|  |
|
|
| |
|
WB Host: Warner Bros. Online presents: Cybertalk! Welcome to our live chat with La Femme Nikita costume designer Laurie Drew! Laurie attended Brock University in Toronto until she toured Europe for awhile. She then opened up a swimwear boutique in Key West Florida where her designs were picked up for a wholesale line! She eventually made her way back to Toronto where she apprenticed for several low budget features. Well, let's get on with the chat! Please join us in welcoming Laurie Drew! Welcome Laurie!
LA FEMME NIKITA CONVENTION - 10/3/98 Laurie Drew: It's great to be here! Thanks for the invitation, guys!
WB Host: Let's start the questions rolling!
Justice3 asks: What input do Roy and Peta have on what clothing they wear in each episode.
Laurie Drew: I always give them a range, and depending on how the scene is locked, because they usually block a scene prior to changing for it. So they will block it and get a real feel for the mood. From the choices that I have got provided, we will pick something together that feels the most appropriate. You never know how they are going to block it or emphasizing. Or what mood you really want to create or feeling to project until you walk through it. Then when you know that, you are better equipped to make the choice. It is something we work out together in the fitting. it all happens pretty much on the fly I feel better if I have a few choices so we have that range.
Methos 3 asks: Which character is hardest to outfit?
Laurie Drew: You know, I don't think there is one! There's something about all of them that is compelling. There is something about each one of them that keeps you intrigued. They are never static, we are always changing and evolving, so there's something there in each of them that keeps the appetite happening.
Nancy127 asks: Welcome! thanks for the great choices! two words for Roy's clothes, though: More Lycra]
Laurie Drew laughs
Laurie Drew: I know that the favorite piece at the auction is his combat mission pants.. and they are 100% lycra!
Ashly1999 asks: what does she do in her spare time?
Laurie Drew: I had four months off and I spent it at a cottage on the lake. I did a lot of water painting. I have 2 terriers that I hike with. A lot of swimming and I put on 15 lbs! The series work is so stressful, so I'm usually way under, so I'm happy to put on weight! But my favorite thing in the world is traveling. I have to wait until I'm through with a series and doing movies again. Also I cook! I cook Italian
Iolanthe: How has your idea of Nikita's way of dressing changed since the first season?
Laurie Drew: We talked about that here today too. She started off very rebellious, and resentful of the situation she was in. Therefore, you know, we showed that a lot through the clothes. There was a lot of street influence in her own casual clothes. Now as she's getting a little smarter about it, she wants to express as little of herself as possible as a means of protection. I think she will conform more to code, which doesn't allow too much of herself to be known. She can manipulate them more than the reverse. I think it will be a little more formal.
Iolanthe: Do you take inspiration from the look of certain films?
Laurie Drew: I'm a real fan of French/European films. I think French films specifically for this show. Just the general feeling of all of them, which is not driven by action but more by mood.
EauClaire asks: What are some of the actors favorite outfits?
Laurie Drew: Peta's prada combat mission boots, she's worn for 2 seasons and finally we had to throw them out. Prada is an Italian designer. We had a great pair of mission boots and they were pony skin, and she just wore those to death! Now we are looking to replace them but we can't find anything to replace them! Roy's suit has to fit like a glove, and it does. Other than that, there's no real diversity. In terms of Roy, then, he needs an absolutely perfect fit. He wears Jean Paul Gaultier.
EauClaire asks: Can Madeline get more flattering dresses? She always wears dark gray and black.
Laurie Drew: Do you want color? Hmmm.. I'll keep that in mind.
Charlene asks: What do you think of fan reaction to certain costume items like the tie, floppy hat and mission pants?
Laurie Drew: I just feel really supported by the fans' energy and dynamic! It's pretty powerful. I had no idea it was so widespread. I am also shocked at the amount of ladies here that are totally in love with Roy ~ I think it's great! Therefore, all of his signature pieces are like such prizes.
