Application Deadline Leeds
13th December
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Application Deadline Bristol
17th January
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  • Do you have 5+ years’ experience in Costume in HETV or Film?

  • Are you looking to Step up to Costume Supervisor?

  • Are you ready to progress into the logistical, financial, leadership and production-facing responsibilities of Costume Supervision?

Then this Step Up to Costume Supervisor training in HETV and Film is here to support you to make this next step.
You could be working as Costume Standby, Costume Assistant, Assistant Costume Designer, Costume co-ordinator, Crowd Costume Supervisor or Truck Supervisor. You could also have very recently stepped up to Costume Supervisor and looking for training to assist you with the role.

The course is delivered over 4-days in person at weekends split into 2 x 2 day sessions over 3 weeks.

This training is supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions and by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions.

Who is this course for?

This course is open to HETV and Film Costume professionals who:

  • have five years’+ experience in HETV or Film
  • work as any of Costume Standby, Costume Assistant, Assistant Costume Designer, Costume Co-ordinator, Crowd Costume Supervisor or Truck Supervisor
  • or have recently stepped up as Costume Supervisor

We also welcome applications from those looking to return to work following a career break who have equivalent experience.

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, or would like support completing the booking form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email us here.

This is a nationwide programme so we welcome applications from across the UK nations and regions.

We are offering 2 iterations of this course – Leeds and Bristol. Both delivered face-to-face over four days, split into 2 x 2 days over weekends.

Leeds

Saturday 23rd January 2027: 0930 – 1630
Sunday 24th January 2027: 0930 – 1630
Saturday 6th February 2027: 0930 – 1630
Sunday 7th February 2027: 0930 – 1630

Deadline for applications: 13th December 2026

Bristol

Saturday 27th February 2027: 0930 – 1630
Sunday 28th February 2027: 0930 – 1630
Saturday 13th March 2027: 0930 – 1630
Sunday 14th March 2027: 0930 – 1630
Deadline for applications: 17 January 2027

Script Breakdown, Set-up and Staffing:

  • Learn how to break down scripts and production schedules for costume requirements, including character arcs, continuity, cast, crowds, doubles, stunts, specialist costumes and complex sequences
  • Identify pressure points, set up workrooms, fitting and storage spaces
  • Establish paperwork and tracking systems
  • Plan an effective department structure and crew

Leadership and Management

  • Explore the costume supervisor’s responsibilities as a department leader, from supporting the designer’s creative vision to managing people, workflows, deadlines and competing priorities
  • Communication, delegation, inclusive and accessible working practices
  • Sustainability, health and safety, and AI
  • Handling challenges such as schedule changes, fitting delays, budget pressures, supplier problems and team conflict.

Running the Department – Day-to-Day, Overseas and Wrap:

  • Develop effective systems for managing costume throughout preparation, filming and wrap, including costume plots, dressing and continuity notes, laundry, repairs, transport, returns and handovers
  • Co-ordinating workrooms, fittings, standby and crowd teams
  • Supporting multiple units and location moves,
  • Managing overseas shoots
  • Completing wrap, archiving, storage and final paperwork efficiently

Budgeting and Cost Control:

  • Learn how to build, manage and report on a costume budget using the script, schedule, designer’s vision and production requirements.
  • Understand and forecast key budget lines, including labour, workroom costs, transport, storage, overseas expenses, stunts and contingencies.
  • Evaluate the cost, creative and sustainability implications of hiring, buying, making, altering, reusing or outsourcing costumes.
  • Manage purchase orders, invoices, petty cash, supplier accounts, deposits, returns, and loss or damage costs.

  • Explain the Costume Supervisor’s role and manage relationships with costume design, production, accounts, cast-facing teams and suppliers.
  • Break down scripts and schedules to identify costume, continuity, staffing, facilities, risk and budget requirements.
  • Plan and lead an appropriately scaled costume department, delegating work, communicating priorities and handling supervisory challenges.
  • Establish reliable systems and run the department through prep, filming, crowd work, locations, overseas activity, unit moves, wrap and returns.
  • Build, track, forecast and report a costume budget while applying safe, inclusive, accessible and sustainable working practices.
  • Assess own readiness to step up and create a realistic development plan.

This programme is co-delivered by experienced Costume Supervisors Lizzie Tait and Rebecca Mitchell.

Lizzie Tait is an experienced Costume Supervisor working across HETV and Film, combining extensive production experience with a strong background in leadership and people management that includes management experience in the NHS. She has progressed through every level of the costume department, with Costume Supervisor credits including Wrong Move, A Christmas Miracle (Explained), Virdee, Boat Story and Malpractice, alongside roles on House of Guinness, Havoc, All Creatures Great and Small, The Nevers, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones and Outlaw King. Lizzie brings a calm, collaborative and practical approach to training, helping costume professionals develop the planning, budgeting, communication, team management and problem-solving skills required to step confidently into supervisory roles.

Rebecca Mitchell is an accomplished Costume Supervisor with more than a decade of experience across HETV, Film and scripted drama. Her recent Costume Supervisor credits include Industry (Series 3, 4 and 5), But When We Dance, High Hoops, Dance School, Nolly, Ackley Bridge, Gentleman Jack, Hullraisers, The Syndicate, Get Even and Still Open All Hours, alongside work on productions including Virdee, Boat Story, The Long Shadow, The Railway Children Return and All Creatures Great and Small. Combining current industry knowledge with a supportive, learner-focused approach, Rebecca draws on her own progression through the costume department to help experienced professionals develop the technical expertise, confidence, decision-making and leadership skills needed to supervise successful departments and build sustainable careers.

Delivered by

Our Funders

This training is supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions and by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions.

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, or would like support completing the booking form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email: hetv@mission.guru.