A new movie. A new script. A whole cast of characters clamouring to be costumed. For me, this is the funnest part of design work. I can suspend the trivial details of time and available cash and make an idea come to life on paper. Ah, the bliss of it all! Then reality sets in and I have to either change the designs, compromise, or both.

Have you ever been slammed that way? The perfect costume design has to be thrown out because it would cost too much to make. The detailed beadwork that you absolutely loved goes away or becomes fabric paint. The ornate helmet has to be scratched and replaced with a hat. A felt one. With a bright red feather. Situations like this are depressing, annoying, and even downright ugly. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Movies, Props and Costumes, Tips and Tricks by Rebekah
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(This post references iSundae II: Attack of the Cones, part 1. You may want to view the movie before reading this post.)

Alright, tell me frankly, what would you do if you were confronted with the problem of creating an army of extras that serve the badguy? If I had to start completely from scratch I would probably flip out. Thankfully, I got lucky on iSundae II’s “The Norse.”

The concept of the Norse had been in the script since I don’t know when. Maybe it grew out of a scene in an earlier version, or maybe it got thrown in randomly. I can’t remember. But I do know that design concepts for their “look” are all over some pretty early sketches. There’s an axe with a symbolic icon right next to a costume sketch for Emcracy and a cloak clasp next to Cone armor. I got pretty fancy with some of the sketches and concepts, but one thing I didn’t think about: These were background characters. Extras. A generic “set-dressing.” Thus, no fancy costumes or props! Awww, man. Here’s what we ended up with. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Movies, Props and Costumes by Rebekah
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How many times have we, as filmmakers, longed for fancy props, elaborate sets, or even just enough space to film in? Well, here is a list of tips that can work wonders. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Props and Costumes, Tips and Tricks by Rebekah
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The costume drawings are done. Finally. You survey the row with a prideful and practiced eye. Then something looks wrong. You don’t know what it is, but that dress over there isn’t quite right, and this jacket looks strange. Is it just you, or is this really a problem? That, my friend, is what we are going to discuss. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Props and Costumes, Tips and Tricks by Rebekah
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One of the best things about making a home movie is that all your costumes become designer costumes because they are one-of-a-kind creations by you. And believe me, depending on the skill level you have, some are more “one-of-a-kind” than others. But, back to the schedule, I’m going to talk you through some thoughts and concepts, which I hope will be useful. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Movies, Props and Costumes, Tips and Tricks by Rebekah
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