Every project is a big adventure, a learning experience, a challenge to my creativity, my budget and people skills.

Phase one pre-production

I read the script, and do a breakdown of my characters and the number of changes they need. I then re-read the script and make notes of character nuances, which help me to develop a look for each of them.

Although the administration area belongs to the costume supervisor, I always like to do my own budget. It helps me to know more of less where I can save and where I can't.

Film making is a team effort, we all work together towards a common goal. Putting a team together is one of my favorite activities, because I get to spend time with people that I have worked with in the past, and also I get to meet a lot of new people, and discover their talents.

Phase two. The creative part. Prep time

In this phase I like to work very close to the Director and to the production designer, and all the creative teams. A lot of information is gathered in this phase, sometimes crusial information that will eventually show up in the process of filming.

I do tons of research, depending on the project, it might be magazine pictures, or a good trip to several libraries to gather information for the project. I put together a look book for each character, and do a mood board. I like finding one image that inspires me for the whole project, if I can't find it, I do a collage or I paint one. This is to show my director and my team, where the inspiration, and the mood is coming from, something that we can all relate to quickly and keeps us in track.

 

Then I start sketching, and manipulating in the computer images to get the look that I want to create. This is the basic conceptual idea that I present to the director.

 

Once this idea is polished and refined, I do a final sketch, usually in color to present to the director and actors. If I'm building the costume, a lot of fabric researching is done and then mixed together with the trims, to see how all will look together.

A fabric swatch and trims are attached to the sketch, and I make sure to give a flat sketch, so the tailors understand the lines of the garment, and how to cut it, and sew it.

Phase Three: The reality

Let the fittings begin. I love doing fittings, because you see how far you can take your idea, and how your idea has to work for the actor, and all the actions they go through. From the sketch or picture clipping the costume takes shape and form when it's worn by the actor, there is where the transformation happens, in the fitting room.

A lot of alterations and changes happen before the garment becomes a costume and goes on screen. Depending on the project, sometimes there is a lot of distressing or dying, even fire proofing. Sometimes costumes need to be duplicated for action scenes, stunts, etc.

The days before shooting usually are long, and hard. The countdown starts, and it all has to work in tandem. This is where your team becomes your best friend, and almost family.

Phase Four: Shooting

This part is super excititing. It all comes together, the set, the lights, the actor, the story, and of course the costumes.

At this point the costumes go to the set, and become a part of the actors wardrobe. A key costumer will manage and coordinate that each actor is in their character costume for each scene, though the whole show. I make sure that each time a costume is worn for the first time I'm on the set to establish it.

This is a very rewarding moment, I get to see finally the end result.

 
Phase Five: Wrapping.

Once the movie ends, we must clean up and pack. I like to make sure that all the costumes are neatly cleaned, organized and filed in a easy to follow inventory for future re-shoots, or pickups. I like to be able to stay for part of the wrap so I know that everything is closed properly.