What it takes

So most people enjoy theater, movies, TV and other forms of live or recorded entertainment, yet most people don't exactly know what goes into that 2 hour performance, or the 30 minute TV show. They understand costumes, sets, lights, special effects, etc. but only as general concepts. They know they are there but they don't know how it is put together, nor do they understand the things that "we" do to fool the eye into believing what isn't there is.

For example all sets, no matter what the media, are painted with extra shadowing so that they appear to be deeper then they actually are. For all of you that might be interested. The typical "room" on a TV set is less then 15 feet deep. It's a camera trick that makes them appear deeper then they are. Also Mrs. So-and-so's living room has probably been recycled several times on several different shows. Just look for the Boy Meets World school next time you watch your favorite Disney show I'm pretty sure I've seen it on at least three shows.
So what am I getting at really???

Well here's my issue. As a costumer I have seen and done some pretty stupid, odd, or generally annoying things in my day. But on the current production of My Fair Lady that I'm working on the designer turned to one of my co-workers handed her 4.5 yards of plaid fabric and a baggie full of Sharpie markers. Her idea... unable to find the correct plaid for Mr. Dolittle's pants her solution was to simply Sharpie in on color going one way and the other color going to other way. End Result... Several days of fumes, headaches and language that even a sailor would be shamed by.
So next time you go to see a show, or watch something in the movies, or on TV. Please consider a donation, after all we always need money for Sharpies.

Picture: Our over-hire draper Mary hard at work!