A costume designer is a person who designs costumes for a film. The role of the costume designer is to create the characters and balance the scenes with texture and colour, etc.
Interview with Ginger Martini www.gingermartini.com:
Matthew Toffolo: You have worked on over 60 films as a Costume Designer, plus over 24 films as a Makeup Artist in just the last 9 years! You’ve been busy. Is there a film or two that stand out for you that you’re most proud of?
Ginger Martini: I’m proud of the majority of them. I’ve been quite lucky, every script that has come my way, I’ve quite enjoyed working on. I’d say Fall, Portrait of a Serial Monogamist, At Home by Myself… with You, BackCountry and Air Balloon Circus are some of the most visually exciting projects. I love working on the CityLife projects as well, with the Remix project, those films always hold a special place in my heart.
PHOTO for Portrait of a Serial Monogamist:
Matthew: You seem to be the go-to person when dealing with tight budgets. Your task is sometimes impossible. What’s your secret to do costumes for an entire cast with little money?
Ginger: Some of them were tight budgets in the beginning years, but for the most part, I get what I need to make it look proper. Realistic goals is key. I draw up a reasonable budget and submit it to my producers and pm at the start. They usually find a way to make it work.
Matthew: You started out doing short films and you continue to do them. What do you enjoy about the short film experience?
Ginger: All about the script, I’m a sucker for an interesting story whether it’s short or long format.
Matthew: What type of film would you love to do costumes for that you haven’t done yet?
Ginger: In sept/oct I designed some costumes for the band XO-IQ on Nickelodeon’s Make It Pop, that was probably my favourite version of designing, anything along those lines would be where I’d like to head from now on, lots of color and fun fabrics. They let me be as creative as I wanted and the results are really cool : )
Matthew: What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Ginger: Oddly enough, The Perfect Storm with George Clooney and Mark Walberg. It’s on tv alllll the time and any time I come across it, I’ll stop what I’m doing and watch the entire thing.
Matthew: What makes a great makeup artist?
Ginger: Talent and personality
Matthew: What are you looking for in a director when you start a production?
Ginger: We need to be on the same page creatively and they need to be someone I can easily communicate with.
Matthew: Does working on big budget Hollywood productions that have a large costume department appeal to you?
Ginger: Of Course : )
Matthew: What advice to you have for high school or university students who are looking to work in costumes or makeup in the movie industry?
Ginger: It’s not as easy as it looks on tv. The hours are beyond gruelling and at first the money is non existent. But keep at it. Be nice to everyone, cuz you never know where your next job is coming from and who that Production Assisant will be later (maybe your next Production Manager) and only work for free for a little bit. Then bill what you’re worth and if you are good at it, the money will come. Make sure you like your scripts and it’s easier to live with them 24/7 for months on end. Take advice from people who are successful in the department you want to be in, and learn to take criticisms well and not personally.
PHOTO from At Home by Myself… with You:
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Daily Festival held online and in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
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