"Glamis Hath Murdered Sleep!"

Before taking on the costuming for the Paper Wing Theatre's production of "MacBETH", I thought of the magnitude of the project. MacBETH is no small scale black box show. There are nearly 30 people playing MORE than 30 roles, which means that the true difficulty in this is the organization of the thing! Still, with my motto -- FEAR NOT! -- I jumped right in.

I grabbed a binder and began to prepare. First, the easy stuff: the rehearsal schedule and the preliminary cast of characters. Then, the list of critical questions: What's off limits? What resources? What's the budget? 

As much as possible, I have been recording info in a document I am calling Dseigners Forms.  This is in MS Excel and consists of many tabs with names CAST LIST, CAST SIZES, COSTUME CHART, COSTUME CHANGES, COSTUME BREAKDOWN. This list grew as I moved on to my next priority... the LOOK BOOK.

The LOOK BOOK was as much for me as it was for the Producer and Director. I started off with a thought - what are the elements of the period and the famous productions? What photos are available online? The major performances were all there including Orson Welles. The photos ranged from period to present day, and searching the web began to feel overwhelming.

My mom always tells me to break things down into baby-steps and that was just the advice I needed for this.  Finally, the natural pattern of the Scottish play emerged: Groupings -- MacBETH Traditional, MacBETH Modernistic, MacBETH Poster Ideas, MacBETH Set Ideas, MacBETH with the Three Weird Sisters, MacBeth with Lady MacBETH (blended), Lady MacBETH Traditional, Lady MacBETH Modernistic, and Lady MacBETH AVANT GARDE. This last section included such things as a "fur" coat made of looped video tape, a "fur" stole made from crocheted shredded white plastic bags, Punk Rock and Vampire designs, and the Unisex Fashions of the Rad Hourani Fashion House. 

This blended approach facilitated an organized brainstorming session with the Director and later with the Producer. It allowed me to hear and observe their impressions and expressions. I could see what excited them and where they wanted to pull back. To be honest, this method worked surprisingly well, and still serves as inspiration for me. 

I intentionally made the margins large so there would be room for notation, drawings, or doodles. The pages were carefully arranged so that the layout was balanced as opposed to looking "thrown together" or sparse, and since it was to be printed back-to-back, I made sure that each facing page complimented the other. Printed in full, lush color on 20 lb paper, the LOOK BOOK was 3-hole punched and placed in the binder.


By this time, I had collected a large number of photos and was about to start searching for Forms for Costume Designer Organization. I realized that this too would be a lot of information so before I proceeded any further, I set up an organizational system in my Costume Design folder. Here's a screen grab of it. 

From here, I was able to drag photos or docs to the appropriate folder, and am prepared in advance for files & images that I know are coming and will need a home. 

At this point, I had been working on this project for two (2) days, and this was when I started to work on this in my sleep. It recalls Lady MacBETH who re-enacts the murderous events in her famous "sleep walking" scene. OK. I didn't murder my ideas, nor did I sleep walk. Still, I was recreating my waking work in my sleep. Needless  to say, this has led to far less sleep - the trapping of deeds that MacBETH recognizes when he exclaims following his act Regicide, "Glamis hath murdered sleep!" Luckily for me, this gives me joy!

I will continue to elaborate on my  process in my next post...

The Gothic Gourmet: Dreaming of Costumes Blog

I have been dreaming of costumes for my whole life.

I’m sure it started with my mother dressing me in beautiful dresses as a little girl. Once I turned "Tom-Boy", I liked the more sporty stuff. By High School, I was a New Romantic / Punk wearing leather skirts and just starting to explore the ‘unisex’ look. First year of college brought me into Designer clothes. This was just one part.

Then there was Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. Easter shopping was elegant and always “something more’. Christmas was about color and celebration. Halloween, though, as you probably have already guessed, was where the concept of DESIGNING took shape.

