Designing for Television Production
Comic-Con 2008
Moderator/Costume Designer Susan Nininger
Costume Designers Shawna Trpcic, Roland Sanchez, Amanda Friedland
“Art is not about finding yourself, art is about creating yourself.”
Costume Illustrators, Production Illustrators, and Concept & Storyboard Artists Moderator/Director and Storyboard Artist William David Hogan
Costume Illustrators Oksana Nedavniaya , Phillip Boutte Jr. Felipe Sanchez, Cristian Cordella
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nd what better way is there to create yourself than to be surrounded by creative people; people who can be found once a year at an event called Comic-Con International: San Diego. You may be asking yourself,“What is Comic-Con?” Comic-Con International is an annual multi-genre fan-based convention that showcases everything from comic book fanfare, to the best in science fiction, fantasy and anime film and television and much more. It’s a four-day event with a loaded schedule of activities, previews of upcoming shows & products, art tutorials, vendors, illustrators showcasing their work, and fans in costume. In recent years, the convention has expanded to include pop culture elements and the film industry comes to represent with tremendous force. In fact, Comic-Con has become a must stop for films looking to hit their target audience hard at the box office while cashing in on the merchandising. I’ve been going to Comic-Con for a few years for the opportunity to meet potential clients, from comic book editors to video game companies to toy manufacturers and even film producers. I’d heard about the Guild from my teacher and Guild Board member, Robin Richesson so I was interested in joining as an Illustrator. But it was when I stumbled on a Costume Design panel at Comic-Con 2006 that I first understood what you actually do. I went with fellow Illustrators Oksana Nedavniaya and Brian Valenzuela to a panel discussion showcasing Costume Designers talking about their upcoming films. After the discussion, we joined the Designers as they signed paraphernalia and answered questions. Each of us, portfolios in tow, walked the line, talked to the Designers, and showed them our work. We all received encouraging feedback but it was Oksana’s beautiful portfolio that got the attention. Designer Isis Mussenden was wowed by Oksana’s talent and hired her less
Clockwise from top: Phillip Boutte Jr. stands among the Terra Cotta Warriors, Judges’ Choice winner Hairspray, Best Young Fan winner X-Wing volunteers: Carrie Grace, Aimee McCue, Phillip Boutte Jr, Susan Nininger, Cristian Cordella, fans on the floor, Illustrator Felipe Sanchez, with CDG judges (l-r) Cordella, Grace, McCue, Vogt, Wilkinson, Dennison, Boutte Jr., X-Men fans on the floor, Film Costume Designer panel
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The Costume Designer Summer 2008
than a week later to start work in Prague on The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Inspired by Oksana’s success, I joined the Guild shortly after. Almost a month later, I was hired by Sanja Hays to start work on The Mummy 3: Curse of the Dragon Emperor. Brian followed suit and was hired to start work with Michael Kaplan on the newest Star Trek installment.And this year the three of us are Co-chairing the Comic-Con Committee with veteran Chair, Designer Susan Nininger! A very fruitful venture all the way around. The visibility of the Guild at Comic-Con is a big step in the right direction. It not only allows us to reach people like me, but it provides the general public and the industry a chance to understand how important Costume Designers are to creating characters. Most importantly, it shows the studios and networks, that the Costume Designers Guild is making strides to establish itself as a valuable commodity; one that’s recognized every year by hordes of fans re-creating the works of its designers with intricate detail, precision and passion. In the Guild’s three short years of attendance, it has gone from having a single panel, to having three separate panels; One for Television Designers, Film Designers, and Costume Illustrators with members of Local 790.The Guild now also takes part in the prestigious Masquerade Ball in which our Designers judge the costumes made and worn by the fans. I recommend that everyone visit Comic-Con at least once as you will truly be inspired by all that there is to see. Who knows, maybe while you are creating yourself, you will inspire others to do the same.
Illustrators and Artists From Local 790 Ricardo Delgado, Jeff Errico, Tim Burgard, Mark Moretti, Trevor Goring
Designing for Feature Films Moderator/Costume Designer Mary Vogt
Costume Designers Michael Wilkinson, Michael Dennison Isis Mussenden, Kym Barrett
Committee Volunteers Susan Nininger, Chair Phillip Boutte Jr., Co-chair Oksana Nedavniaya, Co-chair Brian Valenzuela, Co-chair Carrie Grace, Aimee McCue, Oneita Parker Local 790 panelists, Local 495 San Diego
Phillip Boutte Jr. uphilme@gmail.com
Girl, Illustrator Oksana Nedavniaya, TV panel Designers (front) Shawna Trpcic, Roland Sanchez, Amanda Friedland (back) CDG member Michael Dennison signs for a fan of The Spirit, CDG and Local 790 combined Illustrator panel, CDG and Best in Show Masquerade winner (l-r) Isis Mussenden, Michael Wilkinson, Kym Barrett, Michael Dennison.
Summer 2008 The Costume Designer
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