<p>My dream job is to work as a costume designer on movies, but I have no idea what to do to get there! I am still in high school and when the time comes to apply, I don't know where I should apply to. Should I aim for a Fashion Design or Theatre Design/Production school? What schools have good programs? What should I be focused on to be a costume designer? If anyone can help me I'd GREATLY appreciate it!! Thanks (:</p>
<p>I would suggest going to school for Costume Design(normally a tech theatre track)...
It will help you prepare for designing for movies more than just a fashion designer(not saying that doesnt have merit, but i think the former is much wiser)
If you already have a portfolio and its rather good, I'd say look at DePaul, CCM, CMU(have a close friend there, its fabulous), or even Emerson. If your portfolio is less strong, i'd go for a no audition school like Kent</p>
<p>When it comes to film costume design, the ball is quite in your court as to what route you do choose to take. While the theatre industry can be quite picky about your degree as a designer, the film industry - especially when it comes to art department roles - aren't necessarily as concerned with what specific degree you do have. A number of costume designers came out of fashion schools (I know, for example, that Isis Mussenden who designed the Narnia films is a Parsons grad). </p>
<p>With that said, that doesn't mean that producers, directors, etc. are ignorant of a specialised costume design degree - I'd hazard a guess that studying costume design may provide opportunities to network or come into contact with the film industry. A specialised costume design course would prepare you with the conceptual skills required of costume designers; as well as with experience in designing for characters rather than of your own volition. A number of theatre design/prod programs allow you to work on film projects as well as theatre projects (off the top of my head, I believe that USC and UCLA may both offer this ...). FIDM actually offers a specialised costume design for film major that may be worth looking into!</p>