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You've recently been costume designer on the movie Maturing
Youth - so first of all, what's that movie about?
Maturing
Youth
from R&F Entertainment
is a touching, coming of age movie about a deadbeat man-child, Roger, played
by Sean A Kaufman [Sean
A. Kaufman interview - click here], whose ex-girlfriend, Sadie, played by Kim Paris, shows up
one day and leaves his toddler son named Junior, played by Joshua St. Leger [Joshua
St. Leger interview - click here],
with him. She disappears without a trace, and Roger is faced with the ultimate
decision. Does he continue to be lazy and unproductive, putting his son's
future at risk, or does he set an honorable example for his son by growing up
and taking responsibility for his life?
So do talk about the outfits you designed for Maturing
Youth for a bit, their style and inspirations! The
outfits are heavily inspired by the characters' personalities. So when you
look at them before you even know anything about the character you have an
idea of who they are. Just to name a few, Roger is a lazy bum who barely
leaves the house so for a majority of the film he's in pajamas and a robe,
symbolizing how comfortable he has become with his lazy lifestyle. Sadie
is a young single mom, but just like her ex she likes to dress comfortably and
keeps it casual. I also wanted to give her a subtle sexiness to sort of
tease Roger and show him what he missed out on. Junior is in bright
primary colors to symbolize his youth and innocence, I saw him
representing a brighter future for Roger. How
did you get involved with the project in the first place? I'd
been following R&F Entertainment
on social media, and was very
impressed with the success of some of their previous projects. I reached
out to them asking if the needed design assistance for any upcoming
projects. Chase [Chase
Michael Pallante interview - click here], the producer and founder/CEO, told me
about Maturing
Youth, and after reading the script I knew it would be a
fun and exciting project to work on. It was a wonderful experience. How
do you approach designing costumes for a movie (both in general and
especially in regards to Maturing
Youth), actually, and to what extent do you familiarize
yourself with the script beforehands?
courtesy of R&F Entertainment |
After reading the
script I evaluate each character and their personality, and how I'd like
to portray that through their wardrobe. I'll come up with ideas for each
character's outfits by pulling imagery and sharing it with the actors,
producers, and director. I like to make sure I get an idea of how they
envision the character as well and mold the characters' costumes from our
shared vision. I try to create a story with the characters' wardrobe, to
show their development through the film. What
can you tell us about Maturing
Youth's director Divoni Simon [Divoni
Simon interview - click here], and what was your collaboration
like? I had a great time working with him. He had a very
clear vision for each character and how he wanted to portray them. We
worked togeher to bring the characters to life and have their costumes
tell a story of who they are. He was a pleasure to work with, I can't wait
for everyone to see the film! Any future projects you'd like to share? Earlier
this year I assistant designed on a short Goodnight Mary
(goodnightmary.com),
I just finished assisting on a indie called Stepdaughter, and recently
worked on a music video for a new duo TGR that I'm really excited
about!!!
photography by Virginia Kluiters
courtesy of R&F Entertainment |
What
got you into fashion design in general and into costume design for movies
in particular? I used to sketch fashion designs and ideas
during class in high school to pass the time. When I found out I could
turn that hobby into a successful career I decided to enroll at SCAD and
get my BFA in fashion! While I was in school I also was heavily involved
with the SCAD Film Festival, I would make time to volunteer every year. I
loved watching the indies, shorts and students films that would come each
year. After graduating I worked in the fashion industry for a couple years
but was still very much in love and fascinated by the film industry. I
decided to take a risk and leave fashion to pursue costume design, which
combined my love of film and fashion. I absolutely love it, and I haven't
looked back since! What can you tell us about your filmwork
prior to Maturing
Youth? This was actually the first film I'd
designed. I'd previously worked as a intern and production assistant on a
couple of films; Radium Girls (a 20s period indie film) and The Pretenders
(James Franco-produced film). In high school I designed a theater
production of Honk (ugly ducking musical), and since college I've done
work styling fashion editorials and test shoots for new talent. But this
project was my first job as a costume designer! Fashion and costume designers who
inspire you? Some of my favorite fashion designers are
Yohji Yamamoto, Helmut Lang, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Stella McCartney. As
far as costume designers go Colleen Atwood of course is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
(Little Women and Fantastic Beasts are my favorite films she's done), Mona
May Renee Ehrlich Kalfus has done some of my favorite period films (Chocolat,
Cider House Rules, and Hidden Figures), and Mona May designed
several chick flicks I grew up watching (Zenon series, Clueless, Never
Been Kissed, and Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion)
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And since this is primarily a movie site, your
favourite movies? I have so many that I love for different
reasons whether it be the cinematography, costumes, or story. Just a few
are Amelie, Royal Tenenbaums, Never Been Kissed, The Lord of the Rings
series, The Outsiders, The Cider House Rules, and Remember the
Titans. ... and of course, films you really
deplore? I'm definitely not a huge fan of the Mission
Impossible movies, Maid in Manhattan, Pretty in Pink,
National
Lampoon's Vacation, Revenant, Star Wars: Rogue
One... they just
really need to stop making Star Wars movies.
Your website, Facebook, whatever else?
Instagram: kim_ware_here
Website: kimware.squarespace.com
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely
forgotten to ask?
Maturing
Youth is making its world premiere at the augural Cutting Room
International Short Film Festival in New York City. For more information
and details go to www.MATURINGYOUTH.com
Follow
the film here:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maturingyouthfilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maturingyouth
Website: www.MATURINGYOUTH.com
Thanks
for the interview!
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