The Duties of A Costume Designer

The duties of a costume designer for film and theater is a big difference. I've discussed on here some of the early steps for a film job but I never said the rest.
On set you make sure that all of the actor's clothes are pressed  and neat, and in their rooms or trailers. Once their on set make sure everything is on right and snap a photo for your look book. A look book helps production if they go back for re shoots. A look book has every character in the movie and what they wore for each scene in detail, along with their photo.
Once your actor is on set and acting , you have to check their looks in between each scene. I have to make sure his tie is straight or crooked, it has to match up with the previous scene !
On the short film I did, the guy had to dig a grave so I had to make his clothes dirty. Costume designers make blood and bullet holes and all kinds of stuff. So I used all different kinds of makeup and smeared it all over his clothes. It turned out really well !
Well those are some of the jobs for costume designers on set of a film. I am interning on another film next month, so there's more to come ! -xoxo Jt

Sean Weiss digging the grave !

Shopping Is Just A Job

It was the first time I saw my name next to wardrobe on a call sheet, to finally see my moment here ! I was in charge for wardrobe for a short film, and I couldn't wait to start. I went to my first production meeting, kind of nervous but excited. Production meetings is when they discuss all the details about the movie to the crew, and talk about budget. I was given two hundred dollars to buy complete outfits for two men, and I was ready for the challenge.

 I had to read the whole script, understand who the characters are and create a vision. Once I take detail notes, it's time to get shopping ! Costume designers who go over budget are not really hired again, so I used my retailer instinct to stay as low as possible. You also need at least three or four options, cause with movies you never know what situation is going to pop up, or what you picked is going to work out. I always follow my gut, when I pick a shirt up I can feel it, I know I could see the character wearing it.

One guy in the short was Ray, and he had been up all night because he killed a guy. Along comes his uptight friend Deke who has to help him bury the body. So I knew that Ray who's been up all night has to wear a wrinkled shirt, a cap and some jeans. I imagined Deke in a wimpy colored shirt, like pink or purple with some khakis.

 My picks pleased the director ! And I was under the budget by fifty dollars !
-xoxo JT

Kirk Foxx as " Ray"

Sean Weiss as "Deke"