Portfolio

Mary Reilly

Essential Process of Costume Design

Study the text Know the audience Research: saturation in the subject Conceive and visualize: Tearsheets Discussion and Decision: The Director’s vision

clarified: Textures, tones, colors, forms, action, meaning and communication

Sketches, swatches, planning Actualization –resources: staff, materials,

construction, functional execution of creative inspiration and intent

Practice pragmatism and open-mindedness

Portfolio - Section ThreeMary Reilly

“The Amazing Food Detective”

Kaiser Education Theater Program (ETP)(presented free of charge)

Life Skills plays and workshops for Los Angeles area schools Production Manager:

Michael Millar

Photographs by Michael Lamont

“

The Amazing Food DetectiveI. & ll.

ETP has a full-time ensemble and most parts are double-cast. They tour nearly year round in all types of facilities.

Day to day practicality was a key consideration for the costume designs. Actors were provided with at least 2 costume sets for each character . In specific cases, seasonal changes were provided as well for some characters.

There are two versions of essentially the same storyline – the first is geared toward younger grades K-4; the 2nd for 5th, 6th, 7th graders. This production is one of eight life-skills plays currently offered.

Character concepts for costumes: The Detective – selected inspirations for an updated classic sleuth legacy

Detective costume concept sketches

• Shown left is a sample of the graphics established for this character – this image is used with workshop handouts and promotional materials .

• The live actor costume concepts were created referencing detective genre but uniquely specific to the new script.

scene: The Detective and the

students make surprising

discoveries

Detective “signature”

costume: (colors, hat & coat style) were established

for use with both K-4 and upper grades

shows.

Photos -Academic apparel made to order & Real –life kids dressed up like the Harry Potter film characters

The Detective as “Head of the Academy”-selected images: Inspirations for costume design ideas and discussion-

The Detective – sketches for the Academy

The Detective as the Head of the

AcademyAcademic regalia has specific appointments that communicate the wearer’s special knowledge and achievement.

The robe and hood were custom ordered from a company specializing in academic gowns.

Modifications for fast changing and ease of movement in performance were addressed by the designer after the special order robe was completed. The black velvet cap was also custom made for this character.

Heraldry A specific costume concept included creating a special insignia for the academy uniforms: the patch was applied to the blazers , vests and caps. The costume design patch included food groups styled into traditional “heraldic” patches.

• This design was incorporated into graphics for scenery.

• Students completing their workshops received their own embroidered patch as a badge of achievement.

Costume design sketch Kaiser graphic adaptation Banners on set

The Kids

Selected research: From newspapers, schools in Los Angeles and advertisements:

The audience demographics, popular sports, reading and film for youth were a constant in generating the style and communication of the costumes. The tone for this play – high energy & positive

reinforcement.

Selected research kids – private academy, public schools, fashion trends & sports

Sketches – Academy uniforms & afterschool newsboy

Scene: Characters dancing - Good eating means good energy

AFDII (upper grades script): Characters are active in sports – the script emphasizes physical exercise along with smart eating

(and in contrast to computer games and other passive activities).

Shown: costume design sketches for script 2 characters

Character costumes included

additional appropriate sports safety equipment such as helmets, elbow and knee

pads –visual reinforcement of healthy habits for

the young audience Character -TylerScene: learning about good food and high energy activity

Scene: A Mystery : the community is struck by a “snack-burglar” -the mystery is solved when the Detective finds a creature is the culprit

Selected costume research images for Creature concepts

A variety of cave creatures, sea creatures and the art of the Americas inspired concept discussions about the creature costume

Discussions about the creature designs included: age appropriateness (level of “scariness”) and

fast-change functionality - key perimeters for ideas

Shown above: selected variations for creature costume design concepts

Design influence : Casting-two actors who alternated performances would be using the same costume: one 6’‘2” male, one 5’4”female.

Design inspiration: each actor would have their own boot covers and their own set of creature arms – leaving the head & body components as a “one size fits all” feature.

Discussion and sketches continued –variety creature costume concepts shown above

Sketches – costume designer sketches:

options for separate creature arms

More creature ideas were explored

Shown: more variations for discussion meetings -costume design creature concepts

The final design:

Photo – the creature revealed

In order to travel with the tour, the creature costume needed to be in 2 parts: head and body. The “tentacles” tucked and head tucked into the body unit for travel.

The actor in the creature costume needed to fit through a standard door –approximately 3 feet wide

Materials used included: L-200 closed cell foam, open cell foams for view screen and trims, and lycra fabrics.

Technical Considerations: dimensions and materials

Shown: costume designer’s technical sketch & swatches

Scene: Once the mystery of the creature is solved, the characters return to the academy for the final test for Tyler

After the play concludes, the cast conducts the student workshops on smart eating

End section three portfolio Mary Reilly

This material is intended for private review and consideration only.

All creative content, images and text contained in this presentation may not be used without the

explicit permission of the producers, photographer, scenic designer, lighting designer

other originators of this work.