Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1260659
26 The Costume Designer Spring 2020 When Shannon noticed a lull in the energy level of her team, she implemented a daily exercise program. Tuesday and Thursday are yoga classes lead by Michelle Margolis, her costume supervisor. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they take a mile and a half walk through a path along a riverbed. After one particularly difficult deadline that coincided with a screening party, Shannon brought in a massage therapist who set up in one of the fitting rooms. She feels when the pace is grueling, caring for the body as well as the mind is essential. "It is important to stay healthy and focused," she adds. But possibly the most rewarding activity is her unique take on the premiere screening. When a copy is available, she assembles the team, their families, and the vendors to celebrate. She hires a taco truck to cater, and the show is projected on the side of their building for everyone to enjoy. Jennifer Davis-Chen describes the process as satisfying not just for the sense of accomplishment it conveys, but the solidarity of the team. "This tradition creates a wonderful sense of community as it gathers everyone to celebrate the end product that we had all been working toward for many, many months. It's exciting to share experiences on projects with colleagues we wouldn't otherwise see day-to-day." In a broader sense, Shannon finds her approach isn't just about creating good working conditions, but a good living environment. It's impossible to ignore the current world crisis, but because of the position and trust she'd developed, she was able to address the issue as reasonably and responsibly as possible. "Even in this uncharted ter- ritory of navigating the whole COVID-19 experience, we have such a family and everybody is so supportive of each other. It's been really helpful to have that community. We spoke to everybody and said, 'Come to us if you have any concerns, but in terms of water cooler talk, let's just have this be off the docket. Let's make this place be our safe zone where we can live our lives and not feel inundated.' And I think that really helped people cope. Those are the types of things that I think can really happen when you spend the amount of time that we do together." In recent weeks, Shannon has implemented an ongoing email stream so the crew remains an active, supportive community during these uncertain times. The Projects On a show that includes flashbacks, time-travel sequences, and world-hopping adventures, Warner Bros. Doom Patrol is challenging even within the realm of a superhero-themed show. In particular, the Robotman costume stands out as a triumph, and took her team's combined efforts to bring to fruition. Despite being covered from head to toe, the costume becomes a kind of tabla rasa, and the audience can track the actor's performance right through the mask. "That one was really a test," Shannon explains. "The concept art looked great, but there was a moment where they thought we weren't going to make it look cool. He had to be some- one everyone could relate to even though he's a robot. I love it when people tell me there's something I can't do. I knew what that had to be. I was just maniacal about the details. That was such a testament to everyone on my team just not giving up and putting our minds to making it happen." That attention to detail is palpable in the final product, and a theme of Shannon's work. Characteristically, she pres- Antony Starr as Homelander