This week’s episode features my talented friend and colleague, Costume Designer Katie Irish.  We dig into her roots in theatre (she also started off college pre-med just like myself!) and her transition into film and tv which included taking over designing The Americans. We talk about our union work in United Scenic Artists Local 829 - especially as she and I have been two of the co-chairs of the Pay Equity Task Force for several years. We discuss our recent contract negotiation and the gains made and what more still need to do: especially in regards to our amazing ACDs and CDCs. We also cover her most recent show Manhunt, a 19th Century feast for the eyes, and how she started her research of a period that’s quite removed from our present day. And so much more! 

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If you head on over to the Patreon, you'll see that I release episodes there two days before the main podcast feed and some of these episodes will be longer with more even more stories than the public version. If you want to support me and this podcast, feel free to buy me a coffee on ko-fi or subscribe to the Patreon. 

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Costume Designer Katie Irish

Credits include: The Americans, Manhunt, Hit & Run, The Enemy Within

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Katie Irish is a costume designer best known for her work on seasons 4-6 of the Emmy award winning FX series The Americans. Her most recent project is a miniseries for Apple + entitled Manhunt about the search for John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated Lincoln. In addition to these, Irish has designed Hit & Run for Netflix and The Enemy Within for NBC; the indie features The Widowers and Landing Up; and co-designed the Season 10 semi-finals and finale of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. She has also designed numerous commercials, short films, and music videos. Earlier in her career, she worked extensively as an assistant and associate designer on Broadway where favorites included Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Jerusalem, Fences, Promises, Promises, The Seagull, Is He Dead?, and Shrek. Originally from Memphis, Katie is an alum of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a MFA in Design for Stage and Film.

Katie Irish Links:

Website: katieirish.com

Instagram: @knirish

IMDb: Katie Irish

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

IATSE IG: @iatse

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This week’s episode features the incredible Director, Writer, Producer Tina Mabry, who I was lucky enough to work with on our film The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat from Searchlight Pictures which just premiered on Hulu in August. Not only do we dig into our work together on The Supremes, we also cover a wide array of topics from cultivating a kindness and respect on set, jumping into directing episodes of television on established tv shows, to coming up with the spark of an idea for a script to and what happens when you a have to cut a two page monologue in favor of a wordless scene so you can make your day. Spoiler alert, it ends up being the right choice. Also, this episode is essential for all those starting out in the industry as Tina gives so much incredible advice. She is such an inspiration!

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If you head on over to the Patreon, there’s an extended cut of this episode. I release episodes there two days before the main podcast feed and these episodes will be longer with more even more stories. If you want to support me and this podcast, feel free to buy me a coffee on ko-fi or subscribe to the Patreon. Thanks for your patience during this past two week delay in getting this episode out: work has been all encompassing the past couple months and will continue to be through February. I’m getting episodes out as quickly as I can! 

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Director, Writer, Producer Tina Mabry

Credits include: writing and directing The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat & Mississippi Damned, serving as a writer, producer and director for both tv series Queen Sugar and Queen of the South, directing episodes of television including Pose, Women of the Movement, and Insecure.

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Tina Mabry, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, is an award-winning writer, producer, and director. She earned her MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. She is known for her work on "Queen Sugar" and on "Queen of the South," where she served as a writer, producer, and director for both series. Her directing credits include "Insecure" (HBO), "Dear White People" (Netflix), and "Pose" (FX). Tina’s feature film "Mississippi Damned" won over 13 festival awards. She has received a DGA Award and an NAACP Image Award. Her latest project, "The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat," starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, and Uzo Aduba is available to stream on Hulu.

Tina Mabry Links:

Instagram: @tinamabry

Twitter: @tinamabry

IMDb: Tina Mabry

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

IATSE IG: @iatse

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Today’s episode features Production Designer Kara Lindstrom, who I was lucky enough to work with on our film The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat from Searchlight Pictures which just premiered on Hulu in August. Her impressive and varied career has seen her work as a Set Decorator, Art Director, Screenwriter & Novelist in addition to Production Design. Not only do we dig into our work together on The Supremes, we also cover her beginnings starting with a mentorship from Polly Platt to her career today and what it took to design clean mud and construct trees for her Predator film Prey. And guess what iconic horror film just happened to be her first film job? You’ll have to listen to find out! If you head on over to the Patreon, there’s an extended cut of this episode with even more stories. I also usually release episodes there two days early!

