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Media Releases |
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May 24, 2000 Course Test Drive |
Showcase 2000 Media Release | Profile
The Manly Daily July 18, 2000 Works of art designed for a stint on the stage |
what past students think
MaryAnne Lawler, freelance costume maker.
graduated 1999.
"My background has always been in couture and I just wanted a slight
change in career. I was sick of bridal and was interested in the
theatrical side of things. I saw the course and it was about to commence
and I just jumped right in and did it. I got a whole new career out
of it. There was a lot of support from the teachers. I already
had the background in sewing, but it has helped me in doing the costumes
and the pattern making."
Teresa Amodeo, area manager of costume, Fox Studios backlot.
Graduated 1999.
"I graduated from UTS in Fashion and Textile Design and while I was
there I was working at Australia's Wonderland and that got me interested
in costumes rather than fashion. I didn't want to do another three
year full-time degree. The course helped me, not only in the technical
side but it gave me awareness of what the industry is about. They
teach you how to budget. It is directly linked with the industry through
the 100-hour work placement which helps you get the contacts in the industry."
what the employees think
Kay Barker, manager, housekeeping services (includes wardrobe department),
Star City Casino.
"In the past five years I have probably taken on about five of their
graduates (as wardrobe seamstresses). They have been used in various
areas, including in the implementation of a new uniform range and preparing
theme costumes. They have a dual role of designing, dressing and
sourcing costumes. We outfit 4,000 people and are involved in the
day to day repair of 60,000 uniforms so it's very busy."
Barker says she did the course some years ago and recommends
it.
Lorraine Foster, The Vintage Clothing Shop, Sydney CBD.
"We've got three students who graduated last year. We find they
are very enthusiastic, they really are interested in the work. Their
workmanship is very good and they fit in very well with my requirements.
Their attention to detail, their hand sewing and pattern making skills
are very good."
Scott Fisher, production co-ordinator, Opera Australia.
"They've been fantastic, very accomplished. The Opera is not
an easy wardrobe to assimilate to [because of] the length of time people
have been here and they have quite a lot of knowledge. Here, students
can get anything from a simple shift to an 18th-century frock coat
- but I think the course gives a pretty good background."
by Brenda C. Lewis
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Theatre Costume showcase 2000 A crowd of 200 is expected on 2 August at the industry night for Theatre Costume Showcase 2000 at TAFE’s Sydney Institute’s East Sydney College. Over 35 students from the Institute’s Diploma in Theatre Costume Manufacturing will display their ‘works in progress’ and finished creations in a dazzling night of colour alongside performances from the Sydney Aerial Theatre Association, and University of New South Wales Dance program students. Showcase 2000 will feature the latest concepts in theatre costume manufacturing, including the first–time inclusion of rubber and fibreglass sculptured character costumes and the more classic Tu- Tus, Victorian crinolines and ball room dancing attire. Roslyn O’Dell, Theatre Costume Coordinator from the Institute’s East Sydney College, says another highlight for students and audience alike will be the multimedia demonstrations of work created by students from the workplace component of the course, including: work on films such as Star Wars and Moulin Rouge, plays such as Stolen and A Month in the Country, Operas, The Pearl Fishers and The Gondoliers, television series The Potato Factory, and events such as the SOCOG –organised opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games. Institute Director, Marie Persson, says the Theatre Costume Showcase 2000 is a vital night on the Institute calendar. "It is one of the nights I look forward to as Director, where I see first-hand the absolute professionalism and expertise of our students and staff. "It is a night like many we have in the Institute’s arts, media and entertainment areas where our links with industry are highlighted – in this case through the high profile films and plays on which students have worked – and where students, staff, family and friends hear just how loudly the industry applauds student efforts," she says. The annual event is so popular, the East Sydney College will throw open its doors to the public who can purchase a ticket for the night of performance, costume, and multimedia on August 3. Tickets for the Theatre Costume Showcase 2000, give you entry to a night of exquisite creation, supper, drinks and entertainment and can be purchased for $20 by calling 9339 8606. Sydney Institute is the only metropolitan TAFE College to offer the two and a half-year part- time Advanced Diploma in Theatre Costume Manufacturing course. The course, which is part of the Institute’s suite of entertainment courses, teaches students about the special needs of costume manufacture for screen, TV, stage and entertainment, such as construction, pattern cutting and draping, research, design interpretation and development. The next intake is in February 2001. Visit our websites at www.sit.nsw.edu.au
and www.lg.tafensw.edu.au/2385/1861
or call the course information hotline on 1300 360 601 for further information. |
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| BUDDING Manly costume designer Vanessa Westland has been studying
in the field for only six months, but her work is already being noticed.
It was exhibited along with other costumes from East Sydney TAFE students in a Fashion Week show at Grace Bros in May and now will be part of the college's Theatre Costume Showcase 2000. It is on early next month and will showcase the talents of students |
undertaking the theatre costume design diploma course.
Vanessa has come to her preferred field of clothing design via a roundabout but typical route. "When I left school I was really interested in theatre but there were no costume-related courses available at the that time so I started a fashion course at Brookvale TAFE then worked in the rag trade as a design assistant for three years," she said. |
That study and industry experience satisfied the prerequisites for
entry to the specialised theatre costume design course which covers everything
from construction and theatre millinery to hard and soft sculpture work
of the type used in sci-fi settings.
"It also goes in depth into the history of costume from the Tudor period right up to the present day and not just the silhouettes and garments, but also the undergarments like the crinoline, |
paniers and bustles which were so important to create that silhouette."
After working in both contemporary fashion and costume design, Vanessa believes the latter provides much greater scope for creativity. "There's just so much beauty and classical construction in those garments - each piece is a work of art," she said. by
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