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.