Costume/Lighting Designer

Why is the costume the most important person visual element?

The costume is worn by the performer and they merge into one single image, the character.

Information the costume provides?

1) period/location

2) social position

3) age

4) economic status

Costume Designer Responsibilities

1. Determine dramatic groups in the play

2. Draft a costume chart

3. Determine number of costumes needed

4. sketch a silhouette for each costume

5. create a color scheme

6. draft and render a costume plate for each costume

7. choose fabric and accessories

8. supervise construction and fitting

What is a costume chart?

A chart that indicates scenes in which each costume appears

What does a costume chart tell the designer?

It tell the designer which characters will work the stage together at the same time

What is a costume plate?

A colored rendering of the finished costume

Elements of costume design?

1. line and silhouette

2. color

3. fabric

4. accessories- fringe, lace etc.

5 ways of obtaining finished costume?

1. Build/Make

2. Pull from stock

3. Borrow

4. Rent

5. Buy

What choice of obtaining a finished costume gives the designer the most control over the finished products?

Building/Making the costume

2 major problems associated with costume construction?

1. Lack of patterns for period pieces

2. Amount of time needed to “build“ a show

What was used to light the performers before electricity?

1. Sunlight

2. Candle light

3. Oil Lamps

4. Gas light

What happened in the 1880’s ?

Electricity became the major source of theatrical light

5 functions of theatrical light?

1. to see

2. to focus audience attention

3. to reveal the performers 3 dimensional figures

4. to give the audience info

5. to establish mood

5 controllable qualities of light?

1. intensity

2. color

3. direction

4. distribution

5. movement

Flood Light

Produces a large uncontrollable wash of light

What is flood light used for?

Used to light the scene

Spotlight

Produces a small highly controlled pool of light

What is spotlight used for?

To light the actor

Where is the lighting control board and why?

Located in the back of the auditorium so that the crew has the same view of the stage as the audience.

Lighting designer Responsibilities

1. Develop a q list

2. determine what/where lights are to be hung

3. determine the color of lights

4. what lights will be controlled on the same channel

5. supervise hanging lights

6. focus lights and instruments

7. supervise technical and dress rehearsals

Light plot

Lighting designer’s primary working drawings of stage and what lights are being used?

Cue sheet

“Electricians script“: outlines each lighting change and how to execute it

True or False : Cue sheets are used for many other technical elements as well

True