In Conversation with Production Arts Costume Student Beca Roberts
In Conversation with Production Arts Costume Student Beca Roberts
We caught up with Production Arts, Costume student Beca Roberts about her work placement on a TV show. From working on costume continuity to the challenges of filming on location, we find out all about her experience.
Can you tell us why you chose to study Production Arts and specifically Costume?
I’m currently in my second year at Guildhall. I became interested in Costume after starting my GCSE Textiles course where I fell in love with sewing. I knew I didn’t want to go into fashion, and I grew up performing and loving the theatre so Costume felt like the natural way to go.
What was your work placement and can you tell us a bit about the goals and outcomes?
My work placement over the summer between my first and second year was as a Costume Trainee on a new Welsh TV show. We filmed in North Wales and the entire shoot lasted seven weeks. Every crew department had at least one trainee so it was a really supportive environment to learn. Prior to this placement I’d never worked in TV or film, so my knowledge was really limited. I was keen to expand my knowledge and costume skills beyond theatre and see how much they differ from each other.
What support and advice did you get from the department? How did you organise all the logistics?
Whilst in first year we did a design and research project that was centred around film and TV and how it worked, during which we got to work with a Costume Standby in film. I felt as though this gave me a really good base of knowledge that made me feel much more confident to go into the job because I wasn’t completely clueless. I live in South Wales so I needed to work out where I would stay throughout filming since we filmed up North, but I was luckily able to stay in the hotel the production had rented out for its production base and any non-local crew. Filming also started two weeks before the end of term, but I was able to join late so I could see the end of the year at Guildhall!
How did it go overall?
As the costume team was quite small (only a designer, supervisor, and standby) I had a really hands on experience and got the chance to be much more involved, both on set and at the costume base. On set I helped with putting the mics on the actors and doing checks to make sure the costumes were the same on every take. At base, I helped the designer set out the costumes for the next day and ensure our receipts were in order for accounting. Considering we filmed throughout July and August we got the worst weather possible, so it was always an interesting day when it was windy and raining and we were on a beach all day!
What have you learned from the experience and what did you enjoy the most?
The thing I enjoyed the most about the experience was the fact that it was a young adult TV show and most of the cast were around my age so I felt as though I got the best of both worlds in interacting with the cast and crew. I felt as though I got along with everyone on set which made the experience so much more enjoyable and I felt really comfortable.
What have you learned so far during your course that will help when you graduate and when you transition to industry?
Every project we have done so far has improved my skills which will help me when I graduate. Not only have I become much more confident and knowledgeable in working in a Costume team on a production, but my making skills have improved a lot since starting at Guildhall. As a part of our course we get the opportunity to work with freelancers and professionals who share their knowledge of the industry with us, so there’s a real opportunity to network and gain knowledge from them.
Any top tips for students organising a work placement?
The best piece of advice I have for a student organising a work placement is just to go for it. Even if it’s something you don’t have experience in and something you later decide isn’t for you, the experience is really worth it. However, I’d also recommend making sure the logistics do work for you - for example, where the work is, how you’d get there, whether or not you’re going to need a car to do the work and so on.
If you could have a dream role in any production, past or present, what would it be and why?
I would love to wardrobe manage a West End show one day - I have a real love for theatre and musicals and the opportunity to work on one in any capacity, but especially as a Wardrobe Manager, is a big dream for me.
