Research
1. Back History
a. Tommelise (Thumbelina) was written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1835. [http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMMTo50SeprI40dvuOLCmsEiepq5Ssa24TbGWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGuskyurK5IuePfgeyx43zx1%2B6B&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=prf&K=16733503 ]
b. The animated screenplay Thumbelina by Don Bluth came out in 1994. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111419/)
2. Research Q&A
a. At what point was Hans Christian Anderson in his career when he wrote this fairytale? He had just experience great success with his fairytale The Improvisatore and published “Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. Andet Hefte” (Tales, Told for Children. Second Booklet) which included Tommelise. [https://andersen.sdu.dk/liv/tidstavle/vis_e.html?date=1835-12-16&kvartal=4&mark=237&sord=tommelise#6]
b. What other animated movies were produced in 1994 and what type were they (Thumbelina’s competition)? The top 4 most popular animated movies in 1994 were The Lion King, The Pagemaster, The Swan Princess, and Thumbelina. They dealt with adventure, fairytales, and coming of age. [https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=feature&year=1994-01-01,1994-12-31&genres=animation]
3. Relevant Historical Events
a. Kremlin Accords are signed, record cold temperatures in Eastern U.S., Violence Against Women Act of 1994 signed, first hearing impaired contestant wins the Miss America entitlement [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_in_the_United_States]
4. World of Play
a. Fairies, talking animals, and a flower born tiny girl exist, communicate with each other, and establish complex organizations such as monarchies, season changing rituals, beetle nightclubs, tunnels linking homes, and kitchens.
b. True love exists and can happen occur within one afternoon
c. Seasons are changed by fairies
d. Wings can be born with or granted (in this case, the deed of bringing spring can grant wings)
e. Good witches exist and advise people
f. A swallow knows the audience is there and can talk to them
g. Your heart can guide you to the right direction
h. Frozen people can die or become unfrozen
i. Song can bring spring and unfreeze people
Production Value
1. Budget
a. Scripts= $25 (including actors and production team)
b. Makeup= $40 (Ben Nye cremes for corrective and special makeup designs for actors)
c. Light= $110 (simple spotlight lamps for actors who do not have usable private lighting, filters, blackout curtains)
d. Set= $25 (Identical props for more than one actor working in separate spaces in the same scene)
2. I am not currently planning on having special effects
3. Prop list
a. 6 large books
b. 1 small book
c. 1 flower
d. 4 or more forget-me-nots
e. 3 cocktail glasses
f. 2 small mirrors
g. 2 thorns
h. 2 cups that hold warm liquid
i. 3 baskets of corn cakes
j. 2 fake jewels
k. 1 bible
l. 2 blankets
m. 1 bouquet with forget-me-nots
n. Additional flowers
4. The entire play will take place over zoom. The sound design may wish to use another form of media as well.
5. We will be using the instrumental versions of Let Me Be Your Wings and it’s reprises. We may include more classical music, possibly from northern or central Europe that is reminiscent of fairy tales to underscore themes or moments.
6. Lighting will play a large role in our understanding of the story. Ideally, rooms in which the actors perform will be somewhat blacked out in order to better control the light quality and use lamps with filters to change color. If the actors have their own lamps, we can figure out ways to slightly alter the light reaching their computer cameras. If they do not, we may need to provide them with simple spotlight lamps. As lighting of a changing environment is integral to this show, lighting is where I see most of the budget going.
7. I don’t see costumes as being specific to each character, but typically the same thing worn throughout a character’s time with minor alterations depending on the occasion. Actors playing multiple parts may only change one costume piece to show that they are stepping into a different character. While characters may dress more elaborately or simply depending on that character’s personality, none of the costumes will be extravagant. Costumes will mostly be constructed using actor’s resources. While these will reflect current fashion constructs, we will try to keep them toward a more timeless spectrum.
Characters who are givers are typically in simpler outfits. Takers are typically in more decorated apparel.
Thumbelina’s costume is feminine but simple. It will generally stay in the light and dark blues. When performing at the beetle ball, she may have an addition over her normal clothing of a darker color- an exterior that hides the blue underneath.
Cornelius’ clothing is masculine but simple. It generally sticks to the colors of the sun- particularly gold and yellow
Jacquimo, the Jitterbugs, and Mother are also simple. Those who stay on land (Mother and the Jitterbugs) have more earthy, simple colors. Jacquimo who flys, has more air color. He also has some red and blue tying back to his being a messenger between Thumbelina and Cornelius (blue water and red sun) that follows the type of color pattern of a swallow.
Beetle, Mr. Mole, and Ms. Fieldmouse have more elaborate clothing and accessories. These will draw on their individual animal, personality, and the role they play in the story. Beetle has a slight sheen. Mr. Mole has dark rich outfits. Ms. Fieldmouse resembles the mother’s but with more accessories and eye-catching material.