A costume designer is responsible for the design, creation and purchase of costumes and accessories worn in television, film and theater productions. - liaising with the director and lighting and scenic/set designers about creative concepts, establishing the look and feel of the production and its characters, deciding what each character wishes to convey through his/her clothing (time period, setting, status/social class, age, geographic region, etc.);
- using the internet and libraries to conduct in-depth research into the setting/period of the production to ensure costumes are authentic to the specific time;
- utilizing a good knowledge of costume/theater/art/political/social history;
- reading scripts;
- sketching designs by hand and sometimes using computer programs such as Photoshop or computer-aided design (CAD);
- working closely with the costume supervisor.
When working on a mid or large-scale production, the costume supervisor, wardrobe manager and other members of the team will be responsible for the actual physical realization (buying or making) of costumes. However, when working on a small-scale, fringe or low-budget production, the costume designer may also be responsible for the following work activities: - managing the costume budget;
- taking actors' measurements for garments and accessories, such as wigs, shoes and hats;
- shopping at fabric, craft, charity and clothes shops;
- drafting and cutting out patterns;
- studying textiles, dyeing fabric, painting and sewing;
- distressing costumes, using a range of materials;
- arranging costume fittings, dressing actors, helping with difficult costumes, making alterations as necessary;
- cleaning and repairing costumes.
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A photographic stylist 'dresses the set' to enable the photographer to take the right shots and capture the appropriate atmosphere. The object photographed could be a bottle of water, a piece of sculpture, a bowl of fruit, a washing machine, an animal, or as part of a fashion shoot. Stylists arrange objects to emphasize the picture and create the right atmosphere. They usually supply or organize the supply and delivery of props for the shoot. - discussing the overall concept for the picture with the photographer and the art director, so that they can agree on the kind of 'props' required;
- learning where to get hold of all the required items – often stylists contribute items to the set design themselves;
- building good relationships with specific shops and specialist dealers (in order to be allowed to borrow particular items) and with models (stylists work with them closely for long periods);
- choosing and acquiring appropriate accessories for fashion models;
- playing a significant role in organizing mail-order photography (ensuring that models appear in the right order and in the right clothes, and keeping things moving in general);
- developing a good memory and an excellent filing system to keep track of photographers and suppliers.
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