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Assistant Costume Designer

Supports the Costume Designer on research, boards, fittings and department running — UK Costume grade; confirm title on the call sheet and deal memo.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Research and boards
• Support fittings
• Liaise Supervisor and makers
• Help track hero looks

Reports to

Costume Designer

Works with

Supervisor, Buyer, Makers, Graphics when printed costumes

Career path

Costume Assistant → Assistant Costume Designer → Costume Designer

Day to day

Research; attend fittings; chase makers/buyers; cover Designer notes; keep boards current.

Call times

Fittings and truck prep often before unit call; standby tracks cast ready-times through wrap for continuity photos. Crowd days start very early.

What to wear

Blacks on set; clean presentable kit clothes; soft shoes around cast; weather layers for exteriors.

Tools & kit

Personal sewing kit for standbys/makers as usual; steamer access; continuity camera/phone; radio.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Photoshop / Procreate / Clo3D
• Excel
• ShotDeck / PureRef
• Excel / Google Sheets continuity & cast lists
• Scriptation / PDF sides
• PureRef boards (cleared refs)
• ChatGPT for period research summaries (Designer verifies)

Related roles

Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor

More Costume roles