Stripes and Rain

As promised, pictures of the green stripe dress. I hand sewed the sleeves entirely, the bodice pleats and hand sewed them to the skirt by hand. I wanted the sleeves to be cut unlike how they are, but meh, it's all good.

It's raining as it has been all day. I visited the wollongong museum and got some more ideas for the australia post film. Got some more angles to film from and ideas on how to do it. Lovely little place in there. Small but nice. Lovely ladies in there too. I think I may hae been the only one to visit today. So I had the whole place to myself. Am still on the lookout for the big old victorian post boxes, one that works or at least has been looked after over the years. I might go down to Kiama next weekend, if not I have a feeling Bowral or the highlands will have what I'm after. Sydney will, but thats a little too far.

I have started to pull apart the grey robe to make into the cloak. It is going to have a few seams in it, but as its wool, you don't notice it as much.

The cast list so far stands at:

1860's girl - Me
Post office Lady - As you don't see this lady's face, I can change costume and be this lady as well.
Postman Modern post office lady - Caz
Modern girl - Cookie
Modern post man

Hopefully if Cookie says yes to helping us out I can get the ball rolling!

But enjoy the pretty pictures. This goes with a new set of stays as posted a month ago.

Another film in the works. A CHM Production this time!

Here I am, moved into my new home, flown the nest and its 11pm and I'm looking at cape patterns.

My friend, whom I made the rather questionable quality film with recently has told me of a new film competition brought to us by Australia Post. It's their 200th birthday this year and to celebrate they are opening a 200 second film comp, which must include credits and must have a parcel in it. Well. My little mind went on overdrive and I came up with the following:

My first thoughts were of a girl in 1860 who sends a parcel. It's brown paper wrapped. You see her addressing it to eg: ‘mary smith’. You see her rushing out to post it. It's raining and the ink has started to run. She posts it. The post man gets it out of the box and puts it on his cart or in his bag. The rain has ruined the address. By the time it gets to the post office the address is ruined. They put it on a shelf to dry and it’s forgotten about. Time goes by. And its moved further down the shelf until we transition to modern day. Someone is cleaning the shelves and finds the parcel. They pick it up and examine it, they can just make out an address. You see them typing on a computer and make a phone call. A bit of head nodding and what not. A bit of realisation. A thankyou and both hang up. The lady with the parcel re-addresses it and sends it.

See a postie knocking on the door with the parcel. A girl answers it, is asked for identification, and shows her license, you see her name is the same as the girl who it was originally addressed too. The postie is surprised. The girl points to a photo on the wall and explains that she is named after her great great grandmother. ie: ‘mary smith’. Both smile and laugh a little. The girl takes it inside and unwraps it to find a photo of the girl who sent it with some ribbon and a letter in it and a fabric swatch.

I thought to maybe start it in sepia and then when we transition to modern day we fade it to colour. I can’t wait to start on it!

I've asked my old girls, Caz and Harding to help. It's been years since we've done a film together and I have a good feeling about this one!

I plan to be the 1860's girl. Like you didn't see that one coming! And I have the dress picked out, my Caroline Chisholm dress. But I needed something more. I'll use my old Harry Potter teachers robe and cut it up to make something like this. It's going to look smashing. The robe was grey wool. And if I start in sepia, it won't matter if the colours clash a little! Huzzah for me! I'm hoping that my dear Katherine can help with the music. It would be awesome if she can. And hey she can ask others if they have ideas too! Imagine that! The prize is some NIDA classes and some other things. Honestly, I could care less, if it gets recognition and a mention that would rock! But its no use getting your hopes out. We know how badly it can go. Best go in for fun. Thats all! But its so much fun just making it! Me and the girls together again, CHM productions live again!

I have finished sewing the sleeves on my green stripe cross over gown. I just need to hem it, add some ties to the inside of it and the tassles and I think it's done. I want to have detachable long sleeves too. It's looking good and I'm proud of it. I've done a fair bit of hand sewing on it as I've been too against taking out the machine

Submitted & Declined

The film was completed at 3am on 15th of January and submitted later that day. We received an email saying that it had not got through.

I attended the screening. And although it could have been so good, it was lacking a great deal. But I myself put this down to the lack of time. I wish I could have seen some of it as it was being made, but maybe that is my own directorial needs coming through. Our director is gutted and I haven't seen him since. I'd like to sit and have a talk with him about it and point out things that could have been improved upon, but in a nice way. Constructive criticism is there for a purpose, for us to build upon things to make it kick arse the next time! I think what this lacked was a standard, start, middle and end. The narrator was not matching up with what was being displayed on screen and the camera was not steady.

