Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Period Research • Hand Stitching • Quick Change

Character Breakdown

Term from Costume Design industry explained for recruiters

A Character Breakdown is a detailed list that costume designers use to understand all the clothing and accessories needed for each character in a production. It's like a master planning document that shows what each character should wear in every scene. This helps costume designers plan their work, budget, and schedule. The breakdown includes information about costume changes, the time period of the show, and special requirements like quick changes between scenes. It's a fundamental tool used in theater, film, and television productions to organize and track costume needs.

Examples in Resumes

Created detailed Character Breakdown for 30+ characters in a period drama production

Managed costume inventory using Character Breakdowns for multiple concurrent theater productions

Developed Character Breakdown sheets that improved costume change efficiency by 40%

Typical job title: "Costume Designers"

Also try searching for:

Costume Designer Wardrobe Supervisor Theater Costumer Film Costumer Wardrobe Manager Costume Coordinator Assistant Costume Designer

Where to Find Costume Designers

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage a complex Character Breakdown for a large production with multiple costume changes?

Expected Answer: A senior costume designer should discuss their system for tracking multiple characters, organizing quick changes, managing budgets, and coordinating with the wardrobe team. They should mention using spreadsheets or specialized software and explain how they handle last-minute script changes.

Q: Tell me about a time when you had to revise a Character Breakdown due to budget constraints.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate problem-solving abilities, discussing how they prioritized essential costumes, found creative solutions for reusing pieces, and negotiated with production teams while maintaining the artistic vision.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you create a Character Breakdown that can be easily understood by your wardrobe team?

Expected Answer: Should explain their method for organizing information clearly, including how they note costume changes, maintenance requirements, and special handling instructions for the wardrobe team.

Q: What information do you include in your Character Breakdown beyond just costume pieces?

Expected Answer: Should mention including quick change timing, maintenance notes, laundry instructions, understudy requirements, and any special effects or modifications needed for costumes.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a Character Breakdown and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that it's a detailed list of all costumes needed for each character throughout a production, and why it's essential for planning and organization.

Q: How do you start creating a Character Breakdown for a new production?

Expected Answer: Should describe the process of reading the script, noting each character's appearances, identifying costume changes, and creating an initial list of needed items.