Research Development

David G. Ravenswood & Samuel N. Nutterville are creators of the 'Phantom Manor' (unofficial) Ravenswoodmanor.free.fr website, that is substantial loaded with a mass of helpful and original sources donated from Disney Imagineers and databases. I emailed David ant explained about my project and if he could use some of his information to aid my project which he did, and also if he had any extra imagery and information that I could use not available on the website, he was happy to oblige and offered to help out as best he can and showed great interest in the project. I feel that is somewhat a step forward, although a little one, to ensure that my research is correct and corrected.

I have ordered fourteen fabric swatches from www.cheapfabrics.co.uk, they range from glittering tulle's, pale gold, ivory, pearl, whites and cream satins, silks, and crepes with also some cotton laces and taffeta's. I feel that they will strongly influence the decision for my final fabrics of the dress.
The Bodice has been cut on the stand (two darts with a sloped SH seam & curved back seams) It was hard to decifer the positioning of the ruffles especially placement around the back area. The bodice now has four pieces to it, the side seam isn't period placed, this is because Iam creating a performance costume, so the costume can be fitted and altered to different performers, so an extra inlay of about 2" will be added to the SA of the SS on the bodice pieces and skirt(s).

Iam struggling with getting a shape for the skirt that is more historically corect than a usual disney interpretation of a period shape. I purposley dont want a cadge because I dont feel that it would suit the character or produce the type of movement I expect from the stage direction. So apropriate underpinnings are being processed (will upload pics blablabla)

SDP Concept

I want to direct my focus on a female performance costume associated with Disney for my portfolio. I havn't had as much experience in female making as I have with male and I find that this Self Directed Project is providing a chance for me to forfill aspirations in Design and Costume Construction from a Disney source. I have interested obsession with Disney for I have great respect for the work and effort that is endured in creating quality entertainment in the interest of imagination, technology and ability. My main and firm interest with Disney is its power of storytelling, perticularly in its many parks, I have particular interest in their attentions to detail, every attraction if finished to a high standard to suit that of the theme.


I have a long withstanding passion with the attraction *PHANTOM MANOR*, located in the 'frontierland' area of Disneyland Paris. It is an attraction that has always facinated me since i was a child still to this present day, I find the story engrossing and the theme so alluringly entrancing, the structure of the Manor itself is just so mesmorising to me. SDP is a chance for me to express my views and practice my skills in that of a style similar to a 'Disney Imagineer' in respect to my costume abilities, a chance to forward my aspirations in Design and Costume building to a set timescale.

An Imagineer is incharge of creating the imaginative surroundings and attractions within the Disney Parks, they are renowned for their abilities to blend creative expertise and technologic advancements creat distinctive storytelling to inform and entertain.

My concept for Self Dorected Project is to convert the 'PHANTOM MANOR' attraction into a stage play, the main focus of which, is to produce a female performance costume appropriate for the stage. I want to research the ride and explain its originality that seperates it from the original Haunted Mansion in other parks, re-writing my edition of the Story of Phantom Manor, to make the attraction more tangible & engrossing, this story will then be translated into a heavy synopsis to satisfy my ambitions of seeing this attraction on the stage.

(I have completed both the story and 'ride-through' texts, these will be posted shortly)

This SDP is most importantly for me to practise my time management skills and to refine my technical skills learned so far at the AUCB, past projects have led me to belive that with an extra push I could achive better knowledge in 'the finishing' of a garment and corect formating of paper work.

So far, I have researched the period of 1850's to the mid 1860's, as this is the period where the story takes place, however Iam being free with the design as 'Disney' storys are not strictly set in an exact time, it is apparent that they take the essence of a period and 'disney-fi' it. To explain how my main character of 'the Bride' (Melanie Ravenswood) fits into this period and stands out as the main character, I will analise her which will also help with the story and also certian scenes within the attraction at Disneyland Paris.
I feel that the 'disney-fied' look is based on character, using bold but subtle colouring with minute details so that the personality and unique spirit of said character is viewed to its full extent, which is how I plan to design for the 'Phantom Manor' but with period details and my personal innovation, showcasing my desires on how this thing should look.

My TimePlan is underway and 'the Brides' final design for construction is almost complete (pics later). On descussion at a tutorial fabrics are my main concern for this dress, Iam booking to see the fabric archive and costume store for fabric ideas and planning a trip to ShepardsBush London to search for said fabrics and I will also be enquiring at some 'Silk Houses' for fabrics also.

My next step now is to finalise my story and attraction breakdown, then finalise my wedding dress design with appropriate decoration, trimmings and props and complete my timetable for my next tutorial. next week 15/03/2010 - 19/03/2010, I hope to be underway in the construction of the dress and underpinnings and also be aware on my fabric choices for topfabric.