Elements and Performance Criteria
- Conduct character costume research
- Undertake research to identify historical, cultural and other factors that might influence character costume styles, construction techniques and costume development
- Analyse designs for character costumes, and identify the relationship between costumes and character portrayal and development
- Gather a range of research materials to develop knowledge of character costume options
- Use research materials to interpret and adapt costume styles for performance
- Interpret brief for character costume design
- Prepare for character costume construction
- Select materials and methods of costume construction according to production requirements and factors affecting particular characters
- Take and record accurate measurements of performers to ensure correct fitting of costumes
- Integrate considerations of work health and safety, ease of movement and comfort of performers into costume planning
- Determine if scale prototype is required, based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction
- Identify design and fabric characteristics that influence character costume construction and clarify any queries with relevant personnel
- Select appropriate grade plan or grade rule table
- Make and grade patterns for character costumes
- Produce or adjust pattern to required specifications, ensuring that pattern complies with gender and figure proportions and performance requirements
- Grade pattern manually or by computer, adjusting design, maintaining accuracy and shape, notches, design proportion and other design requirements
- Check pattern for accuracy and make adjustments as required
- Store pattern according to workplace procedures
- Lay up character costumes
- Establish the required meterage of fabric and other materials to minimise waste
- Check materials for quality, faults, width, selvedges, dye, lot and marking requirements
- Identify and assemble appropriate base and outer fabrics
- Lay up base and self-fabrics and check alignment conforms to specifications
- Cut materials to meet pattern requirements
- Prepare base and mount fabrications, as necessary, to achieve required stiffening or support effect
- Assemble and fit character costumes
- Assemble base and mount fabrications or materials and where appropriate, hang in readiness for assembly
- Conduct fittings with performers and identify, record and action required adjustments and alterations
- Sew costume pieces together to form the whole costume and attach required trimmings, fasteners and decorations using appropriate techniques
- Finish character costumes according to requirements
- Identify modifications to character costume in consultation with relevant personnel and complete as required
- Correctly label and code all character costumes for identification during productions