LIVING IN LOS ANGELES FULL TIME

Background Information

Born in Seattle, Washington, the 4th of 5 children. Studied Advertising and Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle. Moved to New York City to follow my dream of working in the film business. My first job was as a stagiaire (intern) for a writer/director named Allen Moyle.
Second job was as a production assistant on a very low budget horror film. I quickly became a Locations Scout and then Locations Manager. I was attracted to this work because it involved developing the look of the film, photographing and choosing locations and working directly with the director and production designer. It is a very important, key job on a film. 

Briefly worked for a (now) producer Christopher Hanley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hanley at his Recording Studio, Intergalactic Music, Inc. and Rock Video International. I later found my way into the costume department through a friend and fell in love with costumes. It was the right place for me, combining of all my interests. (Please read interview) Moved to LA to do a film and when it was finished I couldn’t bring my self to move back to NYC. I love the sun and the beach and yes “I love LA”. I Lived in the Hollywood area for 7 years. I moved to France on a one year sabbatical to study French, photography, wine and cooking. Married a Frenchman and started a family. Mother of a girl and boy. Work as a Wardrobe Consultant, Additional Costumer in Paris for concert tours coming through Europe, Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, as well as films needing a Costumer to measure or fit French actors in Paris. ALI, WOULD WAR Z. I traveled back to Los Angeles periodically to work in film and television. Hoped to work more in the French and British film industries but was too busy being a mom. I still love to take photographs and study photography intermittently as a hobby. I have had several photos published in local Anglophone association publications. WICE
http://www.wice-paris.org/index.html
I have also created multi-image slideshows using Pinnicle software. I sew for myself, often buying used clothing items and altering them to suit me and I personalize my own clothing. I also bought and sold vintage clothing at Vintage and retro clothing sales in Paris, as a hobby. (Vide Grenier Vintage)
http://www.fiftiessound.com/party.htm
Other interests include; interior design, Jewelry making, soap making. Studied ballet for 10 years as a girl. Still love the ballet. 

Move back to LA as single mom in 2013. Very active in a few environmental groups, including - Co founder of the Green Lunchroom committee https://www.gusd.net/Page/11633, member of Glendale Environmental coalition https://gec.eco/ , currently volunteering at a local food bank to organize redistribution of left over food that would otherwise end up in the landfill. 

I have a desire to learn new things and am always questioning. Sense of humor, energetic, enthusiastic, conscientious, pay attention to detail. I like the feeling of a job well done.

Interview

Paris, January 2006

What first inspired your love of costume?

I have been interested in clothing since I was a little girl. When I was just 5 years old, I used to argue with my mother every morning over which dress to wear to school. My mother taught me to sew at an early age and I made my own school clothes in junior high school. (age 12 - 15) Halloween was my favorite holiday and we spent weeks preparing our costumes. As a teenager I loved to dress up in period clothing I found at local charity shops. My friend's and I often organized themed costume parties.

When did you become interested in movies and television?

My love for photography came first. My father worked as a professional photographer his entire life and creativity was valued in our family. I received my first camera at the age of 12. We had a highly developed arts program in my school district where photography and filmmaking were offered. I made my first super 8 movie for a class project around age 13 and dreamed of working in the movie business ever since. Costuming was a natural combination of those interests.

Which film genres have you worked in and which were your favourite?

I enjoy all periods for different reasons. I have worked on everything from fictional prehistoric 30,000 BC (The Flintstones movie) to the distant future (Star Trek 9: the Insurrection) (SEE RESUME) The futuristic period allows the most freedom. There are no set rules of costume to follow and you can really have fun with it.

The Flintstones had an established look already from the cartoon and needed to be followed to some degree. The elaborate costumes from the 15-through early 20th centuries are rich and beautiful. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is as important as the historical accuracy.

I have also really enjoyed working on films set in more contemporary times and the 70's is a fun and easy period to work in. The Brady Bunch Movie was a real laugh! I also had the chance to meet my first crush Davy Jones, which was a real thrill!

Who is the most famous person that you have dressed or worked with?

I am asked this question a lot. I have worked with all kinds of actors. Some nice and some not so nice. It goes with the job. I prefer to mention the best experiences.

I had the pleasure of dressing Kevin Spacey in his early film career. He stared in a movie of the week called Darrow, about the life of Clarence Darrow, a famous attorney in the United States. The period ranged from 1910 to 1940 and he had over 50 wardrobe changes. Sometimes he was asked to changes his wardrobe a dozen times per day. He never complained. He was very patient and always kind and considerate of the crew no matter how difficult the shooting got. A real professional.

I also worked recently as a day player* on The West Wing. The lead actor, Martin Sheen who plays the president of the United States, really surprised me. He walked right up to me the first day and said, “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Martin.” He then introduced himself to every extra** on the set with the same enthusiasm. I have never seen anything like it in my 15 years in the film business and I was impressed.

