Costume bible

Costume bible

• information in detail about costumes
• includes accurate measurements of character
• costume changes and plot
• plenty of research
• inspirations and starting points
• Samples/swatches of fabric and what to use
• created by the costume designer for a show
• detailed information about specific add ons
• sketches of costume and drawing
• where to source material and prices
• initial and final designs

What determines a costume design

• lighting - can change colour of costume - practicality - can reveal/hide
• context of production
• time period - suitable clothing for time period ~ links to social status
• character persona/role - mood/warmth of character could link to the colours (stereotypes)
• overall mood
• colour scheme
• Budget - working out how much you need for costume and balancing with other things needed e.g set design. comparing prices and potential in different materials.
• social Status - how character is measured against another character
• S/C/H/P
• practicality - suitability to what you're doing/where you're doing/ involvement e.g Quick costume changes, lots of movement, size of space etc.
• profile
• size/figure
• templates
• location
• Original costume - taking ideas from original design of original production - how much to use from theirs compared to own ideas

Under Pressure doublecast ensemble

Today we choreographed a chosen song from the WWRY set in our separate groups, which were with our double casts (Me and Holly with Luke and Megan).

We chose 'Under Pressure', as it involves the duet between Scaramouche and Galileo which works perfectly for our pairs. We decided to sing the parts for Scaramouche/Galileo in our double cast pairs, as well as singing as an ensemble for the choruses etc. This way we could bounce off each other's vocals and build our energy for when we have to perform these songs on our own. We switched between singing to our partners and singing to our double casts, which was effective as it further brought a sense of unity which is ideal for an ensemble; showing a connection between all members of the group.

When blocking the choreography, we made sure we used the whole space by spreading out, circling around the stage with our partners and would also rejoin in various formation, interacting with each other. Harmonies and solo lines were also chosen for each other. For example, Holly sings a short verse before I join her for the "let me out" line which is powerful and punchy. We also tried choosing solo lines for "Pressure on people - people on the streets", however we didn't sound strong enough on our own so we decided to sing it together. This gave an idea for the actual performance, where we could have offstage singers who would join in for certain lines that needed a more wholesome sound, such as this line in particular.

We interacted well with the audience by directing lines and our eyeline towards them to transfer our energy to them as they focused on us. The chemistry between our partners and our double casts were strong as we had eye contact and sang to each other. I think we could have had stronger and more exaggerated facial expressions, as this is such an expressive, passionate song about being coerced.

When watching other groups' performances, we also found the energy was very high and powerful which brought the ensemble together particularly in Emily's group who performed 'I Want It All', where their collective spirit grew stronger as the song reached it's climax. I thought with Bryleah's group they also had a lot of energy and a strong contrast of the characters, with great use of facial expressions. Sometimes I felt some people were more involved than others, which can affect the overall balance of an ensemble.

reality show research

Building social profile and developing skills

Building a social profile - Twitter

1. Avatar photo - A professional, clear photo of your face that can be displayed in the small box on your page. The point of your account is for someone to see your face. Who you are, and what you look like.
2. Tweeting and sending messages during peak hours - best opportunity to be seen, read ~ enjoying your content and becoming a follower (can measure how much activity on your tweets/profile by clicking "View tweet activity" - shows how many likes/follows from specific tweets/profile clicks/detail expands). Structure tweets around schedule
3. Bio - sum up who you are in short space, be clever with it. Gives chance to add any urls to promote your other sites e.g Facebook/blog. If can't think of own description, find a famous quote that works for you
4. @message top users/large following. Chances can be slim with some, but if you get retweeted/liked/followed etc. your post can be seen my tons of people. Sometimes just @messaging other aspiring actors like yourself and people who would support you.
5. Ask questions/create polls to try and engage with loads of people. Quizzing on popular/controversial subjects and spark a chain of interactions/responses and create twitter traffic
6. share interesting links to articles/sites - Website stumbledupon.com one of the sites that have large collection of web recommendations
7. Have a more targeted audience - If you have knowledge about something go with it e.g Knitting, call yourself a pro at it and  go with it. For acting/performing arts, base your tweets on that, aim for the audience.
8. Repeat tweets at peak times, for better chance at more people seeing it - tweet your best/most informative tweets and repeat few hours later, but don't over use. Stick to method
9. Tweet photos as they grab attention quick and easily - get app on your phone, to post on the go.
10. Use other internet outlets to promote your twitter account, vice versa. FB, blog. Free advertising

Taking extra classes

ACT in Brighton - Offer Summer schools for adult actors for a chance to develop and improve skills.

ACT in Brighton - Offer audition and acting coaching, preparing you for real life events as well as improving your vocal and physical techniques

City Academy in London - Offer specific accent training surrounding American accents as this is the most common and useful collection of accents

City Academy In London - Offer specific training in all areas, including Screen Acting and the level you are currently at. 

City Academy In London - Detailed analogy of course content and shows the stunning studio space

City Academy In London - Offers private singing lessons as well as group lessons with different styles you mant want to learn/develop e.g jazz, gospel, opera, pop/rock, musical theatre etc.

Student Films: These also are often a low budget, unpaid participation, you benefit still from being able to use the content to promote yourself. It can go onto your CV and show your involvement with a variety of productions big and small.

Social Media plan

• create new twitter/instagram account - links to each other and website
• follow other amateur actors as well as ones you aspire to and are inspired by/interested in - also follow directors, small production accounts etc.
• frequently post (headshots, scenes, show photos, clips, showreels)
• once photos taken with bryleah, can post
• wednesday's and sunday's post - late afternoon/evening

• Sort out website

-Top 10 tips for website:

1. Have a clear and neat layout

2.Have gallery of headshots

3. Information explaining what you do, what you've been in

4. Contact information

5. Clips/videos of performances

6. Links

7. Skills (cv) 

• fill with photos and headshots
• more info on skills