WB Host: Hey Nikita fans! Did you know that Laurie received the Gemini award for her work on La Femme Nikita! This honor is equivalent to winning an Emmy here in the United States! Congratulations Laurie!
Laurie Drew: Thank you so much!
Mugri asks: Do you choose accessories too? Like glasses?
Laurie Drew: Oh yeah, everything.
Nancy127 asks: what outfit are you most proud of, for Nikita?
Laurie Drew: Oh boy. That's a hard one! I'll try and think about it.
Nancy127 asks: where on earth do you find Don's clothes or are they his own?
Laurie Drew: A lot of them are vintage mixed up with retail.
YadaBabe says: Laurie- congrats on the award- tell us how you feel!
Laurie Drew: Reallllllllllly good! warm and fuzzy! And a little bit hung over
Laurie Drew laughs
Elizabeth Wills asks: I just love the purses and high heels this year! What inspired you on this particular fashion statement?? And the gloves??
Laurie Drew: The shoes have always been a problem because we don't use platforms or chunky heels Its really hard to find the high heels. So that's always taken up so much of our time tracking and sourcing and pulling that stuff in. We're getting boots sent in from Italy this year. The new little spy boots. So yeah, we have to really work hard on those.
EauClaire asks: Has Roy grown his hair back for season 3?
Laurie Drew: That decision is being made as we speak ~ can't say for sure.
Visco asks: "Will Birkoff have a more mature wardrobe in Season 3?"
Laurie Drew: Yeah, he's evolving a bit. He's still going to be influenced by street fashion, but, it's going to be refined a bit.
Mugri asks: Do you have a favourite costume designer whose work you follow?
Laurie Drew: It changes seasonally. This year we really like a designer called Ennio whose line is called Costume Nationale. We're going to get a few pieces of theirs. To use as her section look for Peta.
Nancy127 asks: when do you start finding the clothes, -- do you have to wait for individual scripts?
Laurie Drew: Yeah, wait for the script. Read it, have a couple of meetings with Joel in LA over the phone, the director who is in-house for that episode and the production designer Rocco . We have those meetings. Then I speak to Peta and hatch out some rough ideas. And then I start to pull it together. And then we make the choices on the day just prior to shooting. Usually you have a closet for each character and you reuse that.. but on this show, especially with Peta, we can't. We can't repeat too often, so we have to keep renewing her clothes. So often it is last minute.
Justice3 asks: What episode was most challenging in terms of selecting the costumes to fit the mood of the scenes and the characters?
Laurie Drew: I hate mundanes stuff. That's always difficult. I cant remember the name of it.. Psychic Pilgrim I think.. she had to be the normal suburban housewife that was really hard. We still tried to keep a kind of feeling that we could all recognize as hers but yet make her convincing as someone different. That was hard.
Iolanthe asks: What happens to the clothes after the show is done with them?
Laurie Drew: We keep them. We're running out of room! Maybe an Internet charity auction some day... maybe.
Nancy127 asks: have you any favorite new designers for Season 3
Laurie Drew: We're just starting at this point, so it's going to be a couple more weeks before we get going. We're starting to build a couple of jackets for Nikita.. little leather numbers. I'm going to redo background Section ops. Im seeing Roy this week. We have our one and only fitting. I have him for about 3 hours on Wednesday That's about all the time we get with him.
Iolanthe: Do you always watch the show Laurie?
Laurie Drew: I watch the dailies every day. If I can, if I am home in time, I'll try and catch it. Often I have to watch it just at the office. Which means I watch it in the editing suite.
YadaBabe asks: hey Laurie! love your work- what would you like to see with the show ( costume wise)?
Laurie Drew: One thing I would like to see is more wide shots with the show. Because I think Rocco's sets are amazing and Id like to get more of a feeling of the mood and ambiance of where we are at, the world. I think that may be happening in the 3rd season, so I'm really happy about that.
YadaBabeasks: Hey Laurie-- How do you relax?
Laurie Drew: I love massage! If I can grab any spa time, I do! Or if I can get up north to cottage country.. any chance I get for 2-3 days in a row, Ill go up there.
