Edexcel GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

STEP 3 Revisiting the script This step is another stage you can complete independently. You should, however, be continuously checking in on rehearsals, as developments might influence your design. Similarly, other designers and the performers will benefit from your updates. 1 Add details to your script annotations and ideas table, based on what you learned at the design brief meeting. Your new knowledge of the agreed style and historical period, for example, will allow you to develop your costume ideas. Similarly, a shared sense of artistic intention for the performance might prompt you to consider enhancing atmosphere with a particular aspect of costume design. This could come from colour, shape and fabric choices. Be clear on how your design could enhance your shared artistic intentions (the central concept). Make sure your costume design is clearly influenced by these  intentions. ASSESSMENT CHECK During this review of the script, you will be working on AO2, ‘developing your ability to apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions.’ 2 Sketch a number of versions for your initial costume designs. 3 Are there special considerations, such as pockets, masks or wigs, that need to be planned for? For pockets, for example, you will need to know what they will hold so that you can make them the correct size. Make sure details like this are included in your preliminary sketches, along with footwear, headgear, accessories, make-up and masks as appropriate. 4 Carefully check the script for points where costumes might need to be changed. (These are often signposted in stage directions.) 5 Carefully consider space. This could mean shortening hemlines at the front to make steps easier. Alternatively, it could mean adding lots of detail to the back of a dress if the audience will see it frequently. It is essential that the actors can move freely around the stage and set. This is a safety issue. You are also creating a world where the characters can live and breathe. The actors cannot inhabit a theatrical world if they are unable to function properly or maintain their characters fully. 6 Continue to note down any questions that emerge. 7 Explore additional fabrics or accessories that might be needed and where they could come from. More traditional versions of the Witch and the Mother. Chapter 6 Component 2: Designing for the Performance from Text 187