMP as I had decided that I wanted to focus my
level 6 studies on menswear, specifically tailoring and I wanted to complete a
project which focused on this. I wanted to create a suit that would build on
and further my tailoring skills, some of the things that I wanted to cover
included: a pattern match, a range of pockets and a new style of suit. For my
dissertation I looked at tailoring and from this watched the TV series
Boardwalk Empire, which showed a range of 1920’s suits. I decided to take this
as inspiration and create a suit based on one that the principal character
Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson wears. I collaborated with a designer to create an image
to work from and referred to screen shots and historical research throughout to
make my design decisions.
I
used a range of different historical research to create this suit and made my
design decisions through images from the series and historical research I
collected. I hoped to gain primary research for this project; however although
I contacted a range of museums none were able to help me. To gain historical
accuracies I was able to look at Grahams notes of suits he had viewed, taking
notes from these and using them to make decisions on the suit I was creating. I
also wanted to use a traditional tailoring fabric to create this suit and I sourced
English wool from H. E. Box. I believe using traditional fabrics and techniques
is very important when constructing a suit.
As
I was working individually I had to source fabrics and arrange fittings, this
took me longer than anticipated and it really made me appreciate the work that
a supervisor does. Working alone was a good experience however it showed me
that I work better when I am part of a costume team. This decision to work
independently also effected my time planning, as it was hard to meet deadlines
I set myself, as they were easily adjustable. I also didn’t give myself long
enough for certain tasks and therefore did not achieve deadlines. However I
evaluated the work I had done and pushed myself to hit deadlines and I stated
to catch up with the work that needed doing. However this meant that it took me
much longer to complete the suit than anticipated and it therefore ran into the
second part of my EMP project. I then had to work on two projects
simultaneously and as I was working as part of a team for the second project
this took over, as I had to meet deadlines. However I finished the suit in
plenty of time and I am pleased with the outcome.
I
then arranged a photo shoot. This was a new experience for me and I found
sourcing the items time consuming. I based the photos on the intro to the TV
series Boardwalk Empire as this is where I had taken inspiration of the suit. I
worked with a first year photography student to create a set of images that we
shot on Bournemouth beach. I am very happy with these photos and I feel they
show the suit well. These images complete the project and I feel that they show
what I am able to achiev.
The
second part of the project was working as part of a team to create a costume
for the production The Threepenny Opera.
To begin with I was unsure about this project, as it was completely different
form my first EMP project. However as I started to get involved with the
project I realty started to enjoy it. I particularly enjoyed problem solving to
create the unusual shapes and structures that the designer required. I also
really enjoy working as part of a team and I had to collaborate with several
others to make sure our costumes were linked. I firstly had to collaborate with
the maker who was constructing Macheath’s Jacket as the costume had to look as
a whole when it was on the stage. I also had to collaborate with the maker who
was constructing Polly’s jacket as the costumes had to link as they marry in
the play. Collaborating with other pushed me to work as par of a team, meeting
with them to make sure our costumes linked together and having joint fittings.
Working
as part of a team on a live production meant that I managed my time much better
as I had set dates that I had to have items completed for. I hit all the
deadlines for this part of the project and in some cases I was early, meaning I
was able to help with other costumes for the show. I feel that I work best when
I am part of a team and working on a live production fills my work with energy.
This
project also gave me the opportunity to try millinery and I created a trilby
hat. This was something I had wanted to try for a long time and I am pleased I
have whilst at uni. Millinery has a structural methodical approach to it and
this is a way that I work well. I made the majority of the trilby however I had
help with the finishing’s as it was an extra to my project and I did not have
enough time to finish it to the standard desired. I am happy with the end
result and I am able to take this skill and use it again.
I
helped with several other parts of this production. I altered a suit that was
to big for the actor and attended fittings for the suits. This is a really
useful skill to have as alterations play a bit part of theatre work. I also created
a bionic leg for one of the beggars out of Lycra and a tie to go with Polly’s
zoot suit as well as helping with many other small alterations, adaptations and
repairs.
I
dressed and assisted wardrobe for the run of production. This is an incredibly
busy week and I had to make sure I was together with all my work before the
start of production week as there is no extra time. This week was very
physically and mentally exhausting however it is good to see how the costumes
are then used on stage. I am happy that I was part of the costume team for the
production as it has furthered my knowledge of working backstage.
As
an extra part of EMP I was also a dresser on A Midsummer Nights Dream.
Reflecting on this I did not plan my time efficiently enough to do this as I
struggled to keep up with other aspects of EMP. However in the weeks after I
was able to catch up with my work and helping on midsummer’s added to my
Backstage knowledge and has given me extra experience.
Overall
I have really enjoyed EMP and though time planning is hard due to the length I
managed to achieve all that I set out to at the begging of the project along
with other tasks. I have achieved a wide range of different work that showcases
the skills I have developed whilst at uni and through self-directed learning
believe I am able to work confidently in the professional world.
