1 answer
Katherine
Student
Riverside, California
1
Question
Asked
363 views
How do costume designers balance creative vision with the practical needs of actors and the overall production?
I am going to be studying costume design in the fall and I am struggling on how to balance my creative vision.
Login to comment
1 answer
Michelle M.
Actress
2420
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Katherine !
Thank you for going into Costume Design because as an actress, I really do appreciate costumers !
I see what thoughts you are projecting way into the future, so allow me to reassure you with some information and advice so that you may see that your concern will not be an issue. I took two theatre costuming courses in college, one had an exorbitant number of Lab hours, too. I also did one practicum in costuming, too !
The way it will work is that you will be assigned what to do. The designing you'll do will come from reading the entire script and meeting with the director to discuss what the director's concept is for the costumes. You will then design the costumes for each character/performer. You will know which fabric to use, which time period it will be set in. You will call the actors in for measurements of each actor that you'll make costumes for. Some characters' costumes can be selected from the costumes that are in an already established collection at where ever you're working at. The script and the director are the two key sources of information for your costuming.
Your experience with sewing, fabrics, time periods of history and life experience will enable you to discuss the costume ideas with the director. That is where the creativity comes in. Your creativity will need to collaborate with the creativity of the director. It won't be just "your vision". So being skilled is vital and you will be assigned specifics for each costume.
Practicality in costumes merely means making a costume sturdy enough to withstand the action. The actors are more or less given the costume as approved by the director. The actor will have dress rehearsals in the costumes you've made and you can sit in on these rehearsals and observe your creations for functionality. If any issues with the costumes arise, you can fix them right away before the opening date. There's no need to worry about all this in advance before you even work on a show.
Although you can suggest things to the director, it will be a collaborative project and the script or directions from an employer, with final approval from a director is how it works. On various projects, you may be give no creative room or lots of creative room. That is why it's not an issue to be concerned about. The key thing is to be versatile so that what is asked of you you'll understand and know how to do.
I hope this explanation of how it work has helped alleviate any concerns you may have. I wish you all the best !
Thank you for going into Costume Design because as an actress, I really do appreciate costumers !
I see what thoughts you are projecting way into the future, so allow me to reassure you with some information and advice so that you may see that your concern will not be an issue. I took two theatre costuming courses in college, one had an exorbitant number of Lab hours, too. I also did one practicum in costuming, too !
The way it will work is that you will be assigned what to do. The designing you'll do will come from reading the entire script and meeting with the director to discuss what the director's concept is for the costumes. You will then design the costumes for each character/performer. You will know which fabric to use, which time period it will be set in. You will call the actors in for measurements of each actor that you'll make costumes for. Some characters' costumes can be selected from the costumes that are in an already established collection at where ever you're working at. The script and the director are the two key sources of information for your costuming.
Your experience with sewing, fabrics, time periods of history and life experience will enable you to discuss the costume ideas with the director. That is where the creativity comes in. Your creativity will need to collaborate with the creativity of the director. It won't be just "your vision". So being skilled is vital and you will be assigned specifics for each costume.
Practicality in costumes merely means making a costume sturdy enough to withstand the action. The actors are more or less given the costume as approved by the director. The actor will have dress rehearsals in the costumes you've made and you can sit in on these rehearsals and observe your creations for functionality. If any issues with the costumes arise, you can fix them right away before the opening date. There's no need to worry about all this in advance before you even work on a show.
Although you can suggest things to the director, it will be a collaborative project and the script or directions from an employer, with final approval from a director is how it works. On various projects, you may be give no creative room or lots of creative room. That is why it's not an issue to be concerned about. The key thing is to be versatile so that what is asked of you you'll understand and know how to do.
I hope this explanation of how it work has helped alleviate any concerns you may have. I wish you all the best !