Costume Design

Costume Design

Commedia Dell'Arte and Creating a face cast

22/04/15

Today we revisited the methods of making a face cast using Mod Rock, however this time, we would then be using the Mod Rock mask and creating a plaster cast, which would later be used to make a latex mask. 

The mask design would be of one of the many characters within the Commedia Dell'Arte, and so were to follow a specific design, but would also have our own twist on it.

Commedia Dell'Arte

Commedia Dell'Arte is a theatrical performance that uses character types shown through masks. It began in Italy in the 16th century and was the beginning of improvisation in acting based on scenarios or sketches. 

Commedia Dell'Arte is shortened from 'Commedia Dell'Arte all'improvviso', which translated means "Comedy of the craft of improvisation"

Capitano: Is usually a Spaniard and is an outsider. Often makes up stories to impress others, however only usually ends up impressing himself. Gets easil absorbed in his own tales and is oblivious to those around him who don't believe him. He is a coward and has trouble with talking to and being around women.

Zanni: Is a servant and a trickster, he comes from the countryside and is known as a dispossessed immigrant worker.

Scaramuccia: Literally translated to 'Little Skirmisher', Scaramuccia is a combination of Capitano and Zanni in the sense of cowardice and boasting. He is often dressed in black Spanish dress and is the stock clown character of the Commedia Dell'Arte.

Pulcinella: Often called Punch or Punchinello in English. Is often dressed in white with a black mask and stands out because of his unusual voice. He often carries around a wooden spoon and macaroni. He uses stupidity as a defense so as to know what is going on, however is mean, vicious and crafty.

Tartaglia: Is the dainty character who's status varies from bailiff, lawyer, notary or chemist. He often represents the lower working class, however sometimes represents the middle or upper class. He is farsighted with a minor stutter.

Naso Turco: The one who is opposed to the masters of the city. Is looked upon as having a dim-witted approval and became sly, meddling, cunning and cheeky. (Also known as Zanni)

Pantelone: Is one of the most important characters in Commedia Dell'Arte. is very greedy and is at the top of the social order, he is portrayed as money. He has the highest regards for his intelligence. he is usually the father of one of the lovers, and is driven to keeping his child and their lover apart. Is prestented as either a bachelor or a widower and makes numerous passes on the women but id often rejected, dispite his age.

Arlecchino/Harlequin: Is the most well known Zanni or comic servant characters. he is a light-hearted and nimble astute servant, often trying to thwart his master. 

Columbina: Is Harlequins mistress and is wife of Pierrot. Was the only functioning intellect on the stage.

Pierrot: Is a sad clown who is often pining for love of Columbina, who usually breaks his heart and leaves him for Harlequin. Is seen as a fool and is often the butt of pranks but is also seen as trusting.

Making a Commedia Dell'Arte Mask:

As well as using the mod rock face mask technique, we also were to make a stronger mold that would aid us in the making of a latex mask. The mold would be made of plaster

Safety when using plaster:

• Do not inhale the plaster or ingest it.
• When mixing, wear a dust mask and mix in a well ventilated room.
• Do not attempt to cast hands or anything alike in a large volume of plaster, consequences are large.
• wear gloves when handling, mixing and using the substance.
• Wear overall's to avoid getting the plaster on clothes.
• Do not throw plaster around.
• Take note of the people around you when using.

It is important to note that the window of opportunity to use the plaster at it's optimum point is about 5 minutes, and so work must be done quickly. The use of varying temperatures will speed up the reaction, as will adding any other substances to the mix.

When mixing, the plaster will vary in consistency before it becomes usable. It's first stage is very watery and looks like milk. It's second stage is like that of single cream, it's third stage like double cream. It is at this stage that is becomes usable. After this the stages change very rapidly and is begins to thicken harden.

How it was done

Before mixing the plaster, it was important to coat the inside of the Mod Rock mask with Soft Soap, a waxy and greasy mixture that would prevent the plaster that would be applied into the mask from sticking to the plaster on the Mod Rock. One the mask was coated and dried, we then mixed the plaster.
The amount added was done by eye rather than in exact quantities. The plaster was added into cold water (A third of a bucket) until a small mound had formed on top of the water and was added while wearing a face mask to stop us from inhaling the dust and is a well ventilated space Once it had reached this point, we could then mix it. 

Mixing it to the stage that it was usable took patience and meant that we constantly had to move it so that the plaster didn't settle to the bottom of the bucket we were mixing it in. Eventually it began to move through the stages.
Once i had reached the consistency of double cream, we were then able to use it. First of all, the mixture was poured into the Mod Rock mask and swirled around to that it filled any detailed areas such as the nose and mouth, once this was done, the consistency of the plaster had thickened, and so was able to push up the sides of the mask. The idea was to get a hollow mask with a 1 inch thick wall so that it could be easily handled.

Once the plaster had been applied, we then used a thin metal disk called a kidney to scrape the top of the mask to make it smoother. Once this was done, the Mod Rock mask could then be puled away from the plaster and thrown away. The plaster mold was left to dry.