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Description
Aspects of Work
Work Activities
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Costume Designers research, design and prepare costumes for theatrical, film and television productions. They study the script and take location and period aspects into consideration before producing designs. They work closely with the director of photography, the artistic director and the production team.
The following table lists the Central Aspects for this career:
| Central Aspects |
|---|
| Having your own creative ideas about designs and styles |
| Being involved with music, drama or dance performance |
| Making or handling textiles and clothing |
The following table lists the Secondary Aspects for this career:
| Secondary Aspects |
|---|
| Learning new practical skills |
| Explaining ideas and information to people |
| Being aware of how colours and shapes are used in design |
| Drawing accurately |
The following table lists the Other Aspects for this career:
| Other Aspects |
|---|
| Being interested in using history |
| Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic |
| Work requiring accuracy and attention to detail |
The Costume Designer works closely with the Production Designer and Director to establish the visual requirements of the script in pre-production, making sure the colours and imagery will blend. The work involves researching the costume requirements (particularly if it is a period production, to ensure that costumes are historically accurate) and breaking down the script to establish the number of costumes and changes of costume that the actors will require.
The Costume Designer then plans, designs and supervises the purchase, hiring and /or making of all costumes for the production. Thereafter, the costume designer is working with the heads of department of wardrobe, hair and make-up. He/she supervises fittings of the actors at rehearsals with the director, to ensure the overall look will be right.
When principal photography of the film begins, the Costume Designer is required to be on set during the establishment of each new scene or set up. While adequate preparation will ensure that the costumes as presented are accepted by the Director, it can happen that the requirements of any given scene may need changing or modifying. The Costume Designer works ahead, fitting and preparing costumes and ensuring everything required is available when scheduled for filming.
The work of a Costume Designer includes paperwork and administration related to the costume department.
A Costume Designer requires a lot of initiative and commitment as it entails working very long hours. It is important to get on well with people. Fashion or Interior Design is desirable and it is important to have dressmaking and sewing skills.
This is a very competitive area with few openings. Many costume designers are self-employed or work on short term contracts. Normally, if employed by a company or a theatre, the progression is from trainee, to assistant and then on to costume designer. Starting salaries should be in the region of EUR20k to EUR25k a year rising with experience.
The starting point for employment in the film industry is as a Trainee Costume Designer, before upgrading to Assistant and then upgrading to a full Costume Designer. The qualifications required to upgrade are governed by the relevant section of The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU). They include work on a specified number of productions, among them period productions.
Applications to join SIPTU as a trainee should be accompanied by a good design portfolio. Work in theatre is a very useful background to have, training in fashion design or interior design is also desirable.
There are a number of design and fashion courses available that train students in necessary skills.
Please visit QualifaX at http://www.qualifax.ie/ for more information on relevant courses. (Please note that you will be leaving the Career Directions website. You should save your answers if you wish to return later).
Those interested in applying for any of the courses are recommended to check prospectuses from the individual institutions for course details and specific entry requirements. Courses in design will require a portfolio displaying the candidate's skill and artistic ability.
Application for admission to undergraduate courses must be made in accordance with the regulations and procedures and timetable described in the CAO Handbook.
The Handbook is confined to giving information on how to apply for admission to the relevant institutions. Applicants should not attempt to complete the application form without first referring to the information literature on courses, which is available from the Institutions to which application is to be made.
Please see http://www.cao.ie/courses.php for information on course qualifications.
There is no upper age limit for entry into this occupation. You may be able to enter relevant training through universities or colleges that relax normal academic requirements for suitable mature applicants. Most academic institutions define people aged 23 years and over as mature candidates.
Contact your local FÁS office for Career Guidance, planning and support that will help you make informed decisions about the best career direction for you
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