But this has ignited the spark for me to finally put my little regency comedy onto film. I realised I've had it penned and in my head since 2006, perhaps 2009/2010 will be its time to shine?! The next signature item will be announced in March so I will have to work around that. Should be fun, might call on our leading man, he would make the perfect Henry. I've already been plotting what to do to our leading girls and I think its going to make you laugh and fall off your seat. But I'm biased, this is my baby after all!

And thats a wrap

I travelled to Camden again for final filming. This was Alana's day. I unfortunately couldn't get her into some of the costumes as I wasn't aware of her joining the ranks till the day before. But I got her into the white drop front regency gown instead. Its white with black sleeve trimmings. I look on that as a bleak white as its meant to be the girls worst moments. It was meant to be winter. I gave her my antique shawl as well, which I think complemented it.

Andrew did most, well if not all the camera work today. We found a gorgeous little park in Macarthur to film in as the Camden Pub was too packed to film at. I think this location worked out better. We had Alana's friend Lachlan come with us. Much fun was had.

Finally all filming is done. Director is editing as fast as he can. I am very anxious to see how it all turns out.

Overall a very enjoyable time. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Perfect actors, perfect crew, perfect times.

I think my past few days driving is finally catching up with me, I am rather tired. And this may end the use of this blog for my sewing escapades for this film. I will continue to use it for future endeavours and the how the film turns out.

Au revoir!

Thursday renamed to Painday

That Thursday should forever be known as ‘pain day’! When getting in the car to head out to Camden after work for some more filming (which I was under the impression I was just a stand in), my hair was out, no clip or anything and as I ducked into the drivers seat my hair caught on the aerial and I ripped a good 10 hairs out of my head. That was ouch #1.

When I get out there the director informs me that the people he wanted to use have bailed and asked if I'd be the Italian lady *gobsmackedomcwtf* I agreed hesitantly and just went with the flow. Turns out, I'm not so bad at acting, thank goodness for watching all the period movies and reading so much and researching the times however minutely I have. Or maybe it was my previous roles as 'vampire'?

Ouch #2 isn’t so bad, just strutting around in my corset, laced as tight as I could. But I’m use to it so it’s not so bad.

Ouch #3 came as we were wrapping up filming. We were doing the last scene where Eleanor and Matthew are reunited and we have to run to each other and just hug each other. I have forgotten how strong men are, well, I haven’t been hugged like that ever so needless to say: OUCH! I think I have thrown my neck out or something, cause we did that take twice, its an odd angle to do, I had to go to his right side and throw my arms around his neck and he had to go to my right and throw his arms around my waist. Not that I could feel my waist for the steel boning encasing it. But its tempting to see a physio or something.

It was a lot of fun, I'm really nervous about how its going to turn out now that I have a bigger part than just 'costume designer'. You know that celebrities judge these things for tropfest? I forgot about that, now I'm more nervous than I was.

I didn't get to fit our leading man into his coat though. Don't know why I didn't think to try it on. I had to cut the wrist ties on the 18th century shirt. But that's easily replaced, bias tape was never a good choice in the first place.

We think we have to reshoot though, we're going down the coast to Culburra tomorrow and I am sure we are going to film at Rose Valley. The director really wants the gold gown in the sun, it was overcast and twilight yesterday. So we should be good this time round.

Wish Eleanor, I mean, me luck!

Finally.

We finally filmed something with our leading lady. Took us only about 3 months to do it! These are not the best quality as they were taken with my camera phone. I got there at about 12 and started ironing, I arrived earlier than I anticipated, but it proved all well anyway. Our leading man was not there, so we had to make do. And I think I have made the biggest blunder. Not being really awake during the past few days, I realised this was supposed to be the Autumn set and I realised I should have put her in the Regency Gear. Gah, darnit!!!! Why do I have to realise this now! I was rushed and wasn't thinking. And that's what Jonathan pointed to, the costume below! Now my costuming is all out of sequence. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to do it again anyway? Now I'm all worried! I sent an email to the director. We'll see how it goes.

The T'ings

Titled as Mr Bernard Black would put it.

I purchased some small buttons for the waistcoat and coat and some cord.