Mugri asks: Are Nikita's and Birkoff glasses just plain glass or are they ... optical?
Laurie Drew: They are non-reflective finish. Birkoff's are prescription as well.
Visco asks: "I love the leather outfits Nikita wears, will Michael ever get the chance to wear one?"
Laurie Drew: Oh I hope so! I would loooove to! I bet you he would too! I have that feeling...
Quinn222 asks: have you been surprised by the attention we pay to the costumes?
Laurie Drew: very! I've never experienced anything like it! It's great! Whenever I'm making decisions I am totally aware of the fan presence. it's a great support for me, actually.
Visco asks: "Laurie, do you coordinate with the hairdresser before deciding on a costume for a scene?"
Laurie Drew: I have to really control myself because in Canada, the costume designer does not oversee hair and makeup I would LOVE to, but I would get my wrists slapped! Usually Peta coordinates that with the hair and makeup people. Peta and I do have meetings, but at that point, I have to pull back and let her take care of it. I will make an occasional suggestion but that is as far as I will take it.
Nancy127 asks: okay now we are jealous because you see Roy -- does he smelll yummmy?
Laurie Drew: He doesn't use aftershave I don't think.
Nancy127 asks: I can tell you use foreign fashion and film for inspiration..what are your favorite clothes to wear yourself?
Laurie Drew: You know what? I can't afford the clothes I would like to wear! Because the hours that we work are so long, we usually wear like just track pants, sneakers, T's, and parkas. When I go out at night, like last night I designed a dress for myself.. I have to make them because I can't afford to buy those kind of clothes.
PamelaJ asks: As far as costuming, has any embarrassing moments happened?
Laurie Drew: For me personally I'm very highly critical of my work. There have been tons and tons of moments that I wished I would have made a different choice. But overall, the department has done really well. We've never held up shooting or made a bad decision in terms of how the show is impacted. I think we have been very lucky that way. I have a really good crew of eight people that handle all the different areas of it. They are constantly working all the time, and they are very talented. We are just.. so far so good, a well-oiled machine. We've had great success I think because of that.
Visco asks: "Was Michael wearing a wedding ring in the ep. End Game, or were we seeing things?"
Laurie Drew: I can't remember, I'll have to check the continuity notes. I didn't hear anything about that! Let me think... wait a minute. Yes... somebody is on to something. And you will find out in season 3....
WB Host ponders
Elizabeth Wills asks: Will Michael ever wear color?? Is this a Laurie decision or a Roy decision?
Laurie Drew: Depending on his missions, which really do determine how he will represent himself, we may or may not use color on him. As his character in Section, he prefers to be in the uniform as much as possible, and I agree with him. It's more mysterious. And then when you do get glimpses of his more personal life, which we will in season 3, it's just more enticing.
Iolanthe asks: Have you and Peta ever gone shopping together?
Laurie Drew: Oh yeah! Not too much anymore though ~ she's so busy. She's doing an awfully lot of still shoots and spreads so her time is really taken up now that she getting so popular. We pretty much shop for her now.
EauClaire asks: Why does Operations wear so many turtlenecks?
Laurie Drew: It served as an option to the business look. But I find that I am tiring of that look and he's going to be a little more fashion conscious. You are going to see a change in him. A big change actually.
Mugri asks: Was Walter's headband your idea?
Laurie Drew: No... I always wanted to try options, but he's very very stubborn.
WB Host : We have time for one more question today!
Nancy127 asks: what are the famous Mission Pants made of and what is the brand/designer?
Laurie Drew: They are Spyder, its a downhill ski line. With contoured padding and its 100% lycra.
WB Host: Thanks for joining us for our live chat with Laurie Drew from La Femme Nikita! Be sure and join us all weekend for convention updates at www.nikita.com! Tomorrow we will be webcasting the charity auction live at the web site! (This is not an interactive event, it is a live feed from Toronto) Be sure you download the new media player at the Nikita web site to view the auction! Thanks again for attending and have a great weekend!
|
||
|
|
|