The Costume Department
The Costume Department is responsible for the design, fitting, hire, purchase, manufacture, continuity and care of all costume items on feature films. The term 'Costume' refers to the clothes that the Actors wear, and these differ enormously from production to production, ranging from contemporary urban fashion to period ball-gowns, and even wetsuits.
The Costume Department is also responsible for jewellery, footwear, corsetry, hosiery, millinery and sometimes wig-work. Costume is integral in defining the overall 'look' of the film. It provides the audience with information about the period, culture and society the Actors inhabit and, on a more subtle level, the underlying themes of the film itself.
Further details and occupations found in this area are detailed below:
The Costume Department
Work in the Costume Department is divided between two 'wardrobes': the 'Making Wardrobe' and the 'Running Wardrobe'
Read MoreWardrobe Supervisor
(aka Wardrobe Master/Mistress) In UK feature films they are normally only employed on larger-budget productions. Wardrobe Supervisors start work on productions shortly before shoots begin.
Read MoreCostume Maker
Costume Makers for feature films interpret designs, and fit, manufacture and alter costumes that for some reason cannot be bought or hired
Read MoreCostume Daily
They are employed on films on a day-to-day basis as temporary staff, rather than as part of the core Costume team.
Read MoreCostume Designer
They are in charge of designing, creating, acquiring and hiring all costumes for Actors and extras.
Read MoreCostume Supervisor
Costume Supervisors are responsible for translating Designers' ideas and designs into practical reality.
Read MoreCostume Design Assistant
Costume Design Assistants start work on productions shortly after Designers, and liaise with the entire Costume Department.
Read MoreCostume Assistant
aka Wardrobe Assistant, Standby Wardrobe, Standby Costume They are responsible for carrying out any tasks allocated to them by Costume Designers, Costume Design Assistants, Costume Supervisors and Wardrobe Supervisors.
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