National Occupational Standards for Costume
National Occupational Standards (Standards) provide a clear, up to date description of what an individual needs to be able do in order to perform a job successfully. They consist of a detailed breakdown of the tasks, knowledge and skills needed for effective performance within a job role, including any statutory or legal responsibilities. The Standards have been developed over a number of years by both people who work in the industry and experts from each occupational area through a process of investigation, analysis and consultation with a wide range of people.
You may wish to download the entire suite of Standards, but it is also possible to download individual units. The units are listed below in production process order.
Background
The Costume Department is responsible for the design, fitting, hire, purchase, manufacture, continuity and care of all costume items on productions. 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 production. 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 production itself.
Download the entire suite of Standards:
National Occupational Standards for Costume
Download individual units:
Design/ Preparation Q1 Prepare costumes for use by performers Q2 Prepare costumes to meet design requirements and production schedules Q3 Work with designers to fulfil the costume requirements of the production Q4 Create the costume design and costume plot Q5 Plan and implement the costume design Q6 Acquire resources to meet costume design requirements
ResearchQ7 Research the costume design concept Q8 Research the costume design
Performer ContactQ9 Assist performers with costumes and dressing Q10 Assist performers with costumes and dressing during "in-house" productions
Costume ImplementationQ11 Maintain and service costumes Q12 Acquire costumes Q13 Monitor the storage, security and movements of costumes to meet production requirements Q14 Select costumes from stock to order Q15 Progress the order for costumes Q16 Organise and check the costumes returned Q17 Oversee the costume fitting, delivery and return process
ContinuityQ18 Assist with maintaining costume continuity Q19 Oversee and maintain all costume continuity
FreelancerF1 Manage & market yourself as a freelancer.
Training F2 Facilitate and manage trainees
Working Relationships/ Co-ordination F3 Co-ordinate the design team and performers X1 Contribute to good working relationships
Health & SafetyX2 Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety X3 Conduct an assessment of risks in the workplace X4 Develop procedures to control risks to health and safety
For further details please contact our Standards Team on 020 7713 9800.
If your computer has the relevant software, click the document icons or document titles to view the relevant document. Right-click (PC) or hold your mouse-button down (Mac) on the document icon/title, you'll be given the option to save the file to disk. If you don't have the necessary software to view the documents, take the above links to download free reader programs.