Elements and Performance Criteria

Period costumes generally refers to costumes from past eras and must include:
male, female and child costumes
undergarments and corsetry
pre-production toiles

Research for period costume may include:
research on any aspect of period costume design and construction.

Research materials may include:
history books
writings of the period
paintings and illustrations of the period
photographs
film, video
the Internet
digital images
coloured design illustrations
technical drawings from other productions
sketches
sample costumes
original clothing from the period

Adaptation of clothing styles for performance may require consideration of:
context
suitability to performer's physique
material types/constraints
components
construction methods
budget and time constraints
performance demands
maintenance and storage
lighting

Relevant colleagues may include:
designers
technical and production staff
performers

Performance requirements may relate to:
movement
quick changes
continuity
lighting
special effects
use of body doubles/second cast
special considerations
use of harness on performer during performance

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

sources of information on period costume
the features of clothing styles from a selection of periods
use and properties (such as weight, pile, grain, and pattern shapes) of the different fabrics, materials and patterns which are regularly used in making period costumes
techniques for period block construction and modification for men, women and children and for a selection of sizes
sources and suppliers of materials, fabrics and trims typically used in period costume construction
numeracy skills sufficient to allow calculation of measurements, including ratios and percentages
effective communication and interaction with performers and others during the preparation and making of costumes

Linkages to other units

This unit has linkages to other costume units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, eg:

CUECOS09A Develop and apply knowledge of costume

Critical aspects of evidence

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

ability to create period costumes, including corsetry and undergarments, male costume, female costume and pre-production toiles using techniques and materials specific to period costume
knowledge of costume styles and features from a range of historical periods (these will vary depending on the job role)

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the production of period costume for a nominated production

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

direct observation of the candidate using techniques particular to period costume construction
evaluation of period costumes produced by the candidate in relation to quality of construction
oral questioning/interview to assess knowledge of period costume styles and techniques particular to those styles
evaluation of drawings/sketches or specifications developed by the candidate
third party reports and portfolios of evidence
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (eg people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Resource requirements

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

costume designs or specifications from which the candidate can work
materials and equipment used to produce period costumes

Communicating ideas and information
Researching information (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Making suggestions for construction methods (2)

Planning and organising activities
Selecting and preparing appropriate materials and equipment (2)

Working with others and in teams
Liaising with colleagues on costume requirements (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Taking measurements (1)

Solving problems
Responding to exacting performance requirements for costume (2)

Using technology
Using tools and equipment (1)