Props and costume Evidence

Paperwork -Script

The first thing I needed to do was read through the script and highlight all the relevant things relating to props and costume to get an initial props and costumes list. An initial costume list had been made by the director so I was to look over the characters and what was mentioned of them to get an idea of what to get them if they needed more costume.

Looking at the script gives you influence as to what the overall look of the cast will be, there can be some changes to the characters like them wearing a suit instead of a skirt or vice versa or having another item of clothing that’s in a different colour as long as it isn’t directly mentioned as being another colour in the script; there can be artistic interpretation but as long as it doesn’t change the style, or anything major about the character. For example, it wouldn’t be appropriate to decide to dress Pop like the other rebels/Bohemians as this would then change their character and make the script not make any sense, as Khashoggi says, ‘’don’t you just hate hippies?’’.

Paperwork -Initial Sketches

From the script, there needed to be some props made, so I sketched ideas with annotations commenting on the colours used and sizes if appropriate.

From these designs I could feedback them to the director for approval and begin to make them, Additionally, these could be given to other members of the team to work from in my absence as they could see the colours things needed to be painted or the style something should be. For example, in the picture to the left, there is a sketch of the brainwashing device with the comment that it should be spray painted orange, and have stripped, coloured wires threaded through the holes. Below is one of the helmets that was made by another member of the team after following the example.

Paperwork -Initial Props and Costume List

This list was put on the wall and split by me, and two others whose responsibility it was to source the props.

On the original list it was said that they wanted 8 bike helmets but after looking online I found that the cheapest was £14, which meant that for 8 it would be £112 which was extremely expensive as they would be modified and used in 3 scenes for a brief amount of time. As a result of this, I came up with the idea of using colanders instead, as the were many £1 shops in town where we could buy them from compared to the limited amount of places that sold old fashioned bike helmets. Moreover, the colanders already had many holes so we needn’t drill any. This worked out as a good money saving idea.

This is the initial props and costume list that I was given by the director. There was only a few props given so this needed to be added to with items seen in the script and what the directors wanted after looking at the scenes during rehearsals, this included:•2 knives•2 massage beds•2 bandages •6 GaGa cupsChanges were also made in that the tankards changed to green bottles. We initially sent an email to all staff asking for their used beer bottles but realised that the glass couldn’t be used on stage as it was a health and safety risk as it is breakable. The bottles would be better as they were going to be incorporated into a scene where the characters would more moving whilst holding them (the characters swayed mainly as they were drunk).

After reading the script and gathering ideas and the highlighted section, I started to make an initial props list

Paperwork -F&F form

I needed to fill out an F&F form to give to finance who would pay for the items. Before filling out the form I needed to have print outs of all the props and costume I was going to buy online and write on how many of the item I wanted, what size, what colour, and the postage option if necessary.

As I might not have been the person to open up the website pages ready for finance to buy, I put the pages with the costume/props in the order that they came on the F&F form.

If you were buying multiple items from one company, for example, Asda, you wouldn’t put each individual item onto the list; you would just put the total sum that was going to that company. However, if the company was eBay or Amazon then you would put the amount owed to each different seller, as the money is going to them, not the company they are selling on.

The form needs to be approved by whoever holds the budget, just to confirm the orders that were going to be placed and the amounts, to see if there are any mistakes or last minute changes- like the change of shoes mentioned earlier.

Paperwork -Props List Cont..

Once the props list had been made, it was placed on the notice board so that items could be crossed off. Items were only crossed off when we defiantly had them and they were in the We Will Rock You props box. This was so that there was no confusion over whether we had something or not.

Paperwork -Cast Sizes

I had a cast list which I edited by adding a table besides the names so that I could write in their sizes for shoes, tops, and trousers.I needed to know early on what sizes everyone was so I could start ordering costumes; there was no point finding something to buy but realising that they didn’t have it in the right size. For example, I was looking at the jacket below but they didn’t have it in a size 14 which I needed.

Paperwork -Props Table Outline

Good to start an outline before taping down the sections and labelling what goes where, it can get messy otherwise and waste time and tape.

Props TableNeed to have a props table set up for the dress rehearsals, for the smaller items, so that there is a set place for them and the performers can familiarise themselves with where their props are so they’re not running around on the show night looking for them.

Paperwork -Props checklist

It was important to keep note of all the props during the shows so that none would go missing and performers ended up going on stage without their gun.

Checklists show organisation and a definite knowledge that you have a prop; its no good checking and taking a mental note as you could forget and end up going around in circles. Also, in your absence people need to know what to check for on the props table and set backstage and how many. If they cannot see any item and they’re not where they should be, then they will be able to inquire into where they are.

Props tableProps checklist