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Category Archives: Costumer

05-19-2015

Laurie :: Costumer

My name is Laurie Bramhall and I have been working in the New England film industry since the movie “What Lies Beneath” (1999) and theatrical costuming for 35 years. I grew up in New England, went to school in Boston and am a homeowner. My work on film contributes to a mortgage, college loans for our daughter and tuition for our son.

In film I generally work as a set costumer, background costumer and stitcher. I also teach and work as an Adjunct Professor at Emerson College. I have the best of both worlds – theater work during the academic year and movie work during the summer.

Unfortunately, I cannot make a living just as an Adjunct (temporary, part time). The summer work on Feature Films provides a large part of my income. It also provides stories and first hand experience that I am able to share with the costume design / construction students I work with at Emerson.

We have a very incredible Feature Film workforce here in new England and I feel honored and blessed to work amongst this large group of very talented artists and technicians.

Please do not take away our livelihoods.

05-19-2015

Penny :: Stitcher, Costumes, Set Dresser

Camera 360

My name is Penny Cariolo and I work in the film industry in Massachusetts. I am a stitcher working with costumers and set decorators. I worked on my first movie in 2011 and have worked on 12 movie or television productions since then. I love my job and would love to continue to do it in the place I call home.

04-17-2015

Beau :: Set Costumer

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My name is Beau Desmond, and I am a set costumer. I live in Randolph, MA, and I have worked in the Massachusetts film industry for approximately four years. Prior to that, I was working in LA and on location for about 12 years. I was born in Methuen, MA, and — thanks to the film tax incentive — I was able to return home to be closer to my family. I’ve been working full time almost without pause since my return.

I dread the idea of having to go back on location, since this year I bought a new home with my girlfriend and have started to put down real roots. I also own two other Massachusetts properties. The income I make from the film industry funded the purchase of these properties and continues to pay the taxes on them. I’ve been lucky to work with many talented people in the local film community, and I look forward to many more years of prosperity, provided the incentive remains in place.

03-27-2015

Tom :: Sound Mixer & Courtney :: Costumer

My name is Tom Williams and I’m a production sound mixer. I am a Berklee College of Music alumnus with a major in music production engineering. Early in my career, I was told that in order to “make it,” I would have to move to either LA or New York. But Boston is my home, and I stayed. Since 1988, I’ve been a freelancer in film/video and — as the business and technology have evolved — I’ve specialized in sound mixing/recording. I now work primarily on feature films. I was lucky enough to meet my wife, Courtney, a wardrobe stylist and makeup artist, on set. Together, we are part of a vast local film community whose members are hardworking, industrious, creative, and socially conscious. We own homes, pay taxes, and invest in and support our local economies, both personally and professionally. Losing the tax incentive in Massachusetts will decimate the film industry here – the only job market to have shown steady growth and increased employment in the state over the last several years.

We are a collective of strong voices and we will be heard.

SAVE MASSACHUSETTS FILM JOBS.

03-26-2015

Wayne :: Set Dresser and Liz :: Costumer

We are Wayne and Liz, an engaged couple, and lifelong New Englanders working in the Massachusetts film industry. We have been able to stay in the area, close to our families, by working full-time in the movie and television industry here in Massachusetts. Wayne works as a set dresser in the art department, and Liz works as a costumer in the wardrobe department. We both graduated from local colleges, Wayne from Northeastern University and Liz from Boston University, and we have remained in Massachusetts to pursue our careers. Working in the film industry has made it possible for us to purchase a home in Arlington, MA.

A loss of the Massachusetts film tax incentive would crush the local film industry and affect the livelihood of many extremely dedicated, hardworking, and creative people and their families.

Every department that makes up a film production utilizes various goods and services throughout the Massachusetts area. If the film tax incentive were to end, it would have a dramatic effect on these businesses.

Without the film tax incentive, an entire industry of people would be hurt. We would not have these opportunities here in Massachusetts, and many would be forced to relocate to other states that have tax incentives.

Please consider us, the local working people who rely on the Massachusetts film productions, before ending a thriving and prosperous industry.

Thanks.

03-23-2015

Jennifer :: Costumer

My name is Jennifer Tremblay, and I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I earned my bachelor’s degree at Lasell College and my master’s at Brandeis University. I’ve been working in the Massachusetts film industry since 2008 as a costume designer, tailor, ager/dyer, and costumer. Like all of my coworkers, I live and breathe what I do. People in the film industry are some of the hardest working and most dedicated people. My coworkers and I work long hours and keep very positive attitudes. It is a passion as well as a career for all of us.

Taking away the film tax incentive would have a crippling affect on all of us. I am a newlywed, and my goal this year was to buy my first home in Massachusetts. If the tax incentive goes away, I will be out of a job and unable to reach my goal of buying a home and raising a family in my home state. It will also make my long-term plans of opening my own business here seem impossible.

