I have been privileged to work on five seasons of this children’s programme which was made at Yorkshire Television in Leeds.
Making television is very different from making for theatre. In theatre, you generally have six to eight weeks to produce costumes and properties for performance. With Television they make an episode a week, I would receive the request by costume designer Sue Smith on a Friday and had to have the item(s) required for Monday or Tuesday at the very latest because for the actors to rehearse in and film the episode from midweek to Friday.
You have to think on your feet, source the required materials, draft the patterns, and construct. I have made costumes for aubergines, Sophie’s space outfit made from kitchen foil, hats, dresses made of beaded curtains, and best of all, printing unusual designs for Brian’s shirts.
My Parents are Aliens
