Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| VictoriaTWC |
My Fullerton costumes are taking a beating! :-)http://knox.villagesoup.com/aande/story.cfm?storyID=80534Hee hee, they'll have to go into mothballs soon. All these high schools asking for FCLO's package. Dang, that set is getting its money's worth. The best one for rental in all the USA thats for danm sure! Purrs, VTWC |
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| Belle |
Oh Goodie. How nice. | ||||||||||
| Mungostoffelees |
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| VictoriaTWC |
Goodie indeed, since I'm the ONLY one from all the CATS forums who's actually on worked on costumes for a professional regional cast. Cant say that anyone around here has hmmm????
My goodness its nice to know that my work is going all over the country and I'm getting even MORE work this coming summer! Purrs, VTWC |
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| VictoriaTWC |
Whatever!
 
VTWC |
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| Nemi |
Keep in mind that not all of us want to be trained to do such things, love.
And those some of us who do *coughmecough* aren't trained to do so yet. On a more on-topic note, though, these look SO much better than the rentals I saw from some other company... They are quite nice. |
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| Mungostoffelees |
Yes It's nice to think it and fine to share it too, to an extent, however the way you word things always comes across very boastful so that is why people have an issue. Watch what you write. I am sure someone who has created costumes 'going all over the country' is capable to reading and being polite. |
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| Gwen |
Sigh....normally, I stay out of stuff like this.
VTWC, personally, I do really admire your work, but you have a tendancy to wave it over everyone else. Even if other people have your level of skill, it's possible that they don't want to do costuming, like Nemi said. So even if they haven't done anything professionally, it's not going to lessen my opinion of them and their work. I think the same holds true for other people, though it's possible I don't speak for everyone. *Sigh of tiredness* Good day to you all. -Gwen |
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| Drumdraper |
I've been around long enough to see where this is going. My dear friends and jellicles, simply do not respond or many claws and hisses will be exchanged with more wounds to lick. | ||||||||||
| Moongewl |
VTWC, you knew when you came back to this forum that you weren't going to be forgiven completely by everyone for past actions. Although I don't, other people still have a problem with you, and I'm not about to say whether that's right or wrong.
The point is, if you're around people who have reason to be upset with you, and you brag about your success, those people aren't going to say, "Oh, how wonderful for you!" That's probably incredibly obvious, but I thought it was worth stating. Your name will likely always have smears on it in this group. Getting defensive and saying they couldn't do as well as you did isn't going to help your case. To those of you on the other side, isn't baiting VTWC getting a little old? Maybe your resentment hasn't died down, but I've found that actively holding a grudge takes more energy than it's worth after a couple months. |
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| Mungostoffelees |
I don't have a particular problem with her for the past no, I'm just picking up on the boasting |
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| Rumblepurr |
Official's Time OutOkay, everyone... This has gone on long enough - give it a rest or the thread gets locked, or people start getting yellow cards...Here is my slant on this - whether you start it or contribute to it, a flaming thread is counterproductive and does not do anyone any good... It also becomes off-topic and that is against MdN rules. I allowed some of this to progress in hopes that it will get better. It has not... Rumblepurr CATS Moderator. |
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| Roller Boy |
o.O Actually Idiosylph has worked on several tours, 
I have helped with a tour, and I have costumes now circling about In Cirque du Soleil as well... I'm not tooting my own horn, I just really Like Idiosylphs wigs. She makes them by hand from colored yarn, and even actors look twice and think, Are those the REAL thing? Oh and a side note. I LOVE MY NEW JOB! Several of my actors were in CATS in London, and one is from Broadway! YAY! |
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| Erikonil |
To be fair, Idiosylph as the Wardrobe mistress for that show. The Virginia Musical Theatre couldn't afford to have costumes made in such a short amount of time, so they rented those god awful things and Idio was in charage of mainting them as they fell apart on stage...She showed her costumeing samples to them and they said that they wished that she could have made costumes for them reather then renting.
My sis's costumes are...well...not crap so they look better then the ones in the above picture. But yes, she had worked on a professional show and we're hoping to be involved more once the VMT gets to move into the new preforming arts center they're building near us. Although...I would have to say, I think it would take more talent to create original designs and not retread the same thing over and over. Luckily, Idio is designing a whole cast with original designs. |
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| Roller Boy |
whoopsie, my bad, you know I really thought the leotards looked well, crap. I know hers looks VERY professional, and I even thought those looked too rushed to be hers, I just know she worked that tour. Also I think she made some of those wigs didn't she? I know I saw her working on wigs at home while she was working that tour.
nodds, I also have dropped her name in the box for the Japan tour, and have beed talking to wardrobe people here trying to get her in the department here, we could use someone with her talent.
