History and Context.
History and Context.
After
receiving a BA in Theatre and Dance (acting and directing) and a BS in
Radio Television and
Film from The University
of Texas in 2000, my graduate studies continued at The University. My study
evolved within the Convergent Media area of the Department of Radio Television
Film. Convergent Media allows and encourages
multi-disciplinary work across and between academic divisions.
After two years of graduate study, a Master's project is required that will represent
a specific student's interests. My initial focus for this project included cinematography
and production design, but soon came to include
interior architecture as well as fashion.
Early in 2001, I was reading the local paper and stumbled across an article
detailing that the University Co-operative Society had donated over $20,000
for the production
of the 2002 UFG show. I had been to the UFG shows in the past which were
enjoyable. Given my experience and interest in producing and production
design, I realized what an exceptional opportunity
this generous
donation would
provide
to the
board supervising the event. After much reflection including the possibilities
for multi-departmental collaboration, possible designs, textures, and
combinations I approached the executive board of the UFG. At the first meeting
I attended I proposed a departmental collaboration as researched
and
detailed
in
my graduate report and manifesto.
After several
meetings and rough sketch of a set
plan and scrim
idea secured the design of the show. When I began to work
on the show, it became evident that the budget could accommodate multi-departmental
collaboration. The executive
board also voted to allow me to include programmers from the the Department
of Theatre and Dance’s
specialized Robotic Lighting programmers for the illumination
for the show, a crew of students from the Department of Radio Television
and Film to provide the live video feed of the show, and a combination
of a Convergent Media DJ and a Quartet from the
Department of Music to provide
the
music for the show. I was to provide the inner
show digital video segments and post-production, the complete production
design,
and eventually
the production coordination and stage management between the distinct departments
and disciplines. Inspired by the academic challenges of combining several
disciplines, the opportunity of designing a show that would occur in
the largest venue in
Austin, and the financial flexibility of the project, I went to work.
There were many questions, themes, processes and discoveries associated
with each component of production. The subcategories of work include production
coordination, production design, cinematography,
sound, stage management,
and research.
Carol
Ann (Eve) Nicols supervised the UFG show in 2002.
Ms. Nicols is a professor and scholar who teaches in the Department
of Textiles and Apparel. Ms. Nicols desired
a professional show that would showcase each student's garments.
Each proposal drafted by any individual contributor to the show was approved
by the executive board of eight students and then required a four-tiered process
of approval.
1. Approval by executive
board
2. Approval by Eve Nichols (supervisor)
3. Approval by the Department of Textiles and Apparel
4. Approval by The University Co-op
Working with
this executive board, every proposal required a 2 week
period to go from initial proposition to final approval. Working
via committee provided a unique opportunity for group consultation and
contribution,
but
also provided much debate and delay.