Becoming a Costume Designer

Before Research

For my menu items, I chose that during the production phase, I would like to learn more about becoming a costume designer. To my knowledge, being a costume designer means choosing out the appropriate clothing for the actors to wear, in order to fit the scene. It also means doing the hair of the actor. As I am very interested in the current and modern style, I feel like I would fit this position.

After Research

After completing my research about becoming a costume designer, I have learned new things. Not only do costume designers dress the actor in the way they feel looks best, but also to balance the scenes with texture and color. The costume designer may also collaborate with hair stylist, wig master, or makeup artist. They also typically seek to enhance the actors personality through the color and clothing choice. There are 3 main kinds of designers including freelance designers, residential designers, and academic designers. After researching about Costume Designers, I have learned so much about them and their positions, and they will be included the next time I'm taking on the role of a costume designer.

Source: https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/costume-designer/

Short Film Blog

The Stalker

For this specific short film, we used Jackson Chein's script. The concept of the script was about a guy who goes on a hike by himself through the woods. Inevitably, a stalker is watching him, getting ready to take him out. The hiker comes equipped with a little self defense, and ends up winning the fight and surviving after all.

In the film, I was primarily the costume designer. During the production phase I made sure the actors were wearing the appropriate clothes for their role in the film. In the post-production phase, I was the co-editor. I helped sequence and order the clips in a certain way that would make the film run smoothly.

Technically,we needed a camera to film (obviously). We also needed a boom to record solid audio quality. Finally, we needed to get a hold of a computer with a good processor in order to edit the video to its potential.

When our group began this project, we had a solid idea for a short film. The idea was great and we set up all the dates, but when it came to the film date, our actors were busy or working, and we could not film what we needed. After we changed the script, we used our technical skills to film and edit the film. Second, we used our communication skills to figure out a film date and get new actors, willing to film at our designated time. Third, I used my leadership skills to set the film date and location for where we were going to film. As a group we all had to collaborate to think together of a new script when the last film fell through. Finally, I used my project management skill, despite all the obstacles, edit and turn in the short film on the due date and well on time.

Next time, I would definitely get more reliable actors that could show up when and where we wanted. That's what I would change or focus more attention to next time I will create a short film.

I would like to keep the same film crew together for our next film, because we all feel comfortable with each other which helps keep things from being awkward. I would also keep the same cinematic effects that we have.

I am going to make sure the actors have a free schedule on the filming date in order to avoid the catastrophe that happened during the making of this short film.

Although it was stressful and pressuring to start over on a new script, filming this short film was fun and exciting. Overall I am impressed and grateful for how the film came out despite all the complications we had to overcome.