How to Become a Movie Costume Designer

Costume designers play an important role in a film's success or failure.

Film designers typically have formal training and hold either a two- or four-year certificate from a design school in costume design, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Designers find the majority of work assignments in California and New York and earned a mean annual wage of $92,570 in 2010. Only 260 people held industry jobs as film and video costume designers in 2010 and the BLS reported stiff competition for the small number of employment openings.

Things You'll Need

• Film industry magazines
• Professional portfolio

Instructions

1. Attend classes and graduate from an accredited costume design program. Certificates from these programs provide the background training necessary to understand the role of costumes in films, basic costume design and the unique design elements required for movie costumes.

2. Study historic film costume design by visiting costume museums and exhibits to understand the important elements of quality costume design.Viewing exhibits at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and displays at the Fashion Institute of Technology - State University of New York can help you to learn about costume innovations and techniques. You can also explore online the costuming exhibits of the Bath Fashion Museum, Michener Museum and the Motion Picture Costumers, Local 705 Valley Village.

3. Work with local and regional community theater to design costumes, even for little or no pay. Approach this as you would a professional film job, by requiring a contract outlining your specific costuming duties and work title. Prepare sketches and a quality costume design package for the project. Search for local productions on state film websites, including Film Indiana, and in local newspaper advertisements.

4. Develop a quality professional portfolio featuring your best costume designs. Hire professional photographers to document your creations. Paper and online portfolios trace your designs from conception to the stage, so ensure that the photos illustrate your work to the best advantage. Portfolios typically include your resume, design sketches, completed drawings and photographs of completed designs during a production.

5. Apply to work as an assistant or apprentice with a professional design firm working in the film industry. Professional and salaried work typically requires membership in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees at the journeymen level. Investigate trade memberships in your local area. Scan the trade magazines and newspapers, including "Variety," "Bright Lights Film Journal" and "Cinaste," for entry-level film-costume positions once you have a wealth of local experience documented in your professional portfolio.

Tips & Warnings

• Design an attention-getting professional business card with your contact information and distribute the cards to the people you meet at events. Bring your professional portfolio or business cards listing a link to your online portfolio to industry networking events.

References

• FIDM Museum and Galleries: Introduction
• Bath and North East Somerset Council Fashion Museum: Jane Austen - Film and Fashion
• AroundMainLine.com; The Michener Museum's Icons of Hollywood Costume Exhibit; July 2010
• USA Today Travel; Oscar-nominated Fashions on Display at L.A. Museum; Sandy Cohen; Feb. 2011
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Events and Exhibitions
• Film Indiana: Jobs and Castings

Resources

• Bright Lights Film Journal; Aug. 2011
• Cineaste
• Variety
• Motion Picture Costumers
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Teaching Portfolio: Student Designed Productions