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Bibliography

Attenborough, R. (1969). Oh! What a Lovely War. [Film]. UK: Accord Productions

BBC (2014). Royal Cousins at War. [online] Available from:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dq2b4_bbc-royal-cousins-at-war-1of2-a-house-divided-720p-hdtv-x264-aac-mvgroup-org_shortfilms 

BBC (2014). Royal Cousins at War. [online] Available from:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dq4p6_bbc-royal-cousins-at-war-2of2-into-the-abyss-720p-hdtv-x264-aac-mvgroup-org_shortfilms#from=embediframe

Bridgland, A.S. (1928) The Modern Tailor, Outfitter and Clothier (Vol I). England: Obscure Press.

Bridgland, A.S. (1928) The Modern Tailor, Outfitter and Clothier (Vol III). England: Obscure Press.

Vincent, W.D.F, (1910) The Cutter's Piratical Guide. John Williamson Co.

Schaffner. F.J. (1971) Nicholas and Alexandra.[Film] Columbia Pictures

Poliakoff, S (2003) The Lost Prince [film]. UK. BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/ww1/

http://www.pinterest.com/annabelclewis/oh-what-a-lovely-war-kaiser-wilhelm-ii/

http://www.pinterest.com/annabelclewis/owalw-tsar-nicolas-ii/

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EVALUATION

For my Independent Project I wanted to try something that I wouldn’t usually do and perhaps wouldn’t get the chance to do again. The puppet project was therefore perfect for my final term. Historically based projects always excite me as I enjoy learning about the characters, the way they lived and seeing how that effects us now. WW1 was such a turning point in our history with warfare getting far more advanced and the publics attitudes changing towards people in western Europe. Oh What A Lovely War is a great representation of the wit and ignorance that many had at the start of the war in 1914 with the Puppets only increasing the cosmical view many had of Europe’s Royalty at the time. 

I was given Tsar Nicholas II as my primary design. His costume is elaborate and decorative so I was very excited but slightly daunted by the amount that would have to be done in such a short space of time. I find the story of Nicholas and his family fascinating and was not short on research material for his Cossack. Although the fabric had been sourced and bought already for us Jess and Kate gave us a lot of freedom in choosing our trims and what to use to decorate our Puppets costume. The Independent side of the project I did struggle with at times as this is something that none of us had done before on such a scale. However it did push me to approach any obstacles in different way and through this I learnt many new process and techniques. By the end of the project I felt capable of not only fixing my costume but also the mechanics of the head, attaching props and with certain machines in the workshop. 

As my Puppeteer did not require additional trousers due to the length I made the Kaiser’s trouser’s as he and Moltke were not assigned to anyone in particular. These trouser were a great struggle as they had to balloon slightly at the top. I used a very old jodhpur pattern that ended up needing a few alterations. When starting this pattern I did not feel very confident as I did not understand the wording and scale. Now that I have made these trousers I feel more able to tackle other patterns without them being taught to me first. I then proceed to drape the pattern for the Tsar, Kaiser and Moltke but put together Tsar and Kaiser. I did struggle with time doing two puppets and I underestimated how long the decoration on the Tsar would take but I am pleased with how both turned out even after a few set backs. 

I was tentative about being a dresser for the shows due to time and lack of experience but now I am very glad I did as I got to see the project through and got to fix elements we didn’t have time to do in the studio to make them performance ready.

This project has greatly improved my communication skills and has taught me new techniques whilst challenging me to get out of my comfort zone.This project has prepared me further for third year and made me realise how important managing my time is.

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A couple of Puppet shots from the show. 

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Weekly Reflection No.6

This was the final week on the puppets starting with a dress parade which went very well, all changes that were pointed out were things we were all aware of already. On Monday morning I managed to get all the final details on my puppets so I felt comfortable with the stage I got them at to go to the Lighthouse. 

Once at the Lighthouse there were a few things that needed fixing before opening night on Friday. Working on the puppets was difficult as there wasn't much space and when we did they tended to be in the way of everyone else. We solved this problem by getting there very early and leaving late so as to fix props in place and fix some of the heads. 

This week has pushed me to do do elements of the puppets which I was always too nervous to do. This included the heads mechanics and attaching props. But as we were low on time and everyone was always busy I had to just do the jobs that needed to be be done. One of the main challenges have been the head attachments, especially the German's. We solved the Kaiser's droopy head with a piece of bamboo to support his chin when the mouth is pulled and Moltke's, Tsar's and The Admiral with fishing wire, which came in very useful also in attaching the props. 

