TV/Film/ Theatre Wardrobe Assistant
What is the work like?
Wardrobe assistants help to make, find and look after the clothing and costumes used in theatre, film and television productions.
As a wardrobe assistant, you would work under the direction of a costume supervisor or wardrobe master/mistress. Your work might include:
- helping to buy and hire costume items
- looking after the costumes between takes or scenes
- mending and altering costumes
- packing and unpacking costumes and accessories
- cleaning and ironing
- helping to make pieces and put costumes together
- fitting the performers
- making sure that all items are available when needed
- keeping an accurate record of all items needed
- storing costumes and returning hired items (known as 'breaking down' costumes).
In theatre, you might also act as a 'dresser', helping with costume changes during performances.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a wardrobe assistant you will need practical skills in hand and machine sewing, pattern cutting and dressmaking. You do not always need formal qualifications, but you can build useful skills on college courses such as:
- City & Guilds Certificates in Design and Craft – part-time courses including theatre costume, fashion, tailoring and pattern cutting
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Art and Design (Textiles or Fashion and Clothing) – courses may be full- or part-time.
You may have an advantage with a BTEC HND, degree or postgraduate qualification in costume design, fashion, textiles or production arts, especially if you want to eventually become a costume designer. Check course entry requirements with colleges or universities.
The key to finding paid work is to get practical work experience, which you can get from:
- student theatre and film productions
- amateur or community theatre
- dressmaking
- work for a theatrical costume hire company
- casual work as a costume ‘daily’ (temporary helper) on film and TV sets.
You should also build a portfolio or 'showreel' CD/DVD with examples of your work to show to potential employers throughout your career.
Contact Skillset Careers for more advice about finding work experience in the film and television industry.
What further training and development can I do?
You will develop your skills on the job, from experienced wardrobe supervisors, costume makers and designers.
In film and TV, you may be able to receive apprenticeship-style training at the start of your career from new entrant schemes such as the BBC's Design Training Scheme, or those run by Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2). Competition for places on this type of scheme is very strong, and selection processes are tough.
Skillset Careers can advise you about any new entrant training schemes that may be available.
You should keep developing your costume knowledge and skills throughout your career. To help with this, you could take short courses in various costume skills, or join a professional association such as the Costume Society. For relevant courses, see the Association of British Theatre Technicians website, or Skillset's database of media courses.
Where can I go for more information?
373-377 Clapham RoadLondon
SW9 9BT
Warwick Street
London
W1R 5RA
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9200
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Earnings in theatre can be between £12,000 and £28,000 a year.
- Earnings in film and TV are usually higher, although you may need to work for low pay at the start of your career.
Freelance rates can vary widely. You could negotiate your fees based on the type of production and your own track record. Contact BECTU for current pay guidelines.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours may be long, unsocial and irregular. Rehearsals, fittings and repairs mainly take place in daytime, although in film and TV your hours would depend on the production's shooting schedule. Some evening work would be involved if you had duties as a dresser in the theatre.
You might work backstage in theatres, in film and TV studios, workrooms, or temporary cabins if you are out on location. Working conditions backstage may be cramped and hot.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good sewing skills
- creativity and style
- an understanding of design, fashions and period clothing
- a flexible and adaptable attitude
- excellent attention to detail
- the ability to follow instructions
- good organisational skills
- calmness under pressure
- a calm, tactful and patient manner
- good 'people skills', for working in a team.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for film studios, film/TV production companies or theatre companies. Freelance contracts are much more common than ongoing full-time work, and competition for jobs is strong.
You would tend to specialise in either stage or film/TV, but you could cross over into the other area once you were established. With experience, you could move into set design, production design or stage management.
Some jobs are advertised in the national press, trade press and industry websites. However, it is common to find work through networking and word of mouth, and by listing your details in a crew directory.
You may find the following websites useful for job vacancies and making contacts (links open new window):
Broadcast Freelancer
The Stage
Mandy.com
Stage Jobs Pro
Production and Casting Report
The Knowledge (TV/film contacts directory)
Kays Production Guide (TV/film contacts directory)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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