(aka Wardrobe Assistant, Standby Wardrobe, Standby Costume)  

Costume Assistants may be employed on films at any stage during pre-production.  They are responsible for carrying out any tasks allocated to them by Costume Designers, Costume Design Assistants, Costume Supervisors and Wardrobe Supervisors.  Their tasks may include: assisting with the design of, and carrying out research into costumes; making, ordering and adapting the costumes and accessories required for productions; organising fittings, dressing performers, and overseeing continuity on sets.

Responsibilities
Costume Assistants may help to break down the script into costume plots, and detail costume requirements and changes in the continuity book.  They may also carry out research for the Costume Designer into the costume styles, designs and construction methods which are appropriate for the productions' time period, using a number of resources including libraries, museums and the Internet. 

Costume Assistants help to organise the Costume Department, ordering supplies and assisting in setting up any workrooms needed for productions.  They take artists' measurements, and they may also assist with making costumes, including pattern cutting, ageing and distressing costumes, etc.  They may be involved in sourcing and buying costumes and accessories, and in liaising with Costumiers about costume hire.  They may be given specific responsibility for crowd fittings, overseen by Costume Design Assistants or Costume and Wardrobe Supervisors. 

Costume Assistants may be responsible for packing costumes for overseas shipment to other locations or units.  During the shoot, they help to organise the costumes by ensuring that the appropriate outfits are correctly placed for Actors.  They may dress Actors and explain their costumes to them, checking that the costumes match continuity requirements.  Costume Assistants monitor the costumes for damage, carrying out any last-minute alterations and repairs, or sending garments to the workrooms for specialist treatment.  Costume Assistants may also act as Standbys, dressing the costumes to camera by referring to a monitor, and ensuring that there are changes of clothes available in case of wet weather on locations.  During breaks, and between shoot days, they clean and iron costumes, look after accessories such as hats and gloves, and keep a record of all jewellery used by Actors.

Skills
Costume Assistants must be highly organised and efficient, with a good memory and the keen attention to detail needed to oversee continuity.  They should be able to respond positively to others' requests, but should also have the self-confidence to point out any continuity errors or plot mismatching.  They need good communication and interpersonal skills, and must be able to work under pressure and as part of a team.  They should understand research processes, and know how to source information. 

Costume Assistants must be familiar with call sheets and schedules, and aware of the correct etiquette on set.  They work closely with Actors in a physical sense, and must therefore be tactful, sensitive and able to put people at their ease.  They must understand how to care for and maintain costumes, and need general knowledge about the qualities of different types of fabric.  Costume Assistants should have solid foundation skills in ironing, steaming, adapting garments, dyeing, hand and machine sewing, alterations, pattern cutting and drawing.  General knowledge of both costume history and contemporary fashion is useful. Good IT skills (Mac and PC) are essential. 

Qualifications/Experience
Costume Assistants may have qualifications in related fields such as BA Hons or BTEC in Fashion, Costume Design or Performing Arts (with a design module). However, practical experience is the key to progressing in the industry.  Some apprentice-style programmes, such as the FT2 New Entrant Technical Training Scheme, can prove helpful in this respect, and it is also possible to work on productions as a Costume Trainee.  Alternatively Costume Assistants may have worked at one of the large Costumiers, gaining experience in costume and establishing valuable contacts with film production staff.  As the role involves travel, a full EU driving licence is required.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.