FIDM's New Film & Television Costume Design Program

Do you go to movies just to see the costumes? Are you intrigued by beautiful ads in magazines and on TV? Do you judge a sit-com by the characters' outfits? Then check out this exciting new program! FIDM is the first college to offer a Film & TV Costume Design Advanced Study Program. You can look forward to homework assignments like comparing the costumes in the films Austin Powers (left) and StarWars (above left)!

FIDM is very excited to announce its new Film & TV Costume Design Advanced Study Program, beginning in Fall 2000! For over 25 years FIDM has successfully taught Theatre Costume Design. Many graduates of this program have gone on to design costumes for film and television as well as the stage. The new Film and TV Costume Design Advanced Study Program is a natural extension of FIDM's core curriculum. Now students specifically interested in designing costumes for films and television have a major catering to them. You must have an AA degree for acceptance into the advanced 9-month, 45-unit program.

The Film & TV Costume Design Advanced Study Program immerses you in a field that has its own distinct tradition and creative challenge. There is a world of difference between designing costumes for a live stage production and designing for a filmed TV or movie production. This program delves into the unique challenges Costume Designers face in this facet of the entertainment industry. Plenty of movie-watching and film breakdowns give students the broad frame of cinematic reference they'll need when dealing with directors and film producers.

Courses in this new program offer in-depth exploration into the "behind-the-scenes" world of the Costume Designer. For instance, in Script Analysis, students learn to read a script and get familiar with specific terms common to film and television productions. Throughout the program you make real connections with industry professionals through guest lectures and internships. If you are flexible (as in working hard on sets at all times of day and night), love costume and visual design, and dream of seeing your name roll by in credits, this cool career path could be your calling!

What jobs will this program prepare you for? Here are just a few of the exciting possibilities: Costume Designer for films, TV movies, TV series, and TV commercials; Costume Illustrator; Wardrobe Supervisor; Set Costumer; Shopper; and Stylist for TV commercials, print ads, music videos, celebrities, or special events.

Mary Kay Stolz has joined the FIDM staff as Creative Director for the new program. Ms. Stolz, a member of the Costume Designer's Guild, brings with her 14 years of experience as a Costume Designer for television and film. She has also worked designing costumes for the music industry and has written about fashion for the Los Angeles Times. For over 15 years, Ms Stolz has taught Fashion Design and Costume Design at several colleges throughout Southern California, including FIDM. She has a B.F.A. degree from Washington University in St. Louis and 20 years experience in the fashion business in Los Angeles and New York. Ms Stolz created the costumes for an impressive list of over 15 films and TV shows, including The Big Easy, Great Balls of Fire, The Hot Spot, and most recently for Pamela Anderson Lee and other cast members in 10 episodes of VIP, a Fox/Sony TV series. Ms Stolz also designed costumes for the Meat Loaf biography movie for VH-1. This project was a special challenge, as the movie covered a time span of 40 years and was shot in only 20 days. Ms Stolz has a wealth of expertise to bring to FIDM's great new program!

For general information about the program, please contact the Admissions office at 800.624.1200. Current FIDM students and Alumni should contact Mary Kay Stolz directly at the number above, extension 3040.