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Film & TV · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Costume Design & Wardrobe

“The actor puts on the costume, and the character arrives.” This course explores costume as a primary storytelling tool. Students will learn to interpret scripts to design wardrobes that reveal character psychology, time period, and social status. The curriculum covers the design process from mood boards and sketching to sourcing, fitting, and managing “Continuity” on a film set.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Analyze a script to create a "Costume Plot" and budget
  2. Understand Color Theory and Psychology in character design
  3. Master the basics of textiles: Fabric types, drape, and durability
  4. Execute the design process: Sketching, Sourcing, and Fittings
  5. Manage "Wardrobe Continuity" for film (The Script Supervisor relationship)
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Role of the Costume Designer
  2. 02Script Breakdown for Wardrobe
  3. 03Character Analysis through Clothing
  4. 04History of Fashion: Period Accuracy
  5. 05Color Palettes & Texture
  6. 06Illustration Techniques: The Croquis
  7. 07Fabric Science: Natural vs. Synthetic
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Sourcing: Thrift, Rental, & Build
  10. 10The Fitting: Tailoring & Actor Comfort
  11. 11Aging and Distressing: Making it look real
  12. 12Wardrobe for Film: On-Set Etiquette
  13. 13Continuity: Tracking Changes
  14. 14The Quick Change (Theatre Focus)
  15. 15Budgeting & Returns
  16. 16Final Project: The Character Look Book

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Character Look Book

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design by Rebecca Cunningham
  2. Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters by Lynn Pecktal
  3. The Costume Technician's Handbook by Rosemary Ingham
  4. Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design by Deborah Nadoolman Landis
  5. Costume Design 101 by Richard La Motte
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