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Production Designer Kara Lindstrom

Credits include: The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, Prey, Dear John, Den of Thieves and the upcoming film Novocaine. 

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Kara Lindstrom has worked as a novelist, screenwriter, set decorator and production designer for film and television. She was nominated for an Emmy in writing and has been noticed by Variety as “One of 10 Screenwriters to Watch.” Her novel, Sparkle Life was published in 2006 (Other Press). Shorter fiction has been published in Bridge Eight and Black Clock. Twice, she has been a two-time prize winner in the Islands Short Fiction Review (British Columbia, Canada). She has written for many studios, including Paramount, MGM, Universal, DreamWorks, HBO and Warner Brothers. As a set decorator, art director and production designer, she has worked on dozens of projects, including Heathers, French Kiss, Strange Days, The Mambo Kings, Den of Thieves, Dear John, Prey, Nyad, Novocaine. When she’s not working on location, she lives in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Kara Lindstrom Link:

KL Website: karalindstrom.com

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

IATSE IG: @iatse

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Slightly delayed episode release today! I’ve been quite busy designing my current film which takes priority! A million thanks to my dear friend Corey Culp (also a Patreon member!) for editing this episode for me and helping make it sound fantastic. 

Today’s episode features Costume Designer and Fashion Stylist Lisa Smedley-Calderon. We talk about her start in the entertainment industry as a fashion stylist for many musical artists including Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Boyz II Men. We dig into how styling and costume design are two very different jobs that sometimes intersect. Lisa shares what it was like when she had to leave the industry for a decade to take care of her ailing parents and how she decided to transition fully into costume design when she returned. She built her experience by working as a buyer, a costumer, and an ACD on a multitude of projects before starting to head her own teams as a costume designer. If you head on over to the Patreon, there’s an extended cut of this episode with even more stories. I also release episodes there two days early!

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Costume Designer Lisa Smedley-Calderon

Credits include: Color Book, The Waterboyz, Cinnamon, Karen, The First Noelle, How The Gringo Stole Christmas, The Ice Cream Man

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Lisa Smedley-Calderon, Costume Designer and Fashion Stylist, has built an impressive reputation from styling, creating images for legendary celebrities, to creating characters for commercials, TV series and movies. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, it was her move to California that propelled a whirlwind of working with some of the greatest artists in the entertainment industry. Lisa became known for cultivating styles unique to each clients’ personality while adding a hint of her own quirks. Her acute attention to detail marks her signature touch.

While completing her studies in Fashion Merchandising, Lisa became a fashion consultant for Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. While at Saks Fifth, she was referred to the Crystal Agency and began assistant styling and later styling independently as one of the most sought after fashion stylists and is presently working in movies and TV series. Lisa has styled for artists such as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, and Color Me Badd, as well as award shows such as the Grammy’s, American Music Awards, Billboard and MTV Awards. Lisa has evolved in her career as a costume designer on movies and TV series with A-List celebrities. Now with over 20 years of experience in the film and TV industry, Lisa continues to have the same drive and passion she did 20 years ago. When not on a project, Lisa likes to read, travel, and spend time with family.

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Lisa Smedley-Calderon Links:

LSC Website: fashionstylingbylisa.com

Instagram: @lisaloveslife0229

IMDb: Lisa Smedley-Calderon

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

IATSE IG: @iatse

Today’s episode features the Costume Designer Michelle A. Green. We first met through our advocacy work as members of Costume Designers Guild Pay Equity Committee. We cover many topics including the joy of finding the character in the fitting room, the importance of safety, staying true to yourself, as well as making sure our actors in period projects have those trousers pulled up fully to their actual waists! If you head on over to the Patreon, there’s an extended cut of this episode with eight more minutes of stories. 

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Costume Designer Michelle Green

Credits include: Queen Sugar, 13 Reasons Why, Son of the South, Valor, Parish

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Michelle Green is a costume designer who has worked on numerous productions with Netflix, Starz, AMC, and WB. Michelle's work is synonymous with great storytelling. A true artist at heart, Michelle approaches each project with unwavering dedication and a keen eye for detail. Her hands-on approach ensures that every costume not only complements the character but also elevates the storytelling experience. From meticulously selecting fabrics to crafting bespoke designs, Michelle's commitment to excellence shines through in every stitch.

