Wardrobe assistant jobs

In film, television, or live theater productions, performers need help selecting, assembling, and maintaining their costumes. Wardrobe assistants provide assistance with these tasks. They take measures to ensure that the outfits have a genuine appearance.

The Work Being Done

Depending on the nature of the production and its scale, there may be two wardrobe departments: the "making wardrobe" department, whose members conduct the necessary research and either acquire or create the costumes, and the "running wardrobe" department, whose members organize and maintain the costumes and assist in the switching of costumes while the production is in progress.

It's possible that:

looking through specialty stores for clothing and accessories that may be rented or purchased

working under strict deadlines, assisting the costume cutters in the construction of the costumes, and making alterations to the garments using both hand and machine stitching

garment care including laundering, ironing, and steaming

Occasionally, clothing are distressed and aged to give the impression that they are soiled, ancient, or worn.

taking care of wigs and coordinating with wigmakers so that they may be dressed

putting away and retrieving various items, including wigs, clothing, and other things

During performances, assisting performers in changing their costumes swiftly and attending to any urgent repairs that may arise.

maintaining photographic and comprehensive records of each scene's outfits and accessories, including shoes, jewelry, masks, crowns, and headdresses, as well as keeping track of how many times each item was used in each scene.

storing costumes and returning any things that were rented once the performance has over.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the magnitude of the business or organization that you are employed by

the level of competition for the job.

The most recent prices from the Advertising Producer's Association Recommended Crew Rates are published on the website of the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) (July 2018).

Minimum Rate for a Basic Day: 270.00 GBP

The maximum rate for the basic day is 314,00 pounds.

The starting rate for an hour is £30.00.

Conditions

You will be living away from home and potentially even in a foreign country while the firm takes you on tour or places you in a certain area.

If you work in the film or television industry, your hours will be quite consistent, but your days will still be somewhat lengthy.

In the theater industry, you will work daylight hours during the rehearsal periods, but during performances, which might run for many weeks, you will be expected to work evenings and weekends.

In order to compensate for these long hours, you can have several weeks off in between different performances.

You may find yourself working in the backstage area of a theater, film, or television studio, or even in temporary premises while you're out on site.

Workplaces are often crowded and disorganized.

There is a possibility that the work will be performed on a short-term contract basis that will endure for a few weeks or months until a production is completed.

Getting In

Although formal credentials are not required to enter, many businesses may need certain topics to be passed at the National 4 or 5 level, or the equivalent. Due to the high level of competition, it is recommended that you take one of the following pertinent courses.

At the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Production Arts and Design may choose to take courses in costume design as well as costume fabrication. Three Highers are required of applicants, and they must also provide a portfolio or examples of their practical work.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Performance Costume is offered by the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh College of Art. You need to have four Highers with an ABBB at your first sitting, in addition to a National 5 in English. You really must have a portfolio. Additionally, the institution provides postgraduate training in the field of performance costume.

The minimum grade criterion for candidates seeking broadening access is four Highers with grades of ABBB by the end of S6, with a minimum of BBB earned in at least one year of study between S4 and S6.

At Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, students may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Costume Design and Construction. It is required that you have four Highers from BBCC, at least one of which must be in English, Drama, or History, and either Art and Design or Fashion and Textile Technology is highly recommended. You also need to have a National 5 in English and Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics.

There are Higher National Certificate (HNC) programmes in art and design that may be taken, and some of those courses contain choices in theater costume design. You will typically require two Highers, especially in English and Art & Design, or a comparable National Qualification in order to get admittance.

You might try applying for a Modern Apprenticeship to get entry. Different employers have different prerequisites for entering the workforce.

You require strong sewing abilities.

A background in theater, gained via activities such as participation in school or amateur performances, is desirable.

Dressmaking or custom tailoring abilities would be helpful.

In film, television, or live theater productions, performers need help selecting, assembling, and maintaining their costumes. Wardrobe assistants provide assistance with these tasks. They take measures to ensure that the outfits have a genuine appearance.

The Work Being Done

Depending on the nature of the production and its scale, there may be two wardrobe departments: the "making wardrobe" department, whose members conduct the necessary research and either acquire or create the costumes, and the "running wardrobe" department, whose members organize and maintain the costumes and assist in the switching of costumes while the production is in progress.

