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CDG Master Class with Deborah L. Scott
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Aspiring and established costume designers, film students, and anyone interested in the art and craft of movie costume creation.
TL;DR
Deborah L. Scott, a renowned costume designer, shares insights into her extensive career, from early film experiences to iconic projects like Titanic and Avatar. She emphasizes the importance of deep research, character immersion, and the craft of costume creation, highlighting how even simple garments are part of character design.
Key Takeaways
- Costume design is about finding the right note for a character, whether they wear a t-shirt or a gown, emphasizing characterization over glamour.
- Early career opportunities in film often involved taking on multiple roles and learning by doing, which provided invaluable, hands-on experience.
- Thorough research, including studying etiquette books and examining vintage garments, is crucial for authentic historical costume design.
- Working with original vintage costumes offers unique insights into construction and materials, even if they require adaptation for modern actors.
- The intensity of colors in historical garments, especially those intended for black and white photography, can be a significant source of inspiration.
- Flexibility and a willingness to jump into new challenges, even with little prior knowledge, are essential for seizing unexpected career opportunities.
- The process of deconstructing vintage garments reveals historical construction techniques, informing the creation of new costumes with similar authenticity.
In This Video
- 00:00Introduction and Early Career
The speaker introduces Deborah L. Scott, highlighting their long-standing professional relationship and early film experiences.
- 01:19Iconic Filmography and Favorite Genre
Deborah's impressive career spans iconic films like ET, Titanic, and Avatar. She enjoys designing for any character, regardless of genre.
- 02:22Education and Transition to Film
Scott studied theater design but was drawn to filmmaking, making a natural transition from theater to movies.
- 02:57Starting in the Film Business
Her career began with TV work and a challenging, hands-on start on 'Never Cry Wolf' in Alaska.
- 05:20In-depth Research Approach
Scott emphasizes deep research, immersing herself in the character's era and context, like studying etiquette for 'Titanic'.
- 06:32Titanic: Vintage Sourcing and Remakes
Extensive prep for 'Titanic' involved buying vintage garments, learning construction, and adapting them for modern actors.
- 08:22Avatar: A Unique Design Challenge
Taking over 'Avatar' mid-project, Scott adapted to a new world with limited script information, requiring quick adaptation.
Questions & Answers
What films has Deborah L. Scott designed costumes for?
Deborah L. Scott has designed costumes for iconic films such as E.T., Hoffa, Legends of the Fall, Titanic, The Patriot, Minority Report, Transformers, Avatar, and The Amazing Spider-Man.
How did Deborah L. Scott get her start in the film industry?
Deborah started in film by working on television shows and then got a major break on 'Never Cry Wolf' in Alaska, where she was the sole costume department member.
What was Deborah L. Scott's education in?
She studied theater design in college and initially considered a career on Broadway before transitioning to film, which she was drawn to from a young age.
How does Deborah L. Scott approach costume research?
She tries to 'teleport' into the character and the time period, considering what that person would realistically wear and how they would acquire clothing.
What was unique about the costume research for Titanic?
For Titanic, research involved studying etiquette books to understand clothing norms and traveling the world to buy vintage pieces, which informed the creation of new costumes.
What was the inspiration and research process for Avatar costumes?
For Avatar, she took over the project mid-stream and worked with limited script information, focusing on the template of the world and developing costumes based on the story's needs.
Key Terms
- Custom Designers Guild — An organization that honors professionals in the field of costume design for film and television.
- 705 — Likely refers to IATSE Local 705, a union representing costume designers, illustrators, and supervisors in film and television.