Final Decision!

After narrowing down my favourite three paintings from the two galleries for this project I have finally come to a decision as to the painting I will style for the photograph at the end of this unit of my SDP.

I have chosen 'The Arnolfini Portrait', Jan van Eyck (1434) There are a few key reasons that I picked this image, most importantly to me is that it has always been one of my very favourite paintings, even from a young age and to be able to put my passion for it into something constructive on the course is a real pleasure which I am very excited about. It also allows me to use the research techniques I learnt doing an Art History A level to further the depth of my knowledge of the painting, which in turn, will create a greater depth to my final image. It is also a beautifully compositioned painting which I am very excited to set up. I feel that a location shoot may be beneficial for this image as it is so clearly set in a bedroom and is greatly influenced by the natural light from the window, which I don't feel could be a achieved in a studio. With regards to this I have been considering a few locations, and will get in contact with them immediately, such as the Russell Cotes Museum, Bournemouth. And I have also been looking into the National Trust owned Kingston Lacy.

Time Plan

To organise my time throughout this project I have created a calendar using Microsoft Excel. This incorperates not only my timetabled sessions in uni but also independant study times, trips and also scheduled 'free time'. I feel that this is already helping me to arrange my time in a way that benefits my learning.

Initial important dates are:

• 12th March - SDP Breifing
• 13th March - POP Breifing
• 15th March - National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery Visit
• 10th April - Courtauld Gallery Visit
• 13th April - Film Pitches
• 20th April - 'The Crafty Art of Designing for 'Thrust'' Exhibition, with Pamela Howard , Chichester.
• 23rd April to 4th March - SDP Film Shoots
• 1st May - Course Board Meeting
• 15th May - POP Hand-in
• 21st May - SDP Hand-in

 

Learning Agreement

NAME:                                   Yolanda Collins     

COURSE:                             BA (Hons) Costume with Performance Design        

UNIT TITLE:                         Self Directed Project                    

REF. NO/LEVEL:                CSS518

WEIGHTING:                        2.0      

DURATION:                         9 Weeks       

HOURS OF STUDY:          300 Hours    

Unit Leader:                         Adele Keeley/Graham Cottenden

Your Blog address:          http://​yolandasdp.blogspot.com/

DESCRIPTION:

In this unit I will develop my creative and practical skills in film design and styling through 1) An individual photographic shoot based on a painting from The National Gallery and the National Portrait gallery and 2) Being the Costume designer and an assistant on two BA (Hons) Film production short films, also based on painting from the galleries.

My decision to choose this project for my SDP was centrally based around my interest in Art History and being able to use my knowledge to further my work and also to gain invaluable skills on a film set that I can take forward it the industry.

For the first part of the unit I will visit the two galleries and select a number of images that strike my interest. I will be looking for how the colours, poses and setting can be transferred to a photographic remake, either set modern or contemporary to the image. I will then narrow down to one painting and further the research of costume and setting. Once I have sketched up some ideas I will look into the costume store and other places to source the costumes and props for the shoot. For the shoot itself I have already found a photographer to take the photo and I will be on hand to make sure everything looks right in the image. The second part of the unit will begin properly after the film pitches by the film students however before this I will begin to become familiar with CosPlot pro and begin initial research. Once I am given the script I have just less than two weeks to source and prepare the costumes. I will also make sure I have at least one or two fittings just so the costumes will fit as near to perfect as possible. On the day of the shoot I will be just out of shot making sure of continuity (if applicable) and re setting the costumes (and hair, also if applicable) for each new shot/ take. And the other day I will assist another Filmy on their shoot. After the filming is complete I will have a few weeks to get my film file completed with all the paperwork that I accumulate through the filming process.

I chose to undertake this project as participating on a film is something I have never done before but have become increasingly more interested in as I have learnt more about the processes. I already feel that I have learnt incomparable skills from previous workshops that I can put into practice on any other shoots I may do while still at AUCB and they will also translate well into the industry. I also look forward to the independence on this project and working with a team from other courses.