It's possible that:

looking through specialty stores for clothing and accessories that may be rented or purchased

working under strict deadlines, assisting the costume cutters in the construction of the costumes, and making alterations to the garments using both hand and machine stitching

garment care including laundering, ironing, and steaming

Occasionally, clothing are distressed and aged to give the impression that they are soiled, ancient, or worn.

taking care of wigs and coordinating with wigmakers so that they may be dressed

putting away and retrieving various items, including wigs, clothing, and other things

During performances, assisting performers in changing their costumes swiftly and attending to any urgent repairs that may arise.

maintaining photographic and comprehensive records of each scene's outfits and accessories, including shoes, jewelry, masks, crowns, and headdresses, as well as keeping track of how many times each item was used in each scene.

storing costumes and returning any things that were rented once the performance has over.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the magnitude of the business or organization that you are employed by

the level of competition for the job.

The most recent prices from the Advertising Producer's Association Recommended Crew Rates are published on the website of the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) (July 2018).

Minimum Rate for a Basic Day: 270.00 GBP

The maximum rate for the basic day is 314,00 pounds.

The starting rate for an hour is £30.00.

Conditions

You will be living away from home and potentially even in a foreign country while the firm takes you on tour or places you in a certain area.

If you work in the film or television industry, your hours will be quite consistent, but your days will still be somewhat lengthy.

In the theater industry, you will work daylight hours during the rehearsal periods, but during performances, which might run for many weeks, you will be expected to work evenings and weekends.

In order to compensate for these long hours, you can have several weeks off in between different performances.

You may find yourself working in the backstage area of a theater, film, or television studio, or even in temporary premises while you're out on site.

Workplaces are often crowded and disorganized.

There is a possibility that the work will be performed on a short-term contract basis that will endure for a few weeks or months until a production is completed.

Getting In

Although formal credentials are not required to enter, many businesses may need certain topics to be passed at the National 4 or 5 level, or the equivalent. Due to the high level of competition, it is recommended that you take one of the following pertinent courses.

At the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Production Arts and Design may choose to take courses in costume design as well as costume fabrication. Three Highers are required of applicants, and they must also provide a portfolio or examples of their practical work.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Performance Costume is offered by the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh College of Art. You need to have four Highers with an ABBB at your first sitting, in addition to a National 5 in English. You really must have a portfolio. Additionally, the institution provides postgraduate training in the field of performance costume.

The minimum grade criterion for candidates seeking broadening access is four Highers with grades of ABBB by the end of S6, with a minimum of BBB earned in at least one year of study between S4 and S6.

At Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, students may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Costume Design and Construction. It is required that you have four Highers from BBCC, at least one of which must be in English, Drama, or History, and either Art and Design or Fashion and Textile Technology is highly recommended. You also need to have a National 5 in English and Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics.

There are Higher National Certificate (HNC) programmes in art and design that may be taken, and some of those courses contain choices in theater costume design. You will typically require two Highers, especially in English and Art & Design, or a comparable National Qualification in order to get admittance.

You might try applying for a Modern Apprenticeship to get entry. Different employers have different prerequisites for entering the workforce.

You require strong sewing abilities.

A background in theater, gained via activities such as participation in school or amateur performances, is desirable.

Dressmaking or custom tailoring abilities would be helpful.

What are the Prerequisites?

You are going to need to have:

hand dexterity and stitching abilities of a high caliber

a keen sense of both fashion and color

a familiarity with styles that were popular at certain time periods

attention to detail

perseverance

excellent people skills

talents in verbal and nonverbal communication.

You really ought to be:

interested in the history of performing arts as well as the arts itself

helpful, composed, and deft of touch

effectively organized

innovative as well as adaptable

capable of cooperating with others in a group setting

competent in working fast, adhering to deadlines, and maintaining composure under pressure.

Training

If you were participating in a Modern Apprenticeship, you would most likely get a Diploma in Theatre Operations: Costume and Wardrobe at the SCQF Level 6 level.

Training happens on the job and is overseen by staff members with more expertise.

Making clothing from designs, using sewing machines, and learning about different styles and materials are all part of the training.

Aspiring designers are occasionally given the opportunity to participate in the BBC's Design Trainee program, which provides them with a one-year contract in an entry-level design position. The program, which is financed by ScreenSkills, is looking for trainees in the areas of set, costume, and make-up design, as well as interactive design. Check out the information available on the BBC recruiting page.

Getting On

There is a possibility of employment opportunities both in the entertainment industry and in fashion firms.

Transitioning from one industry to another does not run into any formal obstacles (film, TV or theatre). As a result of the fact that many positions are obtained via networking, wardrobe assistants often stay in the industry in which they first found employment.

You may be possible to advance your career to become a wardrobe supervisor or go into costume design if you gain more skills and experience on the job (see Costume Designer).

Gaining certificates and honing your sketching abilities might be helpful in advancing your career.