Nice glossy piece about Colleen Atwood’s work on Dark Shadows in the LA Times - she talks 1970s costumes. This was very interesting to me, since I just wrapped a film set in 1971! Read on about where she sourced her fabrics!
- KMB
Welcome to FrockTalk, the web’s only costume-based movie review site. The goal of Frocktalk is to shed light on the magnificent artistry of costume design in motion pictures. Reviews on this site are written by working costume designers in the entertainment industry – people who know, better than anyone, what it takes to make it all happen.
The focus of FrockTalk is not to comment on the big flashy costume dramas, but to call attention to the seemingly ordinary costume design work in film that silently and persuasively moves the audience toward understanding the characters. Costume design for motion pictures is an art form that deserves more recognition than it usually gets. Fancy, pretty costumes do not always equal effective, appropriate costumes. The art of the costume is in letting the audience know who the character is, before the actor even has a chance to open his mouth. Read on, and enjoy.
** CAUTION: ALL REVIEWS CONTAIN SPOILERS! **
I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask costume designer Kari Perkins about her incredible work on Bernie. Here she talks Texas, townsfolk, and tongue-in-cheek… or not!! Read on~
Continue reading ‘Bernie: Interview with Designer Kari Perkins!’
Review Date: 5-11-12
Release Date: 5-4-12 (expanded)
Runtime: 104 min.
Period: contemporary
Costume Designer: Kari Perkins
Bernie is a fantastic movie based on a true story. I first heard about this film via Joe Rhodes’ excellent NY Times article How My Aunt Marge Ended Up in the Deep Freeze… There were two pictures accompanying the article – one, of the real Bernie and Marjorie Nugent, and the other of Jack Black as Bernie and Shirley MacLaine as Nugent. The costumes on Black and MacLaine sent me rocketing skyward with glee. I knew I had to see this film as soon as I could, based on the costumes alone. However, after reading the article, I knew I needed to see it because the truth of this story is stranger than fiction!
Fitting pictures: not just for work anymore!! In the case of John Travolta, fitting pictures from his new project Killing Season may shoot down any chance of Lawsuit #1 from ever seeing the light of day. Among other things, Lawsuit #1 alleges that Travolta was in Los Angeles on January 16, 2012. But thanks to some time-and-date-stamped fitting photos from the film, with additional backup witnesses of costume designer Denise Wingate and her crew, the allegation proves to be totally untrue. Costume department saves the day! Thanks, Denise, for showing these opportunistic bottom-feeders how beautiful fitting photos can be. See articles about the fitting photos HERE and HERE. Keep up the good work!
- KMB
Oh, Frocktalkers. There is an article in the Wall Street Journal about costume design, and (while it is a lovely article) we are once again called “wardrobe” and “wardrobe supervisors” as opposed to the correct “costume department” and “costume designers”. Here is the article, and after the jump, my letter to the article’s author!
Continue reading ‘Get Me COSTUMES! Don’t make me pull this car over!!!’
This rejection letter from a local costume house came across my desk and I had to share it with you. Look, I know times are tough here, and costuming is a competitive business, but take a look at this letter. I left the grammar and spelling alone, and all names are redacted so no one gets sued. But man - it’s worth a look… after the jump!!!
Happy Tuesday, Frocktalkers - I am finally home after a long and sometimes grueling 3+ month job out of town, and it is good to be back. I saw this in the LA Times, and thought it was very interesting. Colleen Atwood is launching a line of clothing for sale on HSN inspired by her designs in Snow White and the Huntsman. It’s quite interesting, and I can’t wait to see it. This kind of retail crossover has happened before, (recently with Trish Summerville/Girl With the Dragon Tattoo for H & M and Janie Bryant/Mad Men for Banana Republic) but this source material - a medieval fairy tale - is new to the game. I am very eager to see the collection! I hope it does well for everyone involved - the costumes look dazzling, and it’s a great opportunity to own a piece of it. Read more about it HERE and HERE! Mark your calendars - it launches May 30 on HSN!
- KMB
This is particularly exciting, Frocktalkers! Tonight, ReelzChannel will be broadcasting highlights from this year’s CDG Awards - you can be there to watch your favorite actors, directors, and yes, DESIGNERS on their big night! Set your TiVo tonight, but even if you miss it, they will be airing it all next week. Here’s the schedule:
Premiere: Tonight 4/14/12, 7:30 EDT, 4:30 PDT; Additional airings on Sunday, April 15th 9a ET / 6a PT
Monday, April 16th 8a ET / 5a PT and 11:30p PT / 2:30a ET
Tuesday, April 17th 7a ET / 4a PT and 12:30a PT / 3:30a ET
Wednesday, April 18th 11a ET / 8a PT
Thursday, April 19th 8a ET / 5a PT
ReelzChannel is: DirecTV, channel 238; Dish Network, channel 299; Verizon Fios, channel 233; Time Warner NYC, channel 131 & 283 HD. Check reelz.com/watch for service in your area. ENJOY, Frocktalkers!!!
- KMB
Hey there, Frocktalkers - sorry it’s been such a long time since you’ve heard from me, and I apologize if I haven’t responded to your emails and inquiries. I have been absolutely, floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall bananas on this latest movie, and after 3 months of 14+ hour days, I am really tapped out. I hope to write an article for you here, describing the reality of our work - what it means (and feels like) to work these hours, especially for a long-term gig. But I am so exhausted, I haven’t been able to do it! The picture above sums up my feelings at the moment. Please check out award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler’s doc “Who Needs Sleep?” and his HuffPo article. It’s very informative about the reality of our work. Have a good week, y’all!!
- KMB
Hey there Frocktalkers - here is a very interesting article from the LA Times with costume designer Michele Clapton about her work on HBO’s Game of Thrones. My takeaway from this: They WEAVE THEIR OWN FABRIC on their own LOOM. Intrigued yet? Read the article HERE!
- KMB
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