While working on an episode of ER, which actor Anthony Edwards was directing. He called me by name within a few minutes of being introduced to me on the set. Most of the time, the director of a TV show doesn't bother to learn costumers' names and simply shouts out, "Costumes!" I was impressed by how personable he was.

Dick Van Dyke, George Clooney, Danny DeVito, Willam Defoe and Jennifer Love Hewwitt are all very nice, approachable and respectful of crew members and it was a pleasure to work with them.

What aspects of the job do you love the most?

The creative atmosphere. I love creating and between jobs I am always working on a project at home. Although the film industry is a business it is also le septième art , (the seventh art) as they say in France. Although working on a film requires technical skills the team is surrounded by talent.

In addition to the creative side, every day is different and every project is different. There is little chance of becoming bored. I also enjoy working with a team and feeling part of something larger.

You didn’t ask me about the downside, but I will tell you anyway. The hours! Working all night outside in the rain, getting up at 3 am to drive to work in the dark and dress 400 extras before dawn. But, I do it anyway because I love it!

What attracts you to working in the French film industry?

The quality. I believe the French industry is closer to the art form and farther from the movie factory which has developed in the U.S. French films are for the most part shot on very low budgets compared with the 100 million dollar plus films in the US today. This probably allows them more freedom to retain their integrity as artists instead of being only concerned with a product which will turn a huge profit and keep the shareholders happy.

French actors tend to work both in cinema and theatre and are less concerned with being a star and more concerned with the craft. Scripts are written for a different audience in France. The French audience. “A little more conversation, a little less action”.

What are your favorite films and actors?

French or American? I have a lot of respect for several French actors and actresses. Gérard Depardieu, Christian Clavier, Jean Reno, Emmanuelle Béart, Isabelle Hupert etc, as for films, I love a good French comedy. Les Visiteurs, Le Père Noël est une Ordure, Cuisine et Dépendance, etc.…But I also appreciate serious French cinéma. Bleu, Blanc, Rouge, Les Misérables, Harry un ami qui vous veut du bien. These are just the first few I thought of off the top of my head.

As for American actors, I have a great deal of respect for Meryl Streep and her performance in Sophie’s Choice is unforgettable. I dream of working on a project of that quality. Jack Nicholson, Paul Newman, Harrison Ford. (What can I say. I like a handsome guy). Judi Dench, Shirley MacLaine.

American movies are harder to chose, but I guess I’ll list the classics I can watch again and again. Gone with the Wind, Citizen Cane, Rear Window, Annie Hall, Terms of Endearment, Star Wars, (the first one) When Harry Met Sally, and I dare say Rocky Horror, which I admit to have seen at least a dozen times!

Karen is currently splitting her time between Paris and Los Angeles where she is working as a Costumer.

day player* day check, a person who works on a daily contract when extra help is needed or to replace someone temporarily.
extra** background, atmosphere, silent bit, actors in a scene without speaking parts.

Resume COSTUMER / STYLIST

KAREN  HARE NEILSSON

Los Angeles 213 398 9269
Glendale, CA 91021

kshare61@yahoo.com
English mother tongue - Fluent French
IATSE 705 member Women's Finished Key (member since 1994)

· Participation in choice of costumes
· Organization and preparation of costumes for filming
· Set Costumer, continuity

RESUME

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362805/

EDUCATION

WORD, EXCEL, INTERNET, Espace Public Numérique 2004 Paris, France
PHOTOSHOP, HTML, Mairie de Paris 2001 Paris, France
FILM PRODUCTION, The New School 1985 New York, USA
VIDEO PRODUCTION, Global Village Video Center 1984 New York, USA
BA/COMMUNICATIONS, University of Washington 1983 Seattle, USA

COMPUTER SKILLS: Good working knowledge of Mac/PC Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, PowerPoint, Quark, Internet

STATUS: Working papers for France, EU countries and United States (IATSE 705 member)

CV français STYLISTE / HABILLEUSE

KAREN  HARE NEILSSON
Los Angeles 001 8183989269

kshare61@yahoo.com
Anglais langue maternelle - bilingue Français

STYLISTE / HABILLEUSE
Cinéma, Publicité & Télévision

· Participation au choix des costumes et supervision des achats
· Organisation et préparation des costumes pour le tournage
· Habillage des comédiens et coordination des raccords costumes

PRICIPALES REALISATIONS

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362805/

FORMATION

WORD, EXCEL, INTERNET, Espace Public Numérique 2004 Paris, France
PHOTOSHOP, HTML, Mairie de Paris 2001 Paris, France
PRODUCTION DE FILMS, The New School 1985 New York, États-Unis
PRODUCTION DE VIDÉOS, Global Village Video Center 1984 New York, États-Unis
BACHELOR/COMMUNICATIONS (Bac+4), University of Washington 1983 Seattle, États-Unis

INFORMATIQUE : Bonne maîtrise univers Mac/PC Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, PowerPoint, Quark, Internet

STATUT: Carte de travail France et Etats-Unis