The early years saw store bought costumes. One favorite was “Casper The Friendly Ghost”. Dang! How old was then? Maybe 6? Maybe 7? Eventually, I started to come up with my own costumes. The routine was like this: “Gah! It’s Halloween tomorrow and I haven’t made a costume yet! What do I have?” followed by a search through the closet, then the garage. Inspiration usually came from a weirdly bent piece of metal or a branch that had been trimmed from the tree in the backyard. Once I had a concept, I would go back to the closet or more likely the scrap bag of fabrics. From there I would start “my build”. To be honest, there were very few times when I sewed an outfit completely, though I sew. No! On such short notice, creativity is the master of invention and costumes were constructed from my wild imaginings. I wish I had photos from back then. It would be interesting to see how many of those creations were truly successful and how many were… not.

Anyhow, those were the early years… the courageous early years where I learned how much I LOVED COSTUMES! I loved the potential. I loved the failures almost as much as the successes because inevitably those unsuccessful ones taught me to take a chance, even try a new technique, damn the consequences. Oh, I just love that! “Damn the consequences!”

In recent years, I’ve been more precise in my practice. Some costumes: My son’s Space Cadet costume was fun; Renaissance outfits for Dane, Patrick, and myself. Those were very demanding projects and didn’t employ any “build” to them. They were straight up sewing projects. No child will forget my "Other Mother" from "Coraline" complete with button eyes that I wear for two straight days. There's just too many to enumerate. The next “build” was my DALEK GOWN. I have photos of that process and will post them in a separate blog entry. The idea there was to de-construct a gown to re-construct it… and then add the DALEK to it. It was a very fast-paced project and really was the longest in the end.

And here I am today! Embarking on a super secret dream that I didn’t realize I had until it was handed to me. I am so in love with this idea! And yet, I admit, it’s a – - BIG. SCARY. COMMITMENT. That’s OK. I have a new motto this year – NO FEAR! Or put more poetically – FEAR NOT! Ha! It makes me feel better when I say that… and that is what gets me through all of the scary stuff I’ve been through in my life only now it has a name – FEAR NOT!

When I accepted this challenge, the first thing Patrick said to me was, “You HAVE to Blog this! Blog the whole process.” Something about that rang so true in me. So this is the beginning of that. Now that my costuming background is exposed, I’ll move on to my process in the next post.

DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know that I love to work-out, especially with weights. There is something quite meditative for me in the physicality of movement, though Yoga and such lack a certain intensity that I thrive on. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming of a good little soccer game with a bunch of kids or an evening back on my favorite Curling Ice, but these are not easy to come by right now.

When I get this urge, I know it's time to step up the intensity of my normal work-out. Here are some of my favorite ways of doing that.

1) JUMPING ROPE -- This is one of those childhood acitivities that I loved soooooo much that I stll delight in doing it. I'm hoping to put together a small group of friends --who also like jumping rope -- to try doing "double dutch" again. Oh! How I LOVED that!

2) HIKING -- The Central Coast of California has some impressive and daunting hikes in glorious forests, but I'm also a big fan of hiking the steep streets of Old Monterey. Inevitably, one hiking there will end at one of many fabulous city parks. While taking in the sights at the park, add Jumping Jacks, push-ups, deep knee lunges, and high kicks.

3) JOGGING ON THE BEACH -- They say that jogging barefoot in beach sand is the very best way to do it. The Monterey Peninsula has breath-taking beaches as well as walking/biking trails that hug the beaches. I have never been a willing jogger (ever) but I am determined to start now because the scenic beauty contributes much to ones sense of health.

4) BICYCLING BY THE BEACH -- These walking/biking trails listed above offer a relatively safe way to get in a lot of milage while taking in the sights. I gave up bicycling many years ago but now a new yearning has started in me and this is on my list of "must do" activities.

