Joining a Film Union · IATSE
Costume / Wardrobe: how to join IATSE
Costume and wardrobe design, build, source, and run every garment on camera. It spans the Costume Designers Guild (Local 892) and the costumers' local, joined through documented days and references.
Good to know
Costume splits by role: designers join the Costume Designers Guild, Local 892, while the wardrobe supervisors, key costumers, and set costumers who run the trailer join the costumers' local, Local 705 in Los Angeles. They are different cards for different jobs, so decide early whether you are designing the look or running it on set.
Roles in this craft
The jobs that make up this craft, each with its own page on pay, the day-to-day, and how to break in.
How to join, step by step
Know your union
- Designers join the Costume Designers Guild, Local 892; wardrobe supervisors, key costumers, and set costumers join the costumers' local, Local 705 in LA.
- Different cards for different jobs.
Decide: design it or run it
- Designers build a design portfolio and lookbooks; costumers build set and fitting-room experience.
- Both come from smaller productions first.
Work covered days
- In LA, covered days register through Contract Services; elsewhere, apply to the local.
- Non-union shows are where the days and references form.
Roster and join
- Meet your local's day and reference requirements to join.
- Keep call sheets and pay stubs.
What you’ll need
- Documented workdays: call sheets and pay stubs from every show
- References (Georgia's 479 wants four; two from active members)
- Application + initiation funds (479: about $100 + $1,400)
- Residency proof where required (479: about 18 months in GA/AL)
Find your local
IATSE membership runs through a local for your market. Look up the one that covers where you work on the union’s site.