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The 7th Sense 2009 Notes for Artists If
you have had the opportunity to bear witness to big
city fashion shows featuring the latest super
models draped in the latest work of the latest
designers, let that not be your preparation. For
you see, The Seventh Sense is not like any other
fashion show. This is the intersection where
fashion meets identity. It goes beyond what one
wears, and explores who one is. It expresses that
identity in the rawest and most elaborate costumes,
designed specifically for the event, some perhaps
intended only to last for as long as the runway.
The
pieces are designed expressly as components of the
show. They are not about proposals of lines of
clothing that are practical. Where fashion
represents a cultural wave, these pieces are about
individual splashes of expression, meant for
audience enjoyment only. In
creating pieces for this show, there need be no
pretence of practicality. The materials may be as
cumbersome as concrete and barbed wire, or as
fleeting as paper or even projected light.
Craftsmanship is paramount. Only top quality work
is seen on our runway. The strictest standards of
quality determine participation. The
designers range drastically in background and
style. Artists in various mediums not typically
related to body adornment, present their creations
on themselves and their models in a carefully
choreographed runway style performance. The
audience will enjoy this show dressed elegantly
themselves, as they have since 1997.
When
carefully planned out, we encourage the use of
video, and other media. If you are considering
video, please note the following: Because
video projection normally is viewed on a flat
screen placed at the front of the audience, it is
important that artists understand how this set-up
is different. Artists should know that video images
are distorted when projected on our set. Although
our set is reflective and in some senses video
complimentary, it is not a flat screen. Therefore,
images projected will often be distorted or even
chopped up. If you do want to project video
material on a flat screen, please let us know right
away, so we can negotiate this with
you. In
addition, the audience is seated in a horse-shoe
configuration around the runway. 60% of the
audience will view the show from either side. The
video projector will be situated directly in front
of the runway, in the projection booth. This means
that the projection will flow right down the
runway. So, part of the audience will be seated
perpendicular to the projection angle. This means
that if models are used as a projection surface,
they must be choreographed to remain upstage on the
runway near the backdrop, as all video activity is
upstage. Slide type presentations must be formatted
onto DVD or CD. Slide projectors will not be
used. Please
note that there is no live talking, singing or
playing of musical instruments allowed on the
runway. All aspects of your audio presentation must
be recorded in advance on the final CD, which will
be mastered onto the full-show disk by the sound
technician. Please
give careful consideration to music and voice-over
material as early as possible. The sooner you begin
integrating your sound concept to your artwork and
choreography, the more sophisticated it will
be. If
the music for your piece is original, or if you
have a written release for use of the music, then
video footage of your piece can later be broadcast
on TV. We strongly encourage the use of original,
rather than popular, recordings for your audio.
This will allow use of your piece not only for TV
promotion, but will allow video footage of your
piece to be distributed without concerns over
copyright infringement. If you have a popular audio
recording that you have your heart set on using, we
can make exceptions. Originally,
Seventh Sense required recorded voice-overs for
every piece. Narration can be used not only to add
depth to the audience's understanding of what the
model is wearing, but also to aid in the perception
of what the model is supposedly feeling, or to add
dimension (or dementia) to any other aspect of the
artist's concept. At this time, we leave that to
the discretion of the artist. We recommend that you
contact the sound engineer as early as possible to
help you understand the logistics and potential of
what can be done. More
than one piece per model is an issue. If you have
more than one piece in the show and are using a
model in both pieces, or if you are sharing a model
with another artist you must talk with the
director. The production staff needs not only to
coordinate the costume changes, but we must also
consider how much dynamic energy a model has left
for the second piece. These logistics affect show
order, and impact other performers. Choreography
is of paramount importance in this show. Designers
who plan to choreograph their piece as an
afterthought; using their next-door neighbor as a
model, may ultimately end up with a great costume,
but their piece may be cut from the show if it
performs badly. We highly recommend great costume
makers with little choreography experience to
contact us for a volunteer choreographer. We will
assign someone as artistic director of choreography
for your piece. Not someone to serve or help you,
but to take on that aspect of your piece
themselves. Pieces
should have a central theme. In other words, we
want to know as early as possible what you have in
mind. For example: "Men and women wearing outfits
made of construction materials, such as heating
ducts and snow fencing will take turns showing off
their high fashion attitudes and physiques, while
narrative describes the nuances of their outfits
over a background of construction noises. This
piece will illustrate how the success of a garment
can be almost exclusively determined by the
attitude of the person wearing it." or "Five girls
wearing various outfits complete with accessories
all made from GAP labels parade up and down the
runway, while voice-over discusses the famous GAP
clothing business as well as other GAPS in our
human environment. " or "Woman appears in raggedy
hiking suit which converts to smart cocktail dress,
then shimmering evening gown, then sleeping bag
complete with backgammon game; as voice-over
discusses homeless person's need for innovative and
versatile clothing." This will allow us to help you
develop your piece along the show's parameters with
as much inspiration and attention to detail as
possible. As
is clear from watching any traditional fashion
show, props are not normally a part of our format;
If you can't carry it on and off with you, then it
probably won't work .If you are set on an idea that
does include some special accessories, please
discuss this with the director as early as
possible, so we can determine how these may fit
in. Being
on time and prepared to your scheduled tech time as
well to as to the show call times. If you
ABSOLUTELY HAVE to be late, you MUST NOTIFY US. If
you are late for a performance your piece (and
compensation) may be dropped for that show since
the cues and run order are set we cannot always
alter the order. Also, this means that if you're
late we have to alter everyone's schedule to
prepare the other artists to go earlier. Many
artists time their make-up and costuming to right
before they go onstage. The
lighting designer needs your costumes absolutely
complete and with you at tech time so we can see
how the lights look with the actual materials used
for the design. Lighting changes drastically
depending on material! If black is an integral part
of their piece they'll want to test it under lights
ASAP because many blacks come out rust or brownish
under light. All
the technical aspects, voiceovers, videos, etc...
need to be ready at tech time. If you are using
video or voice-over you will need to be their early
to make sure that your piece is cued correctly.
Brainstorms:
Please be aware that as rehearsals get underway,
you cannot keep changing your thing! Once tech
rehearsal is completed, and the lighting and sound
cues are in place, last minute creative brainstorms
can become a major difficulty. Any changes in
blocking or models must be completed by this time.
If models leave town or get sick and end up being
replaced, new models must be introduced to every
member of the technical staff, especially the
backstage manager. If extenuating circumstances
occur regarding changes to your piece, we will make
a decision as to whether anything can be
changed. Likewise,
there will be a firm deadline for printed Show
Program data. Once the show order is established,
the final editing of the program will not be
complicated with last minute inspiration. If at
dress rehearsal, you suddenly realize that you
forgot to carefully proofread your Bio in the
program draft, and the names of the countries where
you were honored are wrong, or you forgot to
mention the time you designed a costume for
Madonna, or even that the title of your piece is
supposed to be spelled a special way, and not the
ordinary way, it'll be too late; it can't be
changed. Lastly
and mostly: Seventh Sense will include works of the
highest quality only. Pieces are hand-made by
artists and their helpers. Unwelcome are, pre-fab
costumes or pre fab masks. Anyone hoping to convey
a noble concept with less than gorgeous work will
not be in the show. Quality work takes time to
develop, so last minute entries will not be
accepted. |
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