Ballerina

Sadly my final film is too big a file for my blog but check it out on my tumblr :) -

http://rachellobban.tumblr.com/

Film...

So, I've never done any sort of filming before, but I absolutely loved doing it in this project!
Especially filming ballet movements.
I decided not to have any sound on my film as I wanted to concentrate on the movement of the ballerina and how my costume moved with her and against the wind.
I definitely want to learn more about film and would like to use it in future projects.

These are the 'tests' (sorry the quality isn't great - I'm new to uploading videos)

Photoshoot

Photos from the shoot yesterday!
It was so much fun doing this shoot and I am really pleased with how the photos turned out!
I was trying to get the fragile quality of the costume combined with the delicate, light movements and poses of the ballerina.

Fragile Structure

So I'm getting there with this costume - yay!
The bottom feathers are really floaty and fragile (which I love), and as you go up the dress to the bodice the feathers become more structured (but still have movement in them), to when its finished and you have the head/neck piece which is going to be completely structured.
I'm looking forward to filming the piece, and to see how it all moves together.
(apologies for the not great quality of photos)

Today I have been playing with fabric and making these delicate feathers - I'm really please with how they are turning out ... even if they do take a while to make :P ! They are really delicate and fine which is what I am wanting to achieve!

Fragility

my studio space - which I am looking froward to getting back to on Wednesday!





Lips - the lines and faded colour are fragile to me
Bleach - not only looks fragile and delicate, it is also 'breaking down' the paper and ink.






My project is still on swans but I am looking more at the feathers and ‘fragility’ side of them. I hope to breakdown fabric and see where it takes me. With only 2 weeks left and the past month spent doing work experience I admit I haven’t been on top of my drawings/ research but I have still been drawing lots of feathers when I can, and hope to take this into print and then ‘break down’ the fabric I create. Wish me luck ….

Hello Panda

making some props





breaking down costumes





breakdown with "blood"






a few alterations here and there ...




fittings




So the last month has been my busiest month ever! I have been on work experience and it has been one of the best experiences in my life! I was working in the wardrobe department of the Traverse Theatre on the play 'Pandas'. I was lucky enough to work under Sarah Holland the wonderful wardrobe supervisor and got to be part of the pre-production week, production week and the opening shows.

Pre-production week involved meetings with the rest of the crew, sourcing costumes, buying costumes and fittings. Since this is a contemporary play most of the costumes were bought in shops and online – although this proved a bit of a challenge when there were specific items to find and they had gone out of season, or just don’t exist.

Production week involved run-throughs, tech week and alterations. I learnt a lot about altering the clothes and got to make some props for the stage too. Tech week is all about syncing everything together – the sound, lights and actors – to the millisecond!

Before the opening shows there were preview shows, in which there was still time to make changes to the play. There was also press night which was a fantastic opportunity to meet others in the theatre business and ask loads of questions.

I literally have had the most fantastic time on this work experience, and have learnt loads too. I learnt how to break-down costumes, make alterations, use an industrial sewing machine, and see how a professional play is put together. I hope to use the skill I have learnt into my work.