5) GARDENING -- About the time I start getting bored in my work-outs, I always seem to notice that the yard needs to be weeded, the garden needs planting, or the trees need pruning. These activities, when aproached with vigor, work every muscle in the body and burn intense amounts of calories when you continue to push through fatigue to get the job done. There is nothing like collapsing in exhaustion in a lawn chair and enjoying the beauty of your labors.

I would love to know what YOU do to add intensity to your work-outs. And what do you wear to work-out? In keeping with my goth sensibilities, I wear black band girly tees adn black yoga pants.

Be well. Be healthy. And beware!

From the Sunny Side of the Graveyard,
Beverly - The Gothic Gourmet

BEVZ NEIGHBORHOOD

This is a Photo Blog.

After reading Haunted Amy’s blog, which was inspired by Madelyn Alt’s, I really started to think about what are the elements in my area that make it My Neighborhood. Would I walk down the street taking photos? Would I pick a theme? Finally, I grabbed my camera and just drove around.

I took 125 photos that day. Of course, not all of them looked good, and many were different angles of the same scene. These are the best of them. Regrettably, my favorite subject turned out to be a long streak . . . taken in the car, I tried to capture the essence of my favorite Wild Turkeys that gather on ranchland near Highway 68, the Salinas-Monterey Highway. These creatures are elusive and fascinating, elegant while still strange looking.

Anyhow, what follow are photos of buildings and places that have influenced me – either by being a formative part of my past, or by being an interesting part of my present.





Old Town Salinas – Salinas, CA. I leave three blocks from here. You can see the smoke as haze from the numerous and catastrophic fires that surround the Central California Coast.




First Awakenings – Salinas, CA. My very favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant. They also have a Monterey location that is equally fantastic!




The National Steinbeck Center – Salinas, CA. Yes. I live four blocks from a center dedicated to area’s most famous writer . . . and I’ve never gone there to check it out. Shameful, really! It’s a product of having John Steinbeck and his work shoveled down my throat for most of my life. Yet, I will visit there this summer. Promise!




Star Market – Salinas, CA. This is the market I go to when I need that something special. They have an immense collection of domestic and imported beers and wines, a butcher extraordinaire, and generally carry the best produce the Salinas Valley has to offer.




Separating Salinas from all other parts of California, one finds the most interesting farmlands. Produce ranges from strawberries and lettuce, to broccoli and artichokes. It truly is “The Salad Bowl of America”. Again, notice how dark the sky is from the smoke.



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Cathedral San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey also known as the “The Royal Presidio Chapel” is the smallest cathedral in the continental United States and is the location of the so-called “Plymouth Rock of the Pacific Coast”. This is my parish where, as a teenager, I first became aware of the Chapel’s haunted past when I myself experienced a paranormal event. I can only imagine what spiritual chaos is being stirred up as workers clamor to rescue the aged building.




Ah . . . the Cemetery! This is San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey, CA. I use to live four blocks from this cemetery where my grandmother is interred. It is a lovely and tranquil place.



Except when all the children are across the street at the famous Dennis the Menace Park erected by Hank Ketchum. This train, at the entrance of the park, was an integral part of my childhood. Actually, it is fitting that one can travel a few steps between the beginning of life (a childrens park) and the end of it (the park of eternal rest).




This is one view of Lake El Estero, a man-made lake. In the distance you can see Dennis the Menace Park. In the foreground, one sees the distinctive shape of Monterey Cypress trees. On the placid lake, paddle-boaters enjoy sharing this space with Canadian geese, mallards, loons, and seagulls. When I look at this photo, I feel like I captured some small flavor of the early ‘70s when I was a child feeding the ducks.




The Robert Louis Stevenson House – Monterey, CA. Well . . . this was actually a hotel that RLS stayed in while visiting the Monterey Peninsula. It is said that he wrote “Treasure Island” while here and it is known that Point Lobos is the actual location of “the Island”. This is only one of the most haunted locations in the area.




