At 17:30 21/09/2005, you wrote:
Suzi Clarke wrote:
I quote "David Starkey explains why, sometimes, artistic licence is
better for drama than authenticity." (Says who?)
I assume this explanation occurs in the film itself and not the
article? I'd like to hear what he has to say.
No, this is in the article. It is a drama, not a documentary.
The interest for us will no doubt be the costumes. Well, I'm
getting my b*tch in first. Helen Mirren is posing with Jeremy Irons
(great so far) in a gown that has seams which curve into the armhole.
Do you mean in the front? They had them in the back for sure. Wish
we could see the photo.
No I don't - I mean in the front, over the bust.
I spend a lot of time working to get things looking as near
accurate as I can for my customers, but really, sometimes I wonder
why I bother.
Have you ever read Hunnisett's explanation of the costs asscoiated
with making the Ditchley gown for the Elizabeth R series?
I was taught by Jean Hunnisett, and I know what she went through. The
courses she taught were to show costume makers how original garments
were made wherever possible, (using original garments in museums
where available) and then to reproduce them to the best of their
ability. Her whole ethos was to make everything look as accurate as
possible, using modern techniques and fabrics. She hated costume that
did not look right, and in particular was horribly disappointed with
David Starkey, whose documentary series on Elizabeth used her
original costumes for "Elizabeth R" but for the wrong dates. (For
example, clothes made for the 1570's were worn during the 1590's and
vice versa.) She even wrote to him with her complaint.
Why does every production of anything having to do with history have
to be "perfectly accurate" down to the seams? Should the have to go
"all the way" and have reproduction everything? Consider the
targeted audience. Most people wouldn't notice any of the detail
you speak of. Do your clients? That anyone is producing history
films at all is a boon in my mind. If absolute costume accuracy
were the criteria, all we would ever see is contemporary films...it
would be all that was affordable.
The learning and teaching of history in Britain is getting worse and
worse, in part because TV series and films show inaccurate details.
People in this country believe what they see on the TV and do not
know enough to get it right. If TV companies have the money to
produce costume drama, how much more expensive is it to do the
research (as the costume person is said to have done) and to get it
right. I have worked on film too, and it is no more expensive - at
least when I have made costumes.
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