Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/613071
Fall 2015 The Costume Designer 11 Charlie Altuna, who is featured on our cover, has taken the technology of digital printing and incorporated it into his Costume Designs. Technology is moving so fast and is allowing Costume Designers to be even more creative then we have ever been. You can now order a digital printer online and set it up on your desk. We need to stay up to date with technology, and when possible, we should be ahead of it. The CDG education committee is planning a digital printing seminar so our members can learn how to put this technology to use. Social media is becoming a vital for Costume Designers. With instantaneous access to fans, we can create our own brands and become powerful players in the business. All CDG members should con- nect with social media for your jobs. We will be hosting another social media seminar next year, make a point to come and learn how to put this powerful tool to work for you. The Costume Designers' job is to be the liaison with production on how a character should dress, whether it is a historically accurate reproduction or an original design choice. Assistant costume designer Kristi Hoffman brings up a very important point that we should understand where the design inspiration comes from, and be loyal to it. Of course, sometimes our work calls for satire, and historical accuracy is not what is required. If we as Costume Designers know what the origin of a costume is, we are much better prepared to design within the confines. We have to design with our creativity, if the script calls for a drag queen nun in a mini-dress and fishnets, we can't be worried about offending some people, as we have to be able to design without limits. If you are designing a historical drama, the costume department should become the experts on authenticity through research and advisers. With easy access to so much information on the Internet, details are accessible and you will be called out for inaccuracies. We should honor the reality, but be free to design whatever the script calls for. The CDG Awards are in their 18th year. We have come a long way and are now a well-respected award in Hollywood. As the industry has evolved, so must we. The awards have changed slightly to honor all aspects of Costume Design, the former "Commercial Category" is now called "Short Form Design," and includes commercials, music videos, webisodes, video games, and short films. All of our awards are for "Excellence" in each category, and our Television categories are Contemporary, Period, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Each medium has its own design aesthetic and shouldn't be judged against each other. You can now submit your design project online. It's so easy and efficient. As a nonprofit organization, our sponsors are greatly appreciated. Most of our sponsors are well known in the indus- try. When they sponsor an ad for the CDG, it's their way of showing support for us as a profession. Please take a minute to thank the sponsors you see on our website, magazine, and other venues. Their support helps us provide services to all of our members. Thank you to all of our sponsors. The CDG Holiday party will again be sponsored by Western Costume Company at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills on December 12, 2015. I look forward to seeing you all and celebrating the holidays. In solidarity, Salvador Perez sperez@ cdgia.com UNION LABEL PRESIDENT'S LETTER Holiday Card 2015 Created and Illustrated by Darell Fuentes