ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

5 years, 11 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy

If nothing special is required, then your actors probably already own / wear suitable clothes. Ask them to come with whatever suitable attire they own. It'll cost you nothing.

5 years, 11 months ago - Marlom Tander

If you have "a look" in mind, then you should expect to go shopping. So do so, the math will follow soon enough.

If you have scenes that you expect to damage clothes, budget for multiples, or rewrite. E.g. "chased across a field, she slips in the mud, picks herself up and carries on". Very hard to do multiple takes (quickly) unless multiple sets of clothes.

But if you don't have any particular look, (and perhaps even if you do, if that is generic like "suit" or "summer dress", and aren't expecting to damage/dirty up, then as Alwyne says, ask them what they own and go with that.

5 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Really open ended question. Custom tailored suits are a few grand each, or primark a few quid. Is your character a rich debonaire spy who dresses to impress, or a construction worker in PPE?

Always be aware of multiple costumes needed, especially if there's anything continuity related, bloodwork, makeup, etc. That means instead of getting away with one shirt you may need 4, so obviously you'll need cheaper stuff. Your costume dept will need a float beyond the department total, as they may be able to take spares and refund them if unused.

When discussing with costume department, think about who'll own the clothes afterwards. Make sure anything refundable is refunded, and make a decision if you want to keep the clothes for continuity or give them to the costume guys to keep for their own rails for continuity (if they do the washing and pressing on their own basis) - this would be a nice thing to do if you don't ned the clothes again as the costume master can start to build up their own rails for future projects.