COSTUME COORDINATOR: PRODUCTION TEAM JOB DESCRIPTION
We Do Judge Books by the Cover
by Tom McLaughlin
September 16, 2005
The costume designer is responsible for identifying, building, buying, renting, caring for, and returning all costumes and accessories needed by the actors in the production. The following is a list of specific items which need to be done and a time-frame for accomplishing your tasks.
Before Rehearsals Begin
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Read the play.
� ____ ____ Meet with the director to confer about the costumes. (The director may wish to change, add, or delete some costumes.)
� ____ ____ List every character in the play.
� ____ ____ Analyze each act and scene for costume requirements. Note the act and scene where that person appears on stage. Make note of the passage of time (i.e., the next day, two weeks later, etc.)
� ____ ____ Make 3 copies of the list. Give copies to the director, the stage manager, and file the other copy in your production book.
� ____ ____ Research the time period for the play -- use costume books, history books, and art books, paintings, etc.
� ____ ____ Meet with Video Master. Make arrangements to view any instructional videotapes on costuming. Read selected chapters from the texts in the bibliography.
� ____ ____ Photocopy outstanding pictures of people from the period of the play. Place the photocopied photos in a scrapbook, on a poster board, or make a large collage for reference b yourself and the cast. Get the photos or collage approved by the director before you display it.
� ____ ____ Make a large planning chart of all costumes needed for the play. The chart should include the costume needed and the accessories, (shoes, hats, jewelry). Make note of time changes, location changes, interior scenes, exterior scenes (for coats), and quick costume changes.
� ____ ____ Using the information above, make a written costume chart for each character in the play.
� ____ ____ Make sketches of costumes for each actor using copies of figures (see attached in case you are not an artist) and the information from your charts and lists. Add the accessories. Make notes on the sketches.
� ____ ____ Meet with the director, stage manager, lighting designer, set designer and props master for approval of the sketches. Then, post the sketches in your workspace.
� ____ ____ Prepare a costume budget.
� ____ ____ Check with your director for your school's policy on purchase orders. Do not spend money without authorization. Save all receipts. Present hem to the director.
� ____ ____ Together with the director, make a list of everything your crew needs to do. Make a production time line establishing deadline dates.
During the First Weeks of the Rehearsal Period
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Organize a crew and post signs for crew meetings.
� ____ ____ Make copies of your character costume list (by acts & scenes) to distribute to your crew.
� ____ ____ At your first meeting make a list of your crew members names and phone numbers. File that list in your production book.
� ____ ____ Measure all actors (see attached charts). File measurement charts in your production book.
� ____ ____ Inventory available costumes in costume room which can be used in this production.
� ____ ____ Visit Thrift Stores, Salvation Army, etc. for possible costumes. Make note of prices.
� ____ ____ Call and visit local costume rental shops. Be sure to visit local college costume shops. Make note of prices, rental fees, and availability of costumes.
� ____ ____ Visit your local fabric store. (Check for a wholesale or discount fabric store first.) Scan pattern books for patterns of costumes the crew or a dressmaker will have to build. Locate the fabric you will use. Make note of the price per yard.
� ____ ____ Make note on your large costume chart of costumes your crew has found.
� ____ ____ Purchase the fabric, cut it, supervise the building of costumes, and collection of all accessories.
� ____ ____ Check with your director to determine if rehearsal skirts or rehearsal costumes will be needed for any character. If so, furnish them.
During the Mid-Rehearsal Period
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Post a notice for costume fittings for each actor. (Confer with stage manager for best times.) Make appropriate alterations.
� ____ ____ Complete all costumes and add the trim where needed.
� ____ ____ Update your production costume chart and individual costume charts. Post them in the costume room.
� ____ ____ Pick up all the costumes being rented or borrowed from other sources.
� ____ ____ Complete the final fitting.
� ____ ____ Assign crew members to serve as dressers for actors who need to make quick or difficult costume changes.
� ____ ____ Assign places for dressers to store costumes for quick changes. Plan for racks, hooks, etc.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
During Technical Week
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Supervise the dressers.
� ____ ____ Meet with the director and stage manager to plan a costume or dress parade under the lights and gels to be used in the production. Sit by the director and stage manager and make note of any necessary changes.
� ____ ____ Watch the show and make note of any problems with costumes.
� ____ ____ Post a list of costume rules for the cast of the show (i.e. each actor must hang up individual costumes and put accessories in the appropriate place -- each actor must report lot buttons, jammed zippers, torn fabric to the costume mater-mistress, etc.)
� ____ ____ Continue to attend dress rehearsals and make note of problem.
� ____ ____ Assign a crew member the job of ironing costumes two hours before the production.
� ____ ____ Keep a supply of pins, needles, thread, safety pins, a glue gun, and glue sticks near the sewing machine for quick fixes during the show.
� ____ ____ Instruct crew to secure all costumes.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
During the Run of the Show
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Assign a crew member the job of ironing costumes two hours before the production.
� ____ ____ Two hours before the show, inventory all costumes to make sure something has not disappeared.
� ____ ____ Check-in all costumes and accessories before actors leave. Check with actors for any repairs needed.
� ____ ____ Alter any costume in need or repair.
� ____ ____ Before closing night write a letter to the person who will have your position for the next show. Give that person advice based on your experience. File the letter in your 3-ring binder behind your job description.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
During Strike
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Give actors instructions for your strike. (What goes where)
� ____ ____ Check-in all rented or borrowed costumes. Take them to the dry cleaners or return them to the shop from which they were borrowed.
� ____ ____ Store all costumes and accessories which you built or bought in your costume room.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
� ____ ____ Write any necessary thank you notes and mail them.
� ____ ____ Check out with the stage manager.
