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An insiders view to a career in costume design
by Vinilla Burnham |
Free |
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Best Ever Kids Costumes
by Vinilla Burnham |
£14.99 |
An award-winning costume designer, Vinilla has created costumes for celebrities and brands as diverse as Lady Gaga, Batman and In The Night Garden. She’s happy to share insider secrets and useful tips.
My specialities are in designing and making fantasy costume (The NeverEnding Story, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth); superhero costumes (Batman, Batman Returns, Captain America); sci-fi costumes (The Fifth Element, Lost in Space); creature and children's costumes (Wind in the Willows, Fungus the Bogeyman, Boohbah, In The Night Garden); as well as doing contemporary styling for TV commercials (IBM, BMW, Volvo, Lloyds Bank, McVities, Tesco, Heinz). My work in costume crosses over into creature effects, prosthetics and model making. I also specialise in costumes for underwater filming. In addition, I have a great deal of experience in building teams and running studio workshops. I’ve worked on low-budget productions, and have also managed budgets of up to £2 million.
‘How do I get to work in the costume department in film, theatre or TV?’. As an award-winning costume designer myself, I’m frequently asked this question. There’s no magic password to get through the stage door or onto the studio lot, but there are ways and means and tricks of the trade and I’d love to share with you some inside information on what it really takes to make the grade!
After 35 years working in the business for companies as diverse as The Royal Ballet and Warner Brothers, I have a broad experience right across the board. I can offer my considerable knowledge, and advise according to your personal circumstances and ambitions.
In this over-crowded profession, there is a constant new influx into the industry regardless. Some arrive fresh from art college, but some also get in with no previous experience or education at all, and there is potentially room for both.
As well as careers advice, I would also welcome the opportunity to advise and encourage people in the varied crafts of costume designing and making. From creativity to the nuts and bolts, the two go hand in hand. I can offer help and support with technical, design, budget and schedule problems, for anything from school plays or college projects to professional engagements.
"As someone who will be graduating soon, the 'Insiders' view is a valuable insight into what the costume industry might hold in the furture."
Alison Reichert
"Firstly I would just like to say thank you once again vin our chat was extreamly helpful not only did I get the questions I needed for my dissertation but I got some amazing advice about the industry aswell which I will benifit from greatly when im looking for work!"
Joy
"Thank you so much, our conversation was tremendously beneficial to me. Its confirmed my focus on wanting to enter the costume industry, specifically making for sci-fi/fantasy films. I will greatly value the time and information you gave me.
Thank you again!"
Alison
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