UK film & TV craft certificate: costume 2022 (Yorkshire)

This course is part of Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, a ground-breaking pilot delivered by Screen Yorkshire and supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funding awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

Crew for the costume department are in huge demand across the UK’s booming film and television industries. This 5-month course (April to August 2022) upskills entry-level trainees providing them with film and TV specific costume training, as well as preparing them for the specific rigours of working within the film and television industries. We are looking for a cohort of trainees who bring a diverse range of experiences to the group and we actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the film and television industries. No previous Film & TV experience necessary, however, sewing skills and experience are required.

Who it's for

The course is entry level and is specifically targeted at trainees who have identified a career path in costume as their professional goal. We are looking for a cohort of trainees who bring a diverse range of experiences to the group and we actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the film and television industries.

No previous formal qualifications are required, although basic sewing skills and experience with the different settings of a standard sewing machine are essential. If you do not have any formal proof of your sewing skills in form of a relevant degree or vocational course certificate, please provide images of samples of your work with a written description of the work undertaken as part of your application.

Applicants who were 18 years old on 31 August 2021 will not be required to pay a fee for this course. For trainees over this age the course fee is set at £2000 however you may be eligible for bursary support covering the majority of the course fee. If you are 19+ and would like to apply for a bursary, please fill out the bursary application form linked to in the main application form.

What it covers

Students will take part in two ‘boot camps’ designed to prepare the trainees for the specific requirements of costume crew in film and TV, such as their role within a department, the way departments interact with other departments during production, set etiquette, sustainability training and preparation for freelance life (including CV and application writing, tax, invoicing and networking).

They will also receive valuable Health & Safety Production Passport training including Covid-19 safety training.

On completion of the certificate, you will:

• Understand how to communicate effectively with colleagues in both prep and on location/set
• Be able to develop and maintain good working relationships during the production process
• Understand hazards and risks in the workplace and be able to evaluate and minimise risks
• Be able to measure, cut and sew (both by hand & machine) and press clothing efficiently and safely
• Understand the relevant equipment, materials, supplies and related issues
• Organise efficiently the workstations, other ancillary equipment and supplies and prepare laundry facilities
• Be able to select, prepare, organize and manage the wardrobes, materials, equipment and supplies for a shoot
• Understand the characteristics of the relevant costume materials
• Have a developed understanding of the Costume Department principles
• Have an understanding of the importance of continuity in Costume
• Have an appreciation of Costume history – the fashion and styles
• Demonstrate an awareness of production issues related to sustainability and the environment particularly in connection with the care and laundering of fabrics
• Be able to operate effectively as a freelance worker

How to apply

Applications are open until 11.59pm, Monday 14 March 2022. Applications received after this date will not be considered. If for any reason you need to submit your application by an alternative method or have any other queries then please contact training@screenyorkshire.co.uk

You may be invited to a phone/online interview between March 15 and 25. Successful applicants will be offered a place by the end of March and will be expected to accept within 3 days of the offer. We will endeavour to contact everyone before April 25, however, if you have not heard from us by then, please assume you have not been offered a place on one of the courses.

For more information, and to apply click here

Contact information

Email: training@screenyorkshire.co.uk