After attaching the sword to the Kaiser's hand I noticed in the dress run that it looked a bit limp at the back and as the join is not very strong may not make all the performances. First we cut more of the sword off as it was too long and then threaded some fishing wire through the bottom, into the costume and attached it to the frame on the inside. 

There are many things you do not notice in a studio but when on stage with the lights on them certain elements jump out. Some of the actors have white t-shirts but these were visible through the net so we had to get them all into black t-shirts. This was a challenge for some as they had quick changes so changing a top too was something we had to practice. Russia's vision hole is quite large so he can see where to walk and under the lights Jess noticed the silver of the back pack. So I made two black tubes to slide over the shoulder straps. This was a challenge as I had to get inside the puppet to sew them down and in such a confined space this took longer, showing me that even the simplest of tasks can be time consuming. During the tech rehearsal the actors faces were obvious behind the vision net especially in the darker colours but we found the light bounced off the white better. Kat and I then proceeded to sew in another layer of net into each puppet. This was a tedious and lengthy job that I did not enjoy.

 I am really glad that we got a pair of long boots for the Kaiser as I wasn't very happy with the bottom of the trousers and I though it suited his character better. This gave me the confidence to speak up for a design element that I thought was important because in the end Kate and Jess preferred him in the long boots. Ben who plays the Tsar had white shoes which we thought would be fine but when he was on stage they just didn't work so I had to run around the dressing rooms to find a pair of black shoes that were his size and available during that scene. We located a pair and it finished off the costume perfectly. 

I wasn't able to make the presentation as I was fixing costumes and the puppets at the Lighthouse. I heard the groups presentation went really well and they showed photos of all our puppets which I am very grateful of. I am not great at talking in front of lots of people so in one way I would of liked the practice.

This week has been a struggle with lots of late nights and frustration at things not always going to plan. We had to work closely as a team and our communication had to be really good in order for everything to get done in time and to a standard that we would be happy to let them go on stage. 

The experience of being a dresser and being back stage during the production has given me a great insight into what happens after everything leaves the studios. There are always many changes that need to be fixed by the next day which puts the pressure on but when I saw them walk out on stage and do their scenes I felt very proud of what we had achieved as a group. It was a momentous project and a momentous moment on stage with great admiration for the puppets when they came on.

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The Puppets completed and in their starting positions. They are hung up on pulleys to keep the wings clear. This has also made it easier getting them onto the actors as we just lower the puppets on to them with the exceptions of King George and Austria-Hungary. 

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Weekly Reflection No.5 (18th May)

This week the pressure was on to get moving on finishing the puppets. I feel it possible after taking a few of my jobs home with me to complete this sunday so tomorrow I can just start attaching the last details. I was very concerned at the start of the week but with lots of late nights at the studios they seem to be coming together. 

I have experimented with different processes this week which has broadened my confidence in creating costume props and how to create accessories that can not be sewed together. 

With the Puppets going off to the lighthouse on Tuesday I have just monday morning to complete my final details as I need to afternoon to start on my essay as I am concerned about my time scale as I am now having to be in Poole Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 

At times we all got panicked and were rushing which only led to us having to do it again as it was messy or not right. Now I can see that they will all get completed and to a high standard I am less worried. 

Morale has been quite low due to concerns about finishing and a looming disenchantment with the puppets. This however is rectified when we see them all together practicing as they do look incredible all together.

This week has pulled us all together as a group as we have had to stop concentrating on our assigned puppet and had to start helping each other on getting it all of them completed. This has tested my patience and communication skills which have definitely improved after this week. 

I am looking forward to the response of everyone at the dress parade tomorrow as for many it will be the first time they see the puppets in such a finished state.

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For the gun power canisters I used tea light holders which were sprayed gold and wrapped gold card around them. In order for them to look like they were in a canister holder I cut strips of black cotton and sewed up the edge to neaten off the edges. In order to make it look like they were being held in a case I tucked the cotton down the sides of each canister before going over the next one. 

To make them look neater and more imperial I added gold trim to the top side which adds to excess that the Tsar's were known for.

We had a few ideas on how to create the lids from buying 16 2 litre bottles of fizzy drinks to holding each one in foam. We came to the decision that we would vac form wooden dowel. I got the thickest dowel I could from B&Q and marked up 2cm until there were enough pieces. Sam cut the pieces up for me and showed me how to use the Vac Former as I have not used it for a couple years. We had a couple of attempts as first time it all webbed together loosing their shapes. In the end we spaced them further apart and just repeated the process 3 times to make sure I had enough good ones as even when spaced it still webbed due to the stretch. 

