BASIC COSTUMING FOR
FILM & TELEVISION

Program Duration: 14 weeks x 20 Hours a week
Your Instructors: Nikki Renshaw, Audrey Wong

Prices: Domestic $6,995.00

Prices: International $8,450.00

Start Dates: January, May, September

BASIC COSTUMING FOR FILM AND TELEVISION

Where storytelling meets technical wardrobe execution.

The Basic Costuming for Film & Television Certificate is a comprehensive 280 hour professional program designed for students who want to develop strong foundational skills in costume design, script breakdown, wardrobe management, and production support for film and television environments. This program focuses on the essential technical and creative processes required to translate character concepts into production ready costumes.

Costuming for screen requires both artistic interpretation and production precision. This certificate prepares students to understand script analysis, continuity, textile manipulation, garment sourcing, and on set coordination required in professional film and television productions.

Students graduate with a professional portfolio that includes script breakdown documentation, costume concepts, textile treatments, and a final character driven costume project developed using industry standard processes.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Basic Costuming for Film & Television Certificate provides in depth training in script interpretation, costume research, textile manipulation, wardrobe logistics, and professional production practices.

Throughout the program, students develop both creative interpretation skills and technical production awareness. You will learn how to break down scripts, build character wardrobes, manage continuity, prepare call sheets, coordinate fittings, and understand costume department structure.

This program emphasizes hands on development. Students analyze scripts, design costumes, manipulate textiles, manage documentation, and simulate on set workflows while learning professional production standards and industry terminology.

Areas of focus include:

  • History of costume and visual storytelling

  • Script breakdown and continuity documentation

  •  Costume department roles and production hierarchy

  •  Character research and mood development

  •  Textile dyeing, distressing, and breakdown techniques

  •  Costume sourcing and budgeting fundamentals

  •  Stunt and special effects wardrobe considerations

  •  Development of a final character costume presentation

By the end of the program, students are able to analyze scripts, develop cohesive character wardrobes, manage production documentation, and execute costume projects that meet industry standards.

Program Structure & Hours

Duration: 14 Weeks
Total Program Hours: 280 Hours
Weekly Schedule: 20 Hours Per Week
Delivery Method: In class and Live Online Hybrid

Students participate in lectures, couture drafting labs, garment construction workshops, live fittings, critiques, and technical portfolio reviews.

PROGRAM JOURNEY

  • Students begin by studying the evolution of costume in historical and contemporary contexts. You will explore how clothing communicates character, era, culture, and narrative intent.

    Terminology of costume components, silhouettes, and construction elements is emphasized to build strong professional communication skills.

    This module builds familiarity with menus, sub menus, and core system functions required to develop, modify, and finalize pattern pieces.

  • Script interpretation is central to film costuming. Students learn how to analyze scripts scene by scene to identify wardrobe requirements, character changes, and continuity demands.

    This module explores documentation systems, day breakdowns, and production coordination techniques required in professional costume departments.

    Seam allowance placement, notch development, piece labeling, grade point editing, and internal line adjustments are applied to ensure production accuracy.

  • Students develop character driven costume concepts through research, mood boards, and design interpretation. You will learn textile dyeing, distressing, aging, and breakdown techniques used in film production.

    This module strengthens the relationship between narrative storytelling and technical garment treatment.

  • Students gain practical knowledge of costume department structure and production workflow. You will learn how to manage fittings, collaborate with stunts and special effects teams, and coordinate wardrobe logistics.

    This module ensures students understand both creative design and operational execution within production environments

  • In the final stage of the program, students develop a complete character costume project demonstrating script analysis, design development, textile manipulation, and production documentation.

    Students present their final project to peers and instructors, developing professional presentation and critique skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

✔ Analyze scripts for wardrobe requirements

✔ Create character driven costume concepts
✔ Develop continuity documentation

✔ Apply textile dyeing and distressing techniques

✔ Understand costume department workflow

✔ Manage fittings and wardrobe coordination

✔ Prepare production ready costume packages

✔ Develop and present a cohesive costume portfolio

Graduates leave the program with creative clarity, production awareness, and a portfolio demonstrating their ability to execute professional film and television costume projects.


CAREER PATHS

Graduates of the Basic Costuming for Film & Television Certificate are prepared for creative and production focused roles within the film and television industry.

Career opportunities may include:

  • Costume Designer

  •  Assistant Costume Designer

  •  Wardrobe Assistant

  •  Costume Coordinator

  •  Shopper

  •  Production Wardrobe Assistant

This certificate prepares students to work within film productions, television series, streaming platforms, and independent media projects

TUITION & GRANTS

Domestic Tuition: $6,995.00

International Tuition: $8,450.00

Application Fee (Domestic): $250

Application Fee (International): $500

Books & Materials Excluded

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • High school graduation or mature student status 19+

  •  Admissions interview in person or via Zoom or Skype

  •  Application Essay minimum 250 words outlining your passion and career goals

  •  English proficiency, if applicable
    CLBPT minimum 6
    Duolingo 85 to 90 accepted in certain circumstances

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Nikki Renshaw

Nikki started her design career in her native London, UK where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Saint Martin’s school of Art. After moving to Vancouver, BC, she enrolled in BCIT where she completed the Interior Design program, and has been teaching a variety of design courses at several institutions for the past decade. Nikki has extensive experience in television, where she hosted numerous shows back in London, as well as hosting a radio show for over a decade here in Vancouver. She is an expert in marketing as she has been running her own design company for many years and has a large social media presence with over 118,000 Instagram followers. She regularly contributes to design magazines on both sides of the globe and Elle France magazine included her Instagram account @englisheccentrichome in their feature on influencers to watch in 2024. Her work has been featured in Elle Canada, UK Cosmopolitan, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living and The Vancouver Sun as well as other publications. Currently, Nikki is the Program Director for the Costume, Global Fashion Marketing and Interior Design courses at the Cut, as well as running her design business and studying for a Master’s Degree at the Arts University of Bournemouth in the UK.

Audrey Wong

Born and raised in Vancouver, Audrey has spent 25 years honing her craft in the film industry’s costume department. Her career has encompassed roles across the board, including designer and set supervisor, making her a versatile expert in costume design. With a wealth of experience and insights into all aspects of costume work, Audrey’s deep industry experience and passion for the craft make her an invaluable mentor to students exploring careers in the costume department.

LOOK FOR A WAY TO APPLY?

Applying is straightforward and designed to be personal.


The application is our first opportunity to get to know you. Once you submit the form, an Admissions will reach out to you.

This conversation allows us to share meaningful insights about the program, the industry, career pathways, job opportunities, and available tuition grants or financial aid options. Just as importantly, it gives us the chance to learn about you: your goals, what you hope to achieve through your training, and any questions or concerns we can support you with.

Please note that no enrolment deposit is required until you have been formally accepted into the program. We invite you to submit your application here below

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions, we have answers.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our FAQ section below, use our online submission form.

 This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
The Cut Design Academy is designated with PTIB