Toronto Underground Cinema's Tales From the Underground

This was a project I was involved with back in July 2010. The Boys at Toronto Underground Cinema decided to create a three short films for Edgar Wright's The Wright Stuff which happened the first weekend of August 2010. For those of you that don't know what that is, Edgar frequently programs series of film screenings in various theatres around North America and the UK, films that have inspired him throughout his life. TUC hosted his latest Toronto event which was in honor of his newest film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World being released that same week.

I was the costume designer for this project which was so much fun! The second film was particularly costume intensive and the one  I spent all my time on. Part 2 was inspired by the 1980's film Flash Gordon, one that I love particularly because of the campy costumes and character design :) I was hoping to get some detailed construction shots but unfortunately that hasn't happened yet so I'm posting some shots the boys took on set!

For Alex's costume I was inspired by Prince Vultan, who was the prince of the bird-like Hawkmen in the film. I created a leather breastplate with shoulder guards and matching leather bracers. I don't have a shot of the back but there were two buckled straps going from the shoulders that created a harness with two horizontal buckled straps across the back. Additionally, I got a set of baby black angel wings that tied to the back harness and a viking hat.

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

Evil Emperor Dark Nigellus was kept in the theme of Flash Gordon's villain, Emperor Ming the Merciless. I created a long hooded cloak from red satin and Nigel accessorized with copious amounts of eyeliner and faux facial hair! 

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

The love interest in this mini-epic was Belinda played by Christine. I was inspired by Ming's daughter in the film, Princess Aura and her memorable gold costume. This costume was all about the bling so I picked up some vintage antique white lace with beading/sequins and repurposed it for the bra portion of the costume. I created gold beaded/sequined shoulder pads that had loops to attach them to the bra strap which I also added gold trim to. The skirt was a wrap with a thick gold elastic band (that was a really big pain to find!) and an interlocking metal buckle. I also picked up some strands of clear seed beads for a necklace and a Celtic knot elastic headband.  

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

The last costume was for Charlie and inspired by Flash Gordon himself. I created a t-shirt from scratch, adding the contrasting red arm and sleeve ribbing. I then screened the FLASH logo on the chest and the lightning bold on the back. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it but you can check it out in the film below! :) 

The Long Awaited Epic Blog Post of Jurassic Park on the Silver Stage! Pt. 2 - Dilophosaurus

The Dilophosaurus costume was challenging but much fun as I had decided to additionally interpret the neck ruff that expands when the dinosaur is ready to attack its prey and spit poison in the movie. Instead of spitting poison, our lovely Kim blew bubbles at Dennis Nedry:)

Before sewing everything, I screened the fabric by hand.The dual crests on the top of the head were padded so they were more three dimensional. I pregathered red tulle and contoured it around the eye folds. Again with the back of the hood neck, I added in elastic in order to keep the head more securely positioned.

The elastic harness had a boned collar that I did similar to a neck corset. It was attached to the harness shoulders and could be pulled upright during attacks and left down the rest of the time.

Here are some live shots of the Dilophosaurus in action on the stage:

The Long Awaited Epic Blog Post of Jurassic Park on the Silver Stage! Pt. 1 - Raptors

This year I was privileged enough to be the costume designer for a massive and amazing undertaking during Toronto's 2009 Fringe Week! Alex Woodside, the director (and later christened as Trannysaurus Rex) decided that there could be no better shadow cast than one of JURASSIC PARK! I did something like 25 costumes in a month and a half, it was extremely exhausting but I had the time of my life. Everyone that worked on the show is extremely talented and just good people in general:)

Alex, Brian and I were interviewed on CBC radio Canada Day which was pretty cool. We got a great article in Eye Weekly about the various shows:

http://www.eyeweekly.com/arts/theatre/article/64764

The lovely Jen Houston on She Does the City did a kick ass article on our show:

http://www.shedoesthecity.com/raunchy_jurassic_park_has_makings_of_a_future_cult_classic

Our talented Brian Dunn, who played Dr. Alan Grant, did a video show all about the production and interviewed various cast members:

http://www.bite.ca/video/The-Life-of-Alan-Grant-Jurassic-Park-Bloor-Shadowcast!/

Every night was sold out or over capacity and the audience participation was phenomenal! Tan Pants! And now, on to the costumes:D

Kim and Sam were our sexy VELOCIRAPTORS!

I designed each of them a set of hand screened head, gloves and spats. The heads had an elastic band running through the bottom of the back hood to keep it a little more secure while the girls were doing their tangos and molest-killing various victims on stage!

Along with the bodysuits I designed a dominatrix type elastic harness vest that attached under the bust with suspender clasps!

Here are some live shots of the Raptors, including the lovely Elke who was our sexy burlesque hatching raptor! I made her an 'egg' that was a spandex case that vecroed up the front so she could open it up during her routine! I also made her a pair of undies with the JP logo on the bum:)

I Love Musicals Swap

This was for my partner PaperWings in the I Love Musicals Swap. She *loves* the Rent musical beyond anything! I made her a few things but my favorite thing was an 80s style purse that I designed for her. I picked up some cool fabric and screened the Rent logo all over it before sewing it. I also used a magnetic closure on the inside and put in a two section pocket.