The Advanced Diploma of Costume for Performance is available to those students who demonstrate potential for, and wish to acquire expertise in the technical and production aspects of the entertainment industry. The program is structured to provide skills and experience consistent with the growing needs of the entertainment industry. The skills and knowledge gained will assist graduates to find employment in the following areas:

• Art Finishing
• Costume Making
• Makeup and Wigs
• Millinery
• Sculptured Costumes

Units are structured to provide training in the techniques and processes required for the construction of costumes and accessories for theatre and film. These units include pattern drafting and costume construction. Students also gain skills in the coordination of costumes for production, which incorporates budgeting, wardrobe maintenance and dressing. Other aspects of training include costume management, drawing, sculptured costumes, art finishing, millinery and wigs and make-up. Industry placement occurs in the third year.

This nationally-accredited VET qualification is offered by ECU as a Registered Training Organisation under the Australian Quality Training Framework.

Students apply directly to the Academy for admission. Admission is based upon comprehensive interview and the submission of a prescribed project for evaluation. Interviews are normally held in November-December. Students are assessed against the following criteria:

• presentation
• originality
• demonstrable empathy for the discipline
• technical ability
• capacity to complete the course with excellence

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING AND CREDIT TRANSFER
Students may apply for credit for acquired skills or previous studies provided they meet the Academy’s Recognition of Prior Learning criteria or supply transcripts or academic records from the appropriate institution.

PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Students work as directed on productions mounted by the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Students begin by assisting until sufficiently skilled to perform designated tasks. In the final year students will be expected to provide service to the productions at a professional level of competence.

PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT
Professional placement to industry in the graduating year is a compulsory and practical component. Students undertake an appropriate attachment for production experience. The purpose of this work is to develop and strengthen the proficiencies and skills required in the industry.

The course achieves endorsed national units of competence principally from the entertainment industry training package (CUE03). The units of competence are clustered within course delivery units. Details of the specific delivery arrangement for each unit of competence are available from the relevant Course Coordinator or the Programme Director. Students commence the programme at AQF level 4 – Certificate IV, and over a period of three years full-time study achieve the standard required to graduate at AQF level 6 with an Advanced Diploma of Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Production - Costume).