BA (Hons) Costume for Theatre & Screen

Course detail Content: what students can expect

• To gain an understanding of the essential elements of costume
• To work on both studio and performance based live projects such as costume design for historical and contemporary texts and opera, site specific production, dance, film and theatre
• To explore colour and texture through mixed media experimentation for two-dimensional design and textile work, and take a creative approach to problem solving during construction
• To be taught by industry professionals, who ensure the development of a realistic working process, that’s informed by current practices and debates
• To be guided through a broad range of skills and technical areas including; analysing texts and characters, corsetry, developing a visual language, drawing, millinery, pattern cutting, garment construction and fabrication, research skills and textile manipulation
• To study historical and social contexts of western Europe’s evolution in costume through independent research, underpinned by a series of lectures
• An on-going contextual studies programme that builds our students’ knowledge and helps develop their critical understanding of the changing culture of film, television and the arts
• To have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops. View the Wimbledon facilities section

The two disciplines of Costume Design and Costume Interpretation are very different, but for part of both the first and second years, students work on the same projects.

Costume Design is concerned with visual storytelling.

• Students should have an interest in people, history and geography
• Students will use a range of sources, including text, images, music, and choreography to analyse and create characters
• There is a focus on drawing and communicating ideas in 2D, but 3D construction skills are explored
• All projects are for live or recorded performance. Students are encouraged to fully understand these contexts within their concept and development work

See work from the degree show - Costume Design

Costume Interpretation is the process of making costumes from a visual reference and developing skills to a very high level.

• It requires imagination, sensitivity, an understanding of context, and excellent interpersonal skills
• At Wimbledon we use men’s and women’s period clothing, cut and construction as a template for understanding the complex challenges of the discipline
• You will have the opportunity to learn specialist traditional skills, such as tailoring and millinery
• Students may also go on to make contemporary work that utilises techniques such as moulding, casting, textile experimentation, metal and leatherwork

See work from the degree show - Costume Interpretation

BA Costume for Theatre and Screen programme specification (PDF - 281 KB)‌

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StructureYear 1

• Unit 1: Introduction to study in theatre and screen
• Unit 2: Designing and making - the principles of practice
• Unit 3: Designing and making - extending the skill set
• Unit 4: Looking at ideas - debates in the discipline
• Unit 5: Who are you? Establishing a specialism

• Unit 6: Collaboration and its’ connections
• Unit 7: Practice as a laboratory
• Unit 8: You think what? How to research and review work
• Unit 9: Where in the world? My specialism in context
• Unit 10: Where in the world? Extending skills

• Unit 11: Finding your voice - portfolio design, crafting research skills and career planning
• Unit 12: Show your work - independent practice

As a result of the college's London location and industry links students have the chance to undertake professional work placements during their studies.

Former students have worked for the Royal Opera House, The Globe, Hampton Court Palace, the Rose Theatre and Secret Cinema. They have also worked on the London Olympic ceremonies, the Warner Bros film ‘The Huntsman’ and Netflix productions ’Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Crown’. Others have worked with highly respected freelance designers and film directors.

Students will also have the opportunity to take part in the erasmus scheme to study abroad for a term in the second year of their degree.

Monday 24 September - Friday 7 December 2018

Monday 7 January - Friday 15 March 2019

Monday 15 April - Friday 21 June 2019

Learning and teaching methods

• Assessments
• Briefings
• Collaboration
• Exhibition preparation
• Feedback - written and oral
• Film screenings
• Group and individual tutorials
• Group work and crits
• Guided readings
• Independent study
• Lectures
• Online learning
• Orientations and inductions
• Peer review
• Practical work
• Presentations
• Project work
• Research - individual and group
• Seminars
• Study partners and groups
• Visits and trips
• Work placements
• Workshops

Assessment methods

• Essays
• Induction sheets
• Presentations
• Project logbooks and work
• Reflective journals
• Research portfolios and tasks
• Self-evaluation
• Written assignments

Facilities

• Jim Stephenson.

  Theatre

  View images of and find out more about our theatre

• Kristy Noble.

  Costume Workshop

  Find out more about our costume workshop

• Kristy Noble.

  Digital Media Centre

  Find out more about our digital media centre

Staff

Kevin Freeman - Course Leader

Visiting Staff

• Lea Anderson - Choreographer
• Nicoline Bailey - Corset maker
• Linda Cooley - Wig maker
• Onyinye Egenti - Film Director / writer
• Javier de Frutos - Choreographer
• Jacqueline Gunn - Designer

• Geraldine Pilgrim - Director
• Clare Strickland - Milliner
• Emily Stuart - Designer
• Simon Vincezi - Artist
• Holly Waddington - Designer