The film tax incentive brings good jobs to good people, but it also brings money into local businesses. As a costume designer, I’ve seen firsthand where the money is being spent. I’ve rented costumes constantly from Brandeis University. I’ve made countless purchases from Massachusetts clothing shops and vintage stores. Smile Dry Cleaners, an organic dry cleaner based out of my hometown in Dracut, has profited from all of the work I’ve brought them. FILM equals JOBS, but it also equals money into the state I love and want to be able to remain in.

03-18-2015

Maili :: Costumer

Hello, my name is Maili Lafayette and I’ve worked as a costumer for 26 years. This has been my career and life.

I have three kids and a husband. I’ve worked my entire adult life as a costumer for the film and television industry and I rely on working to help raise my family and keep our health insurance. This film tax incentive is very important to our family and the film community around us. We need to keep the films that are being made here in Massachusetts and providing well-paying jobs. This industry affects so many people, businesses, and families.

Please don’t take away the film tax incentives!

03-13-2015

Clinton :: Key Costume Fitter

My name is Clinton O’Dell. I live in Attleboro, MA. Last summer, I was key costume fitter on the film Black Mass. The photo shows almost everyone in the costume department for the project (I’m in the back row, third from the left). These folks are some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. My team and I fit roughly 2,000 background actors for the film over the course of the summer. It was one of the hardest — and best — jobs I’ve ever had.

When I finished graduate school in Tennessee in 2005, I had never given any thought to moving to New England, but I decided to come to the Boston area specifically because I was hired to work on a small film called Black Irish. As a working artist starting his career, I was prepared to finish the project and then move on, but I stayed in the area because I was hired for another film. And then another.

For the last ten years, I’ve lived in Massachusetts, paid taxes here, taught here, and built my life here. I live and work in Massachusetts BECAUSE I was hired to work in the film industry. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.

03-12-2015

Janet :: Costumer

My name is Janet Cook. I have been the owner of Sew What and the wardrobe mistress/tailor for the Cape Cod Melody Tent since 1977. UNITED WE STAND!!!

03-11-2015

Alanna :: Costumer

My name is Alanna Keenan, and I work as an on-set costumer. I have been working in the industry since 2004. I am a single mom who depends on Massachusetts jobs to support my family. In 2012, I ventured out to California, only to find that I would have more work if I were back home on the East Coast. I love being a New Englander, and enjoy working close to family and friends.

Without the film tax incentives, I would struggle to find work and would eventually have to move to a state that understands the benefits of a film tax incentive. Our department spends a lot of money with local vendors, such as dry cleaners, thrift shops, clothing stores, costume rentals, and uniform companies, as well as many local coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Wardrobe is my craft. Beyond that, I don’t know what I would do for work. I am not a “Hollywood type.” I am a working-class mother and I am the face of the Massachusetts film tax incentive.

03-09-2015

Lara :: Costumer

Hi. My name is Lara Quinlan, and I’m a costumer in the film industry. For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to work in the movies and to be part of this amazing industry. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and got my break in 2008 when I became a PA on an independent film in Rhode Island. I have been lucky to continue working ever since.

I have had the privilege to work with some amazingly talented people on some incredible movies, which has all been possible because of the film tax incentive giving people like me and the many other talented members of the film industry the opportunity to live our dreams.

We are the many faces behind the scenes that make a movie possible. Without the film tax incentive, that will all disappear. And I don’t know what I would do.

Eliminating the film tax incentive would shatter my dreams! Please allow it to continue so I can continue living my dream.

03-09-2015

Gina :: Costumer

My name is Gina Rhodes. I am a tailor, costumer, and draper, and for me these little girls are the face of the Massachusetts film tax incentive. Before beginning in the film industry in 2007, I was working two, sometimes three jobs. I never saw my kids and I still couldn’t make ends meet or pay my rent on time. I am a single mother, and if it weren’t for the film work I do, we would certainly have ended up homeless.

Now, because of the increased film production due to the tax incentive, I am able to provide for my family. My income flows into the community in the form of dance lessons, karate classes, and violin, and I am also now a proud homeowner — I pay property taxes and make repairs that put money into the pockets of others who also pay taxes.

All of this is on top of the money directly spent on the movies themselves. Numerous fabric stores, upholstery and drapery suppliers, hardware stores, and home goods suppliers, among many other businesses, will see a loss in revenue.

It is clear to me, as we saw in 2010, that without this tax incentive the production companies will go elsewhere. So many people in the state will lose, and for some of us that will be devastating. I have had the honor to meet and work with so many talented people and businessmen and businesswomen. I have also been fortunate enough to find a home among my IATSE 481 brothers and sisters. Let’s please keep that house standing.

