University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised November 2002 )
Code: UAMPE4-40-2 Title: Costume Supervision Version: 3
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20
Module type: Professional Practice
Owning Faculty: Faculty of Creative Arts/ Field: Stage Management
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date: 7th October 2009 - Approved Chairs action Nov 2009
Valid from: Sept 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: FdA – Costume for Theatre, TV and Film
Pre-requisites: All Level 1 modules.
Co-requisites: All other modules at this level under this award.
Excluded combinations: Modules included under Awards in Stage Management and Design.
Learning outcomes:
On satisfactory completion of this module the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the written text, as a source of information for the production;
• Understand their role within the management of the production team
• Understand the production process for public theatre performance and recorded media.
Intellectual Skills
• Think independently
• Organise and coordinate own and others’ work logically
• Approach complex tasks consistently
• Creatively solve problems
Subject / Practical Skills
• Organise the costume requirements of a public production, by obtaining costumes and ensuring their correct setting and maintenance during the run of the production;
• Work effectively within a given budget for all of the costume requirements for a production;
• Communicate and interpret the requirements for costume with the appropriate staff: director, designer, stage management team, production manager and actors;
• Accurately assess suitable costume for theatre, film or television.
Transferable Skills
• Communicate clearly with production departments
• Work at supervisory level within a team
• Schedule own and others work to meet deadlines.
• Create a safe working environment for costume teams
Syllabus outline:
This module covers the range of roles and responsibilities of a costume supervisor in performance. Students take responsibility for two public theatre performances during this module, and have access to in-house television shoots during the year. For each production the students will work with professional costume hire companies as well as accessing our own store. Fabrics will be sampled and purchased. Students will work within the professional environment of theatres eg. Bristol Old Vic, the Tobacco Factory and on TV recordings. They will be working alongside professional staff as well as tutors from the Theatre School. Costume students will be expected to work as an integral part of the production team. They must communicate effectively with other departments and members of the team such as director, designer, stage manager, costume assistant. Students will be expected to produce a “bible” for each show including, copies of the designs, fabric samples, chosen fabrics, costings, stockists, costume hire information. Costume students will arrange and carry out or oversee all fittings for the production, make notes and ensure that alterations are carried out appropriately and costumes labelled correctly. Costume supervisors will attend all relevant production meetings and make sure that all members of their team are kept informed of changes, progress and budget requirements. Students learn many important transferable skills including problem solving, critical analysis, communication skills, the ability to work independently and within a team, time management and personal initiative.
Teaching and learning methods:
Practical Costume supervision experience will be gained through work on public performances. Costume and design tutors are available to guide, advise and oversee whenever necessary. Students will be expected to implement their organisational skills. Students will be placed in situations that will necessitate an increase in their ability to interact with other team members and departments. Students will receive direct input from directors and designers and learn the required skills by practical experience in a professional context.
Reading Strategy
Students are encouraged to become familiar with the subject area, and texts specific to the module, through reading lists and reference material provided. Lists are updated annually to maintain currency and relevance. Each department holds texts and reference material, as well as the general access provided to the Schools library and access to the Internet. The specifically vocational nature of training and study, combined with the project based nature of learning on the course, may require that students are guided to reading and research material in the first instance by the module leader.
NB: BOVTS students do not have access to UWE Libraries and UWE OnLine
Indicative sources:
The primary source for this module will be the dramatic text or script for the production concerned.
Production scripts from the English dramatic repertoire for example:
T Middleton A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, (London: A & C Black, 1999).
J B Priestley When We are Married, (London: Samuel French, 1966).
Bradfield N
Costume in Detail – Women’s Dress 1730-1930
ISBN: 0245536086
Gaskill W and Thorne G
Designing Stage Costumes – A Practical Guide
ISBN: 186126416X; Paperback; 2001-03-01
La Motte R
Costume Design 101 The Art of Business of Costume Design in Film and Television
ISBN: 0941188353
Peacock J
Costume 1066 – Present
ISBN: 0500286027
Assessment
This is a Professional Practice module with only one component of assessment. This component has only one element.
In assessing Component A there will be meetings between the student and the relevant tutor at formal assessment points over the course of the module to discuss and record the student's progress judged against the learning outcomes for this module. The result of these assessment points (of which there are normally not more than three) are cumulative in nature and give rise to a final mark/grade at the end of the module.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Costume Supervision in Production - 100%
Assessment of Professional Competence.
The student’s performance in relation to a professional role. Particular account will be taken of contribution to the team, the ability to respond to the requirements of the director and designer, demonstration of understanding of Costume supervisor duties and responsibilities, application in a public production context of Costume supervisor skills.
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Costume Supervision in Production - 100%
Assessment of Professional Competence.
The student’s performance in relation to a professional role. Particular account will be taken of contribution to the team, the ability to respond to the requirements of the director and designer, demonstration of understanding of Costume supervisor duties and responsibilities, application in a public production context of Costume supervisor skills.
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)