2nd Costume Assistant, Emmerdale - Talent Pool for Freelance Opportunities

Workplace: Leeds - Filming across a 5 day week in studio and on location, depending on schedules - Weekends and Bank Holidays may be required

The team

Behind every unforgettable Emmerdale moment is a wardrobe that speaks volumes—styled with heart, character, and the charm of village life in every detail.

The role

This recruitment is for a talent pool rather than a specific vacancy. If you're successful, you'll join our pool of 2nd Costume Assistants who we'll consider for future opportunities on Emmerdale as they arise.  Joining the talent pool doesn't guarantee an offer of work, but it means we'll be able to contact you when suitable freelance opportunities become available.

The 2nd Costume Assistant is a vital fast-paced role at the heart of Emmerdale’s Costume Department, demanding meticulous organisation skills and the ability to thrive under pressure- assisting the Costume Supervisor, 1st Costume Assistant and the Costume Design Office. The role involves reading and breaking down scripts to create the 2nd Costume Assistant files -  marking up call sheets to manage artists' timings, plot costume changes and crossovers - prepare and note every item required for the day's filming before the artists arrival. 

This position involves maintaining flawless visual continuity for supporting and principal artists when required, noting every detail from brands to jewellery in the 2nd costume assistant files. The 2nd costume assistant is the essential link, facilitating costume cross-overs between units, managing last-minute schedule changes, assuming responsibility for Principal Artists in the Costume Supervisor's absence. 

This role is  a key part of the Emmerdale Costume Team, ensuring Emmerdale always looks its best.

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• Filming experience as a costume standby.
• Experience in TV drama with an awareness of production methods and challenges. 
• Proven experience of working as a Costume Stand By/Costume Assistant.
• Ability to sew and carry out any minor alterations to costumes. 
• Excellent communication skills - Ability to communicate effectively across multi disciplinary levels; adjusting accordingly 
• A strong visual acuity and meticulous attention to detail is required to accurately record and maintain costume continuity, including the ability to identify and differentiate between colour and shade variations of fabrics and costume elements.
• Able to work long and unsociable hours, including weekends, bank holidays where necessary. 
• You must have the knowledge and experience of how to lift and carry safely. i.e carrying costumes and manoeuvring heavy clothes rails. 
• Working across a variety of filming units, which will involve working with different teams 
• Working with multiple directors across the day, picking up scenes from other units. 
• Requirement to work between assigned blocks when rostered. 
• Provide wet weather cover on location

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• A high degree of creative and organisation skills. 
• Good time management skills, able to work under pressure to tight deadlines. 
• Able to think on your feet - adapting accordingly to last minute schedule changes. 
• Positive, proactive approach in dealing with cast assuring discretion at all times. 
• Able to take clear concise notes that can be quickly read and interpreted by other team members. 
• Accurate eye for detail. 
• Resourceful
• Full driving licence is preferred (or equivalent arrangements as part of a reasonable adjustment where a disability has been disclosed)
• IT Skills - Ability to use Google Suite