Costume

The Costume Department is responsible for the design, fitting, , purchasing, manufacturing, continuity and care of all costume items for the production.

Recommended Sskills for working in the Costume Department:

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Research skills and an understanding of the history of clothing, style and design

  • Experience styling to thematic and/or historical specifications 

  • Ability to tell stories through clothing and styling 

  • Ability to communicate costume design visually, verbally and in written form. 

  • Demonstrated interpersonal communications skills

  • Ability to work closely with actors

  • Attention to detail


A combination of demonstrated skills such as shopping, cutting, sewing, tailoring, pattern making, millinery, leatherwork, dying and breakdown. Experience with Sync On Set – Costume Design software.

+ Costume Designer

The Costume Designer is responsible for overseeing the Costume Department. They work in collaboration with the Director, Producers, Director of Photography and Production Designer to determine the “look” of the production’s costumes. The Costumer Designer completes a script breakdown to gather all necessary information to plan each character’s clothing and determine which pieces to purchase, rent or construct. The Costume Designer hires crew, manages the budget, and oversees all aspects of the department, from production prep to wrap.

+ Assistant Costume Designer

The Assistant Costume Designer supervises the day-to-day activities of the Costume Department and acts as a connection between the Costume Department and the set. Tasks include arranging rentals, fittings, dressing secondary characters and extras, transportation of costumes, keeping inventory of costumes available on set and coordinating wrap.

+ Costume Supervisor

The Costume Supervisor manages the budget and paperwork for the Costume Department. They ensure that the Costume Department runs smoothly by communicating with the Assistant Director Department and the Costume Department. Tasks include keeping inventory of rentals, organizing the costumes for background performers, transporting the costumes to set and assisting with wrap.

+ Set Supervisor

The Set Supervisor works on set and is responsible for costuming the actors. They ensure that costumes are on set, are worn the way the costume designer intended, and that continuity is maintained. They are also responsible for the return of costumes at wrap.

+ Background Costume Coordinator

The Background Costume Coordinator works with the Assistant Director to coordinate the costumes for background performers. This includes transportation of costumes, fittings, rental, and maintenance of costumes for background performers.

+ Cutter

The Cutter creates patterns to construct costumes designed by the Costume Designer.

+ Breakdown Artists/Dyer

The Breakdown Artist (or Dyer) is responsible for dying, painting or distressing costumes.

+ Truck Costumer

The Truck Costumer is responsible for the costumes stored in the costume truck on set. They maintain the costumes by keeping them clean, preparing the costumes for performers and collecting them at daily wrap. They track which costumes are being used for each scene.

+ Costume Buyer

The Costume Buyer purchases materials and costumes for the Costume Department. They keep a record of purchases, return unused items and assist with wrap.

+ Costume Assistant

The Costume Assistant assists in all aspects of prep, shoot and wrap. This may include shopping, sewing, dying, pressing and steaming garments, doing laundry or dressing performers.

+ Seamster/Seamstress

The Seamster (or Seamstress) assists in costume fittings by altering and constructing costumes.

+ Personal Dresser

The Personal Dresser is responsible for the continuity and maintenance of a specific performer’s costumes.

+ Costumer

The Costumer performs tasks as assigned. This may include research, costume breakdown, laundry, ironing, sewing and maintenance.

 

Minimum Qualifications for the Costume Department:

Non-Union Recommendations

For more information:

 

Questions?

Fill out On Screen Manitoba’s Workforce Development Intake Form to schedule a consultation with the Workforce Development Liaison.