Frances Roughton

For the past 10 years I have worked within costume departments in the film industry. I worked short term contracts in various roles specific to each production. Starting as a trainee, I learnt new skills and took on increasing responsibilities on each project. I have been regularly promoted within the department, and for the past 4 years I have worked as a costume supervisor.

2018 - PRESENT: COSTUME DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR 

@ Netflix/ Apple TV/ CBS UK/ Shondaland/ Sid Gentle Films/ ITV

Key duties:

> TEAM SUPERVISION:

- Scheduled working hours for a team of 20 contracted crew.

- Managed the working patterns and hours of any additional employees.

- Was the first point of contact any issues/ concerns raised by the team.

- Tracked employees working hours and logged all additional hours and overtime.

> FACILITATING:

- Hired additional employees when extra labour was needed.

- Created floor plans for the costume team to set up in many venues.

- Liaised with other departments to loan relevant equipment.

- Sourced and hired independent creative professionals for specific tasks.

- Used costume and prop houses to hire relevant clothing and prop items.

> COMMUNICATION:

- Attended regular production meetings in person and online.

- Communicated with actors and crew regularly via email and phone.

- Sent work briefs and plans to all relevant crew.

  - Developed excellent working relationships with hire companies and independent workers.

> BUDGET MANAGEMENT:

- Managed an allocated budget for the costume department.

- Processed receipts and submitted relevant paperwork.

- Tracked the weekly spend of the department to remain in budget.

> COMPUTER BASED ADMINISTRATION:

- Used Excel/ Numbers for budget management, scheduling and timesheets.

- Used Pages to create information documents for employees.

- Used Adobe Photoshop to create visual references, mood boards, and graphic design content.

- Used Procreate for digital costume illustrations.

- Created scale floor plans using Arrette.

> LOGISTICAL PLANNING: 

- Scheduling/ diary management, this included team distribution. 

- Booked transport and drivers. Planned out routes and times for them.

- Scheduled deliveries and organised UK and international shipments.

- Liaised with other departments about location moves and timings of trucks, employees and equipment.

2015 - 2018: COSTUME ASSISTANT/ STANDBY 

@ Working Title productions/ Sid Gentle Films/ITV/ 20th Century Fox/ BBC/ Warner Bros/ C4

Key duties:

> ASSISTING ACTORS AND SUPPORTING ACTORS:

- Assisted them on set with any costume related issues e.g breakages, questions or concerns.

- Provided weather related support - keeping them warm, dry and comfortable when needed.

> ADMINSTRATION:

- Assisted with schedule management.

- Did relevant photocopying, printing and filing for the department.

> ORGANISATION:

- Created labelling systems for storage and kit.

- Organised storage warehouses into easily accessible and efficient work spaces.

- Set up office spaces, fitting rooms and studios on behalf of the costume team.

> CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT:

- Photographed and documented all costume continuity.

- Maintained continuity on-set between different camera angles and scenes.

2013 - 2015: COSTUME TRAINEE @ AMC Productions/BBC/Pathé Productions

Key duties:

> DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT:

- Carried out whatever tasks were delegated, including stock organisation, costume construction and relevant paperwork.

> SOURCING/ BUYING:

- Sourced costumes and kit for the department in person and online. 

- Sourced options and prices for fabrics and haberdashery and presented them to the design team.

> ACCOUNT SUPPORT:

- Organised, logged and processed receipts for the department.

- Logged the weekly spend of the department.

> COSTUME MAINTENANCE:

- Independently managed laundry requirements.

- repaired shoes, garments and jewellery.

2012-2019: DESIGNER, DRESSER, ASSISTANT, WORKSHOP LEADER, VISITING LECTURER 

@ The Globe Theatre, The Lord Chamberlains Men, London Bubble, Mountview Academy, Rose Bruford College, Streetwise Opera, Iris Theatre, ATG, English Touring Opera

Alongside TV and film, I have worked in the Theatre industry. My work in theatre was multifaceted and utilised a varied skill set.

Key duties:

> INDEPENDANT AND CREATIVE THINKING:

- Worked alone to develop designs, floor plans and models of staging and spatial design.

- Self managed deadlines and work loads

- Designed and implemented practical and visual appropriate theatre sets for multiple indoor and outdoor venues. 
- Researched and referenced different time periods.

> LOGISTICAL PLANNING:

- Scheduled deliveries of supplies and set pieces.

- Scheduled fittings and meetings.

- Booked vans and drivers for touring productions.

> COMMUNICATION:

- Initiated, and attended meetings with directors, cast, production and backstage crew.

- Emailed and phoned suppliers, additional crew and hire houses.

> LEADERSHIP:

- Organised and managed teams of professionals, new graduates and work experience.

- Guided teams of costume makers and scenic artists to implement my designs.

- Lead group design and craft workshops for charity/ community based theatre companies.

> DESIGN:

- Worked with directors to attain their vision of the production.

- Developed design ideas based on research and creative stimuli.

- Created costume illustrations and scale model boxes of theatres and performances spaces.

- worked with lighting designers to effectively light the sets and venues.

2009 - 2012 - Rose Bruford College: Theatre Design - 1st Class undergraduate degree 

2003 -2005 - Steyning Grammar School A Levels - English Literature- B, Drama and Theatre Studies - B, Art - B 

1998 - 2003 -Steyning Grammar school GCSE’s - 10 x GCSE’s - Grades A* to C