I agree, Originality is the spice of life, While keeping to the traditional colors and designs is oaky, all it shows is that you are really good at replicating someone elses ideas. I DO enjoy new versions with a hint of the original flair. As my teachers said, To copy someone else to learn is okay, but a professional breaks the boundries and takes that influence to the next level and beyond. THat is the thing I like best about Idio, is she's smart as a whip, has GREAT skills in color manipulation and combing materials, can think fast on her feet, and has a flair for tasteful exchanges. Recently I was working on some Cirque Du Soleil costumes for a special limited engagement, and was asked to create an original costume that sand about harmony, peace, and perfect balance with an indian flair. I took the thing off the charts with pastel colors, and a trim as dark and contrasting as possible. Not only did the entire wardrobe department LOVE it, but the higher up bosses and preformers adored the originality of it, the fact that I chose to take somthing totally unrelated and unique and make it fit with what was desired. |
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| Gwen |
Hmmm...well, now that it comes to that, being proffessional doesn't necessarily make it better...of course people can get paid for their work but there are probably some who can do just as well even if they're not paid for it....
Just a little thought that occurred... |
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| Roller Boy |
Now there is a great debate, Professional Vrs Fan made. Personally I LOVE fan made costumes, and I believe Fan made productions have more love and originality in them then the professional productions. I love the unique touch of,well, creative juice that goes into every fan made costume, and the talent and hard work that each fan puts into each costume no-matter if its warmers are cut up sweater bits and the wig some foe-fur, or even OLC version pigtailes or hair buns. The actors in professional productions Love to see the products from our unique fandom, they are both flattered and impressed. I too very much skip for joy everytime I see a fan made costume. I troll about in U-tube and admire the kids who put so much work into their school productions. Yet it saddens me to think that there are some really die hard traditionals that think, "if it's not like the pro version it's crap" I've seen that a lot, and it is really upsetting to me. |
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| beautiful__dreamer |
Amen to all Roller Boy has said. I vote you "King of Logic"
Love Jessica |
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| Belle |
A professional production will have tight limits on time and budget, requiring all the costumes to be made to a hard-wearing standard but not necessarily the most beautiful. Fans can take as many years to make their costumes as they want, saving up and spending far more on the costumes than is feasable for a single costume in a professional wardrobe. Also fan costumes are not always made to be hard-wearing, as they're going to be worn to be shown off in close-range, not as a dance costume onstage.
Fan costumes can be far more beautiful and delicate than the "real thing", with much more freedom for individual creativity, no need for them to fit into the overal look of a production. But then, I think it is most costumers' dream to be paid to make these beautiful costumes, and the limitations are more than compensated for by working for Cats! |
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| Roller Boy |
 PLease tell THAT to my supervisor! THe Chicken and the Le con fall apart on a daily basis, and each costume takes about a week to make, not to mention all the hand beading, and hand feathering!
(Laughs and points at Idiosylph and Belle) You guys ALWAYS are still rushing a costume together the day before, THAT's Half the fun!
...unless you're a cosplay Nazi, and make the thing to travel by post all the way to London, then have the thing carted off to Germany, and shipped back to the states Via cheap post. ;P THen after wearing it all around the country for 2 years you ship it off to a museum in california.
AMEN SISTA!!!!! A- fircken-MEN!!!!
Whoo hoo! I must say working in theatrical costume creation and maintence for cirque Du Soleil is far more intense then working for CATS thoe. Cats you just keep them in good repair, and re-dye faded areas, maintain the yak wigs and keep the shoes clean and safe. Hardest part is maintaining the snaps for warmers, shoulders and tail belts, The tastles and pile yarn for jenny and OD...and of course keeping Misto from elecricuting himself. Cirque is like all that stress times OMFG!!! THE SHOW IS IN AN HOUR AND I NEED TO HAND BEAD LECONS AND ONE VALENTINA!!! ARGG! (faint) what shoes? NOT dry yet, you need what GIANT knitting needles with an 80 foot boa?
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| Belle |
Ahhh, but you LOVE it, don't you...
