COSTUME TECHNIQUES DRA 3302

Costume Techniques DRA 3302

Links:

Troy State University

Department of Speech and Theatre

Mr. Patton's
Spectrum Homepage

K. Course Description and Objectives:

                                     COURSE DESCRIPTION:

From the TSU Bulletin:  “A study of the techniques of individual costume design and construction, including methods of rendering designs, drafting patterns, and building costumes.”

                                      COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to do the following at an adequate level of proficiency:

The Objectives for Costume Techniques are:
1. To introduce the student to the various techniques used in costume construction.
2. To investigate the various elements of costuming, including measurements, drafting, patterns, fabric, cutting and draping, hand and machine sewing, fabric modification, millinery, hair, and accessories.
3. To establish a foundation of costume terminology thereby creating knowledge of significant vocabulary associated with costumes.
4. To instill an appreciation of the technicians involved in the behind the scenes work of the theatre.

Methods to Achieve These Objectives are:
1. Assigned readings of the text and handouts.
2. Classroom lectures, notes, handouts, and discussion.
3. Practical, hands-on participation in the various techniques used in costume construction.
4. Student projects demonstrating knowledge of the various costume techniques and their applications.

L. Text: The Costume Technician’s Handbook, Revised Edition by Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey. Heinemann Educational Books, Inc., Portsmouth, NH. 2003

M. Other Materials:  N/A

CLASS SCHEDULE and REQUIREMENTS:

**Note that all reading assignments come due the following class meeting.

Notebook Requirements:

Each student will be expected to keep a three ring binder with four “tabbed” sections: Syllabus, Terms, Play Reports and Assignments.

Syllabus:   Put this as the first “tabbed” section of your notebook.  The syllabus along with the forms and other initial documents will be referenced during the semester.

Terms: Included with your syllabus is a list of terms with which you will be very familiar with by the end of the semester.  You are to define these terms in regard to theatre.  They are to be typed.

These terms will be used in connection with the chapters of your text and in knowing the parts of the costume shop in Smith Hall.  Make sure you learn where each of these terms or items are located and in general what they are or what they do.

Your definitions are to be filed under the “Terms” section of your notebook.

Play Reports: Format sheets can be obtained via email from Ms. Adrienne Allen, Department Secretary.

Samples:  This section contains completed examples of work completed in class. Items to be included are:

I. Six (6) Dye and paint samples:

• #1: Even dye

• #2: Uneven dye—wet on dry

• #3: Uneven dye—wet on wet

• #4: Tie dye

• #5: Fabric paint

• #6: Another paint style (your option)

II. Hand sewing technique examples of: 1) Beginning knot; 2) Ending knot;
3) Running stitch; 4) Backstitch; 5) Invisible (Prick) Stitch; 6) Cross-stitch; 7) Hemming stitch; 8) Blindstitch; 9) Basting; 10) Shank button; 11) Hook and eye; 12) Snap fasteners.

 III. Machine sewing technique examples of: 1) Straight stitch; 2) Zig-zag;
3) Blindstitch; 4) Button-hole; 5) Dart; 6) Curved seam; 7) Gathering stitch.

 IV. Pressing technique examples of: 1) Open straight seam; 2) Open curved seam

Your NOTEBOOK will be graded for organization, neatness, and thoroughness. It should reflect an ongoing process rather than one hastily put together at the end. The notebook will be checked and graded during the mid term and again during the final exam.

N.  Grading Methods and Weights of the Criteria:
Grades will be based upon projects explained and demonstrated during class lectures. Costume techniques are less theory and more experiential than design. (For design theory, I offer Costume Design 3331).  I consider attendance and participation vital to each project.

1. Grades will be assigned based upon the accumulation of points, with each assignment or activity worth the assigned value:

2. Drama majors are expected to complete four (4) Drama Department Play Reports during each semester. I will deduct five (5) points for each Report not completed.

3. Not finishing a project will result with a grade of “0” (Zero) for that project.
 

Assignment	Point Value
Measurements:	50 points
Period Drafting:	100points
Cutting/Fitting :	100 points
Sewing Booklet:	200 points
Dyeing/Painting:	100 points
Millinery:	100 points
Final Project:	200 points
Play reports	50 points
Play attendance	100 points
Total Points:	1000

 

• Grade scale: 1000-900=A, 899-800=B, 799-700=C,
  699-600=D, 599 and below=F
   

O.  Class procedure: Lecture/Demonstration by Mr. Patton and Student Laboratory.

P.   General Support (i.e. Computer Works, Writing Center, Tutorial Lab, etc):

• Computer Works, McCartha Hall, ext. 3413

• Writing Center, Wright Hall, ext. 3305

• Counseling and Wellness Services, Adams Center, ext. 3221

Q.        Daily Assignments indicating deadline for adding or dropping a course, holidays, etc.:

There is no Final Exam.

This schedule is subject to change.

OUTSIDE READING: (NOTE: THIS SECTION ONLY APPLIES TO DRAMA MAJORS!!)

