What is a Costume Bible? What determines a costume design? What is a Costume Plot?

What you need for a costume bible:

• Costume Plot (all costume changes in a chart)

This part is like a timetable, of when and what each characters costume changed are through a production. This is vital because having this level of organisation makes it easy for a dresser and designer to work together to work out the most efficient way to change costumes

• Draft designs and final designs

This is important because the designer can then compare the designs and use it for future productions or keep aspects of the design that they like

• Compilation of all costume information

Keeping all of the sources of information and influences allows the designer to give credit when it's due, and discuss further ideas with the artistic director

• Detailed information about specific add-ons (zips, buttons, jewellery)

Working with the actors to compensate any costume props that the script states 

• Sketches of costume

• Fabric samples and where to source them, with prices

This can bring designs to life when they are actually makeable, otherwise they would just be designs that can never work. This level of research is vital when trying to keep to a budget and expenditure 

• Inspiration and starting points

Having these kinds of details in one place makes it easier to go back to them at later stages in the designing process for more detailed ideas and designs

• Measurements

Without measurements the designer cannot create accurate costumes freely, especially for specific costumes for only one person or a character with a lot of meaning or active scenes

• Colour Scheme

The designer needs to keep to the colour scheme, therefore being able to regularly look back on it will help them to keep to a common theme

What determines a costume design?

• Inspiration
• Practicality - Do you need to dance? stage combat? small acting space? it needs to suit the actors physical needs and appropriate for quick changes if needed
• Original costume - Comparing and taking inspiration from another designers, mainly the first, and taking or discard parts from this design
• Themes of the piece
• Other characters costumes
• Colour schemes
• Personal preference
• Budget - Strategic spending, using a budget form and making thrifty decisions, making sacrifices can be necessary
• Status - What the character is trying to portray to the audience, how they are measured against another character
• Social status/class
• Time period - Needs to be suitable for the time period, linking with status
• Culture
• Lighting - Lighting can change the colour or shade of a costume, white can pick it up but black can take it in. Colours on white create layers and can be used strategically. Sequins cause issues.
• Size
• Staging
• Character personality - For example colour would determine the warmth or mood of the person 'they think I'm a lesbian because I don't wear pastels' Stereotyping
• Audience appropriate - Eg for children (make noises, colourful, bright, texture, size, interactive, exaggeration) or appealing to certain people

What is a costume plot?

A costume plot is a chart which shows when and what characters, played by which actors, need changes throughout a production. It states each aspect of the costume, often with which side of the stage a dresser would need to be to help with quick changes, and notes telling which parts or items might need extra attention.