Learning Agreement

NAME: Holly London Whitefoord
COURSE: BA (Hons) Costume with Performance Design
UNIT TITLE: Self-Directed Project
REF. NO./LEVEL: CSS518
WEIGHTING: 2.0
DURATION: 9 Weeks
HOURS OF STUDY: 300 Hours
Unit Leader: Adele Keeley


DESCRIPTION:

For my self-directed project I have chosen the Painting for Inspiration route. For Part One I will independently create a representation of a painting I have chosen from the National Gallery which I will interpret in the period portrayed but with a modern twist, producing a photograph supported by sketchbook work. Part Two of the project will be collaborative with the BA (Hons) Film course to costume BA (Hons) Acting students in a film inspired by a painting they have chosen from the National Gallery. This will also be supported by sketchbook work. I have a tight schedule for this project therefore I will aim to complete Part One before I start on Part Two to ensure I can put equal amounts of effort into both areas.

I have chosen this route for my self-directed project as I want to collaborate with the Film department before embarking on work experience in New York this summer on a film set, as it is the ideal way of gaining experience and skills whilst working in a team. My weaknesses currently lie in my lack of Film experience as I have never worked in that environment or made a costume for screen before. I stated in my Action Plan that I wanted to “gain knowledge and a greater understanding of the role costume designers have within the production team they are in” and this project will let me do exactly that. I aspire to work within Film after I have graduated therefore this project is the perfect first experience in working in a film environment. I have strengths in construction, which I have not utilized since choosing the Design pathway and I would like to design and create a costume for this project as opposed to sourcing one. I am very imaginative and creative with textile techniques and fabric manipulation and I would like to explore these in depth in this project. Creating a costume, which incorporates both design and creative making, works to both my strengths. I understand that my chosen route has a very tight schedule so my Work Plan should help me to manage my time appropriately. Ultimately, I hope to build on my textile techniques during this project to make a costume that allows me to use the skills I already have and develop them.

For Part One of this project I will create a body of sketchbook work which will show my initial and developed primary and secondary research, design development and textile techniques I have explored. I will also produce a photograph of the final representation, which will include a model. For Part Two of the project I will create a body of sketchbook work, which will again show my research, design, and explorative work but also how I have collaborated with the Film students. I will show photographic evidence of work on set on the day of shooting and a film file which will include continuity, character breakdown, budget breakdown and other relevant paperwork generated.

Aims:

A1 To provide opportunities for self-initiated, autonomous learning
and develop the ability to plan time and work independently

A2 To provide opportunity to study the contextual development of costume and performance design

A3 To further develop the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation within a self initiated environment

A4 To propose, develop and evaluate professional aspirations through professional development planning

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Identify and define the context for the development of your own work towards professional aspirations

LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the development of Costume with performance design
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LO3 Have developed the creative, intellectual and practical applications of research and contextualisation

LO4 Consolidate and demonstrate professional aspirations and planning through your Progress File


Assessment Requirements:

I will be handing in a photograph of my completed painting representation for Part One of the project which will be supported by a sketchbook under pinned by personal development planning (in your blog journal) and a final written evaluation (750 words) evidenced in your Progress File 100%

Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit

Assessment Criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):

1. Evidence of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues – The level to which you have considered the context of your project and evidenced that to your body of work (LO1, LO2)

2. Evidence of understanding through synthesis and development – The application and extend to which research has informed decision-making and project development together with the appropriate management of time (LO2, LO3, LO4)

3. Evidence of evaluation and reflection – The extent to which you have reflected on the progress of your project and used it to inform personal development planning (LO4)

4. Evidence of realisation through the communication of ideas - The presentation of your work and the level to which specialist knowledge has been applied, communicated and evidenced (LO3, LO4)

Reference Material

This will vary according to the needs of the individual project. You will define Reference Material through personal investigation and consultation with staff and list it in your Learning Agreement.
• Harding, V (2000) Machine Embroidery- Stitched Patterns. Singapore: Kyodo Printing Co Pte Ltd
• Hasty, O (1996) Tsvetaeva’s Orphic Journeys in the Worlds of the Word. USA: Northwestern University Press
• Neely, C (2004) Distracted Subjects- Madness and Gender in Shakespeare and Early Modern Culture. USA: Cornell University Press
• Seaton, B (1995) The Language of Flowers- A History. USA: The University Press of Virginia
• Shakespeare, W and Coleman, W (2004) A Parallel Text- Hamlet. USA: Perfect Learning Corporation