Charting Every Thread for Continuity
A costume plot is the master organizational tool for a film’s wardrobe department. It is a comprehensive spreadsheet or chart that meticulously tracks what every character is wearing in every single scene. The primary function of the costume plot is to ensure continuity. If a character is wearing a blue tie in the master shot of a scene, the costume plot ensures they are still wearing that same blue tie in the close-up, even if that close-up is filmed days or weeks later.
The Structure of the Plot
The plot is typically organized as a grid:
- The Y-Axis (Rows): Lists every single speaking character in the film.
- The X-Axis (Columns): Lists every scene number in the script.
In the cell where a character and scene intersect, the Costume Designer or Wardrobe Supervisor will detail every component of the character’s outfit for that specific scene. This includes not just the main garments but also accessories like jewelry, hats, shoes, and bags. The plot will also contain crucial notes for continuity, such as ‘Shirt has a coffee stain after this scene’ or ‘Jacket is torn during the fight.’ This allows the wardrobe team to prepare ‘distressed’ or altered versions of the costume for later scenes. For large productions with thousands of costume pieces, the costume plot is an absolutely indispensable document.