CLOSE-UP QUESTIONS
CAFTCAD members reveal their favourite horror films, iconic costumes, and their favourite items to use on set.
11 min read
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Image courtesy of Sarah “Bloodstain” Blostein.
SARAH “BLOODSTAIN” BLOSTEIN
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HORROR FILM/HORROR COSTUME AND WHY?
One of my favourite horror movies for costumes was The Cell. The costumes themselves were stunning and had an Alexander McQueen feel to them, especially juxtaposed with the dark subject matter and set design inspired by music videos directed by Floria Sigismondi and Mark Romanek. As for horrifying costumes, the Cenobite costumes, designed by Jane Wildgoose in Clive Barker's original Hellraiser, were a delicious mix between fetish wear and flesh, and flowed seamlessly into the prosthetic makeup designs of Cris Alex, Stephen Imhoff and Barker himself. I have deep respect and admiration for costumes that walk the line between the costume and prosthetic departments without being a creature or super suit. Dark City and La Cité des enfants perdus are two more in the horror/sci-fi realm with that dark and visceral feel I love. The former melds the aesthetic of film noir with something almost Gigeresque, and the latter was costume-designed by Jean Paul Gaultier! Both have an aspect of body horror and mechanized torture, which are reflected in the costumes.
Of the horror films I’ve worked on in costumes, It is probably the biggest, alongside Lullaby and two short horror films by Eli Roth: Haunted House: Trick VR Treat and Be Mine: A VR Valentine's Slasher. I have also worked on a handful of series in the horror genre like The Last of Us, Chucky and The Strain.
What horror film have you worked on?
Most of my horror film credits have been under special effects/makeup as I often do sewing and costume work for an effects shop in Toronto. Through them I have worked on movies like Ready or Not, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, The Prodigy, Slash/Back, The Windigo and more.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
There are two things: a good blood kit and a good relationship with the special effects and makeup department! Nothing takes me out enjoying a horror movie faster than bloods that don't match!
Image courtesy of Amanda Gougeon.
Amanda Gougeon
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
I'll always have a soft spot for The Craft and its costumes (designed by Deborah Everton), particularly for Nancy Downs at the height of her witch powers. The classic goth look inspired my teen self as a fashion ideal for years!
What horror film have you worked on?
Torment, assisting Designer Ruth Secord in a two-person costume department, Clean Break as on-set for Designer Adrienne Baker, and What We do in the Shadows as a Costume Swing in season two, costume designed by Amanda Neale.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Foaming shaving cream was great for removing fake blood stains on white fabric.
Image courtesy of Ginger Martini.
Ginger Martini
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
Favourite horror film: Cabin in the Woods. It takes on all the classic tropes and finds a fun and new way to include all of them.
Favourite horror costume: Chucky. The overalls and rainbow top that evil little doll wears is so iconic.
What horror film have you worked on?
In The Tall Grass for Netflix, Seeds, Scared Shitless, Portal to Hell!!!, Darknet and Home Sweet Home.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Dollarama’s Gillette shaving cream! It’s the only thing that gets all the blood and dirt off my hands. Someone told me years ago that the Gillette from the dollar store was the only thing that worked. And while it may be an old wives’ tale and be exactly the same as the Gillette you buy anywhere, I fully believe it and swear by it.
Image courtesy of Alex Kavanagh.
Alex Kavanagh
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
For costume design my favourite horror films are Bram Stoker’s Dracula (designed by Eiko Ishioka), Alien (John Mollo), Hellraiser (Joanna Johnston), Crimson Peak (Kate Hawley) and Nosferatu (Linda Muir). The characters are brought to life with incredible detail by these brilliant designers.
What horror film have you worked on?
Ginger Snaps II, Ginger Snaps III, George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead and Survival of the Dead, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, Saw 3D, Repo! The Genetic Opera, The Chair, Splice, Resident Evil: Retribution, Queen of Blood, The Dark Stranger, Pay the Ghost, Crimson Peak, The Lie, Ready Or Not and The Strain.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Blood, of course! I am a big fan of Mind Warp FX dressing blood, Fleet St. Bloodworks Drying Blood, and Ben Nye Stage Blood in Zesty Mint.
