Clothes on Film: "Black Swan costume designer, Amy Westcott, BAFTA and CDG nominated for her work on the film, puts the record straight on controversy surrounding herself and Rodarte’s contribution, exactly what her role comprises, and how she feels about that Academy Award snub.Amy Westcott worked with Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky previously on The Wrestler in 2008, plus has been costume designer on over twenty features and seventy episodes of TV series Entourage.
4 comments:
This interview was really interesting to read. With all the controversy surrounding the costume design credit, only to end up being snubbed for the award must have been frustrating and humbling. With the lack of communication, it is somewhat disappointing that this sort of indirect argument through the press can happen. As more and more people become involved with projects, I can't imagine how difficult it is to give people the proper credits.
On another note, I truly loved the costumes for the film. It was one of the many elements of the film I particularly found mesmerizing.
I find it exciting that she talks about the color palette of the film. I was struck by how well done it was. It was interesting that when the movie first starts the main character is the only one in pink and she continues to be though out. But she doesn't wear anything with black until the end. Also the people that are trying to change her only ever wear black. All of the clothes are in the same tonal range and have the same vibrancy; it must have taken forever to accomplish this. I think the swan outfit is particularly great because it is terrifying without necessarily needing any special effects (even though they are obviously added). Additionally the costume designer really did capture the world of dance, every piece looked out of a capezio add.
I loved hearing her talk about the color palette because when I saw the film I remember thinking about how the colors in costume really showed Nina's progression into the black swan. But I didn't realize how much work went into get the exact color right for film. Especially with all the many costume you have to do for a film. You not only have the leads but you have the many extras who are sometimes only on film for five seconds but you still have to be meticulous with those costumes as well.
Also the costumes and scenes of the dancers were so realistic that it brought me back to my days in the dance studio and made me want to go buy a new pair of pointe shoes and a brand new leotard!
It can be so hard to define the lines between different peoples jobs. The word collaboration sounds like the word was divided equally but it's not always the case. Sometimes it's a comment in a single conversation that can spark an idea in an artist and then you keep inspiring them and suddenly you're collaborating. So much of what we do is keeping the artists safe from the outside world when really what we should have had was a stenographer.
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