Should the actor be involved in the conception of their costume?

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 5:59pm

I'm playing a role right now that relies quite a bit on my costume.  After a month of rehearsal, I have recieved a costume that will completely change the way that I have been playing the role.

I was just wondering what some of your opinions are about whether or not an actor should be involved in the conception of their costume or if they should just suck it up and throw away a month of rehearsal and character work to make the designers happy.

Thoughts? Advice?

Updated On: 9/29/16 at 05:59 PM

[rodrigo_ca]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 7:35pm

If it impacts the portrayal, yes, at all times.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 7:51pm

Talk to your director. Presumably he or she has liked what you've been doing for the past month. (Or if s/he hasn't, you're better off knowing now.) Then let the director deal with the designer.

No, I don't think actors should have general power of veto over their wardrobe. (Too many aren't fully aware of their own motivations.) But you seem to have thought carefully about this and I see no reason you should be silent now.

[aimeric]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 7:52pm

It's the responsibility of the director to coordinate among the various contributors to a show, actors and designers alike...preferably before it's too late to come to a compromise.  If you have that serious a problem with your costume, it'd be more helpful to take it up with your director and ask what he/she advises, rather than just blaming costume choices on the whims of the designer.

 
Edit: Yeah, what Gaveston said. 

Updated On: 9/29/16 at 07:52 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 8:03pm

Thanks for the responses.  I think that I will have to have another meeting with my director and my designer.  My director is a very passive director and he is kind of letting the designer do whatever he wants, so I think that we will need to make sure that we're all on the same page.

[aimeric]

Posted: 9/29/16 at 9:39pm

Good luck to you!  Having both designed costumes and worked wardrobe before, I personally hate it when directors don't take enough control over a production...A passive director isn't much of a director at all, and then you end up with miscommunications like this.  As annoying as I'm sure wardrobe will think it is to have to tweak a costume after the fact, it'll definitely make for a better show and a better work environment if everyone can be happy (or at least can live with) the final result.  Have a good candid chat with them, express yourself firmly but be prepared to compromise, and hopefully it'll work out for you!

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 2:51pm

Yes, in general, the wardrobe should at least be discussed with the actor and the actor should be more intimately involved if there is 'business' or specific use of the wardrobe that will affect timing or delivery. For example, if the actor is carrying a prop in a pocket, the pocket must be deep enough so that the item doesn't all out and positioned in such a way that it is easy to access and pull out the item at the appropriate time. Cut and fit may also affect ease of movement. If a piece of clothing must be taken off or put on during the performance, it must be easy to do so. In short, there is a lot to think about and if your director isn't doing so, rather than getting into a tussle with them it is easiest to just think about what has to be considered and then approach them and express your thoughts about how these considerations will make the performance smoother and better. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 3:30pm

Great, practical examples, Sam. Thanks.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 3:43pm

Having both acted AND done wardrobe there's a difference in a polite conversation about movement and comfort and an actor who says "um, my character would never wear blue!" when they just don't like the color. 

[KateSam]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 3:50pm

I am amazed they don't

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 4:14pm

Word of advice: keep your mouth shut unless you want a civil war to break out.  

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 4:23pm

Broadwayhunk said: "Word of advice: keep your mouth shut unless you want a civil war to break out.  

 

"

This is what I'm really worried about.  I've been very respectful during the process, but the costume changes my entire performance in the show and it's a big problem, so I really can't just shut my mouth about it.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 4:26pm

The blame lies with the director if there are artistic differences between actor and designer as significant as this. You should go to him/her.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 6:28pm

NEVER complain to the designer unless you are tactfully informing them that something doesn't fit or something of that nature.

Speak with the director ONLY and respectfully try to persuade them. I've been in this situation a couple of times, and if you are nice about it you can usually come to a compromise.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 7:24pm

Agreed. I think you can make a lot of enemies (and be seen as difficult) if you start commenting on ridiculous things like the shade of blue or most especially on period costume. Leave those things to the experts. 

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 7:25pm

It's all in the approach. I have seen it (and done it) the right way and THEN there is the wrong way. Ideally, a production should be collaborative but no one wants to deal with a diva. 

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 10/1/16 at 4:35pm

well, that is your perception.  Good luck.