Image courtesy of Anna Pantcheva.
Anna Pantcheva
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
The red dress in In Fabric. It takes on a life and character of its own. Whether worn or not, it’s sinister and a killer.
What horror film have you worked on?
M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
A tarp.
Rafaella Rabinovich
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
Favourite costumes on horror films include Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, Rosemary’s Baby, Crimson Peak, and Midsommar, of course. A Tale of Two Sisters, directed by Kim Jee-woon, is stunning.
What horror film have you worked on?
A wonderful anthology by CW called Two Sentence Horror Stories.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Different types and shades of blood, paint and breakdown; glycerine, syringes and sponges for a variety of applications; and a phone to take continuity photos, because breakdown needs extra documentation. Plus, a great Breakdown Artist on speed dial!
Image courtesy of Tamara Rigby-Funke.
Tamara Rigby-Funke
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
The Exorcist. I was too young to see it when I saw it – truly terrifying. Best costume goes to Pinhead from Hellraiser.
What horror film have you worked on?
Cube, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Thanksgiving.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
My sanding stone: so fast, so destructive.
Image Courtesy of Marcia Scott.
Marcia Scott
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
Get Out because it was so unexpected. The satire of it all made it possible for me to sit in my seat. And who doesn't like Psycho and Jaws. His House is pretty good too. I know I was to just give one but how could I? There’s too many to choose from. Poltergeist and Carrie for nostalgia.
What horror film have you worked on?
Come Play was the first feature I costume designed. With Ritta Koleva, I created one of my favourite designs to date and what I call “Mommy Monster.” Unfortunately it had its theatrical release at the beginning of the pandemic so it was missed by audiences.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
It's not always about blood, but that's the first thing that comes to mind.
Image courtesy of Luis Sequeira.
Luis Sequeira
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
Pennywise, with over 135 pattern pieces with technical stretch elements for movement.
What horror film have you worked on?
Mama, The Thing, Carrie, It: Chapter Two and It: Welcome to Derry.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Grunge waxes, palette and brushes.
Image courtesy of Samantha Stroman.
Samantha Stroman
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
I generally love an offbeat psychological or supernatural sort of horror film as opposed to slashers and the like. Color Out of Space, Men, Talk to Me – they’re horrifying and kind of just linger with you in a beautiful way.
What horror film have you worked on?
I had the amazing opportunity to work on A24’s Heretic with Costume Designer legend Betsy Heimann. A total bucket-list project for me! And while they weren’t technically horrors, I did a ton of blood work on both Bad Times at the El Royal and Peacemaker season one. I also worked on The Last of Us season two!
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
My favourite paint brush for blood, sweat, goo, vomit, and anything gross, wet and seeping: a round Opus Bravura, size 14.
Image courtesy of Jennifer Stroud.
Jennifer StrouD
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
The Shining is my favourite horror movie of all time. Although the costumes are simple they are all so iconic in the cut and colour and shape and remain a part of popular culture all these years later. As an homage to Shelley Duvall’s character in The Shining I often will put a character in one of her looks in the films I design.
What horror film have you worked on?
I’ve worked on several horror films throughout my career. The film Vicious starring Dakota Fanning along with previous horror films The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House, The House at the End of the Street, A Nightmare Wakes, The Bottom of the World, The Monster, Level 16, Awakening the Zodiac, Girl House, Decoys, etc.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
A breakdown kit that includes many different shades and textures of blood.
Image courtesy of Allisa Swanson.
Allisa Swanson
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
The Cell. I still remember how beautiful those costumes were.
What horror film have you worked on?
Dead of Summer (TV series), The Unspoken, Troglodyte, Valentine and Cabin by The Lake.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
Blood, blood and more blood. Dirt is usually a must too, and towels.
Image courtesy of Isolda Virgínia.
Isolda Virgínia
What's your favourite horror film/horror costume and why?
It. As a person with makeup training, the use of makeup and the vibrant colours.
What's the one crucial item you have in your kit when working on a horror production?
My imagination and designs.