She spends nearly $30,000 per episode on wardrobe. From the earrings the actors wear right down to the nitty gritty shoes they walk in, she’s the one in charge. Her eye for fashion coupled with the ability to understand the director’s vision has made her a success in the industry. After spending a morning on the set of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, I got the opportunity to see firsthand, the meticulous nature of being a Costume Designer. SCV resident and Costume Designer, for the hit television series CSI, Eileen Cox Baker, took a moment to talk with us.
| é: As a Costume Designer, what kind of preparation is involved when costuming an episode? First, I read the script, then meet with the Director and discuss his vision for each character. A breakdown is done for all characters and every scene. This determines how many changes each character has, and how many days and nights are in the script. A production meeting follows, where all department heads meet and they discuss the episode. This takes place the day before the first day of shooting. A schedule is given, then the assistant directors (A.D.) and I discuss when each principal actor works, then the guest cast is scheduled. The A.D.s needs to know how much time I need with each actor to discuss and fit them for their costumes. Next, we generally shop or pull costumes from the rental houses for the fittings. The costume design crew is briefed on what I need and they help get the job done. I look at the breakdown and see how many deaths there are in the script. For every death, five or six of the same costume may be needed. This is because there may be a stunt or a double, determined by the action that is needed for the scene. Sometimes, the evidence clothing or the dead body may be scheduled to work before the murder act takes place. This clothing will have to be aged, dyed, torn, shredded, bloody or whatever is necessary to make it realistic. Pictures are taken at each of the fittings. I then collaborate with the director and place each costume in its appropriate scene. é: Who is all involved in the preparation? I have an amazing crew of seven. There is a Costume Supervisor; this job entails script breakdown, budgeting, and preparing the extra’s breakdown. The Key Costume position assists me with the fittings and organizes items chosen for each fitting. This person is also instrumental to me and helps me keep on track. They oversee the delivery of each completed costume; fully tagged with character name, show title, episode number and change number, to my set crew. The set crew consists of two Costumers. These Costumers work with the actors daily, and keep the continuity, because scenes are often shot out of order. There are also two additional Costumers in my department. They research, shop and manage the department stock. I also have a full-time seamstress. é: How long does it take to film each episode? Every script shoots for eight and a half days. On the half day, the next episode starts. I usually receive a script for the following episode on the fourth or fifth day of the current show. é: What kind of schooling did you have to go through? I am a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, in Los Angeles. é: When did you realize you wanted to be a Costume Designer? I remember watching the Academy Awards, and seeing Edith Head always receiving costume design awards. I remember thinking to myself, “I would love to do that.” I used to draw and sew a lot when I was young, and my mother looked into sewing and pattern making classes for me when I was about 13 years old. I had a lot of parental support. They pushed me to excel in what I love and taught me to have exceptional work ethics. é: What other jobs did you have prior to joining the CSI crew? I started my career at Western Costume Company, where I had the opportunity to learn a great deal about period clothing and the intricacies of costuming for film and television. When I left Western, I had the opportunity to run the ladies costume department at Paramount Pictures. After I left Paramount, I spent many years doing a lot of different costuming jobs. Some of which included Entertainment Tonight, Grease 2, Sliver, Last Action Hero, and Melrose Place. I took a lot of part time work so I could have time with my three children who were young at the time. Then came CSI. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on such a huge franchise. There have been so many challenges and interesting characters to design, from a homeless person on the street, to a glamorous Vegas showgirl. é: What do you enjoy most about being a designer? I enjoy seeing my ideas become a reality. The creative process is exciting and challenging. I have a feeling of pride and accomplishment when the Director is happy and the actors are confident in their costumes. I enjoy collaborating with the Director, my incredible team, and completing what has been asked of me. é: What kind of qualities do you have to possess in order to do what you do and be so successful? I think my best quality is resilience, being able to switch gears quickly and efficiently is key. I think this job needs someone with a positive attitude because it helps to keep the creative process flowing. Laughter definitely makes for a better work environment. Thank you, Eileen, for inviting us on the set of CSI and taking the time out to give us a personal tour and hands on experience at what life is like as a Costume Designer and what it takes to be as successful as you are at what you do!
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