SP Contextual Engagement

Here is a hand-out I filled in on the context of A Soldier's Tale and the costume  I am making. I think it was a good exercise that helped me find out a bit more about what context includes and how it relates to my project. We presented these within our presentation groups which let everyone know what  our other group members are doing and gave us time to get a bit more in-depth with everyone's projects.

Emily Manning

Specialist Practice

Contextual Engagement

Genre	What type of production are you working on? Dance, physical theatre, pantomime, drama, film, etc. I am working on a live AUCB Production. The written text could be considered a drama, it is accompanied by live instrumental music.
Script, Synopsis, treatment	Describe briefly the outline of your project. I will be making a pair of WW1 army trousers with putties as well as a early 20th century male shirt, both will be broken down according to the design. I am also making a tailored early 20th century waistcoat. These will be worn in the AUCB Production: A Soldier’s Tale. The first two items (trousers, shirt, and putties) are for the character of Soldier. The waistcoat is for the character of The Narrator.
Character	If appropriate describe the character you are working on. I haven’t gotten a copy of the script due to copy-right issues. From the designer here are a few key words for the two characters: Soldier: Deserter, clothes are: worn, lived-in, ragged, over-sized. Narrator: smart, neat, of the period
Broader context	What research have you gathered within the broader context of your project? eg. who is the author/ director, what is the wider socio economic, political context.  Set and written in 1918 by Igor Stravinsky. Music follows a journey of a deserter soldier and his dealings with the devil. Performed with just 7 instruments and 4 actors. The story is based on a Russian folk tale. “The Music uses only the essentials in melody, rhythm, and instrumentation. The starkness of the instruments, the dryness of the melody is what creates the mood of the piece.”  (Good-Music-Guide. 2010).
Where have you researched	List some of the books you have found and places you have visited to find your research, remember these must be recorded in the Harvard system. Cariou, G. Shep, R.L. (1999). Shirts and Men’s Haberdashery: 1840-1920’s. California: R.L. Shep Productions. Good-Music-Guide (n.d.). Igor Stavinsky- The Soldier’s Tale. [online]. Available from: www.good-music-guide.com/reviews/081_soldiers_tale.htm. History in the Making. (2011). Historical Reconstruction Specialists. Research   re-created WW1 trousers. 13th October. Liddle, P. (1979). Testimony of War 1914-1918. Great Britain: Butler and Tanner Ltd. Masters, J. (1965). Fourteen Eighteen. London: Michael Joseph Ltd. Shep, R.L. (1998). The Great War: Styles and Patterns of the 1910’s.     California: R.L. Shep Productions.

LO2 Demonstrate the initiation and   creative application of intellectual reasoning and practical research to a high level of attainment

LO3     Inform project solutions with appropriate understanding, a high degree of  independent judgement and demonstrate critical self-awareness

Evidence of knowledge of conceptual and contextual issues – The level to which you have considered the context of your project including a self-initiated learning agreement outlining your body of work