Steampunk

After researching 'The City of Lost Children', I went on to research the concept of Steampunk. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations; cogs, machinary and mechanical tools are visual aspects that make up the style of Steampunk. However, Steampunk is not just the visual elements of brass and watchparts, it is the incorporating of futuristic technology with the past. It combines the past with the future; creating an old-fashioned, yet futuristic style.

This play between time periods is influential for the designs of the mechanics, due to the fact that they are set in the future when water has run out and all is left are 'the memories', yet they have been operatives of the machinery for so long that they have become the past of the Pumphouse.

I intend my costume designs to be timeless, but with a hint of different eras from the past, therefore, this style of clothing would be influential. The idea of cogs and old watches of this style represents the narrative of the Pumphouse production and the way that time is going backwards as we move through the journey of the performance. The concept of time would be represented through the mechanical elements of watches, such as cogs.

The steampunk style would portray the mechanics as 'inventors' as they are in charge of maintaining the machinery of the Pumphouse and keeping it in order. They are in charge of 'the memories of water' and i believe that a steampunk-esque uniform would reflect their importance and significance within the Pumphouse.

The use of metal and steel would help me develop the visual element of rust on the costumes, as well as using nuts and bolts to hold their costume together, to create the appearance that they have been working there for a long time and are trying to maintain their clothing, as well as the machinery.

Time period research

I have decided to take influences from different time periods to create the idea that the characters are timeless. I have researched working class factory operatives from the 1900's to the 1950's and have taken influence from each era.

This developes from the concept that the mechanics have become a part of the Pumphouse's past as they have worked there for over 50 years. I wanted to portray the idea that over the time they have worked at the Pumphouse, they have grown through the different eras over so many years, and have therefore acquired and incorporated different fashion styles into their work uniform.

Meeting with Will

Today we had our first meeting as a group with Will. We each talked through our research and displayed images of our moodboard, and explained the areas of the concept and focused themes we individually wanted to further research and develop through our design process, and represent in our finalised designs. As a group, we work really well together and share the same ideas. Although each of our themes we have branched off to explore are in some way different, all our work compliments each others and collaborates to portray the concept of the Pumphouse production in the way that is intended.
We then went on to discuss technical matters within the production, such as how lighting will effect our costumes and set, and different ways we could make our designs and installments dramatic and enhanced. We also considered things such as budget for costume and set, to help us be more realistic in terms of design and know what are restrictions are.
To break this down between the group, we have decided to share responsibilities and have someone in charge of specific areas of the project within design.

Pumphouse First Rehearsal

Yesterday was really beneficial for the group. We went to the Pumphouse, and as it was my first time of visiting the location, it was interesting to see the surroundings in which are costumes and set would be a part of. Exploring the Pumphouse and going through each room, as though we were the audience that will be travelling through the building, gave me ideas of the characters and how they would be presented visually to compliment the machinery and architecture of the Pumphouse. Walking around the building helped me to visualise the production, and as a group we were discussing different design ideas in each room and where installations would look effective, and how we would go about dressing a specific area. We were able to take photos to document the different rooms, which will help with the design process.
We then went through the script a few times with the actors playing their parts, and as it was the finalised version we hadn't read it before. We had group discussions between the director, actors, and us designers about the script. In a way it was a script breakdown, as the director explained each part to everyone, and what he wanted to portray to the audience and who he wanted the characters to be.

That evening, as a group, we watched 'The City of Lost Children' as part of our research. I thought the film was visually stunning, and i enjoyed the surrealistic narrative, which was reflected in the costume and set design, created by fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. We all found the colour palette, costume and set design highly influential for our project, as the set is based around water and the visual palette of the film is rustic and gritty. We will use the research of this film to inspire our designs for Pumphouse.

First meeting for Pumphouse

At the end of February we had a meeting with Pip, an organiser for Pumphouse, and she gave us each a copy of a rough draft of the script, the characters, and different scenes of the performance. Since then we had all been deciding which characters and scenes we would prefer to focus on.
The meeting we had today with Adele gave us the opportunity to say what area of the production we each wanted to work on. This process fell into place as we all wanted to look at different areas; however, it helped that we all started this project with an open mind and were open to explore any of the characters and scenes due to the fact that as a production, each room has something exciting and individual to work towards. I chose to design for 'The Mechanics' in Room Two, who operate the machinery of the Pumphouse, as well as design and dress the set for 'The Cave' in Room One.


As a group, we have decided to take on our areas of design as an individual, yet the production would be a collaborative process, and we would have weekly tutorials/meetings outside of Uni to discuss ideas and development. This would help bring the groups design process together and keep it focused on similar themes, therefore, the costumes and set would work in a harmonious way.
We have decided to have regular film viewings as a group to develop ideas together and influence our design process.
The films we have decided will be influential for our work are:

The Road

Hook

Pirates of the Carribean

Water World

City of Lost Children

The Tribe

Outcasts 

I am Legend

Survivors

Mad Max

Delicatessen

We have also decided to attend the first rehearsal this Sunday to read through the finalised script with the actors and director.

Pumphouse Introduction

I have decided to be involved in the project for Pumphouse for my self- directed project. I was drawn to this project as I will be working in a group of three other designers, which will develop my skills of working as a team and collaborating ideas within the group, as well as being able to work in our own area of the Pumphouse production and working towards our own individual creations and allowing the costumes to possess our individual styles and creativity. I believe it would be beneficial to design for a project in which we, as a team, will be able to see our designs from a developing process to being made into a garment as part of a live production being worn by actors. This element of the project excites me and gives me the motivation i need for a self- directed project on a large scale as the Pumphouse, which is a community project based in Wimbourne.