Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542297
the HMU vanities are staged, along with our costume rack and chairs so we can easily trade out actors as they go to either a makeup or hair station to get final touches. We give the actors their final pieces and will sometimes pass on continuity notes for them to remember, depending on the scene. For example, if the actor is leaving the bullpen for the day, they should take their jacket and bag with them and carry the bag on their right shoulder, because that's how we shot part of that scene a day before. Since we can't run in to correct the take, we do our best to negate errors from the top of the day. With all comedy, there are countless gags that have to be taken into consideration. Like a majority of filmmaking, scenes are not shot in sequential order. Therefore, it is up to everyone in the Costume Department to accommodate the success of that particular bit. Once Kathleen and our Costume Supervisor, Maritza Roddy, finish the production meeting, they do a breakdown of what is needed for the script. Colleen will go shop, give the receipts to our Costume Coordinator, Kaley Nelson, and then the notes of the gag are passed on to the set team once the costume pieces are selected and approved. For instance, there is a bit where one of our actors fell into a lake. Colleen shopped for multiples for the actor's costume, so we had enough for a clean look and multiple sets for geing wet. We kept some of the multiples on the rack so there was a quick turnaround of geing the actor changed out of wet clothes and providing an abnormal amount of towels and robes for them to dry off. Once the gag is done, we write down in the scene when it happens and what time in the script day. Knowing what time of day in the script something happens is important, as it helps us track when the actor is meant to be dry and when they are meant to still be wet or damp. The same goes for when something is spilled, bleached, or if a pie goes to the face and then slides down onto the costume. All these lile pieces make up the whole picture of filmmaking. Making The Paper with this incredible costume team was a delight—running our days together, supporting each other whenever a costume emergency came up, and learning a new way of filmmaking. It was an honor to be given the opportunity to be a member of a sequel to a television classic. Everyone worked their bus off to help one another be successful and really elevate their talents for this show. I'm grateful to have been a part of this costume team and look forward to our next adventure together. The Paper is available on NBC and to stream on Peacock. Right (from top): Costume continuity for set dressing and set dressing for Esmeralda's office. Opposite: Tim Key in a collage of continuity photos. MOTIONPICTUREC O S T U M E R S .O R G 19