Policy and Exemptions:

It is a policy of the Department of Speech and Theatre that ALL classes, excluding Stagecraft Lab, Senior Capstone, and Independent Research have an additional play reading assignment. If an Independent Study is NOT replacing an existing class, the Independent Study is exempt.

Statement of Value:

Students of the theatre have no more important job than to study the general art of theatre by encouraging, developing, and enveloping themselves in its fundamental component, that being the literature.  Whether a student views himself as a generalist, a future educator, or in a more specific performance or technical area, the foundation of all work begins with a script.  The accumulated knowledge of plays, musicals, playwrights, and musical theatre composers/lyricists only increases dramaturgical knowledge.

Specific Assignment:

During the course of the semester you will be expected to read four plays of your choice in addition to any that may be part of a class assignment.  This is a requirement of all Communication Arts-Dramatics Track classes (exemptions noted above). Note that the work for the semester is cumulative in that numerous departmental classes do not result in a separate requirement.  Four plays is the assignment whether you are taking one theatre class or three. The report MUST come in the format of the Play Report Form. One is provided in the Syllabus. Email the department secretary for a copy of this form that you can reproduce. However, the form MUST BE COMPLETED USING A WORD PROCESSOR AND MUST BE KEPT IN THE STANDARD FORMAT.  DO NOT INVENT A DIFFERENT FORM OR SIZE OF TYPE, LOCATION OF ELEMENTS, ETC.

Plays may not be repeated for credit one semester (or year) to the next.  Additionally, while some re-examinations of plays read previously (high school) is permitted, the continued submission of plays which were read in high school will be noted andrejected.  The same applies to plays read in classes outside of this Department, an example being those read in TSU lit classes.

Submission:

Fall Semester Due Dates: September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1

Spring Semester Due Dates: January 21, February 21, March 21, April 21 (If any of these dates fall on a weekend, then the due date is the following Monday)

Summer Due Dates:   TBA

Submit by the due date to the Departmental Secretary in Wright Hall.  Turn in a hard copy or email as an attachment to the department office Reports are kept in your student file, available for review by the instructor, and become a part of your accumulated reading during your study with The Department.

Special Dates:

• January 19--Holiday

• January 20--Last Day to Drop a Course without owing full tuition.

• January 21--Lat Day to Add a Course

• March 5—Last day to Drop a Course without academic penalty.

• March 5--Last day to Withdraw without Academic penalty.

• March 22-26--Spring Break

• April 27--Classes End

• April 28--Dead Day

• April 29-May 5--Final Examinations

• May7--Commencement

R.  Additional Services-The required Americans and Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement and other appropriate statements:

• AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:   Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course.

• ADDITIONAL SERVICES:    Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, the office of adaptive needs program or call (670-3220/3221).  Various accommodations are available through the adaptive needs program.

• ASSESSMENT STATEMENT:  Students must earn a letter grade of C or better in order to earn State Department of Ed. Credit.

S.  Absence Policy: Attendance is required:  Make-up work will only be accepted under documented circumstances, including university excuses, letters from physicians, jury summons, military duty, or death of an immediate family member.

ATTENDANCE: All students are expected to attend every class meeting and to arrive on time. Bring your textbooks, notebooks, and something to write with EACH AND EVERY class meeting.

      Attendance, Tardiness and Preparation

There is no more important tradition and responsibility of the theatre than to be present, prepared and on time.  Points are based on 1000 point grading.

1. 3 Hour Classes - Three (3) absences are allowed.  After three absences, thirty-five (35) points for a M, W, F class and fifty-five (55) points for a T, Th class are deducted per class meeting missed.  Fifteen (15) points will be deducted per class meeting you are late.  Twelve (12) unexcused absences in a M, W, F class is automatic failure of the course.  Eight (8) unexcused absences in T, Th class is automatic failure of the course. 
2. 2 Hour Classes – Two (2) absences are allowed. After two absences, fifty-five (55) points are deducted per class meeting missed.  Thirty (30) points will be deducted per class meeting you are late.  Eight (8) unexcused absences is automatic failure of the course. 
3. 1 Hour Classes - One (1) absence is allowed. After one absence, one hundred (100) points from final grade are deducted per class meeting missed.  Forty-five (45) points will be deducted per class meeting you are late.  Four (4) unexcused absences is automatic failure of the course.

Tardiness is defined as arriving after the instructor has begun to teach class.

Further information on the Troy State University Attendance Policy can be found on page 54 of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Be prepared when you enter the classroom.  Being unprepared wastes the instructor’s time and your classmates’ time. 

T.  Incomplete work policy:  An incomplete grade will be given only when the student has made sufficient progress in meeting the minimum requirements of the course for the grade of C or better.  A contract specifying the kinds and nature of the work to be completed with due dates will be signed by student and the instructor before an incomplete grade will be given.

U.  Cheating Policy:  Students are held to the code of conduct outlined in the ORACLE.

V.  Other pertinent information relating to specialization requirements (e.g. certification or licensure, teacher competencies, etc.):

N/A

Last Updated: 01/08/04 04:58:23 PM