Bottom's head was made over the timeline of 8 days for a month-long show run. Priorities were actor safety and comfort, durability, expression and visual cohesiveness.
A skeleton mould was created to establish scale and proportions.
A papier-mâché cast was taken to fittings with the actor to establish necessary sightlines and to make sure there was adequate room for hair and costume.
Pieces were then cut up to pattern the final head.
A papier-mâché cast was taken to fittings with the actor to establish necessary sightlines and to make sure there was adequate room for hair and costume.
Pieces were then cut up to pattern the final head.
Adjustments to the design were made to better match the aesthetics of the final set and costume pieces.
The piece was attached to the actor's head via a ratcheted hard hat mount to preserve the actor's head movements. Ears were movable and eyes were hinged to allow for easy access to the inside for repairs and adjustments.
The cage for the head was made out of 12 and 19 gauge wire to provide really high durability while remaining very light.
Fur was patterned and sewn directly onto the cage as well as adjacent pieces.
Image courtesy of Freewill Shakespeare, Eric Kozakiewicz @arcanitestudios