Age and distress costumes
Overview
This standard is about your ability to age and distress costumes and accessories.
This may involve breaking down a garment to meet production requirements, using knowledge of historical references and the visual style of the production, identifying safe locations to carry out work, with adequate ventilation, power and water supplies that will help ensure duplicate effects.
This standard may be applicable to costume supervisors, costume assistants, costume stand bys, wardrobe assistants and costumemakers.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
review the production requirements, costume designers brief and script and identify costume distress requirements
confirm the production schedule, budget and sequence plan
confirm the costume continuity requirements
brief the costume team on the costume requirements
identify and source resources required for costume break down and distress
identify allergies and sensitivity levels of performers and the costume team and ensure appropriate products are used
use the appropriate processes to break down fabrics, garments, shoes and accessories
identify costume breakdown and distress work to be outsourced
source and liaise with an appropriate subcontractor when necessary, communicating and agreeing the work, budget and schedule
identify and communicate how much of the costume will be used in shot, and confirm whether there are close up or background shots
monitor and manage subcontractors ensuring the quality standard, budget and schedules are met
wear appropriate protective wear to carry out ‘costume distressing’ work
identify and work in a safe location
keep records and store details of completed costume ageing and distressing work
follow the production's confidentiality rules
ensure COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations are adhered to
communicate clearly across production staff and other relevant departments or individuals
follow health, safety and environmental legislation, policies and guidelines
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the genre or time period of the production
the production requirements and costume designer’s brief
the timescales, schedule and sequence plan
the production's budgets
the production's continuity requirements
techniques and processes used to break down and distress costumes
the resources and products required to carry out costume break down
allergies and sensitivity levels of performers and the costume team and how to deal wth them
how to assess the work load and estimate outsourcing requirements
how to outsource/subcontract work to meet the budget and schedule
how much of the costumes will be seen and the impact that has on the costume breakdown, distressing work required
the protective clothing and equipment required when carrying out costume break down, distressing work
how to assess locations for suitability in relation to costume break down distressing work
the costume breakdown records and details required
production staff and departments involved and the communication protocol
the production's confidentiality rules
statutory responsibilities under health, safety, COSHH and environmental legislation and regulation