Costume+Designer


 * Costume Designer ****by Jacinta Lawry **

In television, filmmaking and theatre, the role of costume designer includes holding the responsibility for all clothing and costumes worn by actors and actresses. Their duty, along with a costume designing team is to plan, design and organise the construction of garments down to details such as fabrics, colours and sizes. They undergo extensive research relevant to the particular film they are designing for, in order to determine the appropriate garments necessary in depicting a certain genre, era, character, etc, then apply their own interpretation of the style to better suit the film.The costume designer works closely with the director to understand and accurately interpret ‘character’, as well as collaborating with the production designer to achieve an overall consistency with the tone of the film. During the pre-production process, Costume Designers break down scripts scene by scene, in order to determine how many characters are involved, and what costumes are required. They then begin the more complex task of developing costume plots for each character in order to ensure that colours and styles do not mimic each other in the same scene as well as highlighting the characters' emotional journeys by varying the intensity and depth of colour. [|Costume Designing process in The Lord of the Rings]
 * The Role of a Costume Designer **

//Professional costume designers generally fall into three categories: freelance, residential, and academic. //
 * Particular types ****of Costume Designers **


 * Freelance Designers: ** Are hired for a specific production by a film, theatre, dance or opera company, and may or may not actually be local to the theatre that he or she is designing for. A freelancer is traditionally paid in three instalments: Upon hire, on the delivery of final renderings, and opening night of the production. Freelancers are not obliged or restricted to any exclusivity in what projects they are working on, and may be designing for several theatres or film projects at the same time.

**Residential Designer: ** Is hired by a specific theatre, dance or opera company for an extended series of productions. This can be as short as a summer contract, or may be for many years. A residential designer's contract limit the amount of work positions they are able to participate or work in. Unlike the freelancer, a residential designer is constantly on location, with a production team readily at hand at with the costume studio and his or her other collaborators. Residential designers tend to be more established than only freelancers, but this is not always the case.

**Academic Designer: I ** s a designer who holds a professorship or teaching position at a school. The designer is first and foremost an instructor, but may also act as a residential designer. They are often free to freelance, as much as their schedule allows them to work around their teaching position. In the past, professors of costume design were mostly experienced professionals that may have had an official post-graduate education, but it has now become increasingly common to require a professor to have at least a Master of Fine Arts in order to gain a teaching position.


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">5- Step Education and career roadmap to becoming a film costume designer **

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is no singular set path to becoming a costume designer, although it is usually recommended that prospective designers complete at least a bachelor's degree in design. <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">While in high school, one may make the decision to participate in certain classes that may set the foundation, or further their skills in the art of design. Classes such as fabrics, art, acting, history and computer technology can help prepare aspiring costume design students for entering a bachelor's degree program in this field. Participating in school or community theatre productions to gain experience in the field, and aid in the familiarisation of costume, production and set design would certainly also be beneficial.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Step 1: Earn a VCE certificate **

As important as it is to possess creative and artistic ability, it is recommended that aspiring costume design students receive a formal education and undergo official training in the field. This would further develop, refine and improve their skills. Aspiring costume design students should complete at least an associate's degree program in fashion, theatre or costume design from an accredited university in order to increase their chances of employability.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Step 2: Completing an Associate's Degree Program **

Students aspiring to launch their career in the profession of costume design, may find that many employers are searching for applicant who have basic training beyond an associate’s degree. These kinds of programs generally provide education through a classroom environment, as well at the opportunity to work within equipped studios as well as providing education through performance courses. Most programs offer field-specific education paths such as design, acting and dance and costume design students would choose ‘design’ as their specific path. In order to enrich their theatre education, many bachelor's degree programs encourage their students to involve themselves in extracurricular many theatre programs recommend that students participate in extracurricular activities such as student-produced and directed plays, exploring the world of professional film workings, television and stage production sets as well as completing an apprenticeship in the theatre industry.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Step 3: Consider a Bachelor's Degree Program **

Costume designers primarily work in the theatre, film or television industry. It is essential that aspiring costume design professionals may consider taking part in an internship with a design or production company to gain field experience.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Step 4: Gain Work Experience **

Costume designers that are interested in advancing their career, broadening their career possibilities or wishing to ultimately increase their income, may wish to undertake a master’s degree in fine arts. Such a course, involving the ability to gain advanced training from an accredited fashion or costume design school would create the possibility to teach theatrical design at university or high school, as well as meeting the criteria needed to potentially be selected for sought after positions that would ultimately be financially profitable.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Step 5: Explore Options for Career Advancement **

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To work in the role of Costume Designer, one must possess <span class="apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">a knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Occupational Health and Safety **

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Costume design team in film and television **


 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Film/TV Wardrobe Supervisor **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> is employed by the Costume Designer. They are responsible for setting up the wardrobe department. They organise the schedule of the prep time, fittings with actors, liaising with the production office, doing costume breakdowns, finding makers for the manufacture of costumes and where a production is large, setting up and looking after the budget. They employ the wardrobe staff and set up the department.


 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A Wardrobe Master/Mistress **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> has the same duties as the Wardrobe Assistant but has the added responsibility of making sure that the set runs smoothly and is the direct link between the set/director/producers and the supervisor. He/she is always there to answer any questions and solve problems and to report such things to the supervisor.

