Basic Costuming For Film & Television

  • Program Duration: 14 weeks x 20 Hours a week
  • Lecture: 8 hrs a week
  • Lab: 12 hrs a week
  • Lead Instructors: Nikki Renshaw, Rebekka Sorensen Kjelstrup
  • Semester start: Jan, May and Sept

Price: Domestic $6,495.00

Installment Plans Available

International $8,450.00

Become a Certified Costume Designer with Our Certificate Program

 

Overview

Vancouver is called ‘Hollywood North’ and nothing helps to bring the vision and the voice of a director to life more than the skills of the costuming department. Our hands-on course will help you become prepared to step into a role in this fascinating and highly creative one-billion dollar industry through hands-on, project-based learning led by our professional instructors.

You will be able to understand, holistically, the departments of film production which collaborate with and around the costume departments as well as the duties, responsibilities and theories for those positions. An extensive dive into the principles of Colour Theory, Fashion History and Fabric Technology create a foundation for special techniques and practices exclusive to the TV and Film.

Research methods, script and character breakdowns, union specifics; you will be taught to blend your creative and analytical skills and experience an introduction to some of the unique characteristics of working in the film industry and discover in yourself the personal character traits needed to excel. From etiquette and set procedures, roles and requirements, you will be given a head-start to one of the most exciting, challenging and lucrative career choices within the fashion world with our Costuming for Film and Television, Level One program.

 

“Working closely under industry experts really helped me to understand very quickly, whereas I don’t think my progress would have been equaled in any traditional school setting.”

— Kim Sanieyan, Student

Classes Include

The Costume Department (Structure and Positions)

  • Introduction to all the positions and the basic operation of an efficient costume department with emphasis on the theory, duties, and responsibilities of key positions and how every position supports the set
  • Introduction to the basic structure of a film production with emphasis on relevant departments that collaborate with the costume department
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    Costume History

  • Introduction to research methods for historical costumes
  • Understanding that costume has historical and social relevance which influence the script
  • Introduction to form, line, methods, and construction throughout history

    • Dyeing, Breakdown/Ageing, and Textile Arts

  • Introduction to the practical application of dyeing, breakdown/ageing, and textile arts in film and television
  • Understanding the complex challenges that affect costumes on set
  • The role of dyeing & breakdown for the development of character in costume
  • Learn basic theory and techniques for ageing & breakdown to achieve special effects in costume
  • How to use different temporary and permanent paint, powders, oils, and colour tools for physical breakdown

    • Research and Production

  • Introduction to research methods for contemporary costumes
  • How to identify fashion trends
  • Introduction to basic colour theory, historical & social relevance of colour, and developing a colour palette
  • Introduction to considerations of fabric in costume and how to source fabric
  • Expanded details on the role of set supervisor, truck costumer, set and background costumers
  • Film specific on set terminology

    • Script Breakdown

  • Introduction on how to read a film script and understand script abbreviations and terminology
  • Fundamentals of how to breakdown a script for technical and administrative requirements
  • How to generate relevant lists and documents
  • Learn what defines a costume and its importance in the creative film making process
  • Analyze and breakdown a character to support the script and vision of the director

    • Program Price

    APPLICATION FEE (Domestic): $50

    APPLICATION FEE (International): $500

    ASSESSMENT FEE: $100

    TUITION: $6,495

    Payment Plan Available
    (Does not include books and materials, check program outline for details)

     
     

    Pathway of your career

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    Become a student!

    If you’ve dreamed of turning your passion into an exciting career in fashion, as a designer or in production, this is your chance to bring that dream to life. Perhaps you’re in the industry and need to upgrade your skills? Or you want to develop your existing skills to further a hobby? Or maybe you’re ready to launch an exciting second career. One-on-one education with some of the most creative brains in the business and first-hand experience in a professional workshop will help you build a portfolio fit for the world’s top fashion schools and brands.

    Meet your professors

    Nikki Renshaw

    Nikki started her design career in her native London, UK where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Saint Martin’s school of Art. After moving to Vancouver, BC, she enrolled in BCIT where she completed the Interior Design program, and has been teaching a variety of design courses at several institutions for the past decade. Nikki has extensive experience in television, where she hosted numerous shows back in London, as well as hosting a radio show for over a decade here in Vancouver. She is an expert in marketing as she has been running her own design company for many years and has a large social media presence with over 118,000 Instagram followers. She regularly contributes to design magazines on both sides of the globe and Elle France magazine included her Instagram account @englisheccentrichome in their feature on influencers to watch in 2024. Her work has been featured in Elle Canada, UK Cosmopolitan, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living and The Vancouver Sun as well as other publications. Currently, Nikki is the Program Director for the Costume, Global Fashion Marketing and Interior Design courses at the Cut, as well as running her design business and studying for a Master’s Degree at the Arts University of Bournemouth in the UK.

    Rebekka Sorensen Kjelstrup

    Rebekka Sorensen Kjelstrup, hailing from Norway, is a distinguished costume designer with an illustrious career spanning over two decades. She honed her craft through education at the University of British Columbia, where her passion for costume design took flight. Rebekka's exceptional talents shine in both theatre and film. Notably, she served as the costume designer for seven seasons of the hit series "Riverdale." Her work on the show garnered critical acclaim, earning her two Leo Awards for Best Costumes in a Dramatic Series in 2020 and 2023, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. Her creative brilliance extends beyond "Riverdale." In 2014, Rebekka earned an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for the TV series "Spooksville." Her work consistently earns nominations for CAFTCAD awards on "Riverdale" and multiple recognitions, including three Jessie Richardson Awards for her theatre costume designs. Rebekka Sorensen Kjelstrup's career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the art of costume design, where her exceptional creativity and meticulous attention to detail continue to leave an indelible mark on both screen and stage.

    Instructor and materials subject to change

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    You have questions, we have answers.
    If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our FAQ section below, use our online submission form.

     
     
     
     

     This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
    The Cut Design Academy is designated with PTIB