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Costume Assistant

General costume department support in prep and on set — 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
• Assist fittings and alterations prep
• Runs and returns
• Help continuity paperwork
• Support standby as directed

Reports to

Supervisor / Standby as assigned

Works with

Costume team, Runners

Career path

Costume Trainee → Costume Assistant → Standby / Buyer

Day to day

Steam/prep; label; assist fittings; set cover as assigned; keep rails orderly. Follow your call sheet, protect H&S, and hand over kit/notes at wrap.

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

• Excel / StudioBinder
• Continuity photo folders
• Excel / Google Sheets continuity & cast lists
• Scriptation / PDF sides
• PureRef boards (cleared refs)
• ChatGPT for period research summaries (Designer verifies)

Related roles

Costume Standby, Costume Supervisor, Costume Trainee

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