Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538245
12 FALL 2025 S P O T L I G H T By Erin Wenrick Todd Voght en's Finished Costumer Todd Voght has been a member of Local 705 since 2011 but has had costuming in his blood from the day he was born. "I was around the motion picture industry my entire life. My father worked at Fox Costume Department for 23 years. I have pictures of me using the racks like a jungle gym and rollerblading up and down the costume aisles. I literally grew up at Fox. As long as I can remember, I always wanted to do what my family did." In addition to that, his father, his brother, and several cousins also work in costuming. Many Costumers who have worked with Voght will tell you about his can-do attitude, easygoing personality, and strong work ethic. "My dad always told me that in this industry, your reputation is everything. He taught me to be reliable and to work hard, because most opportunities come through word of mouth. If people know they can count on you, they'll remember you and that's how you keep moving forward." Like many Costumers, Voght didn't have a direct track to get in the union but others looked out for him and M helped when the opportunity came. "I initially started my journey through a program called Hollywood CPR (HCPR) when in its infancy, but ended up getting my days through United American Costume. I had some problems getting my days through HCPR. I was interning at American, while attending HCPR, and when Diana [Foster] told Luster [Bayless] about my troubles. He told her, 'Monday, put the kid on payroll' and I started getting my days the next week." He was able to learn the basics from Hollywood CPR but gives a lot of credit to United American Costume Company saying, "Being able to learn from Diana and Luster really gave me a good grasp of costuming." He adds, "One of the most valuable lessons I learned at American is that the clothes truly make the character. You can have an Oscar-winning actor in the role, but if the costume isn't right, it becomes difficult for the audience to fully believe in the character and that disconnect can really hurt a film." After working his first six years in costume houses United American Costume Company and the Fox Costume Department, Voght has spent the last eight years working on set. "The shift from working at a costume house to being on set was definitely a big learning curve. There's really no job that can fully prepare you for how a set operates, it's a lot of on-the-job learning. I was lucky to work on shows with Costumers who were generous with their knowledge and willing to teach." As most Costumers know, the hours working on set can be quite different from working in the costume houses. Voght comments that "the transition from a steady 9 to 5 schedule to the unpredictable hours on set can be a bit jarring" and for those who make the transition, "it takes some time to adjust, but being flexible and prepared makes all the difference." When asked about his favorite project, Voght says, "I really think I've had a career filled with fun projects so far. I worked on the first four seasons of S.W.A.T., which was fun due to all the stunts (cars, guns, explosions, etc.). Westworld then sent me to Mexico for a week of filming. After that, I was off to Montana for Yellowstone On set with stunts (S.W.A.T. S1). Opposite: Quick hems on some uniforms on Yellowstone S5 in Montana.