03-09-2015

Honah Lee :: Costumer

My name is Honah Lee Milne. I live in Boston and I am proud and honored to work on films made in Massachusetts. I came to Boston in 1992 and attended Emerson College; I have lived and worked here ever since. I love my job as a costumer for film and television.

The costume department on every production relies on our city’s vast and varied locally owned shops, such as Sault New England, Alan Bilzerian, The Tannery, The Garment District, and Bobby From Boston. We utilize every resource we can to create the looks of our characters. Sometimes very specific specialty fabricators, such as National Fiber Technologies in Lawrence, are called upon to provide their synthetic fur. We in the costume department, and in production in general, use local dry cleaner CleverGreen on almost every production; the owner, Farshad Sayan, has been an asset to us all.

On many productions, we have been able to donate thousands of dollars worth of clothing to local charities such as local women’s shelter Rosie’s Place, the Roslindale-based orphanage The Home For Little Wanderers, and Boomerangs-AIDS Action. These donations include winter coats, new shoes, towels, and many basic items desperately needed by these charitable places.

I am a proud resident of Boston. I am a strong working mother. I love my job. I love community. I have worked on many productions filmed in Massachusetts. Please believe that the Massachusetts film tax incentive does more than what you hear from the newspapers and on the internet threads about “Hollywood” and what they are taking from you. Talk to us, the people who do live here, who work IN the film industry, and ask us how the tax incentive benefits us all.

03-08-2015

Jamie :: Costume Designer, Actor

My name is Jamie Crowley. I used to live in Los Angeles and work as a costume designer and costumer. I moved there after I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art. I now live back in Massachusetts where I am originally from, working as an actress while still doing a lot of design work.

I have witnessed how many local businesses profit from everything that goes into making a film in Massachusetts.

03-08-2015

Joanna :: Costumer

My name is Joanna Murphy, and I am a costume designer. In spring 2014, my team and I descended upon Nantucket to costume The Grey Lady. Here are some pics of all the hard work it takes. Not pictured is the obvious impact we made as a cast and crew spending money in local housing and at local shops and restaurants during the island’s normally slow season.

03-08-2015

Taryn :: Costumer

My name is Taryn Walsh. I am a costumer in the film industry. I grew up in Massachusetts. I went to UMass Amherst and majored in theater. Through a connection at UMass, I started a career in the film industry. I moved away from my family and friends and worked in LA for many years. In 2003, I moved back to be near family and the film industry found me in 2004. I have been working steadily here in Boston since 2006, and I’m so grateful to be able to have a career I love and live at home surrounded by family and friends.

I am a single mother of two children of my own, and I’m also helping to launch a niece and nephew into adulthood. I own a house and I have bills to pay and college to think about for my growing children. I rely on the film tax incentive to bring film production to Massachusetts. Without it, I’ll be in real trouble. I’ve been in this business long enough to see what happens in a state when the film incentives are taken away (like NC) — the film industry simply moves to another state that offers one.

03-06-2015

Gather Here Stitch Lounge :: Local Business

My name is Virginia Johnson, and my spouse of fourteen years (and counting) is assistant prop master Noah Dubreuil. I am a costume supervisor and designer as well as a small business owner.

Noah and I opened Gather Here Stitch Lounge in Cambridge four years ago with our hard-earned money from working in the film industry and with the help of our local film industry friends. From carpenters and painters, to stitchers and extras casting directors, we relied on the sweat equity provided by the people we had worked with over a decade in the film community. All of them helped make our dream a reality. We continue to work in the film industry, even with a successful business that employs eight people and grows more each year. Gather Here provides space, inspiration, and supplies for a wide range of makers all over Greater Boston. It’s one of my favorite places in the world and it would never have come to be if I hadn’t made a decent living working on films made in Massachusetts.

Last year, I was the costume supervisor on the film Black Mass. I was fortunate to work full-time for 25 weeks, often working six days a week and sacrificing time spent at my own small business. At the height of filming, we employed 16 local costumers, tailors, and fitters in our department alone. We also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on dry cleaning, manufacturing, purchasing, and more in Boston. As the keeper of my department’s budget, I know where each and every penny was spent: the $39,000 in dry cleaning would never have been spent if we hadn’t been making a movie; the $125,000 in manufacturing at an Everett clothing factory wouldn’t have happened without the movie; the purchase of $10,000 in racks and hangers from a local store fixtures warehouse is a healthy bonus during a struggling economy.

The loss of the film tax incentive means the loss of a major source of income taxes — my income tax, and the income tax of my hardworking colleagues. It also means we will redirect our own spending for our small business from local Massachusetts-based businesses to other less expensive alternatives that will likely be out of state.

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