Seeking advice from costume designers / makeup artistes

Mon, 29 Aug 2011, 09:30 pm

Johnny Grim17 posts in thread

Hi guys, just finished writing a play. One that requires actors to play the part of canines...as in walking on all fours, slurping from dog bowls etc etc...In setting / determining the production notes, I'm pondering how best to portray said canines? Minimal? As in, just a touch of makeup to the face, as a mere suggestion, or go the whole hog, or rather, the whole dog? I'm open to the thoughts of our many talented costume designers, and makeup artistes. cheers Johnny Grim A lad in sane productions

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Johnny GrimMon, 29 Aug 2011, 09:30 pm

jeffhansenMon, 29 Aug 2011, 10:58 pm

I think it depends on what

I think it depends on what your script calls for. I'd be inclined to maybe dress the actors in a fabric that suggests a dog - white with black spots, for example, but a colour other than black. If the costume is black from the knees down, the lower legs will be less noticeable. Or, you could just let the actors do all the work. Just a set of ears, or nothing. www.meltheco.org.au

jeffhansenMon, 29 Aug 2011, 10:59 pm

I don't mean naked, I mean

I don't mean naked, I mean some generic clothing - nothing dog-like. www.meltheco.org.au

Johnny GrimTue, 30 Aug 2011, 05:43 pm

thanks

Thanks for the suggestions Jeff...I had an idea that we could arrange for the actors to have their legs removed from the knee down and their feet re-attached to their knees...why shouldn't they suffer for their art? cheers JG

jeffhansenTue, 30 Aug 2011, 05:45 pm

Yeah, that would work too.

Yeah, that would work too. Or you could train dogs to play the roles. It might be easier than finding men... www.meltheco.org.au

Johnny GrimTue, 30 Aug 2011, 05:49 pm

you've got the job

Seeing how you have that rather large puss cat eating out of your hands, I think training nine mongrel dogs would be a doddle Mr Hansen.

stingerWed, 31 Aug 2011, 01:30 pm

Acting 101 - Doggie Style

I know neither of you are trained actors (which is probably why you are so successful as directors) so you may not be aware that imagining yourself as an animal is a basic element in most beginners classes. Some actors go on to perfect the technique - a 'dog' method actor for example would probably drink from a toilet, hump your leg, chase cars etc. as normal everyday behaviour.(Reminds me of an old joke!) Joking aside,I agree with Jeff's early suggestion - leave the characterisation up to the actors themselves. Leave the make-up and costume to the designer, who may or may not be inspired by what the actors deliver. Chookas, Ssstinger>>>

Walter PlingeWed, 31 Aug 2011, 09:13 pm

Just a suggestion...

I am not a professional or even talented costume designer or makeup artist, in fact I am only a student who came across this page during research, But I noticed your post and an idea came to me. Im not sure you would appreciate this suggestion but why not dress the actors in an almost leotard which covers the full body including neck, legs and arms. The leotard could be made from a thinnish material and could meet the description of the dog. You could even add a tail and maybe ears on a black headband with a black cap which could cover the actors hair. The makeup could be simple, maybe using black eyeliner to give the actor/dog a black roundish spot on there nose and lining there eyes. you could use black lipstick for there lips.

LogosThu, 1 Sept 2011, 08:26 am

Johnny

I'm with Jeff and Stinger Johnny. leave it up to the actors to create and if you have a designer get them involved. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au www.moorebooks.net.au

RapunzelSat, 3 Sept 2011, 11:56 am

Don't forget....

...kneepads will be a 'must'!!! I'd go for neutral clothing (not black though) with headbands with ears on and maybe a tail tied around the waist a la Cats.... ...but your actors will develop firm opinions on the joys (or not) of tail wrangling whilst crawling on all fours...bear in mind potential sight line problems too...during rehearsals make sure Director (you?) is looking at the action from the same level as the audience will. Might be best to have upright canines...after all, how often do you actually see Snoopy on all fours??

"Life is too short to stuff a mushroom"

www.moorebooks.net.au

dr0neFri, 30 Sept 2011, 06:58 pm

Agreed...I think this would

Agreed...I think this would be a good bet.

TaureanSun, 2 Oct 2011, 07:53 am

Let the "actors" act...

I agree with Tony, Peter and Jeff.

Let the performers ply their craft. After all as Peter stated - it is part of their "basic training" (and they probably haven't used it since acting classes!!)

A hint of costuming, maybe ears or a wire based fur tail, may make the character more obvious at first sight - but these attachments would soon be ignored/forgotten by the audience once the actor is in full flight.

I saw a production at DramaFest (Roleystone ?) some years ago where a young man (his name escapes me) portrayed an excellent "dog"..... complete with being distracted by interesting smells, scratching/nibbling at an annoying flea, nuzzling crotches and even the cutesy behaviour of rolling over for a tummy-rub.

He had the entire audience totally enthralled throughout the one act play - yet not so much that it took anything from the "mains" or the story-line. (VERY skilfull direction shown there!)

BUT.... I guess it depends on whether you are looking for a realistic or comedic portrayal of the canines, how far your writings need the actors to go....and how fine a balancing act you need between "people" and "canines" ...... the doggy antics can easily overtake the other action on stage in audience interest value unless kept in check.

In any case it sounds like an interesting script - I'm looking forward to the workshop for this one John!!

"Each morning is the dawn of a new error" - anon.

JoeMcSun, 2 Oct 2011, 11:27 am

I agrree!As with "Aude

I agrree!

As with "wor Willys" plays, performed on the Northern mud bank of the Thames , in good aude pohmyland, allowing the punters to exercise 'n bump in thier "oileo of disblief!"

Johnny GrimWed, 5 Oct 2011, 06:21 pm

Thanks people

Thanks to all of you who have offered advice and guidance. cheers JG

jeffhansenWed, 5 Oct 2011, 06:52 pm

John, if you saw Stay Carl

John, if you saw Stay Carl Stay, by the Irish Theatre Players, you would have seen that no costume is required to play a dog. www.meltheco.org.au

Johnny GrimThu, 6 Oct 2011, 07:38 pm

missed seeing it

DOH!

JoeMcFri, 7 Oct 2011, 12:10 pm

I agree

Leave it in the aparalers (techie) domain.

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