Sure beats making a 1930's summer dress for a middle-aged matron from a design taken from the Sears' catalogue. I'm actually falling asleep while working on it it's so boring. And I have to write essays about it. Shoot me now. |
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| VictoriaTWC |
Danm Straight!
Lets all cry now!
VTWC |
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| Roller Boy |
Oh You worked so hard on the first version! Besides, Did I tell you? My first weekend of Original costumes will be premereing this weekend at Disney's Epcot in Orlando Florida, the 10th through the 12th. All the cirque Du Soleil cast members fit in the leotards and such wonderfully with no alterations AT all! YAY! I'll take loads of pictures! 
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| Roller Boy |
Oh those pictures are the MOST darling EVER!!!!! I do LOve the actual Cat picture best, always! |
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| Roller Boy |
Oh Idio sylph is SO CUTE! I LOVE THINGY doing faces up! How darling! |
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| Tigress |
That's wonderful, congrats Belle!!! And if I can chip in here I've seen the costumes on Belle's stie and they're really wonderful.
I agree, I'm with those who love the fan costumes best; Along with the quirkiness of the dinner theater and school productions as well. I’ve always liked them b/c they are not all hard-core fans like we are, they just set out to make costumes with no rhyme or reason they just jump in and do it b/c they only have a few weeks to make them in. Well as most productions would. Are they made to last long term and be danced in all the time? No probably not but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own style to them.
Yes they absolutely do. I know this for a fact b/c every time I’ve been to a show in costume I not only have the general public admiring my costume/makeup but the actors do as well. They always take the time to talk to me and ask ME questions aobut how I made my costume and how long did it take and other questions. And they always love my makeup. IDK where the disk is but I have a picture of me and Brian Collier (Dance Captain / Swing U/S Growltiger, Gus, Mistoffelees, Mungojerrie, Pouncival, Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks, Tumblebrutus [this is from MsJ’s site.]) both in our Skimbleshanks makeup, I call it “The Two Skimbles” and he LOVED my makeup and costume as well as the other cast members from that day and other shows.
It does me too. I’ve also read Belle’s posts and I agree with her also. But then this is just my two cents anyway. |
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| Ms. Magistifo |
I think it's worth mentioning that a local theatre begged me to do their costumes for them, however they suck so bad I didn't want myself associated with them in any way.
MI sucks for regional theatre. Pretty much everything sucks, except for one theatre. I'll also say that I prefer to be IN the cast rather than backstage. I'm not happy unless I'm dancing/singing. ~Ms. Magis |
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| Tigress |
Now that really is a good & bad situation. On one hand it's an honor to be asked and on the other who wants to be associated with a crap theater? No one. That's sad that you didn't have a chance to show off your talents but ya know once you get one offer then others may/will soon follow. But then if your heart belongs on stage then you go for it girl.
Now me personally, I prefer backstage but I will take small character type roles in the local theater. The director is a friend of mine and she knows the type of stuff I enjoy doing. Isn't it funny how people gravitate to different sides of the curtain like that? |
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| Moongewl |
Not just sides of the curtain--some of us know we belong in the ticket line! Having tried my hand at acting and at costuming, I now know my lazy bum is best utilized by sitting itself down and appreciating the hard work of cast and crew.
(That said, my friends have pushed me into taking an acting class with them next semester. I'll let you guys know if I survive.) |
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| Roller Boy |
I must admit, I like the side lines better then the stage. Currently I do makeup and wardrobe for Cirque Du Soleil, and TRUST me, that is 100x's more fun then being in the show. god how those trainers scream. yeesh! |
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| Ms. Magistifo |
Cirque must be a nightmare to be in. You have to be a certain weight and size all the time. Now it does make sense for the show so you don't grow out of your costume, but CATS (especially the non-union tour) is a tad more leniant. Not saying you can be HUGE for it but it's a tad more leniant than cirque. The tour doesn't have trainers or classes either. You have to do it all on your own depending where you are on tour.
