Costume Dye & Breakdown Masterclass

Course date: Saturday 31 May | 1000 – 1300

Application deadline: Fri 23 May | 0900

Have you ever watched a film or TV drama and wondered how they got the costumes to be so dirty, distressed, or historically accurate?

The Costume Dye & Breakdown teams are a crucial part of the creative process in film and TV, helping bring characters and stories to life. They are a specialized team focussed on altering the appearance and texture of costumes, perfecting the look of battle-worn heroes or, a weathered traveller by transforming new materials into powerful story telling tools.

About Costume Dye & Breakdown Masterclass

Held in a working film and TV dye and breakdown room based in Cumbernauld, this informative and dynamic, hands-on workshop has been carefully designed by industry experts for those with an interest in the dye & breakdown process and transferable skills to learn more about the film and TV industry in Scotland, and about the opportunities within the department.

Taking place on Saturday 31 May 2025, this course is action-packed, highly interactive and tailored to help you .

What you’ll gain from attending:

> An overview of the film & TV landscape in Scotland

> An overview of the Dye & Breakdown Department including the role of a Dye & Breakdown Artist and what equipment is regularly used

> Skills needed to work in the department including dirtying fabrics and blood stains

> Get your hands dirty with hands-on practical exercises

> What to put on your CV & signposts for next steps

Meet the Hosts

Kirsty Steel

Kirsty is a professional Dye & Breakdown Artist with more than 20 years’ experience working in the Costume Department as a Costume Stand-by, Costume Supervisor, and laterally as a Senior Costume Dye & Breakdown Artist. Kirsty is known for her work on Outlander, Good Omens and Avengers, to name a few.

Lorraine Grice

Lorraine is a professional Dye & Breakdown Artist with more than 20 years’ experience working within the Costume Department across film, TV and theatre. Starting as a Costume trainee before progressing onto a Costume Assistant, Textile Artist and subsequently a Senior Dye & Breakdown Artist. Lorraine is known for her work on Royal Opera House productions, Outlander and Star Wars, amongst other productions.

Amy Shaw

Amy is the Co-Manager of BECTU Vision, with more than a decade of experience working freelance within the Production Teams in Scripted and Unscripted productions in Scotland. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities and pathways for individuals within Scotland’s vibrant Film & TV Industry.

What experience do I need to attend? 

We’re targeting those who have transferable skills including but not limited to:

> Creative

> Enjoy working with their hands

> Expressive

> Painting skills

> Interested in working with textiles and fabrics

> An interest in working in film & TV

Eligibility:

This session is specifically for those based in Scotland. Please only apply if you meet this criteria. BECTU opportunities for those in other areas of the UK can be found here: England, Wales.

Due to the nature of our funding current students are not eligible for this opportunity, however students who are due to graduate this year (2025) are welcome to apply.

Selection:

> As this is a workshop style course, there are a limited number of spaces available to allow participants the opportunity to interact and ask questions.

> Places will be given to those who demonstrate the most relevant transferable skills and greatest interest in working in film & TV for this training

> Places are provided free of charge but are worth a considerable amount. Please only apply if you can commit to attending the session.

> We have a travel and childcare fund to support anyone who may need help with these costs.

Please note the film & TV industry employs crew on freelance basis and this is not an opportunity to secure full time work, but to upskill and create connections to be a part of a talent pool that can support productions.