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Michelle Green Links:

MG Website: michelledesign.net

Instagram: @m.costume.g

IMDb: Michelle Green

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

#NakedWithoutUs Website

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force IG: @usa829payequity

IATSE IG: @iatse

Hello everyone! Today’s episode features the Visual Effects Supervisor and Visual Effects Producer Robert Stadd. I was fortunate enough to collaborate with Robert on our Netflix film We Have A Ghost. We get into some fascinating discussions about his work in VFX including the intersection of VFX and Costumes (especially on We Have A Ghost!) as well as covering his extensive film career, and the reasons he turned down Titanic and The Matrix! Also tune in to hear about working on the miniatures for The Crow & Crimson Tide as well how he made a monkey look like he’s smoking for The Hangover. If you head on over to the Patreon, there’s an extended version of the episode with more tales, like working with Michael Mann, designing his favorite shot from Miami Vice and how some Navy Seals accidentally had their hair turn green on Crimson Tide. 

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VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer Robert Stadd

Credits include: War Dogs, The Hangover Part 2 & Part 3, The Laundromat, Ali, Collateral, Miami Vice, and Public Enemies

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Robert Stadd has supervised and produced the visual effects for We Have a Ghost, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting, The Laundromat, Mortal Engines, War Dogs,  Hangover Part 2 and Part 3, Public Enemies, Miami Vice, Redline, Collateral, Ali, as well as producing the VFX for Nutty Professor (I & II),  Galaxy Quest, Liar Liar, Mighty Joe Young, My Fellow Americans, The Crow, Crimson Tide, The Mask, Hot Shots!, Defending Your Life

Stadd directed Alien Siege for the Sy-Fi Channel, which had their highest viewership in five years when it played.  He has directed theater at the Off Main Street theater in Santa Monica as well as the Globe Playhouse in West Hollywood.  His webisode, The Ballad of Mary and Ernie has won multiple streaming awards.

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Robert Stadd Links:

Instagram: @robertstadd

Twitter: @rstadds

IMDb: Robert Stadd

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

IMDb: Whitney Anne Adams

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

#NakedWithoutUs Website

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force IG: @usa829payequity

IATSE IG: @iatse

We are BACK! 

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Hello everyone, hope you are all having a wonderful summer so far. It has been such busy and overwhelming year for me, so I unfortunately haven’t been able to get a new episode out til now despite my best efforts. Still a one-woman operation over here! Thrilled to be releasing this fantastic conversation with my dear friend and colleague, the phenomenal Costume Designer Daniel Selon. In addition to being a CD, he has also worked extensively as an Assistant Costume Designer and other roles in the costume department. We discuss so many things, including how we break down a script, the way we build our teams, the way we build our teams, the importance of ACDs, the unusual places inspiration can strike, working in the Marvel universe, and of course CDG Pay Equity as we are one half of the Steering Committee of the CDG Pay Equity Committee. 

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Costume Designer & Assistant Costume Designer Daniel Selon

CD Credits include: Agatha All Along, Dave Made a Maze, numerous projects with comedians Rhett and Link including Good Mythical Morning

ACD Credits include: WandaVision (he’s an Emmy winner!), Thor: Love and Thunder, Blue Beetle, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

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Daniel Selon Links:

Website: danielselon.com

Instagram: @danielselon

Twitter: @danselon

IMDb: Daniel Selon

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Union Links:

#NakedWithoutUs Website

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force IG: @usa829payequity

IATSE IG: @iatse

This week’s episode features the imaginative and talented Costume Designer Vera Chow! We had so much fun talking about how we first met, the difference between working in NYC and then working outside of NYC, AAPI representation in filmed media, dealing with tough situations on set, and so much more! I really hope you enjoy this one. 

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Costume Designer Vera Chow

Credits include: The Brothers Sun | The Walking Dead | Boogie | Deadbeat

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Vera Chow is a costume designer currently most known for her work on Seasons 10 and 11 of AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix's action/dramedy The Brothers Sun, starring Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh.

Film, Art and Design, was young Vera's coping mechanism for bullying while growing up as a child in Hong Kong. Therefore, determined to move to the US, she knew she wanted to be a Costume Designer since she was 13.  Throughout the 15+ years of her career, Chow has worked on films and series worldwide, spanning from North America, South America, to as far as East Asia and Central Asia. She has covered genres from horror to scifi to romantic comedies, comfortably leaping back and forth from 1 million art films to 100 mill epics. 

