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Skills checklists · Costume

Costume: skills by grade

Pick a grade. Tick what you can do now. Print it or save it as a PDF for your competency check.

Watch: safety in costume

From the costume Safety first module. They play here.

16:29Screen Careers: Costume DesignerFfilm Cymru Wales · 16:29
6:02What does a Wardrobe Supervisor do?Alina Asks · 6:02
17:44Introduction to Health and Safety in Film and TelevisionXpoNorth Digital · 17:44

Costume department

Costume trainee
Junior costume assistant
Costume assistant
Assistant costume supervisor
Costume supervisor
Costume designer

Design

Design assistant
Assistant costume designer
Costume designer

The costume guide · All departments

Watch first: what the job looks likeLearn about the costume department from Lisa Phillips DodsworthScreen Yorkshire · 2:21 · plays here

Skills checklist · Costume

Costume trainee

Laundry, rails, labelling, runs, helping in fittings.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Basic sewing: buttons, hems, quick repairs Laundry and garment care, including delicate and period fabrics Organisation. A costume department lives or dies by labelling A driving licence is usually needed for runs Good manners with cast in fittings and in the truck

Before you step up to junior costume assistant Knowing the truck, the paperwork and how the department runs

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder and the costume trainee guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Junior costume assistant

Dressing supporting artists, continuity notes, maintenance.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Dress supporting artists to the brief Keep continuity notes and photographs Do basic sewing, alterations and maintenance Look after costumes on set and on the truck

Before you step up to costume assistant Reliable continuity, basic sewing and alterations

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Costume assistant (standby costume)

Dressing principals, standing by on set, the continuity record.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job A sharp continuity eye and a disciplined photo and note system Quick, invisible repairs Calm, discreet manner with actors at close quarters Set etiquette: knowing when to step in and when to wait for the AD Stamina. You are on your feet all day, often outside

Before you step up to assistant costume supervisor A full shoot standing by on your own cast

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder and the costume assistant guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Assistant costume supervisor

Running a section: crowd, a truck, a second unit.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Run a section: crowd, a truck or a second unit Manage people and stock Keep continuity and paperwork for the section Plan fittings and dressing times with the ADs

Before you step up to costume supervisor Managing people and stock

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Costume supervisor

Runs the department: budget, crew, schedule, hires, returns.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Run the department: budget, crew, schedule Manage hires, purchases and returns Plan fittings and dressing times with the ADs Lead the costume team

Before you step up to costume designer Budgets, logistics, several shows as ACS

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Costume designer

Head of department: the look of every character.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Character and story: reading a script for what clothes can say Research into period, class, region, work and faith Drawing, collage or digital illustration to explain designs Knowledge of fabrics, cut and construction Budget control, and leading a department Tact with actors. Fittings are personal

Before your next step A body of work and a director who trusts you

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 14 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder and the costume designer guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Design assistant

Research and references for the designer.

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Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Gather research and references for the designer Keep the research and costume bible organised Source fabrics and items to a brief Help at fittings

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 11 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Assistant costume designer

Research, sourcing and fittings for the designer.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Research and source costumes for the designer Run fittings for the designer Manage makers and hires Keep the costume bible up to date

Before you step up to costume designer Design eye, research and sourcing skill

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Costume

Costume designer

Many designers come up this way rather than through supervision.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Fittings and dignity Intimate scenes Sharp tools and irons Dyes, sprays and breakdown Heat, cold and weight Rails and the truck Passed the costume safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our costume ladder and the costume designer guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.