Wardrobe assistants are usually employed on a freelance basis so hours and conditions vary. On films, hours are likely to be long and irregular. Depending on the nature and location of the production, wardrobe assistants may work in studios or theatre or out on location.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A Wardrobe Assistant **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> works to the Supervisor's instructions. During the prep time they help set up the wardrobe department, do basic shopping, set up the continuity bible and become familiar with the script. Once filming/production starts they are responsible for looking after the actor's costumes, making sure they wear the right costume for the right scene, maintaining and cleaning the costume - on film and TV they will keep continuity notes up to date and generally run the set. At times they will also have to work with the supervisor doing crowd fittings, setting up for crowd days and dressing the crowd.


 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A Costume Maker **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> will either be employed by the Costume Designer direct on a freelance basis or by a supply house.

(Born 1950) is an American costume designer.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Colleen Atwood **

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Atwood has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design nine times and won Academy Awards for the movies //Chicago// in 2002, //Memoirs of a Geisha// in 2006, and //Alice in Wonderland// in 2011. Atwood has collaborated several times with directors Tim Burton and Jonathan Demme. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Filmography:


 * // [|Firstborn] // (1984)
 * // [|Bring on the Night] // (1985)
 * // [|Manhunter] // (1986)
 * // [|Critical Condition] // (1987)
 * // [|The Pick-up Artist] // (1987)
 * // [|Someone to Watch Over Me] // (1987)
 * // [|For Keeps] // (1988)
 * // [|Married to the Mob] // (1988)
 * // [|Fresh Horses] // (1988)
 * // [|Torch Song Trilogy] // (1988)
 * // [|Hider in the House] // (1989)
 * // [|The Handmaid's Tale] // (1990)
 * // [|Joe Versus the Volcano] // (1990)
 * // [|Edward Scissorhands] // (1990)
 * // [|The Silence of the Lambs] // (1991)
 * // [|Rush] // (1991)
 * // [|Lorenzo's Oil] // (1992)
 * // [|Born Yesterday] // (1993)
 * // [|Philadelphia] // (1993)
 * // [|Cabin Boy] // (1994)
 * // [|Wyatt Earp] // (1994)
 * // [|Ed Wood] // (1994)
 * // [|Little Women] // (1994)
 * // [|The Grotesque] // (1995)
 * // [|The Juror] // (1996)
 * // [|That Thing You Do!] // (1996)
 * // [|Head Above Water] // (1996)
 * // [|Mars Attacks!] // (1996)
 * // [|Buddy] // (1997)
 * // [|Gattaca] // (1997)
 * // [|Fallen] // (1998)
 * // [|Beloved] // (1998)
 * // [|Mumford] // (1998)
 * // [|Sleepy Hollow] // (1999)
 * // [|Golden Dreams] // (2001)
 * // [|The Mexican] // (2001)
 * // [|Planet of the Apes] // (2001)
 * // [|CinéMagique] // (2002)
 * // [|Chicago] // (2002)
 * // [|Big Fish] // (2003)
 * // [|Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events] // (2004)
 * // [|Memoirs of a Geisha] // (2005)
 * // [|Mission: Impossible III] // (2006)
 * // [|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street] // (2007)
 * // [|Public Enemies] // (2009)
 * // [|Nine] // (2009)
 * // [|Alice in Wonderland] // (2010)
 * // [|The Rum Diary] // (2010)
 * // [|The Tourist] // (2010)
 * // [|Dark Shadows] // (2012)


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">NOTABLE COSTUME DESIGNERS IN FILM & TELEVISION **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Oleg Cassini: The Razor's Edge, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Mating Season.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Colleen Atwood: Chicago (2002), Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010)
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cecil Beaton: My Fair Lady, Gigi
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Jenny Beavan: Howards End, Sense and Sensibility
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">William Travilla: How to Marry a Millionaire
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">John Bright: Howards End, Sense and Sensibility
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Milena Canonero: A Clockwork Orange, The Godfather, Part III, Marie Antoinette
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ngila Dickson: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Last Samurai
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Danilo Donati: Romeo and Juliet
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">James Galanos: Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad, Never Wave at a WAC, Ginger in the Morning
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Adrian Greenburg: The Wizard of Oz, Marie Antoinette
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Valerie Halverson: Stargate: Atlantis
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Julia: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Darling, <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> A Hard Day's Night, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, The Slipper and the Rose
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Edith Head: Sabrina (1954), The Sting, Lady in the Dark, Emporer Waltz, the Hurrricane
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dorothy Jeakins: The Sound of Music
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Deborah Nadoolman: Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Three Amigos, Thriller
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Jean Louis: From Here to Eternity
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Orry-Kelly: An American in Paris, Some Like It Hot, Gypsy
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Walter Plunkett: Gone with the Wind, Singin' in the Rain
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Sandy Powell: The Wings of the Dove, Shakespeare in Love
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ann Roth: The English Patient
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Irene Sharaff: Call Me Madam, Guys and Dolls
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Theadora van Runkle: Bonnie and Clyde
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hazel Webb-Crozier: Mickybo and Me, Closing the Ring, Your Highness

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">References & External Links **

http://www.moviestaff.com/directory/movie_crew/costume_designers.htm http://www.startintv.com/jobs/costume-design-light-ent.php http://www.inputyouth.co.uk/jobguides/job-costumedesigner.html http://www.arteducation.com.au/art-careers/costume-designer.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costume_designer