We’ve spoken about it before but we love costume design. It is a crucial element of cinema that, if done impeccably, will make you gasp loudly. Costume design evokes an array of emotions and connects you automatically to a period and landscape. From Medieval and Victorian to the Roaring Twenties and the Fifties, costume design has truly shaped our characters and brings the audience immediately into that time.
Heck, even dystopian futures have their own design.
“Usually, I read the script and depending on the time to build a storyboard,” says Sheldon who also states that she must also have a visceral connection to the script and the character. From there, she tries to build a dress sense with the story and the emotional connection. Sheldon worked on The Imitation Game (yes, she got to clothe Benedict Cumberbatch) which earned her a BAFTA nomination this year. She also brought her expertise to Stardust and X-Men: First Class (so she’s the one responsible for putting McAvoy and Fassbender in those suits. Thank you.) Clearly, her talent ranges between genres and times, making her work fascinating - unique yet with her own flare too. She continues; “I do have a similar method for different projects but I have to adapt it for each script.”
Agreeing with her is Steve Noble, in a fabulous pink bowtie, who says that he loves reading the script for the first time and immersing himself in the project. “I make lots of notes and I do masses of research. I love seeing how all these characters develop.”
Noble’s work ranges from the criminally phenomenal Under The Skin (which was heavily missing from awards this year), the sun soaked costumes in The Two Faces of January and was nominated, too, for his work in The Theory of Everything. The latter, I must add, is a great feat as he covered a whole range of periods in time and adapts it to the characters as they age. “I just love the process” he enthuses.
The aim of the craft session is to give knowledge to those starting out and help them develop their work. Sheldon says that it is all about plugging yourself and making contacts whilst Noble stresses how important brief and concise emails are when reaching out to the industry. Temime jokes about knowing how to make a great coffee or how to drive.
Ultimately, it’s down to you as a person. Not just your talent but how you fit into a team and gel together. The better experience you have with that - the more you’ll succeed.
To get more information about BAFTA Craft Sessions and watch all the videos, including Cinematography, Sound Design and Production design head over to BAFTA Guru here!