26 QMYOU / Graduate Interview
Costume designer lands role on Hollywood blockbuster ‘ Gravity ’
Ruth George , BA ( Hons ) Costume Design and Construction , graduated 2010 .
Ruth George at the Olivier Awards celebrating the costume design success of the musical ‘ Top Hat ’.
NOT MANY GRADUATES can say that they have designed costumes for A-listers George Clooney and Sandra Bullock , but Ruth George hit the big time almost immediately after graduating from QMU , when she created the astronaut costumes for the technically dazzling film ‘ Gravity ’. Although the film is only recently out in the US and the UK , Ruth worked on the project almost three years ago . She gives us an insight into her work on the movie as well as her current theatrical connections with David Tennant .
How did you get the ‘ Gravity ’ job ?
I worked on ‘ Treasure Island ’, a two part TV feature film starring the comedian and actor Eddie Izzard and Rupert Penry-Jones . One of the cutters that I worked with on that production put my name forward for ‘ Gravity ’ and it all spiralled from there . I worked as a stitcher alongside a team of cutters and designers to develop the space suits worn by Clooney and Bullock .
What were some of the challenges on the ‘ Gravity ’ project ?
The suits had to look as if they really were being worn in outer space , so no part of the costume could look as if it were being pulled down by gravity . In order to portray this anti-gravity look , we had to develop undergarments , consisting of tubes , which helped the suits sit correctly and created a bulkiness that slightly restricted the actors ’ movements . The construction of the costumes had to help the actors look as if they were moving in outer space . The project was unique and technically challenging - it involved a lot of trial and error . Our team had to make several suits for the actors and stunt doubles just in case anything went wrong . I also learned to use larger scale industrial machinery and developed new techniques , rather than concentrating on the hand-sewing that I would normally do .
Did you have any memorable moments on the project ?
It was great seeing some of the props and machinery that were used to create the movie , particularly the flying contraptions that Sandra Bullock was strapped to . It threw her around the set as if she was let loose in outer space . The costumes had to stand up to this type of harsh treatment . Unfortunately I did not get to do the fitting for George Clooney , but I did get to meet Sandra Bullock briefly . I feel extremely privileged to have worked on such an interesting project . My work covered an eight week span before filming began . It ’ s weird that you can work on a project but not actually see the end result until three years down the line .
What has been your most current project ?
I was Wardrobe Deputy with the Royal Shakespeare Company on a theatre production of Richard II . The play , which starred actor David Tennant , was running in Stratford . We then took it to the Barbican in London where it ran until the end of January . My role for this production included maintaining and laundering costumes and having everything ready for the actors .
Tell us about some of your other successes ?
I worked in wardrobe on the hugely successful musical ‘ Top Hat ’ in London ’ s West End . It is very humbling to have worked on a show that has won so many awards , but the most important to me was the Olivier Award in the Best Costume Design category .
How did you break into film ?
It started at QMU when my lecturer , Maggie Scobbie , took me on placement with her to work on a film in Ireland . I worked as a dresser on the film ‘ Cracks ’, which is about an elite allgirls boarding school . Maggie then helped me get the job with ‘ Treasure Island ’. One of the great things about costume design at QMU is that the staff - people like Maggie Kennedy - have excellent industry connections . The early opportunities that I was given on my course really propelled me very quickly into the film industry . ❒
26 QMYOU / Graduate Interview