Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529398
8 WINTER 2025 ABOUT LOCAL 705 ABOUT LOCAL 705 Motion Picture Costumers are classified into major groups depending on what part of the costume process they work on. Finished Costumers Finished Costumers are responsible for working with completed costumes. They own the glamorous territory of the set, office, shops, and costume houses where they perform "on production" and "off production" responsibilities and work with the finished costumes on TV shows, commercials, films, and streaming projects. These might involve cinching celebrity waistlines, camouflaging flaws, or accentuating curves. Finished Costumers are known for their last-minute creativity and adaptability. Their main job is to acquire, organize, monitor, and maintain costumes worn by principal actors and background artists. Depending on the production's needs, Finished Costumers collaborate with the Costume Designer to bring the designer's vision to life. Other duties include management, "pulling" costumes from rental houses, shopping for fabrics and garments, and organizing, handling, and general operation of the costume department. Custom Made Costumers Custom Made members are the costume makers and managers who supervise the manufacturing department, make and cut patterns, and provide men's and women's tailoring. Custom Made craftspeople also trim, stitch, alter, and finish the costumes before they go in front of the camera, or repair them after on-camera shenanigans have occurred. Custom Made Costumers work on every level of manufacturing, including making hats, shoes, armor, and even creating or modifying the fabric itself! They are known for their high level of skill and craftsmanship, turning two-dimensional illustrations into three-dimensional costumes worthy of gracing the screen. Commercial Costumers Responsible for all aspects of costuming a television commercial, our Commercial Costumers are the sprinters of the costume world. From searching out weird costume pieces in costume rental houses to dressing A-list celebrity spokespeople, a Commercial Costumer is involved with almost every aspect of what you see on screen. Commercial production operates at high speeds, creating mini-movies in a few weeks or even days, and with the variety of costumes needed for commercials, it can be one of the most exciting and interesting paths of costuming. Live Television Costumers Live Television Costumers are true quick-change artists working in the fast-paced, challenging worlds of soap operas, talk shows, and game shows. These Costumers create or set the look on stars and guests, and are responsible for the costumes designed, constructed, and procured. Other responsibilities cover the general operation and assignment of specific costume-related duties, including script breakdown, budgeting, purchasing, manufacturing/ alterations, and costume continuity. Costume House Employees Costume House Employees work in our independent signatory costume houses, which rent and manufacture costumes, and sell costume-related supplies and equipment. Many Costume House Employees are subject experts knowledgeable about different periods, uniforms, and genres. Costume House Employees facilitate costume rentals and made-to-order services for productions and studios that come to them to supply the special needs of their own costume departments. CUSTOM MADE Manufacturing Foreperson (Also "Head of Workroom") A Manufacturing Foreperson supervises the entire manufacturing department or a section of it, under the direction of a Costume Supervisor and/or Costume Designer. They assign jobs, ensure quality control, and manage the department's time and money. Pattern Maker & Fitter A Pattern Maker & Fitter makes patterns, cuts fabric pieces, and fits women's garments from specific designs or sketches. They assist and advise the selection of fabrics and notions, and they may delegate steps to a team of Table Persons, Drapers, and other manufacturers. *This position is often also called a Draper in theatrical costuming and other parts of the entertainment industry. In Hollywood, the term "Draper" is not someone who makes patterns. (See next page) Men's Tailor Cutter and/or Gang Boss A Tailor Cutter (the title of "Gang Boss" has fallen out of use) drafts men's garment patterns, cuts materials, and fits tailored suits and other costumes to actors from designs or sketches. The Tailor Cutter also selects or assists in the selection of materials to be used, working under the direction of a Costume Designer, Manufacturing Foreperson and/or Department Head. The Men's Tailor Cutter supervises the work of other Tailors within the men's costume department (or team). Women's Garment Tailor Women's Garment Tailors create women's suiting, drafting patterns and coordinating with others to get the perfect fit for a tailored jacket or classy trousers. Milliner Milliners design, make, and decorate hats and their ornaments. Milliners also style, restyle, remodel, and refurbish hats of all kinds. They may work on their own or oversee a team of assistants to fashion any type of headpiece, from ancient cultures to modern classics to futuristic dystopias. Table Person Often called a "First Hand" in other areas of costume manufacturing, a Table Person supervises the work of a group of finishers assigned to a project. A Table Person cuts material from patterns, marks them, and prepares them to be assigned to Stitchers and Finishers. They may make patterns, manufacture special items (ties, belts, ornaments), and take on other special roles as the bridge between the Pattern Maker and the workers assembling the final product. Figure Maker A Figure Maker takes required measurements and develops dress forms from such measurements; makes