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.
