Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1178754
94 The Costume Designer Fall 2019 SCRAPBOOK With Costume Design, one can never exceed the personalities of your actors. On the classic film Hocus Pocus, Mary Vogt delighted not only in director Kenny Ortega being a performer, but also her three leads, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Bette Midler, coming from a theatrical background. Their innate ability to wear outlandish clothing with nonchalance grounded the film's fantastical looks in naturalism. Shunning traditional black witch garb, which she found dull and depressing, Vogt embraced vibrant colors and period-inspired silhouettes. When Disney execs balked, she suggested they look back at their own classic films, where witches came in many tones. Fortunately, her director fought for her vision. Vogt adds, "If your director and actors aren't on your side—you are stuck." The film was shot in Salem, Massachusetts, during what Vogt calls "the most amazing autumn they have ever had, which brought an electric quality to the heightened reality of the set by Bill (William) Sandell." At the suggestion of Bob Ringwood, she had the costumes constructed by the San Francisco Opera ballet shop during their down season. They brought a familiarity and ease to building the grand silhouettes. Vogt enthuses, "They make corsets in their sleep, this was like nothing to them." Shockingly, Vogt began all of the rich textures and tones with all white fabric. She credits dyer Mary Etta Lang. By the time Vogt had to create the costumes for the Halloween party, she had used most of her budget. Fortunately, she was able to access the Disney stock for a small fee. Vogt chuckles, "Bette noticed costumes she wore in previous films like Gypsy floating around on the background." Hocus Pocus was featured at CDG Movie Night on October 19, 2019. Film historian Justin Humphreys interviewed Vogt in a Q&A fol- lowing the screening. Hocus Pocus Designed by Mary Vogt