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Friday, February 25, 2022
How ‘Nightmare Alley’ Costume Designer Luis Sequeira Figured Out Rooney Mara Was Pregnant
www.thewrap.com: It’s the job of movie costume designers to quite literally know every inch of an actor or actress’s body. And that impeccable tailoring creates a close bond on a film set, whether the performer knows it or not.
I think there’s a certain level of connection between a costume designer and an actor and a lot of it comes from trust. I remember when dressing casts in my high school theatre, where everyone was kind of shy at first but to keep things going, there was no time to joke around. Especially when working, it is important to keep a professional and serious mindset. Over time, the casts developed a lot of trust in the wardrobe team, and I believe this also applies to the industry in the real world. The article mentions that Rooney Mara was apologetic for causing numerous changes in size, but I think as designers, it is a key skill to learn how to leave enough room for changes. Like Luis Sequeira said, “it’s a normal thing that happens to every human being”.
I think it's so funny how things like tailoring and designing for a specific actor can give people a real insight into that actor’s life. I think it’s a lot like getting to know your hairdresser or makeup artist really well after spending hours in a chair with them. This is especially true for Sequeira with his 242 costumes in total for this piece. The specific nature of the tailoring and fit for the 1930s pieces also gave him a distinct look into the actor’s form. I think it is so funny that he found out that she was pregnant before she even got up the nerve to tell him to make sure it didn’t affect the fittings. It really is the mark of a good designer and tailor to see every change in an actor’s body as fittings progress. I also think it is amazing how Rooney was able to pick up her costumes from before her child a full year and childbirth afterward. It really an amazing feat of acting and design work.
I appreciated how this article highlighted one of the many, arguably most important, roles a costume designer has which is they are “there to make everything look seamless”. This phrase can mean many things, but I interpret it as making sure actors feel comfortable in their costumes while also meeting all expectations of a film. The scenario described in this article hits that right on the nose as the author explains that costume designers not only adjust costumes for look, but for body changes as that is extremely normal over such an extended period filming, especially with the break in production due to covid. I find it interesting how there is not a more formulated system for those on camera that get pregnant while filming as that does impact numerous factors in a production causing the production to adapt, accommodate, and adjust. I admire the relationship actors must form with all of their production members, especially costumes, as when working on a project, we are, in a way, their support system.
3 comments:
I think there’s a certain level of connection between a costume designer and an actor and a lot of it comes from trust. I remember when dressing casts in my high school theatre, where everyone was kind of shy at first but to keep things going, there was no time to joke around. Especially when working, it is important to keep a professional and serious mindset. Over time, the casts developed a lot of trust in the wardrobe team, and I believe this also applies to the industry in the real world. The article mentions that Rooney Mara was apologetic for causing numerous changes in size, but I think as designers, it is a key skill to learn how to leave enough room for changes. Like Luis Sequeira said, “it’s a normal thing that happens to every human being”.
I think it's so funny how things like tailoring and designing for a specific actor can give people a real insight into that actor’s life. I think it’s a lot like getting to know your hairdresser or makeup artist really well after spending hours in a chair with them. This is especially true for Sequeira with his 242 costumes in total for this piece. The specific nature of the tailoring and fit for the 1930s pieces also gave him a distinct look into the actor’s form. I think it is so funny that he found out that she was pregnant before she even got up the nerve to tell him to make sure it didn’t affect the fittings. It really is the mark of a good designer and tailor to see every change in an actor’s body as fittings progress. I also think it is amazing how Rooney was able to pick up her costumes from before her child a full year and childbirth afterward. It really an amazing feat of acting and design work.
I appreciated how this article highlighted one of the many, arguably most important, roles a costume designer has which is they are “there to make everything look seamless”. This phrase can mean many things, but I interpret it as making sure actors feel comfortable in their costumes while also meeting all expectations of a film. The scenario described in this article hits that right on the nose as the author explains that costume designers not only adjust costumes for look, but for body changes as that is extremely normal over such an extended period filming, especially with the break in production due to covid. I find it interesting how there is not a more formulated system for those on camera that get pregnant while filming as that does impact numerous factors in a production causing the production to adapt, accommodate, and adjust. I admire the relationship actors must form with all of their production members, especially costumes, as when working on a project, we are, in a way, their support system.
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