GCSE Drama Design and technical theatre terminology - Costume and Sound

Accessories

An article or set of articles of costume, such as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, to add to one's basic outfit.

Colour

The physical appearance through hue and pigmentation.

Fabric

Cloth or material

Texture

The quality of something that can be decided by touch. The degree to which something is rough or smooth or soft or hard.

Silhouette

The outline or shape created by a costume on a figure.

Trimmings

Additional detailed finishes to a costume, e.g. ribbon, tassels, ruffles, piping, lace.

Period dress

Clothing that is typical of a specific historical time/era

Make-Up

Make up can be used to age a person, or to show their social status. Special effects make up can create wounds, scarring or birthmarks.

Grease Paint

Make up supplied in stick form, for application to the face or body.

Gum

Adhesive used for sticking costume and make up prosthetics such as wigs or false facial hair.

Prosthetics

An artificial feature or piece of flexible material applied to a person's face or body to change their appearance temporarily.

Wig

A headpiece that is made to look like a specific hair style - worn over the top of the performer's own hair.

Hairstyle

The cut or arrangement of a performer's hair.

FX

Abbreviation for Effect, usually referring to Sound Effects, but can also mean special stage effects.

Cue

The command given to technical departments to carry out a particular operation.

Intensity

The strength or amount of sound or light.

Levels

The intensity of a lighting or sound level.

Fade

To increase (fade up), decrease (fade down) or eliminate (fade out) gradually the volume of a sound.

Volume

Loudness or quietness of the sound.

Mood and Atmosphere

The tone or feeling of the play, often created by the music, setting, or lighting.

Rhythm

Strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound.

Echo

A repeated sound received late enough to be heard as distinct from the source.

Reverb

The effect of multiple sound waves reflecting off surfaces in a room.

Distortion

Usually undesirable result of overloading sound equipment. Reducing the levels can remedy the situation. However sometimes distortion is used as a specific effect.

Functionality

The range of operations that can be run on a computer or other electronic system.

Amplifier

Sound equipment that converts low voltage, low current signal from a tape deck or mixer into a higher current signal suitable for speakers.

Microphone

An object which collects live sound and converts it to electrical impulses which are then put into a mixer or amplifier.

Filter

Electronic device to isolate and redirect specific frequencies in a speaker system.

Music

Music can be used as an underscore or sound-effect. It can be live or recorded. It helps to set atmosphere and pace.

Live Music

Use of a band or singing in a performance, which is not recorded.

Underscore

Music used underneath a scene to help build the atmosphere.