 

For assessment I will produce a comprehensive sketchblog containing my processes for the styling section and for the filming unit. It will also include reflections and evaluation of all of the elements of this project. I really feel that a blog will help me organise my time better as it allows for a more systematic collection of ideas. In addition to the sketch blog I will hand in a film supervising file for the two films I will work on and a hard copy of my final styled photograph.

Aims:

A1       To provide opportunities for self-initiated, autonomous learning

            And develop the ability to plan time and work independently

A2       To provide opportunity to study the contextual development of costume and performance design

A3       To further develop the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation within a self initiated environment

A4       To propose, develop and evaluate professional aspirations through professional development planning

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1     Identify and define the context for the development of your own work towards professional aspirations

LO2     Demonstrate an understanding of the development of Costume with performance design

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LO3     Have developed the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation

LO4    Consolidate and demonstrate professional aspirations and planning                     

Assessment Requirements:

A sketchbook including: research, development ideas and photos from the styling project and research, development ideas and on-set photos from the film project. (In a blog format)

A film file: Continuity, Character breakdown, Budget breakdown and any other relevant paperwork generated. For most of this you can use print outs from Costume Plot Pro.

All under pinned by personal development planning (in your blog journal) and a final written evaluation (750 words) evidenced in your Blog             100%

Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit

Assessment Criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):           

           

1. Evidence of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues – The level to which you have considered the context of your project and evidenced that to your body of work (LO1, LO2)
2. Evidence of understanding through synthesis and development – The application and extend to which research has informed decision-making and project development together with the appropriate management of time (LO2, LO3, LO4)
3. Evidence of evaluation and reflection – The extent to which you have reflected on the progress of your project and used it to inform personal development planning (LO4)
4. Evidence of realisation through the communication of ideas - The presentation of your work and the level to which specialist knowledge has been applied, communicated and evidenced (LO3, LO4)

Reference Material 

This will vary according to the needs of the individual project.  You will define Reference Material through personal investigation and consultation with staff and list it in your Learning Agreement.

Davenport, M (1976). The Book of Costume. New York: Crown Publisher 

Hollander, A (2002). Fabric of Vision. London: National Gallery Company Limited 

Jonathan Jones. (2004). How Vermeer's Painting's Translate to Film. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2004/jan/09/1 

nationalgallery.org.uk

V&A. (2004). V&A Influences-Vivienne Westwood. Available: http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1231_vivienne_westwood/influences2.html.

SDP Briefing. 12th March: Painting for Inspiration

Styling :12th March

You are to visit the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery in the first week of the project and select and painting which you would like to interpret. The painting can be from any period and can have just one character in or a number of characters.  

Once you have selected a painting you should decided whether you would like to interpret the painting in the period portrayed whether you would like to place it in a contemporary context.

The outcome of the Part 1 should be presented in a photograph (taken by you or by a photography student if you can arrange it yourself). The project has £0 budget so you will have to be resourceful and inventive in your creations. You will have access to the costumes in the costume store and can contribute a small amount of your own money if you wish to purchase items from charity shops etc.  The skill in creating this piece will be in the styling of the costume ready for camera.

Visit the National Gallery
If I decide upon a modern take on an old piece, or vice versa, colours are KEY to the overall feel of the image.

Previous Years:






Filming : 10th April

You will work closely with a film crew from the BA (Hons) Film course to costume a film inspired from a painting from the Courtauld Gallery. Students from the film course will chose a painting and pitch their ideas to the tutors. 8 ideas will be chosen and you will be assigned a film each to design and source costumes for. The actors in the films are students on the BA (Hons) Acting course.

The turn around for the project is very tight and forces you to be creative with time management and work to a tight budget. ALL costs come from this very small budget so try and use our store as much as possible and try and negotiate something with your producer.   

Each shoot will last 1 day and you will be required to work on set. You will be assigned a film as a designer and will also be required to work as an assistant on another of the films.

HAND-IN

For hand-in you will submit: 

A sketchbook including: research, development ideas and photos from the styling project and research, development ideas and on-set photos from the film project. 

A film file: Continuity, Character breakdown, Budget breakdown and any other relevant paperwork generated. For most of this you can use print outs from Costume Plot Pro .