I'd love to do Cirque costumes. Unfortunately I don't think I could pull off one of the headpieces ;P I'd like to do cirque but I'm nowhere acrobatic enough. ~Ms. Magis |
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| Roller Boy |
acyually, the height and weight thing is only for certain acts! we have NEW costumes whipped up all the time, and several sizes of Tissue girl and le con. It's almost as harrowing as CATS, if not more so. In CATS I only had to worry about a few things, like Griddlebones furry pants and stoll, and OD's fur, and Rumpus cats air bags, tuggers fur vest, and Jennys tastles... Here at cirque 75% of the costumes are HAND beaded in 100's of tiny seed beads, there are feathers and glitter, applique and fabrics that HATE the wash, loath the stretch, and move like water and ice under a pressure foot. Each nylon costume is hand dyed with specific patterns sent from montreal in specific colors with brushs. THe hats and hair pieces are all wire,roap,glitter, mesh, beads, and more, and each individually fitted to each preformers head as they come into the show...that and we have TONS of understudies and back ups.... two rooms filled with emergency costumes that MUST be maintained and checkd daily. It's a WHOLE nother ball game. ^.^& (faints) |
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| Drumdraper |
My dream is to be on stage, but my skills only go to acting not dancing and singing. I just started making my own costumes about two years ago with Cats and I have been experimenting ever since. I know one day I will be chosen to act in a community based play, but beyond that my talents for theater don't go beyond a hobby.
Some of us are meant to be in the audience, while others on stage. Others are meant to be in between where they provide the support. I am going to take my Cats costuming to a different level though with my Bombalurina and dyeing the entire thing by hand. Then I'm going to try and make Ashley the Smoking Car from Starlight Express. |
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| Roller Boy |
Does happy dance! (show pictures of that one if you PLEASE!!!!
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| Drumdraper |
I'm going to do the Bochum Ashley costume, specifically from 2001. Belle has a good picture of the costume on a mannequin in her Starlight Express gallery: http://www.bellesdomain.co.uk/ Can't find a direct link to the specific page.
I'm looking forward to making the leggings, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to make the yellow stripes on the legs without and the fleur de lieus on the bodice without making them look amataurish. |
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| Ms. Magistifo |
I'm aware we're OT at this point but I've always wanted to make a Final London styled Pearl or a Las Vegas styled Pearl. 
I <3 PINK |
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| Belle |
I really want to make the rest of the coaches to match that Ashley... Pearl for that set is a cross between London, Bochum and Vegas! With a reference to Ashley thrown in for fun... 
I printed the fleur de lys onto Ashley's bodice - it's clearly the gold lycra as a base. I think that'd be the way to do her conventional leggings too - paint the brown onto the gold. It's exactly the same technique as Cats, only different patterns, so it's not that off-topic REALLY... I want to try the acid-dye and steamer process. I think that'd be the best way to get a true strong colour. The brown Lycra on Ashley there is all hand-dyed using dylon multi-purpose, vat dye, which I believe is an acid dye. So to pattern the lycra, as I understand it, you'd need to mix up that dye with a thicker carrier to be able to paint it on, then steam it to heat-set without submerging the fabric. The brown of her belt, window stripe, ashtrays etc is a lovely rich brown, and it's really colour-fast too. Tho I did use gold lycra to dye it so it tones with the rest of the costume.
I was really pleased with that Ashley! |
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| Roller Boy |
we should bump this over to the starlight forum and give it some love! )
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| Lady Jemima |
Oh my word, Belle. Absolutely gorgeous.
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| Belle |
Thanks, Lady J! I was so pleased with how that costume came out. And Mazz looks stunningly gorgeous in it, as ever! |
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| Roller Boy |
When does Mazz NOT look stunningly gorgeous? That girl has class, dignity, and style all her own. she was made for the spotlight, and also to wear anything and make it look spectacular! |
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| Voc@lVixen |
Re: My Fullerton costumes are taking a beating! :-)
omg its really neat to see sum 1 from fullerton on here!!!! im 15 and i attend the highschool!! wow i feel like such a nerd for being so excited tho. lol. i am friends with the duncans granddaughter sam as well. |
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| Drumdraper |
Is that picture taken from the Rocky Horror Picture Show?
She looks beautiful! Reminds me of a friend of mine. |
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| Belle |
Close - that's our fan costumes for "Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens" - Mazz is dressed as the lead Vixen. It's the most fantastic cabaret-style musical, it's everything the title suggests it to be - cheesy, funny as anything, disco - REALLY REALLY good music! They were playing in London this time last year. We'd planned to go along in costume for their final night, but then they changed their closing date to close 2 weeks early, so really had to rush the costumes, only got 2 of the 3 vixens, it was all a rush for the costumes. But the show was amazing! | ||||||||||
| KY CANNIBAL |
Some great pics in this thread! Thanks to everyone for sharing  - and I'm so glad I joined a board with such drama 
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