Vera is known for her penchant to acquire anything from thrift store pieces to bedsheets, and taking everything apart and rebuilding them into entirely reimagined costume changes (to the chagrin of her tailors and agers). 

And as Vera's experience grew, she also became an outspoken advocate for AAPI representation for below the line film workers.

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Vera Chow Links:

Website: verachowdesigns.com

Instagram: @verachowdesigns

Twitter: @verachowdesigns

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Pay Equity Links:

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild IG: @cdglocal892

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force IG: @usa829payequity

United Scenic Artists Local 829 IG: @unitedscenicartists

I am so excited to welcome wonderful Production Designer Cheyenne Ford to the show today. We’ve worked together on multiple projects including Story Ave, The Caretaker, and The Eyes of My Mother. Cheyenne is also the founder and program director of Art Craft NYC, a program that provides knowledge and training to those interested in becoming entry level in the art department. Applications for the inaugural class are currently open until Saturday April 6th. Head over to their page to get more info! 

We had a great conversation that covered so much ground, from mentorship and education to her design process to how much we love the library! And so much more. 

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Production Designer Cheyenne Ford

Credits include: Shiva Baby | Story Ave | Miller’s Girl 

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Originally hailing from New Orleans, Cheyenne Ford is a New York City based Production Designer for film and advertising. Her eclectic art dept experience has influenced her process on indie favorites like Shiva Baby, the SXSW 2023 World Premiering Story Ave, and Lionsgate and Point Grey produced Miller's Girl starring Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman. When she’s not on set, she’s often working with various organizations to educate and mentor newcomers interested in the art department. Most notably, she is set to launch Art Craft NYC, a month-long hands-on training program, with the inaugural class scheduled for Summer 2024. 

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Cheyenne Ford Links:

Cheyenne Ford Website: cheyennedesign.co

CF Instagram: @cheyenne_design

Art Craft NYC Website

Art Craft NYC Instagram: @artcraftnyc

IMDb: Cheyenne Ford

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Pay Equity Links:

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild Instagram: @cdglocal892

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force Instagram: @usa829payequity

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force Twitter: @usa829payequity

United Scenic Artists Local 829 Instagram: @unitedscenicartists

United Scenic Artists Local 829 Twitter: @USA829IATSE

Today’s episode features a fantastic Costumer, Alesha D. Mitchell! Alesha and I met when she was my key/truck costumer on our film The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat. We had a great conversation of wide ranging topics from physically demanding days on set, taking care of ourselves in this industry, money smarts, the difference between and Costumer and a Costume Designer and so much more. We also talked about her YourTube channel: Behind the Scenes and Below the Line. Check out the links below to learn more. 

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If you want to support me and this podcast, feel free to buy me a coffee on ko-fi or subscribe to the Patreon and get the episodes two days earlier. These links and the link to the show on all your favorite podcast players is in our IG bio.

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Costumer Alesha D. Mitchell

Credits include: The Underground Railroad | Father of the Bride | Legacies | Collection | The Devil all the Time | The Fanatic

As well as the upcoming films Shirley | Gladiator 2 | The Life of Chuck | The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat

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Alesha Mitchell is just here to serve the people! Alesha is a union member with nearly a decade of experience in the film and television industry. 

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Alesha D. Mitchell Links:

YouTube Channel: Behind the Scenes and Below the Line (@AleshaDMitchell)

Instagram: @aleshadmitchell   

TikTok: @aleshadmitchell

Facebook: @alesha.mitchell.73

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TFACD Links:

Patreon: Tales From A Costume Designer

Instagram: @talesfromacostumedesigner

Twitter: @talesfromaCD

TikTok: @talesfromaCD

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Whitney Anne Adams Links:

Website: whitneyadams.com

Instagram: @WAACostumeDesign

Twitter: @WhitneyAAdams

TikTok: @waacostumedesign

Ko-Fi: @waacostumedesign

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Pay Equity Links:

Pay Equity Now IG: @payequitynow

Pay Equity Now TikTok: @payequitynow

Costume Designers Guild Instagram: @cdglocal892

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force Instagram: @usa829payequity

Local USA 829 Pay Equity Task Force Twitter: @usa829payequity

United Scenic Artists Local 829 Instagram: @unitedscenicartists

United Scenic Artists Local 829 Twitter: @USA829IATSE