Education / Costume, hair & make-up
Help costume tell the character’s story.
Entry roleThe overview
Costume trainees learn through supervised work across the costume department, supporting preparation and the daily needs of filming.
Tasks can include research, workroom support, garment records, collecting supplies and helping with costume preparation. Continuity is important when scenes are filmed out of story order. The role gives a chance to understand how the department researches, prepares and looks after the clothing used on screen.
Workroom tasks, garment preparation and support for the team can vary from day to day.
Your route in
Develop relevant sewing, garment-care or visual research skills and apply for supervised trainee work.
Create a small portfolio of garment research, repairs or costume ideas. Describe your skill level honestly.
Photograph a fictional outfit and label the details another person would need to recreate it.
Look for trainee or support work and ask how fittings, preparation, filming and returns are organised.
Trainee experience can lead towards costume assistant, standby, supervision or design paths depending on skills.
Try it yourself
Build a continuity page for an outfit worn across three scenes. Record the position and condition of accessories and any story changes.
Check that somebody else could recreate the outfit from the notes and that images are taken with permission.
This is an introduction to UK film and scripted TV, rather than a complete job specification. Grades and responsibilities vary by production.
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