Feb 05 2009
Becoming a Professional Costumer: The Cons
Before we talk about how awesome it would be to work on costumes all day, let’s consider the down side. There are some negatives aspects to becoming a costumer. I work part-time as a professional freelance writer and spend my days as a full-time production editor. I love writing (if I didn’t, 14 hour workdays plus writing-related grad school would be out of the question), but I have to be mindful of my level of enjoyment–why bother with this job if it isn’t fun anymore? Anyone who makes a living off of his or her creative craft can really only learn about this by experience. Here are some drawbacks to becoming a professional costumer:
- Your ‘for fun’ costuming time may be taken up by work time, leaving you with a feeling of exhaustion when it comes time for your own pet projects.
- Most conventions do not allow professional costumers to enter costume contests.
- On the subject of conventions, you might not be able to enjoy them as much–as a professional costumer, conventions and other social gatherings involving costumes are not just fun events anymore–they’re marketing and networking opportunities. The same goes for renaissance faires. Also, if you are a vendor at an event, you or someone you trust/employ will have to man the booth at all times, limiting the time you have to enjoy yourself at the event.
- Health insurance is very expensive and not exactly comprehensive if you need to pay out of pocket.
- Being a networker/social butterfly at all times can and will get exhausting, no matter how much you enjoy it.
- You’ll have customers, and customers have specific requirements, take a lot of time, and can complain. Some customers will be gracious and understanding, others will not.
- Regardless of what anyone else says, costuming is a deadline-oriented business when done professionally. To push back a deadline is quite honestly unprofessional. I get ahead in the publishing world because I deliver on or before deadlines constantly and consistently. It zaps a lot of energy to do this, but my clients, customers, and authors are happier for it.
- Just like any other job, costuming demands a lot from your family, friends, and your significant other. Once you do this full time, it will cause guilt, even if it doesn’t really bother the other people in your life.
Check back tomorrow for the pros of becoming a professional costumer!
