Trainee Costume Assistant

Digital Departures Develop New Talent
Training Profile
Trainee Costume Assistant

Feature film: Salvage
Training Area: Costume Department
Length of Training: 24 days
Training Allowance: £60 per day of completed training
Pre Placement Training: Wednesday 20th February 2008-Liverpool or Manchester tbc
Placement Start Date: Thursday 21st February 2008 - Liverpool
Placement Finish Date: Thursday 20th March 2008 - Liverpool
Post Placement Training Tuesday 25th March 2008 Liverpool or Manchester tbc
Placement Location Liverpool
Training Schedule: 11 day fortnights - includes training at the weekend and some evenings
Training hours: Variable, as a result of night shoots you may not finish until midnight, you may also have 6.15am starts the following day.

Digital Departures

Digital Departures was set up by Northwest Vision and Media to establish Liverpool and the North West as the centre of micro budget feature film production in Europe. This exciting new initiative will produce 3 innovative micro-budget feature films in Liverpool, due to premiere in the city during the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations, and each with a fully-funded budget of £250,000.

The key driving force behind this initiative is to give short filmmakers the opportunity of making their first feature. Salvage is one of the three films being made in Liverpool. Salvage is a Horror film written by former Hollyoaks Story Editor, Colin O’Donnell, and directed by Lawrence Gough who has made 3 short films with Northwest Vision and Media.

About the Placement

The person appointed will be based in the Costume Department of Salvage for the whole shooting period and will be working on set for the entire shoot. This training placement will be based primarily at Croxteth in Liverpool, the production location.

The successful individual will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the various roles and processes involved in micro budget feature film production, as well as a chance to gain personal development and an opportunity to build relationships with key people within the industry. As a Trainee Costume Assistant the individual will develop and strengthen specific and appropriate occupational skills.

Training Role and Key Responsibilities

The successful trainee will assist the Costume department staff. This may include a wide range of administrative duties and general support tasks. They will work both in the makeup room and on set.

He/She will:
• Look after artistes and costumes on set
• Assist with repairs – hand and machine sewing
• Set out costumes at the beginning of the day
• Assist with fittings; organize and tidy the costume department
• Ensure continuity on set
• Assist with ordering/purchasing supplies
• Ensuring costumes are correctly labeled and stored
• Packing and unpacking costumes
• Clean, launder and press costumes
• Stock control methods and systems
• Working to the directions of the costume designer

Placement End

We hope that by the end of the placement the individual would have gained specific knowledge, experience and competences in the following areas –

• A comprehensive understanding in the area he/she will work in, and the roles within that area
• Gained knowledge and developed a basic understanding of the different processes and activities relating to Independent micro budget feature film production
• An understanding of the role of a Costume Designer & associated tools and skills
• Improved industry experience, contacts and networking knowledge
• Improved understanding of career pathways and the diverse regional support available to media new entrants

Person Specification for Trainee Placement

What do I need to display on the application form?

We are looking for trainees who have some experience of working on short film, TV drama or equivalent experience and are looking to move into feature film production.

Core Skills - The trainee will be expected to have the following experience knowledge and understanding:
• Industry experience on short film, TV drama or a qualification (BTEC) in Costume design for TV/Film Drama
• 6 months experience working within Costume (Industry, Voluntary, Community, Education)
• Familiarity with different makeup and hair products, styles and techniques
• Creative and artistic flair
• Communication skills
• Provide evidence of Qualifications if required
• Health and Safety awareness
• Full/Clean Driving Licence

Other attitudes / qualities we are looking for:
• Enthusiasm; Willingness to start & learn at the bottom; Respect for others; Determination to succeed; Initiative; interest in fashion; Interest in the media industry and specifically feature film; Reliability; Good hearing; Ability to accept direction and respond quickly; Good Stamina and Commitment, Punctuality