Side Dishes: Lena Sands (Costume Designer)

Good morning, Lena. Thank you for taking the time to talk about Chasing Taste. What was it like to work on this film?
Every day working on Chasing Taste was an adventure.  Each day we got new script pages with new characters. Always, but especially in smaller parts, the costume is the first step in creating the character. So after looking at the lines and situation Sean Gannet and I would discuss and decide how we wanted to represent the character's status, whether they are funny and/or angry,  and if we are looking to surprise the audience somehow by challenging expectations. Once decided, I would send the information over to Jody Formica our makeup artist to get her on the same page. Then my fearless assistant, Lauren Boumaroun, and I went to work looking through our collection of clothes and sending countless emails with descriptive photos attached - "please wear a dress  with a little pizazz, short or long. And by the way, do you have any feather earrings?" sometimes our most outrageous requests came easily, and people responded that, no, they did not own any polos or yoga pants or sneakers. 

That's hysterical- so then you would get to set, and then what?
We would get to the set with our bags full of tricks. The party scene at the end is a huge scene with what's supposed to be a really artistic crowd, and of course everyone is dressed up. I had every party dress in my closet as well as jewelry, boas, colorful stockings and shoes. When the actors arrive each one checks in with Laura or me and we decide, are they perfect? Do they need baubles? Or do we have to start from scratch? We take photos of everyone to use for reference while ensuring the continuity of each look from take to take. 

And what is continuity for a costume designer?
Continuity means knowing every detail from how many buttons are left unbuttoned to where a necklace sits. This ensures the stability of the look from take to take, and even over numerous shooting days.  We also document who's wearing each piece meticulously in writing. We need to make sure to get it all back! 

What was the biggest challenge or the most fun for you and your team? 
Costuming Lena (the character, not me - though there was confusion sometimes) for that scene was really fun. Lena is such an eccentric character that there's a lot of room to play, she's always a bit dramatic and this is her shining moment.  Elisa Blynn knew she wanted to wear loud makeup and do her hair like the Statue of Liberty. So we picked a dress that would encapsulate that this is Lena's big moment and that she is trying a little too hard because she feels out of place. 

Well, I can't wait to see it. From what I gather, everyone had a great time working on it.
Working with everyone on this film was a great experience, but especially Sean, Jody and Lauren without whom I could not have survived. 

---