“I know some new tricks”, said the cat in the hat, “A lot of good tricks. I will show them to you. Your mother will not mind at all if I do.”

The cat in the Hat, Dr. Suess

Tricks they are what we build our trade on.

Skill is where we start. I will never say that skill is ever replaceable. The more we know about what we do, the better we are.

For me knowing how to build clothing helps me know better how to take it apart, break it into components, and do what needs to be done on the day to get the shot no matter what is required!

But it is the tricks, the little things that we stumble over, learn the hard way, and then Share!!

Yes, I have used that word again!

Share, share, share… That makes our jobs so much better!

So I am sharing just one such little trick that we stumbled across last year while solving a problem.

“Let’s talk about sex, baby, Let’s talk about you and me, Let’s talk about all the good things, And the bad things that may be, Let’s talk about sex….”

~ SALT ‘N’ PEPA

Shot from the opening credits of the TV series Masters of Sex

We costumers are some of the ‘lucky’ few that get to be on set during a sex scene.  Yep right on set, really, really close.  Some of you who have had the experience may know this already; it isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be!

Very Superstitious, Writing’s on the Wall!

Stevie Wonder

I thought I would continue my thoughts on working with actors… this time with some good old fashioned wives’ tales involved!

Am I superstitious, sure, aren’t we all in a little way.  I always follow the rules of:

Don’t open an umbrella in the house (or the costume truck)! (by the way this isn’t a superstition in Korea!).

SHIT FIRE AND SAVE THE MATCHES!

The other day on set, our actress yelled, ‘Shit fire and save the matches!’ in the middle of a scene.  Nope, that wasn’t her line… she had fumbled her actual line a few times in a row and was getting frustrated with herself.

It was funny!  I almost cracked up in my hiding place behind a lighting flag.

I was reminded of this yesterday after reading a blog by the Anonymous Production Assistant.  Kendra wrote in and asked the Anonymous PA about how to talk to and deal with actors on set.  Anonymous wrote a great response about how a production assistant could approach dealing with cast.

WATCH WHERE YOU STICK THAT PIN!

The amazing Edith Head!

Let’s talk cast and background fittings.

As a Set Supervisor/Key On-Set Costumer I normally help the Designer with fittings on the main cast before we go to camera. This allows the actors and myself to meet before shooting starts. I get to hear some of their concerns and desires to do with the costumes, and figure out how to best work with them on set.

I was talking with our Designer and Coordinator/Supervisor the other day and we came up with a few things that would be very helpful for everyone to know when given the opportunity to help out in a fitting.

These are some little tips that will make the fittings go easier and help with figuring out all the pieces… sorting, labeling and such… when the fitting is over.