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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct character costume research
   • Undertake research to identify historical, cultural and other factors that might influence character costume styles, construction techniques and costume development
   • Analyse designs for character costumes, and identify the relationship between costumes and character portrayal and development
   • Gather a range of research materials to develop knowledge of character costume options
   • Use research materials to interpret and adapt costume styles for performance
2. Interpret brief for character costume design
   • Liaise with the relevant personnel to confirm character costume production requirements and gain approval where required
   • Review costume production schedules, specifications and lists
   • Interpret designs into practical plans for making character costumes according to production requirements
3. Prepare for character costume construction
   • Select materials and methods of costume construction according to production requirements and factors affecting particular characters
   • Take and record accurate measurements of performers to ensure correct fitting of costumes
   • Integrate considerations of work health and safety, ease of movement and comfort of performers into costume planning
   • Determine if scale prototype is required, based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction
   • Identify design and fabric characteristics that influence character costume construction and clarify any queries with relevant personnel
   • Select appropriate grade plan or grade rule table
4. Make and grade patterns for character costumes
   • Produce or adjust pattern to required specifications, ensuring that pattern complies with gender and figure proportions and performance requirements
   • Grade pattern manually or by computer, adjusting design, maintaining accuracy and shape, notches, design proportion and other design requirements
   • Check pattern for accuracy and make adjustments as required
   • Store pattern according to workplace procedures
5. Lay up character costumes
   • Establish the required meterage of fabric and other materials to minimise waste
   • Check materials for quality, faults, width, selvedges, dye, lot and marking requirements
   • Identify and assemble appropriate base and outer fabrics
   • Lay up base and self-fabrics and check alignment conforms to specifications
   • Cut materials to meet pattern requirements
   • Prepare base and mount fabrications, as necessary, to achieve required stiffening or support effect
6. Assemble and fit character costumes
   • Assemble base and mount fabrications or materials and where appropriate, hang in readiness for assembly
   • Conduct fittings with performers and identify, record and action required adjustments and alterations
   • Sew costume pieces together to form the whole costume and attach required trimmings, fasteners and decorations using appropriate techniques
   • Finish character costumes according to requirements
   • Identify modifications to character costume in consultation with relevant personnel and complete as required
   • Correctly label and code all character costumes for identification during productions

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

create costumes using character-specific techniques and materials

follow safety procedures when using costume-making equipment and materials

work collaboratively.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements the individual must:

describe the range and features of commonly required character costumes and construction techniques used for them

describe the use and properties of different fabrics, materials and patterns used regularly to make character costumes.

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