Collaboration Is Key in the Fitting Room

One of the fun parts of being an actor is the opportunity to wear all manner of costumes, from the mundane to the outlandish, but the fitting process can sometimes leave actors feeling vulnerable.

It’s particularly true if the actor’s gender identity, body size, body dysmorphia, disability, neurodivergence, race, age or ethnicity isn’t being respected, even if it’s being done inadvertently.  

In response to these challenges, a group of likeminded union members stepped up to create a set of guidelines for actors and costumers to ensure that everyone feels safe and there are no misunderstandings. A collaboration between members of SAG-AFTRA, the Costume Design Guild and the Motion Picture Costumers IATSE Local 705, the Fitting Room Best Practices pamphlet creates a basis for on-set cooperation between actors and costumers.

The members’ recommendations include:

• Having a pre-fitting discussion covering the performer’s preferred pronouns, any access needs they may have and color or cut preferences.
• Keeping the fitting room free of size bias, ableism and gender bias.
• Showing up wearing proper undergarments.

The pamphlet contains many more useful tips for ensuring everyone feels comfortable during what can be an awkward but necessary part of the filmmaking process. Want to learn more? Click Workplace Harassment Prevention in the Member Resources menu under the Contracts and Industry Resources tab on the main page of sagaftra.org.