The building is not square to the street (hm, methinks this contributes to the hauntings) so here is another photo of the front. The small Carmel stone entry leads to the beautiful gardens contained within a huge, private courtyard. I went to High School a few short blocks away and this was one of my hang-outs when I choose to enhance my education outside of the confines of school. =^)




A one view of the back entry to what is now a museum. There have been many sightings of a woman in the windows or on the stairs here. Note the sandbags near the doorway. This area of Monterey . . . the most historical . . . has a consistent water intrusion issue that spans the centuries.




This is just a small peak into the expansive gardens.




The other side of the back of the building. I can look at this area for hours and not release the passage of time.




Back out through the Carmel stone garden entry lays one of Monterey’s oldest streets.




This is one of three Carmel stone structures on the street. This building was empty for more than two decades. One day, shortly after graduating university, I decided to call the owners to ask about how much they wanted for it. The windows were broken and the building had structural damage so I was sure the price would be low. Instead I was told that it would cost $5,000,000.00. Too rich for my blood! I had wanted to put a bed and breakfast there, with a bakery in the front lobby. Within a year, the building was being repaired for occupancy. What business opened there? A bed and breakfast with a bakery in the lobby! sigh

Next post is Bevz Garden!


B.

FIRST EVER MONTEREY COUNTY CELTIC WEEK - July 1-8, 2007

OH, I am so excited about this news. Long-time readers will know that I love going to the Monterey Scottish Games held here in Monterey County. Well now there is a WHOLE WEEK dedicated to CELTS! The following is the Official Press release from my very good friend and publist, Wendy Brickman (Love you Girl!).

Oh yeah, and I'll be there... talking with people about CURLING, the other Scottish sport!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!!




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUBLICITY CONTACT: WENDY BRICKMAN
(831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

FIRST EVER MONTEREY COUNTY CELTIC WEEK TO BE HELD JULY 1-8, 2007

A very special event-filled first ever "Monterey County Celtic Week" will be held the week of July 1-8, 2007. This exciting week will kick off with a Caber Parade featuring Scottish dancers, bagpipers and drummers on Sunday, July 1st in Carmel along Ocean Avenue. Later that afternoon, the 3rd Annual Monterey Bay School of Piping and Drumming, will begin, to be held from Sunday, July 1st to Friday, July 6th at Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California featuring world renowned piping and drumming instructors from Scotland and the United States, including Lorne Cousin, bagpiper to Stella and Paul McCartney and also the bagpiper on Madonna's 2004 World Tour.

The Monterey Bay Pipe Band will perform at the 4th of July Parade in Downtown Monterey. During the piping and drumming school on Thursday, July 5th, a Pub Night will be held at the Mucky Duck in downtown Monterey with informal performances by the piping and drumming instructors. On Friday night, July 6th, there will be a very special Celtic Concert at the Stevenson School Auditorium in Pebble Beach, featuring the world class bagpipe instructors from Scotland and the U.S., Irish dancers, and other Celtic performers.

Monterey County Celtic Week will culminate in the not-to-be-missed 40th Annual Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival at Monterey County Toro Park, located between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68, on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 & 8, 2007. The Monterey Scottish Festival will feature a wide array of Scottish and Irish musicians, Scottish and Highland dancers, British food and crafts, thrilling athletic events and much, much more (http://www.montereyscotgames.com). The Monterey Scottish Festival’s very special array of entertainment this year will include the award-winning White Spot Youth Pipe Band from Vancouver, Canada with many pipers and Highland Dancers, Stand Easy with John McLean Allan, a very popular Celtic Rock Band, Dublin-born Ken O'Malley and The Twilight Lords, an Irish band, and John Taylor and Hamewith.

For more information, check out www.montereyscotgames.com or contact the Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival Hotline at 831-647-6311.

Photos are available at: http://www.montereyscotgames.com/formload.php?name=album.html

Monterey Sardine Bruscetta

See my article, A SIMPLE TREND: SARDINES

Soon, I'll be posting my 2007 Food Trend article.