Evaluation
For Self Directed Project
I started SDP by looking at
what I had learned in CIC as I could directly link from one unit to the next in
terms of the development of my practice. This helped me to identify some areas
that I would consider when working through SDP as well as what presented itself
during the course of the unit. This
mainly involved, but is not limited to: considering aesthetics carefully, the ‘eye
for line’, standing back to visualise what the audience sees and thinking about
what I am adding to a costume; will I enhance it? This has come into practice when mapping out
the bodice pattern, and during the decoration tutorials especially.
Although ballet has been a
prescriptive choice for SDP there have been many opportunities for me to direct
my own learning. I have written a long blog post about learning from performance
and explained that just before the start of the unit I went to see my first
ballet: Swan Lake. In the duration of the unit I have been to see as many live
performances in relation to dance/ballet as possible. This has greatly enhanced
my grasp of the context of my work, in addition to the screenings we have
watched. I have watched extra
performances on DVD and purchased relevant books. For the POP essay, I chose a
title that incorporated the discipline and the research undertaken into the
history of ballet for that essay has added yet another dimension to my studies
in this unit.
Keeping up to date with my
blog and critically evaluating my work along the way has led me to pinpoint re-occurring
thoughts and ideas. As a result this is solidifying my model of working, and
defining the path in terms of my work
and what I aspire to achieve as I move into the last year of my degree and
onwards.
To take this a bit further I
have learned the need to be really honest about the level of my work and to
constantly assess whether it is good enough for a professional standard. I know
I am working towards the ‘high’ end of costume for performance, i.e. ballet,
opera and bespoke garments. This unit has pushed the skills needed for this and
I am moving into third year with an improved and refined skillset.
I am looking to continue
into this area of costume for EMP and between now and then I will continue to
study the construction of ballet costumes and deepen my understanding of the
context of the subject. I plan to construct several more romantic tutus using
alternative fabrics and shaped panels for the skirt. Draft and make another two
bodices, including one ‘peasant’ example and create more sleeves and decorative
samples. This should mean that by the time I undertake EMP, not only will the
skills and techniques still be fresh in my mind, I will also have improved my
standard of work. I will also continue to go and watch a variety of live
performance related to ballet and dance, which will benefit not only my
understanding of the costume but also as a genre of performance that I am
involved in, meaning that I have a better understanding of the needs of future
clients.
Finally, I am going to apply
for work experience at the Royal Opera House, as this would give me first-hand
experience of all that I have learnt in the unit and may even open up possible opportunities
on completion of my degree.
In conclusion, I feel this
unit has resulted in defining my practice as a costumier, by identifying
through critical evaluation where my developing skillset is best suited. It has
introduced me to a new genre of performance and given me a good basic grounding
into the context of that genre and the specialist skills required to construct
the appropriate professional standard costumes. I can now continue to build
upon those practices in my own time, having gained a passion for the subject
and I will continue to develop in preparation for EMP where I will learn more
advanced skills specific to the specialist costumes required in ballet so that
I am ready to progress to the professional environment thereafter.
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