I am bidding on this gorgeous edwardian blouse. I've always wanted one, this just made me get it a little earlier. It is a very handy thing that our actress is the same size as me!

My little sisters friends father said he may give me one of his mums old singers and a heap of her old patterns. She used to make tudor peices by the sounds of it. Sounds so nice of him!

I must get back to the grind as it where. I have the measurements for our little girl, a georgian and a regency gown is in order for her. I am trying to get my hands on some brown material for her dress. So far, no luck. I may have another dig in my stash.

A light at the end, which is not a train for once

The Gold Gown is complete. The lace at the cuffs is sewn on, the hems are sewn and its ready to go!

I'm scouting ebay for some edwardian peices that I can use. And I get to keep them afterwards, because I don't think I can pull off an edwardian blouse myself. I did go op shopping yesterday and found a blouse that I can pull apart and possibly make something out of. I'll see. At the moment I have my eye on this whit tuck and lace bastiste blouse and a black bodice and skirt.

I sewed the majority of the gold vest together last night. Again I wont make button holes functional as I probably won't have time. I'll see. Filming has been pushed to the 6th, naturally I won't be there as I'll be at Twicon. But I hope to get out to our directors during the week to make sure the actors can get in and out of their costumes without me. Or he might change his mind and film on the sunday. I don't know and it doesn't matter to me. As long as they can dress themselves properly. Its one thing to dress yourself in modern clothes its simple. But historical fasion dictates some things go on first and how and where they are pinned matters!

We'll see how we go!

Photo update

I have decidedly finished the gold gown. I will simply pin the bodice into place on the actress, as most of the girls on the time did anyway.

The coat just needs to be sewn, well the darts need to be sewn, add some silver thread and bobs your uncle. That is if your uncle is called bob. But anyway, I have decided to add the collar, that is just sitting there on Gertrude. Yes. My dummy's name is Gertrude. After a great-great aunt.

So here follow pictures of the coat as it stands as of last night. I have just to sew it up and add some silver thread for looks, and it will have to do.

Filming has just been cancelled, due to weather. Shame. But its not me calling the shots. Personally I would still go. But we may go out on Sunday.

The seam so far

I gave in and decided to make the robe a la anglaise to my size. It is very very good luck that the girl is somewhat my size.

So I provide picture proof of things so far. I am to make a burghandy coat for our leading man.

It has taken me roughly 4 days to put together this dress. And I have yet to hem and finish it properly.

Periods to be used in Film

Periods to be used stands thus far, after another mind change from the producer. I'm trying to remain calm. Honestly. I am. He is letting me have a pretty free reign on design and so forth.

1700's
1800's
1900's
2000

Each of these corresponds to a season and a mood. And also colour plays a big part in this.

The 18th Century represents Summer. For this I aim to use a material I bought from the Smith Family. A yellow cotton unknown material with a sheen to one side and course on the other side. This will more than likely be a Robe a la anglaise.

The 19th Century represents autumn. For this I will more than likely use my spencer coat. A teddy bear brown chamois and dark chocolate brown velvet collar. This is obviously the regency era.

The 20th Century represents Winter. For this I will use a basic A line skirt in a brown twill and a high collared white blouse. Some thrift shopping may be needed.

The 21st Century represents Spring. For this I will use the actors clothes. What ever bright colours they posses will be used.

I am a little anxious as I have yet to receive any measurements for my actors. As they live far away from me I am relying on them to be somewhat accurate.

Proposed 10 step plan for making costumes

How to make six historical costumes in two weeks and ten easy steps.

Step One
Talk to your director. Always a good first step. Find out what he wants. Where he is coming from. What he see’s in these characters. What they should be feeling. What season we are in, what country is never a bad question to ask, their station, age etc.

Step Two
Gather/purchase material.

Step Three
Get measurements for your actors

Step Four
Get your patterns, cut, trace and alter like your life depends on it!

Step Five
Sew. HA! I wish it were that easy.

Step 5.5
Try to avoid panic attacks and remind self to breathe.

Step Six
Fit your costumes on your actors and adjust as necessary.

Step Seven
Fit your actors again and with any luck they are right for acting!

Step Eight
Stress clothes a little bit. Don’t be afraid to get them dirty, after all none of our clothes are pristine, and why should theirs be?

Step Nine
Stand back and watch your clothes work miracles.

Step Ten
Laugh and cry as necessary.