When cutting out the lids I was wondering why I bothered to do it as it seemed more time and hassle then it was worth. BUT once they were all cut, sprayed and attached to the top of the canisters they made them look more authentic and finished. 

Although at times this element felt like a waste of time I am really glad I persisted as I have learnt new processes and got the look that I was aiming for. 

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This is the historical reference for my dagger along with my own scale drawing to establish the size. Fiona made the base which I then worked up spray painted, added detail and covered the centre in black leather. I changed the colours to work best with the costume as adding silver might of looked odd and out of place whilst the read leather would of just blended into the red suede of the Cossack. 

I experimented with modelling paste which would of made it quick heavy and taken a long time to build up and as I am rapidly runny out of time I decided on paper mache but using kitchen roll to help with weight. 

I am happy with the overall look when its with the costume but it is not how I envisioned it and so I wish I had a bit more time to work it up to looking more professional. 

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I was not originally going to put rigilene in the trousers but after seeing how limp they looked at the fitting I decided to give it a go o create a better shape. The hem has been lowered and I overall happier with the look.

I am really glad I took the time to add the rigilene as the pattern took me so long to draft it would of been a shame if the shape could not be properly appreciated.

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Three of the puppets (Admiral, General and Belgium) then went on promotion in Bournemouth town centre which was a great success in creating awareness for the performance. This length of time the actors spent in puppets gives us an indication of how they will cope on stage. All the actors have said how remarkably light they once on their backs which is a great relief. 

I am getting excited for the show but am still weary of how much I still have to do for them to be stage ready.

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Blackadder has the wit of Oh What A Lovely War and depicts many soldiers attitudes nearing unto 1918.

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FITTING AND REHEARSAL-17th May 2014

Today was the first time we have seen the scene in full with the actors in the puppets. It was a great success, the actors felt with the heat and the size of the puppets well and we have formed a list of changes that need to be done in time for production week.

Fiona attached the fur to the hat and I have started to created the gunpowder canisters together. 

Changes:

Kaiser and Moltke's head's need to be lifted.

Moltke's collar needs to be moved so it meets in the middle

Take hem down on Kaiser's trousers

add rigilene to the curves to hold the shape of the trousers

Lower Tsar's head

Once the gloves are on sew the cuffs to the gloves

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For the finish and detail I embroidered the symbol and then cut it out and attached it to the shoulder board which is a base of gold card with a strip of red ribbon down the centre and two layers of braid (one gold, one red) around the side. I was planning on using the large gold buttons on the epaulettes but decided I would rather have a patterned button and found these authentic looking buttons in my box. They are a bit too small but they still work. 

The epaulettes are two different sized due to the neck being off centre. This is the case on most of the puppets. 

Although it seemed a bit of a waste of time to embroider the symbol as you can not even see them as he is so tall, it was for my own gratification as I feel the costume has become quite messy and I wanted to add a bit of original detail to the final look. 

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These are Original Tsar Nicolas II Epaulettes. I would like to copy them as close as possible for my own ones. I found it curious that the letter looks more like a H rather then an N,and found out this is because of the Russian Alphabet where it changes. Both his father and grandfather (Alexander II and Alexander III) had A's on their shoulder boards. 

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Tutorial

Today I had a tutorial with Sam to discuss my progress and what needs to be completed:

Keep up to date with blog 

Good research but be more reflective on own work

Finish decoration on Tsar and Kaiser

Paint dagger and work up shape

medal ribbons

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I have now completed all the gold braid on the Cossack, attached to buttons and sewed some trim to represent the lids string. The Kaiser now has his buttons on. Tsar, Kaiser and Moltke now have their collars which I have also edged. Kaiser's in a more vibrant gold trim then Moltke's which is a dull leather trim. All had to be doubled up to read off stage. Moltke's leather would not stick to the red suede so I had to sew both Moltke and Kaiser's trim on by hand. This was very time consuming and was frustrating at times as I felt i should of been other things. Once they were done they looked more finished and clean.

All three puppets now have the net over the vision hold to hide the actors faces but still allow them maximum sight when on stage.

The last day it has really started to come together. Before the decoration was on I was sceptical whether I would get them finished in time but now I can see them coming together much quicker.

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Decoration on Cossacks include:

Braid around all the seams and down the front.

Collar with trim

Buttons with string to hold the gunpowder lids

Gun powder canisters 

Epaulettes

Regiment Insignia

Rope around arm

Daggar

medals